California- Hart Industries 1999
Jonathan Hart sits through yet another conference call with a business he's thinking of purchasing. Sitting back in his chair, he fumbles with the pen in his hand and stares at the picture of him and his daughter on his desk.
It's one of his favorites. Clara is standing beside him holding a trophy from her soccer game. It was a happy moment, one before their lives took a turn for the worst.
His smile fades as he thinks back to the night of the accident. The night where he lost his wife and nearly lost Clara.
Shaken from his thoughts, his office door opens.
Liz, his secretary, walks in, with a stack of papers in her hand, trying not to disturb the call her boss was on.
She chuckles a bit as she sees Jonathan roll his eyes in frustration. It had been a rather long day for the whole office.
Jonathan continued to listen to the voice on the other end drone on and on before finally finding a place he could interject and wrap things up.
"...I'll look over the figures and share it with my board. Thank you again for calling, Bill."
click.
" Retirement sounds nice, but the college fund must come first and the wedding fund." Jonathan laughs referring to his teenage daughter that he wanted to ensure had her future set up for success.
Liz smiles. " You're doing a wonderful job with her, Mr. Hart."
" Sometimes I feel like it's not enough." he replies, as he looks over some papers not making eye contact with her.
" Oh, a woman called the office earlier, Jennifer Edwards was her name. She was looking to do a story on you. What would you like me to tell her?" Liz asks.
Looking up at Liz a bemused smirk slowly appeared on his face. He knows her work." Jennifer Edwards. What kind of story?" he asks.
" She didn't say. She just requested that if you're available, to let her know. Want me to tell her what I tell the others?" Liz asks, referring to the resounding N.O. Jonathan usually gave.
After pondering on it for a moment Jonathan put his pen down.
" Call her. Tell her if she wants the story, she has to be here by 4:00 today." Jonathan says.
" Really?" Liz asks, a brow raised.
" Really." Jonathan nods his head, a smile on his face.
Liz nods and leaves his office.
She returns to her desk and picks up the phone. After dialing the number she waits while it rings.
" Hello. This is Liz, Mr. Hart's secretary. He says if you can be here by 4:00, you can have your story. Yes, today. Goodbye." she hangs up.
Jonathan walks out of his office, his arms crossed as he stands in the doorway.
" She'll be here at 4." Liz replies, unsure of what her boss has up his sleeve.
" Wonderful." Jonathan replies, going back to his office.
As Jonathan waits for the interview, he gets a call to his cellphone.
Answering, he realizes it's Clara's school.
"Mr. Hart, I hope I'm not interrupting. This is Principal Moore. Clara received detention again today. At lunch, she was taking bets on the horse races again. If you could please try to talk to her. I'm afraid detention isn't cutting it. We don't allow for betting or an exchanging of money between students on school property."
Jonathan sighs heavily. " I'll have a talk with her tonight. Thank you for calling."
He hangs up and stares over at his bookcase, which has three photos on it.
He stands up and grabs a photo. It was from Christmas. On it was Laura, Jonathan, Max, and a little Clara. He brushed his finger over it before he chuckled.
" Max, you old rascal. I see some of you in Clara. Maybe taking her to the horse track wasn't the best idea for a babysitting adventure."
His daughter had certainly not let Max's memory die out. She had many of his qualities and he fiercely loved her. She was the best part of his life and he only hoped he was doing his best.
…
Across town, Jennifer Edwards hangs up the phone and can't believe her luck. She smiles at herself, feeling pretty accomplished as she has just gotten a big interview with Jonathan Hart.
She stands up and gathers her things and puts them in her bag, anxious to leave the office.
It's nearly 2:45 and she wants to make it across town to Hart Industries before she gets caught in traffic.
Her auburn hair falls in her face as she picks up her items, trying to hurry.
Marcia, her editor, walks in.
" Where do you think you're going?" she asks, curious as to why Jennifer is in such a rush.
Jennifer looks up from her desk. " I got the story with Jonathan Hart."
Marcia's mouth drops a little. " You didn't. Way to go Edwards."
" How'd you do it?" she asks, crossing her arms as she leans into the doorframe, her brow raised in surprise.
Jennifer shrugged. " I'm really not sure."
" Your story on Dr. Mendard might have something to do with it. That article on World Team Medical was huge. That exposé was something to be proud of." Marica replies with a grin, proud of her friend and writer for breaking open wide several barriers across journalism.
" I simply want to know why this new business deal he's making with that company is really necessary. He doesn't realize the implications of just who he's dealing with and I'd like to be the one to tell him." Jennifer says with a satisfied grin.
" Go get em' tiger." Marcia laughs.
Jennifer got in her car and started her journey towards Hart Industries, hoping that this interview was really going to pan out.
As she drove along the busy streets, she couldn't help but think about the years of adventure she had and the yearn she had to slow down.
Her Pa, Stephen Edwards, had died just two years prior. She missed him terribly. She of course had her family home in Maryland if she so wished to go back. She hadn't been back to the home in a while to sort through things.
She figured once this story about Jonathan was finished, then perhaps she could part ways with California and move home and raise some horses. It would be a significant change of pace.
Before she knew it, she made it to the building. It looked intimidating from the outside, but also like most of the other buildings around it. Nothing stood out about it.
She got out of the car and smoothed her hands over her dress, noticing she had made it to his office with just 15 minutes to spare.
Grabbing her bag, she made her way inside the office.
After speaking with the front desk, Jennifer headed towards the elevators.
As she waited to get on, she was lost in thought about just what to say to Mr. Jonathan Hart.
She didn't hear " LOOK OUT" until it was too late as a soccer ball hit her legs.
Jennifer's bag went in the air as she made contact with the ground, papers going everywhere.
She caught herself with her hands and knees.
" I'm so sorry!" the girl apologizes to Jennifer, hurrying to her side, worrying that she was hurt.
Jennifer winces slightly as she tries to stand.
The teenage girl, with brown hair swept back, and unmistakably blue eyes, sweaty and in a soccer uniform, extends her hand to Jennifer to help her up before helping her with her papers.
" Are you okay?" she asks, her blue eyes filled with worry as she scans Jennifer over.
" I'm alright." she says rubbing her wrist that had taken the brunt of her weight during the fall.
" Are you okay?" Jennifer asks her now.
The brunette nods. " I'm fine," before adding, " I didn't think anyone was here this late besides my dad."
" Your father?" she asks.
The girl nods, smiling a bit. " Yes. Jonathan Hart. Is that who you were going to see?"
She grabs her ball and tucks it away in her bag before handing Jennifer her stack of papers.
Jennifer nods slowly, thanking her. " Yes, I am."
" I'll show you to his office. I promise, I put the ball away." she says motioning to her backpack.
Jennifer followed the girl to the elevator. Inside she saw the rows of buttons and was a bit relieved to be there with someone who knew where they were going.
Clara pressed the third button from the top and then slouched against the elevator as the doors closed as if the task was something mundane.
She wiped her forehead with the sweatband on her arm. Her uniform was a pale blue color to match her school. Jennifer noticed the crest on the front of the jersey.
Her eyes flicked over Jennifer, wondering just who this woman was. She did feel bad for knocking her over. She just hoped her father wouldn't find out.
" I'm Clara Grace Hart by the way," she introduces herself after a long period of silence as the elevator continues on its journey.
" Nice to meet you. Jennifer Edwards." she replies, smiling a bit at the girl.
The elevator finally comes to a stop and Clara walks right out.
" Hi Liz, tell my dad I'm going to the vending machine. By the way, this is Jennifer Edwards. She's got an appointment with him." Clara nonchalantly says, dropping her bag on the chair near his office.
Jennifer smiles wearily at Liz.
Liz notices she looks a bit frazzled. " Ms. Edwards?"
" Yes. That's me." Jennifer replies, catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror, quickly noticing her hair was out of place from the fiasco earlier.
" One moment. I'll let Mr. Hart know you're here." she says with a slight grin.
Jennifer nods. " Thank you."
Once Liz disappears behind the oak door, Jennifer quickly goes to work smoothing out her hair.
The door opens after a few minutes and Liz ushers Jennifer in.
She shuts the door behind them.
Jonathan stands up from his desk.
" You're the infamous Jennifer Edwards." he greets her, a smile on his lips.
Jennifer raises a brow. " Yes, I am. Were you expecting someone else?"
She studied Jonathan for a beat. She notices his daughter has the same blue eyes that he does and the same smile.
" I wasn't." He shakes his head. He motions towards the chair in front of his desk and Jennifer has a seat.
" You wanted an interview?" Jonathan questions as if it's news to him.
" Yes, I did." Jennifer nods furiously.
She reaches down for her bag, which was once neatly organized, is now a jumbled mess as she tries to locate her recorder and her pen and something to write on.
" Are you looking for something?" he asks, his tone playful and curious.
" Yes. I'm trying to locate my notebook." she responds cooly, not amused by his tone.
" It seems you certainly came prepared." Jonathan teases a bit as he notices the stack of papers she's now removing, wincing as her wrist still is tender.
Jennifer's head snaps up, not appreciating his banter or his tone. She decides two can play at that game.
" On my way up, I had the pleasure of meeting your daughter. She decided soccer was now an indoor sport." Jennifer replies, her tone matching his.
" Soccer? An indoor sport? Now you're really sounding like you're onto something there. You can quote that." he continues, his facial expression serious now, enjoying getting a rise out of her.
Finally giving up on the paper she grabs her recorder and presses the button.
" I came here on a serious matter, Mr. Hart. About the merger you're getting involved with. The company, Woodstone Medical." Jennifer says as she sets the recorder on his desk.
" What about Woodstone Medical?" Jonathan asks, sitting back in his chair, motioning for Jennifer to have the floor and share her thoughts.
" I'll tell you about Woodstone and the big mistake you're making, Mr. Hart. You see,
I've done my homework. I know you do extensive research before you select companies to purchase and work with. I also know Hart Industries is doubling in worth, meaning you've now got more capital to put up to acquire more companies. Woodstone has had some great years financially, but what I bet you didn't know is the price animals are paying because of their testing. Which is illegal I might add."
Jennifer was getting more passionate as she spoke.
He looked at Jennifer as she waited for a reply.
" Why are you staring at me?" Jennifer asks, narrowing her eyes.
" Your nose scrunches when you get expressive, did you know that?" he questions her, his eyes playful.
Jennifer was very exacerbated by the whole interview if she could even call it that.
" Mr. Hart. I'm here to do one job and one job only. You agreed to an interview. I asked you a question. We aren't here to talk about my looks. We are here to talk about the integrity of Hart industries!" Jennifer exclaims, coming to a stand across from him at his desk.
" I appreciate Ms. Edwards, that you've acknowledged my company's accolades and successes. It seems you're very well versed in that, I might add. Actually, I do own several environmentally conscious companies under Hart Industries and we are continuing to make improvements each year on our impact globally to ensure our company meets with standards to protect the environment and animals. Ms. Edwards, you've wasted your time coming here because my intent in purchasing the company, which I have already done so was to reconfigure the process to create products that are no longer tested on animals and are made from quality, ethically sourced materials. I do hope that your intent to run a smear campaign against me finds better luck that your article did on World Team Medical. This interview is over." he replies, leaving Jennifer speechless.
He opens the door. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to take my daughter to dinner."
Jennifer gathers her things, feeling tears rising in her eyes as he's clearly embarrassed her. She tries not to let her moment of weakness show.
" Good day, Mr. Hart!" Jennifer exclaims as she walks out of the office towards the elevator.
Liz had gone home but Clara had listened to their interview, if she could even call it that, as she waited for him to finish up. She felt bad for the woman and even more so for causing her to fall as she watched her leave.
She headed into his office and gave him a hug.
" La Scala?" he asks, grinning. She nods.
" I already called in our order." she responds.
" Thank you, champ." he grins.
They head down to the parking lot to Jonathan's Mercedes.
Jonathan's quiet as he zips through the traffic headed to pick up dinner.
" Ms. Edwards looked near tears as she left your office." Clara says, recalling the observation she'd made on the woman she'd met earlier.
" Ms. Edwards? You know her?" Jonathan asks, glancing over at his daughter.
" We met before she came up. I…I was kicking the ball around and accidentally knocked her over." Clara admits, her cheeks going red.
" I see," Jonathan pauses before continuing " You need to be more careful. Speaking of which, principal Moore called. He said you had detention again for taking betting wagers on the horse race with some of the other students."
Clara rolled her eyes. " It's a small ring. The race this week is a big one. I had too."
When Jonathan pulled up to the stop light he turned and looked at Clara with a stern face. Sighing she smiles softly at her dad before crossing her heart with her finger. " It won't happen again. On school grounds."
Jonathan only chuckled and shook his head. " Max certainly left his mark with you, didn't he?"
" I miss him. And mom." Clara says softly.
" I do too, sweetheart. I do too." Jonathan replies, grabbing her hand and squeezing it gently.
They pull up at La Scala and decide to go inside as they wait on their order.
Meanwhile, Jennifer is driving along to pick up dinner, calling Marcia to fill her in, wiping her eyes as she tries to collect herself.
" Well? How'd it go?" she asks, tapping her fingers on her desk, waiting for the answer.
" Jonathan Hart is a rat." Jennifer says into the phone, her disdain for him showing through.
Marica laughed. " That bad, huh?"
" He made a joke out of our entire interview. I can't believe he wasted my time like that." Jennifer was still reeling over the interview or lack thereof.
" Jennifer, Jonathan Hart is notorious for his interview decorum. Relax a little." Marcie tries to talk her down.
" Well that was the last straw. He's awful. Marcia, I think I might be unavailable for reporting starting next week. I need a break." Jennifer says, sighing.
" Oh Jen, don't let him get to you. You're not seriously thinking of taking a break are you?" she asks.
Jennifer pauses a beat, nodding, even though Marica can't see her. " I've been thinking about it anyway. I haven't been to Maryland in a while and I do need to get the house in order. I haven't been back since the funeral and I think the country air will do me some good."
" Well, if it's for that reason, I can't hold you back. But I can promise you I'll have more work for you when you get back." Marcia finishes up her conversation and she ends the call.
Jennifer pulls into La Scala to pick up her meal she has ordered.
Just as she walks inside, Jonathan and Clara are walking out, their arms full of the to go meal.
Jennifer is even more surprised to see him.
He smirks at her. " Well, what a pleasant surprise."
" Isn't it?" she brushes him off.
" I can't wait to read that article." he grins.
Clara tugs her dad's sleeve. " Dad, knock it off."
The 13 year old doesn't find her father's joke amusing.
She rolls her eyes and pulls him to the car.
Jonathan takes one last look at Jennifer as he leaves. Their eyes meet and he can see the frustration and also the hurt in them. His intention wasn't to hurt her. It was all in good fun, but he couldn't stand the prying eyes of the press, no matter who it was.
Except.
Except she was…different.
He gets in his car.
" You really don't like journalists, do you?" Clara asks as she gets in the car.
" Not one." he laughs, although there was something about that red head that intrigued him.
He wouldn't admit it to his daughter or anyone else for that matter but, since he left his office, Jennifer Edwards was on his mind. He does feel bad about the teasing banter.
The two make it home and Clara and Jonathan sit down to dinner.
" Are you coming to my game this weekend?" she asks, noticing her father was preoccupied.
" Hmm?" he asks, as he takes a sip of wine.
" My game? I have two soccer tournaments this weekend. A double header." Clara reminds him.
Jonathan audibly signs, rubbing a hand through his hair.
" That's this weekend?" he asks again, just to be sure he heard her right.
" I put it on the calendar, dad. Weeks ago." Clara sighs in frustration.
She looks at him with the same piercing blue eyes he has. The eyes that held the weight of the world in them.
" I'm sorry darling, I will try my best to be there. I have that meeting scheduled with our advisor from France." Jonathan apologizes, mentally slapping himself for forgetting.
" Mom wouldn't have forgotten." Clara says softly as she twirls her fork around her pasta.
" Clara. I promise you I'll do my best to be there for you. I love you." he grabs her hand in his and he looks at her lovingly. " Your mother had it more together than I did. She and Max kept all of us straight." he says, sadly.
Clara nodded and wiped a stray tear from her eye.
She cleared their plates and went to bed after a while, anxious for a new day.
" Goodnight dad. I love you." she hugs him before trudging up to bed.
Jonathan sat on the edge of his bed, feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders between his work, his daughter, and his own happiness. He wanted to date again, but it never seemed to be the right time or the right person.
Not that Jonathan Hart wasn't ready to go out there, he was. He wanted to be certain Clara was ready for someone new in their lives. That someone new wouldn't be replacing her mother or his wife, but would fill a void and the emptiness in their home.
He went to sleep and hoped tomorrow would be a better day.
…