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NAVIGATION
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"Happiness is not a destination it is a method of life, and no one said it would be easy." |
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Jackie Junior was arrogant, handsome, conceited, rich, and a drug lord. A man who had been left for dead in the corner of a London street over drugs and money. Years later he had regained his health but his heart was left scarred. Now he wants to restore some meaning into his life by having a child, but for that he needs a woman.
Brenna Taylor loves her father over all his flaws, and when he asks her to marry Jackie to save his life she accepts not knowing what she is getting herself into. As soon as she steps off the plane she finds that Jackie is a demon, a handsome demon. Can she live her life in a golden prison married to a man she does not love?
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Title: Inside a Dream by: Jamison Boaz
I built the image of our heart,
And used my tears instead of clay.
I wrote the words to make you mine,
But the blood spelled love on burning paper
And I’m caught in the fire.
I’m sorry but I can’t be forgiven
For everything that I’m saying.
If I must wait for you that’s what I’ll do.
Inside a dream my suffering.
I found the promise in the dirt,
A sign of love that didn’t last.
I smiled to myself as I thought,
To cast aside our precious things
What fools these lovers been.
I’m sorry but I can’t be forgiven
For everything that I’m saying.
If I must wait for you that’s what I’ll do.
Inside a dream my suffering.
Ooh Ooh Ooh…
I feel like I’ve been complicated
Ooh Ooh Ooh…
I feel like I’ve been betrayed
Ooh Ooh Ooh…
I feel like I’ve been complicated
Ooh Ooh Ooh…
I feel like I’ve been betrayed
I’m sorry but I can’t be forgiven
For everything that I’m saying.
If I must wait for you that’s what I’ll do.
Inside a dream my suffering. |
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The sun had just come up and was now making its way through the curtains into Jackie's room. The thick smell of the city filled his lungs as he took in a breath before opening his eyes. He had left the window open and the faint curtains did little to stop the light from hurting his eyes. He shut his eyes again and cursed in a low voice. A soft moan at his side made him open his eyes abruptly. The woman sharing his bed turned away from the light and continued sleeping. Jackie remembered very little about the night before, in fact, until she moved he hadn't known she was there. Had he not specifically given her instructions to leave after they were done. How dared she disobeyed him?
Jackie pulled himself up and sat at the edge of the bed, facing the window. He rubbed his face with both hands and scratched his head roughly. The day could have been a good one if he had only woken up alone. Merciless and without warning he jerked the sheets away from the woman making her fall to the floor. Startled she jumped to her feet and looked around the room still half asleep.
"Did I not ask you to leave immediately after your services?" he asked with his back to her.
The woman did not answer with words. She picked up her belongings and exited the room in complete silence. The loud noise the door made as it closed behind her was the only way Jackie knew she was gone. Not even then did he take the consideration to look back and check if she had actually left, he kept his gaze on the flowing curtains.
Slowly he got up from the bed, walked over to the curtains and in one rapid movement closed the window. The curtains ceased their dance and Jackie continued his way to the bathroom. The day could have been a good day if he had only woken up alone, he repeated to himself. Now it was too late, too late to make this a good day. Everyday after the day in which he almost died had been a bad day. That cursed day had left Jackie between life and death and in the hospital for months. Two years in rehabilitation were long enough to make a man insane. If he hadn't been crazy before he was now. After his return to the business everyday was filled with dark memories and hate. The scars on his body and his mind grew deeper with time. But Jackie had thought that perhaps today could be different.
"Why would it be different?" he angrily asked into the mirror of the bathroom. "Just because today is your wedding day? Is it that?"
Amused at his foolishness Jackie smiled sarcastically. Today would be just like every other day. Today was just another day, just another day stolen from his destiny. Jackie Junior had died that cursed day during that business arrangement gone wrong. Standing before the mirror was just a man seeking revenge against his own life.
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Brenna Taylor sighted once again as she boarded the limousine that was waiting for her at the London Airport. After many hours on a plane the last thing she wanted to do was sit for another hour. She was a very long way from her beloved Texas and the distance and the exhaustion had irritated her.
Inside the limo Brenna took out her mirror from her hand bag and looked into her eyes to make sure her contacts were in place. Sometimes she wished she still used glasses and didn't have to worry about dry eyes or out of place plastics. Wishes, wishes, wishes, Brenna thought sadly. Her wishes had no meaning or relevance in life. She was 27 years old and in London, about to marry a complete stranger to pay off a debt that would cost her father his entire fortune and life if she did not obey.
She had been reduced to nothing more than a very expensive mail order bride thanks to her father's gambling addiction. Brenna had always been the strong one in her family, her two younger sisters looked up to her because she allowed no one to take advantage of her. Since the day their mother had died ten years ago Brenna took on the role of head of the household. Her father was never home due to business trips and pleasure escapades. Brenna did not hate him for that but she did wish he had made better choices.
Now thanks to one of his bad decisions she was in a foreign land and hours away from marrying a delinquent. A good for nothing son of a motherless goose, she thought angrily. How else would you explain his barbaric demands for her hand in marriage against her father's debt? He hadn't even been considerate enough to meet her before sending her the ticket to London along with other instructions. Brenna had expected him to be there when she arrived at the airport, but the arrogant individual sent a limo instead.
"I hate you already Jackie Junior!" Brenna said loudly, knowing that the driver couldn't hear her.
She opened her hand bag once again and took out the paper with his instructions.
"Hotel Royale...Room 743...Dress...No underwear!" she read infuriated. It still amazed her every time she read the note. His lack of concern for her comfort was insulting.
"I will show you Mr. Junior" she vowed "I will make you wish you were dead"
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Jackie handed his glass to one of his servants and asked for it to be refilled. He then placed a lighten cigar in his mouth and threw his head back into the chair he was sitting in. Only three more hours and he would be a married man. Such a silly thought that one was, but it thrilled him to think that the exquisite creature, whose photograph her father proudly paraded around London, would soon be his wife.
It was a sad reality that Jackie was the only Junior left on the face of the Earth. His whole family had been wiped out after that awful day almost three years ago. Jackie was presumed dead and it did not take long for all his enemies to pry on what they knew to be left of the Juniors. In a cruel twist of fate, Jackie was the only one to survive. Hidden behind the walls of the rehabilitation institution, he gained back his health but became all too familiar with pain; both physical and mental. The demons that haunted his mind were always present. Even after finding his family's murderers and making them pay for their deeds Jackie found no peace. Nothing was good enough, nothing was calming.
Only one thing was certain, Jackie needed to procreate, and no one but Brenna Taylor could be the mother of his children. Her beauty and air of innocence transpired through the photograph he met her through. At first Jackie had laughed when her father offered her as pay for his debt, but then he looked at her picture and realized it was not such a bad idea. Jackie had more than a hard time trusting people, especially women, and he did not have time to court a young lady, so he decided to accept. He asked her father all about her and was reassured that he had made a right decision. She was precisely what Jackie needed in a wife, someone who would never ask questions and obey his every command with striking perfection. It was a bonus that she was also very beautiful. Jackie smiled thinking for the first time that their nights together would not be wasted either.
"I need to speak to your boss right this instant!" Jackie's thoughts were interrupted by the loud voice of a woman.
"He is in there, am I right?!" the voice asked.
"I'm sorry but you cannot go in there!" a guard instructed her
Jackie sat up straight as the woman pushed the doors open and demanded that the guards stay away from her. Angry and confused the woman looked around the room before posing her eyes on Jackie.
"I presume you must be Mr. Junior."
Jackie inspected the figure before him with no attempts to hide his wicked thoughts. The woman was good looking and curvy, her long red hair reminded him of fire. Jackie wondered if there was time enough for a quick adventure before his wedding.
"That depends who is asking." Jackie answered taking the cigar out of his mouth.
"I am. And I want to tell you what I think about your dumb requests." she said madly waving a paper in front of him.
Taken by surprise Jackie stood up, the woman was forced to look up at him. Her light brown eyes showed determination and strength. The last thing Jackie needed was a crazy woman trying to ruin an already bad day. Today was his wedding day for the love of cheeses!
"Who the hell are you, and why do you think you can come in here and scream at me?" he asked her angrily.
"Who am I? Oh you are a bigger hypocrite than I thought!"
Jackie had no time to continue to play games with this fiery creature. He asked his men to show the lady out and when one of the guards grabbed her by the arm the paper in her hand fell to the floor. Jackie picked it up and was shocked when he read its inscriptions.
"Wait!" he called to them. The guard released her and she turned to face him. Her white skin was now red with fury.
"Who are you?" Jackie asked perplexed.
"My name is Brenna Taylor, and against my will I am to be your wife today."
Her words were spit out with pure hatred. Jackie waited for her to correct herself. Surely there must be a mistake, he thought, this cannot be. He walked over to the woman and forcefully grasped her arm leading her through a door and into a private room.
He let go of her and paced back and forth for a few seconds before speaking. The woman rubbed her arm in pain but her eyes still defied him.
"If you tell me who sent you I might take pity on you and return you home intact."
"Why, because now you know you cannot control me, that I am not the trophy wife you wanted?" she asked.
"No. Because you are not Brenna Taylor." he told her before slamming the door shut and leaving her locked up. |
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Scottish? Jackie Junior was Scottish? Brenna came to London with the idea that she would marry an old British man, in her wildest thoughts she expected to find a middle aged Italian, but never a handsome Scottish drug lord. Who the heck has ever heard of a Scottish Godfather? It was undeniable that his accent was charming, and that his looks were heart stopping, but that did not help the fact that he was a pig. A repulsive excuse for a man, Brenna thought.
He was thick enough to deny knowing who she was. He even called her an impostor. Brenna did not know what kind of game he was playing but she refused to go along with it. As soon as he came back into the room she would let him know that she had had a change of heart. She would return home and let her father deal with his own problems. There was no way she was going to marry a brute such as Jackie Junior.
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Jackie ordered all his men out of the room and immediately picked up his phone to dial Luke Taylor's number. After three rings a maid picked up and was alarmed at the harsh command Jackie shouted at her.
"Put Taylor on the line."
"Mr. Taylor?" the maid asked scared.
"Of course Mr. Taylor!" Jackie barked at her.
In less than a minute a male voice answered.
"Yes, this is Taylor speaking."
"Was this your idea of a joke? Did you not think I was serious when I said I would kill you?"
Taylor was puzzled by the questions.
"Jackie. What are you talking about? Did Brenna not show up? Did she do something to upset you?" the old man asked into the receiver.
Jackie gripped the phone tighter and breathed in loudly as he searched for a civilized way to inform his acquaintance that his days were numbered.
"I don't know who you think you are dealing with Taylor." Jackie said. "Your daughter never arrived, instead you sent a demonic redhead. Our deal was that I marry Brenna and your debts would be forgotten, otherwise you would be a dead man. It seems you have decided against your life by sending an impostor to fill your daughter's place. But let me give you a bit of advice, not that you will be needing it after I kill you, but I must tell you either way. Next time you plan on tricking a Junior at least take the time to find someone that looks like your daughter. A redhead for a blond gives it away don't you think?"
Jackie's anger took Luke Taylor by surprise. Jackie's words did little to answer his questions. A blond?
"You must be mistaken Jackie. Why would I find a blond to replace Brenna?" Taylor directly asked.
"Don't play stupid with me Taylor! You know perfectly well what I am talking about. Your daughter is blond; the woman that came here claiming to be Brenna is a redhead."
Suddenly Taylor realized the mistake they both had made. Being the coward that he was, Luke made one false step after another during the last two months. First he fell in debt up to his neck, then he borrowed from Jackie and lost everything else. In an attack of panic for his life, Luke offered Jackie the last valuable he possessed, his daughter Brenna. Jackie was reluctant and in an attempt to convince him Luke showed him a recent family photograph in which Brenna appeared along with her two younger sisters. Jackie had studied the picture carefully, he also asked many questions and Luke was desperate to save his life so he answered what he thought Jackie wanted to hear. Going back into his memory Luke Taylor relived those few moments.
"What is her name?" Jackie asked, looking into the photo in his hand.
"Br..Brenna." Taylor answered nervously.
"How old is she?"
"She will be 27 in two weeks."
"She looks younger." Jackie said softly.
"She is very pleasant." Taylor added trying to seal the deal.
"Is she obedient?"
"Hmm...Yes.” and uncomforted Taylor responded.
"How is her character?" Jackie wanted to know.
"Brenna is caring and understandable. She will adapt to any situation and you will only get the best of her."
"You make her sound like the perfect woman."
"She will be perfect for you." Taylor assured Jackie.
"We will see." Jackie finally said "You are one lucky man to have such a beautiful daughter to save your neck."
It couldn't have, Taylor thought to himself. But it had, Jackie had mistakenly thought that Brenna was his youngest daughter Crystal. Crystal was the only blond in his family, just as Brenna was the only redhead, everyone else, including his other daughter Rachel, had brown hair.
Jackie confused the two and Luke was idiot enough to not pick up on it. But Crystal was only 18! How can Jackie have thought that she would marry him? Besides, Taylor was referring to Brenna the whole time. It had been Jackie's mistake; he had looked at the wrong woman in the photograph. Surely Taylor was doomed; Brenna would never allow Crystal to marry Jackie. Crystal was like a daughter to her older sisters, and neither Brenna nor Rachel would allow her to marry at such a young age.
Luke Taylor was returned to the present by Jackie's loud voice.
"The woman will sustain no harm. She will be returned to America in the first plane available. You and I have a matter to discuss and I expect you here as soon as possible."
"Wait a second Jackie." Taylor interrupted "The woman, the redhead, she is Brenna." |
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Brenna was tired of pacing the circumference of the room in which she was locked up so she sat on a chair by a large window and looked down to the street. Just then the door of the room opened and in came Mr. Jackie Junior. After one quick glance his way Brenna returned to watching the cars and people outside the window. The view was not very good because they were in the seventh floor, but anything was better than looking at Jackie.
"So you are Miss Brenna Taylor." Jackie's rude voice stated.
Brenna did not turn around and this irritated Jackie. He was at her side in an instant and spoke directly into her face.
"Your father takes me for an idiot, and that is something I do not appreciate."
"You don't have to spit at me you know." Brenna said nastily.
Jackie ignored her comment and ordered her to go to her room and get dressed. They would be leaving for the ceremony in 30 minutes.
"I knew you would be an ass but I didn't think it was ever possible to go to such extremes as you have." Brenna screamed.
"Well you are not as advertised either." Jackie screamed back at her. "To tell you the truth, you are not the girl I wanted to marry. Your kind does not appeal to me, and you are not much to look at. So unless you want me to marry your sister, go get dressed."
Brenna's was stunned by his words. Her sister? What on earth?
"What are you talking about?" she asked Jackie
"It was Crystal that I wanted to marry, but it appears that you is all I will get. Somehow you will have to do. Now go get dressed." he ordered again.
Silently Brenna walked out of the room and walked to her own. She had never been so insulted in her whole life; she wanted to cry from the humiliation that man put her through. If only she could return home and forget there was a man named Jackie Junior roaming the planet. If only this was a dream. But it was all too real and nasty to be a dream, even to disgusting to be a bad dream. She couldn't let Jackie kill her father, or ruin her sister's life, there was no way out. By the end of the day she was to be Mrs. Jackie Junior. Brenna feared that it was then that the true nightmare would start. |
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Until death do us part? It had to be a joke, a very sick joke. Forever seemed like a very long time to wait for her freedom. Brenna secretly wished Jackie would suddenly drop dead during the reception, but her wish was not granted. The man appeared to be in perfect health and enjoying himself with her distress.
There were very few guests, only about 50 people, but they all noticed the bride's uneasiness and her lack of affection toward the groom. Jackie on his part ignored Brenna throughout the evening and limited himself to drinking and engorging in the admiration of the females in the room. Every woman stood patiently awaiting his gaze; they all smiled shyly at him and wished he would dance with them. Brenna felt nauseous at their outrageous flirt game, it was his wedding reception did the man not have an ounce of respect for her.
Brenna recalled the quick kiss he placed on her lips as the priest asked him to kiss the bride. There was no feeling on either part, no magic. She reluctantly had to accept that her life from now on would be that way.
After 4 hours of witnessing the Miss Jackie Junior Slut Pageant, Brenna had had enough. She left the reception and headed for her room.
"I may be you wife, but I will not sit around and be publicly ridiculed." Brenna said as she removed her head piece and threw it on the floor.
"I hate you Jackie Junior, I truly hate you!” she said kicking her shoes to the side.
A deafening bang on her door startled her and she stood very quiet as the bangs continued.
"Brenna open the door!" An intoxicated Jackie shouted from the outside.
"Go away you moron, you are drunk!" she yelled back. Slowly she moved closer to the door and waited to see if he would leave.
A kick to the door made Brenna shriek softly and jump back.
"Open the door I said!" Jackie demanded
There was no response.
"Open or I will!" he insisted.
"No!" came Brenna's defiant answer.
For a moment there was no response from Jackie and Brenna was sure he was gone. He was dimwitted enough to make a scene outside her hotel door; Bob only knew what else he was capable of.
Unexpectedly, the door that joined her room with Jackie's burst open and Jackie appeared before Brenna. She had forgotten to lock it!
"Why did you leave?" Jackie asked as he walked to her, he didn't appear as drunk as he had sounded through the door.
"I refused to witness your slut contest for another second." she answered.
"My what?" he asked confused, then smiled when he understood her comment.” Jealous already?"
"Don't be absurd." she corrected him.” It is just my reputation that I feel I must protect, yours on the other hand is already ruined by your lack of self-respect."
Jackie's smile was wiped out of his face
"What do you want, don't you have guests to attend to?" Brenna asked him dryly
"They are all gone now."
"Surely you don't expect me to play the perfect wife and succumb to a night of loveless physical action?" she directly asked her husband.
Her question made Jackie laugh loudly, and surprisingly that hurt Brenna's feelings.
"No darling, I've told you before," he said, lightly touching her chin "you are not appealing to me."
He took a step back and looked her up and down before saying.
"For now you don't have to worry about that part of the marriage. My desires will be satisfied elsewhere until I find a liking to you. If that doesn't happen, then at least you can answer my phone calls and sort out the mail. Good night, my wife."
And with that he left, leaving Brenna to wonder why he had married her. |
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Jackie lay awake in his bed looking up at the ceiling and wondering why for the first time in many years he had said no to a woman. It wasn't true that he did not want to sleep with Brenna. Bob, that was the first thing that came to his mind when he first saw her! He imagined running his fingers through the fire in her hair, kissing her white flesh, her pouty lips.
But that woman had the temper of a wild horse. She reminded him of American horses, the untamed Mustang. Smiling Jackie pictured Brenna as a mare. Soon his thoughts returned to reality. It was 3:30 am on his wedding night and he was alone in his bed. Pathetic, Jackie thought, utterly pathetic.
Why the only reason he wanted to marry in the first place was to have kin. Indeed that task would require getting it on with Brenna someday. But since she firmly stated that she wasn't up to the task Jackie would not let her know that he was disappointed. Instead he acted as if he hadn't desired her company.
"And that's how its going to stay" Jackie told himself "until you come to me on your own Brenna Taylor."
No matter how long he had to wait, Jackie vowed to make Brenna long for him with a desperation that would one day break her pride and make her surrender to his will. Time was not an issue for them; they had all their lives ahead of them.
"Until death do us part." he repeated softly before drifting off to sleep.
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Brenna didn't sleep much, the time change and the unpleasant events of the previous evening kept her up until about 3:30 am. It was now 8:15 am and Brenna was wide awake but her body ached all over. She decided to take a long hot bath to see if the heat of the water relieved her of her pain.
This time she made sure to lock both doors leading to her room and she gave in to the pleasure of the hot tub. Brenna had not been in the tub for long when her husband burst into the bathroom. Brenna released a loud scream and curled into fetal position to avoid his eyes.
"Shut up!" Jackie ordered
"How did you get in?!” she asked
"I have a key."
"You have no right to come barging in like this!"
Jackie grabbed a yellow towel from the hanger next to the tub and threw it at Brenna.
"It's not like I have never seen a nude woman before." he said sarcastically.
"You disgust me." she answered.
"The pendulum swings both ways dear."
Brenna had covered her body with the towel and she pushed Jackie aside to get to the room. He followed close behind and sat in a couch a few feet away from the bed. His back was to her.
"We have a meeting at 9 so I figured I should come and make sure you were properly dressed for the occasion. I don't want my associates to think that I just married the first woman that crossed my path. Although that might have been a better idea now that I think about it."
Brenna said nothing back. She sat on the bed and closed her hands into fists. Jackie turned to face her and smiled wickedly.
"So are you going to change or what?"
Brenna felt her blood rising to a boiling point.
"Leave!" she demanded.
"I didn't think you were such a virginal bride." Jackie said between laughs as he left the room.
Once she found herself alone Brenna dropped her face into her hands and sobbed quietly for a split second. She then furiously wiped the tears away and decided she would not give him the benefit of her tears. |
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"Why did you sign the deed to the house without consulting me first?" Brenna asked Jackie as they drove back to the hotel.
"It didn't concern you." he answered looking straight in front of him.
Brenna tried hard but could not stop her inquisition.
"Is this how it’s always going to be? You making all the decisions, and never bothering to ask me what I think."
"Yes." he coldly answered.
"Didn't you stop to think that I might want to have a say in where I live for the rest of my life?"
The car stopped at a light and at last Jackie turned to face Brenna.
"You didn't expect us to live in the hotel forever, did you?"
"No, but I also didn't want to pay so much for a house."
"Money is not a problem for me; I am not your father."
Hurt by his words Brenna signaled for him to drive once the light had turned to green.
"Besides,” Jackie said starting to drive again "I knew we didn't have to look at another house the moment I saw your face light up when you saw the garden."
Brenna looked at him amazed that he had noticed.
"You like flowers?” Jackie asked her
Brenna smiled shyly before answering.
"Yes."
"All women do." Jackie added ruining the moment.
The rest of the way back was made in silence. When they arrived at the hotel Jackie motioned for Brenna to get off.
"Do something to entertain yourself while I go tend to some other items." he told her before driving away.
Brenna did not wait to watch him drive away. She quickly walked to the hotel's bar and ordered a double shot of the house's strongest drink. The bartender gave her a weird look but prepared her order with no questions asked.
"You better take it easy. That drink can put you out in less than 20 minutes if you are not accustomed to drinking." a good looking man sitting next to her said.
"And what makes you think I am not accustomed to drinking?" she asked angrily.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to intrude I just thought you needed advice on how strong that drink is." the man tried to get up to leave but Brenna stopped him midway.
"No. Excuse me. I didn't mean to be so rude. I'm just having a very bad day." she apologized.
"I forgive you." the man said making Brenna smile. "I'm Tony Meier."
"Brenna Ta... Junior." she said taking the hand the man was offering into her own.
"Nice to meet you." they said in unison bursting into laughter.
"Miss? Your drink." the bartender interrupted the pair.
"She won't be needing that anymore. Charge it to my account." Tony said as he led Brenna to a nearby table to continue their conversation.
There was something about this man that made Brenna feel comfortable, perhaps it was his soft voice, or his gentleman manner. So very different from the beast she had married.
"Are you here on vacation?" Tony asked her.
"No. I came here to get married."
"You are getting married?"
"I got married yesterday night." she answered expressionless.
"Last night?" Tony asked surprised "Where is your husband? You should be enjoying your honeymoon."
Brenna felt like laughing at his suggestion.
"There is nothing sweet about my marriage." she informed Tony.
"You are not in love." he said understanding her comment.
"No."
"Why did you marry him then?"
"It's a long story."
"I've got nowhere to go for a while." he said smiling.
Brenna felt her heart start to flutter; his smile invited her to share her feelings with him. Alone and miles away from home Brenna was happy to find a friend. The sparkle in Tony's eyes made her blush like a teenager, and without noticing she began to speak.
"My father has a gambling problem and he..." |
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Jackie returned to the hotel very late at night. He had planned on joining Brenna for dinner but the business had some unexpected trouble and that needed to be taken care of before it got out of hand. Around 6pm, Jackie tried calling Brenna’s room to let her know he was not going to show up until later but there was no answer. He then called one of his men and asked him to look for her in the hotel but the man returned his call saying he couldn’t find her. Jackie speculated whether or not Brenna would be daring enough to try to leave him.
Silent and cautiously Jackie entered Brenna’s room to check if she was asleep. She was. Her rhythmic breathing was loud and Jackie smiled as he thought of how tired she must be to sleep like that. Surely she would be waking up late the next day.
“Major jetlag.” Jackie said quietly as he approached her bed.
He stood looking down at his wife and felt the urge to bend down and kiss her; she looked so peaceful, so innocently delicious. Nothing like the mad cow she turned into when she was awake. Perhaps it’s just me, Jackie thought, I bring out the bad in her.
Careful to not make a sound Jackie introduced his hand into one of the inner pockets of his red coat. He took out a small velvety box and placed it on her nightstand. Still smiling Jackie returned to his own room and slept peacefully for the first time in many nights.
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Brenna woke up from a good night’s sleep smiling, and she was surprised to find a velvet ring box staring back at her. Without getting out of the bed she grabbed the small box and opened it, letting out a small gasp. Inside was the most beautiful wedding ring she had ever seen. Excited, Brenna went into the shower and hummed as she got ready for the day. Maybe Jackie wasn’t so bad after all, she thought.
She chose to wear jeans and a green turtle neck because it was Sunday and Sundays were always carefree days for her. After applying mascara and gloss she combed her hair back and pinned it up at the sides. Then she carefully placed her new ring on her left hand.
Just then, Jackie came into the room without warning and Brenna turned to him smiling.
“You still haven’t learned to knock first?” she said jokingly.
Jackie smiled back and Brenna saw that his eyes were a beautiful sparkling blue-green like the sea. Smiling like that, he looked more handsome than ever.
“I see you’re having a good day.” Jackie said.
“Yes I am.” Brenna agreed happily. “Thank you for the ring.”
Jackie was quickly in front of her and had her hand in his inspecting the ring on her finger.
“It looks good.” He said before releasing her hand.
For a moment Brenna had thought that he would kiss her hand and she was disappointed that he just dropped her hand with no caress whatsoever.
“You’re dressed already, good, now we can go pick out our new furniture. The house will be ready on Wednesday of we manage to select all the furniture today, then we can move in on Thursday.” Jackie informed her as he opened the door leading to the hotel’s hall.
“You mean, you, will pick out the furniture.” Brenna said as she joined Jackie outside.
“Be nice to me and I might even let you select your bed.” Jackie responded smiling.
Brenna felt a closeness to her husband that was both pleasant and frightening. Was this not the same man that found humiliating her a hobby? Why was he trying to be so nice to her? |
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Brenna did get to pick her bed after all, along with the rest of the furniture for her new home. Jackie took her to an exclusive store and told her to order whatever her little greedy heart desired, coming from Jackie that almost sounded like a compliment.
“You can have a decorator help you out if you want to.” Her husband suggested
“I rather do it myself if that’s okay with you.” She said to him.
“It’s your home; you can do with it as you please.”
If only the same was true for you, Brenna thought.
“I have to leave you alone again today. But I will be back by 5 to join you for supper.”
“I take you will be gone most of our married life.” Brenna sneeringly said.
Jackie could not answer her because precisely at that moment the store’s host came back with the order form ready.
“Please follow me Mr. and Mrs. Junior.” The young man said to the couple.
They did as asked and Brenna smiled as the host informed her that her newly purchased items would be at her new home the next day.
“In case there is an error in the order, not that there will be, but just in case I must still inform you that you can call our store at anytime before 5 pm and we will fix any problems you might have. We will even replace any pieces that are not to your liking once they are relocated to your home.” The host politely recited.
The host then turned to talk to the cashier and Jackie found the perfect opportunity to lean close to Brenna and whisper into her ear.
“It’s nice when you have a guarantee to back up an order, isn’t it my dear wife?”
Hurt by his comment Brenna forcefully elbowed his side and Jackie lost his breath for a second.
“Are you alright Mr. Junior?” the host asked the man
“Yes darling, are you okay?” Brenna innocently asked.
“I’m fine.” Jackie answered straightening up.
Triumphant Brenna signed the delivery order and mentally prepared her next attack on her offensive husband.
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“Where are you Jackie Junior?” Brenna asked for the thousand time since 5pm had passed, 45 minutes ago.
All the possible explanations that Jackie could have for being late circled around Brenna’s mind making her dizzy. She kept on checking the entrance waiting for him to come rushing in at any moment. He was about an hour late but that could happen to anyone, right?
Then a familiar face came through the doors and Brenna couldn’t help but smile.
“I’m not following you I swear.” Tony, the charming man from yesterday told her as he approached her.
“Hello Tony.” Brenna said still smiling.
“Hello beautiful.” Tony said back “Alone again? May I?” he asked pointing to the chair next to her.
Brenna took one last glance toward the restaurant’s entrance and not seeing Jackie she accepted Tony’s company.
“Your husband must be a very busy man.”
Brenna rolled her eyes and sighted.
“I mean, to leave you alone all day like this, and on your honeymoon.”
“I’ve told you before, my marriage is a fake.” Brenna said irritated that her husband had stood her up.
“Still, any man should feel lucky to have you as his wife.” Tony said making Brenna blush.
A waiter came up to their table to take their orders. He saluted them, wrote down Tony’s order then spoke again.
“And, for your wife?”
Brenna almost choked on the water she was sipping. Tony let out a light and embarrassed laugh and corrected the waiter.
“I’m sorry Miss.” The young man apologized “What can I bring out for you?”
“No problem.” Brenna said to him “I’ll have the roast chicken with potatoes.”
“Your orders will be out in a few minutes.” The waiter said leaving the table.
Brenna felt a bit uncomfortable after that little incident, and she could tell that Tony was not relaxed either.
“Were you waiting for him?” Tony asked straight out.
The question took Brenna by surprise but she was sincere when she answered.
“Yes.”
After the meal Tony invited Brenna for a walk in the hotel gardens.
“Have you had a chance to visit them?” he asked her
“No.” she answered, her mind wondering why Jackie had forgotten about their date.
“They’re this way.” Tony said grabbing Brenna’s hand and guiding her through a pathway lined with enormous trees. “You are going to love this.”
When the edge of the flower garden was clear Brenna could see why Tony was so excited to show her the place. It was beautiful and it smelled even better. Many different types of flowers made various geometric designs that led to a kiosk surrounded by roses.
“It is beautiful.” Brenna admitted excited
But her enthusiasm ended as her attention was caught by the intense red of a very familiar coat in the distance. Standing about 5 feet from the center of the garden was her husband, and he was kissing a stunning brunette!
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Jackie stormed into the restaurant two hours too late. He inquired with the hostess if a woman named Brenna Junior had had supper there around 5 pm. The hostess said there was no way to be certain since they didn’t keep a guest list. Disappointed by her answer Jackie went upstairs to look for Brenna.
“Is my wife in her room?” he asked his right hand man Charles when they crossed paths in the hall.
“I think I saw her come up about a half hour ago.” Charles responded.
Jackie nodded thankfully and they went their separate ways. Minutes later Jackie was knocking at Brenna’s door.
“Who is it?” she asked from the inside.
“It’s me, Jackie, please open the door.”
Little by little the door was opened and Brenna’s head popped out.
“Can I help you?” she meanly asked, her accent more apparent by her angry tone.
“Come on Brenna, we were doing so good this morning.”
“This morning being the key words.” She responded still refusing to let him in “That was until you decided to forget all about me and spent your afternoon kissing another woman.”
Jackie was stunned by her response. He didn’t feel he needed to give her an explanation regarding his personal business but another argument would interfere with his plans for a speedy breeding.
“Wait a minute.” He said pushing her head in with the palm of his hand and entering the room. “First of all I didn’t forget about you. I left you a message in your mobile.”
“You know I don’t know how to use it yet, you gave it to me this morning!”
“I thought you Americans were supposed to be into the latest technological trends.”
“Not this American.” Brenna stated annoyed.
Jackie placed his hands on his hips and continued.
“Second, I don’t like to be spied on, especially not by my wife.”
“I wasn’t spying on you!” Brenna defended herself “I was taking a walk by the gardens and I happen to catch you in the act.”
“For Pete’s sake woman, what act? It was just a kiss on the cheek.” Jackie threw his hands in the air.
“It was a kiss!”
“You’ve got issues, and I don’t have time for this, but thirdly, she is an associate. And she happens to be Italian. Have you ever dealt with Italians before? In case you haven’t let me inform you that they kiss everybody.”
“You expect me to believe that all that bull crap?!” Brenna asked incredulously.
Exasperated Jackie kicked the couch in the room.
“Then don’t believe it!”
“Well I don’t!”
“Fine!” Jackie said
“Fine!” Brenna mocked him
“Stop it!” Jackie threatened.
“You stop it!” Brenna said returning his command
“You are making it very hard for me to forget that you are not the bride I had chosen!”
Brenna threw herself at him and began punching his chest.
“You animal! You…you…”
“What?” Jackie asked laughing at her struggle as he held her by her wrists.
Brenna gave up and stood quiet. Jackie looked into her eyes and spoke softly.
“I wasn’t kissing her Brenna, I swear.”
Then he bent down and gently kissed her lips. Brenna would later scorn at herself for her reaction to that kiss. Her knees felt weak and she closed her eyes as she surrendered to his mouth. When he parted from her lips Brenna’s breathing stopped for a second.
“I see we are making some progress in the affection department.” Jackie disdainfully said
“Not in the least bit!” Brenna said pulling herself away from him
“Are you sure?”
“Very sure.” She answered
“You don’t want me to stay here with you tonight then?” Jackie asked her proudly
Brenna laughed at his question and Jackie flashed her an evil look that made her be quiet instantly.
“It’s not like I was planning on stay you know, I have an appointment for tonight, so don’t wait up for me dear.” Jackie said evenly
Brenna crossed her arms over her chest and returned his evil gaze as he headed for the door. Just before exiting he turned to her.
“By the way,” he said smiling “kissing Teresa was a lot more exciting.” |
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The next three days flew fast, Brenna had been very occupied with the decoration of her home and before she knew it Wednesday rolled along. Tonight was to be her last night at the hotel and Brenna wanted to say good bye to Tony. She probably would never see him again and he had been so kind to her that she bought him a little something to thank him. She asked at the reception desk for his room number and she was now at his door.
Brenna lifted her arm to knock but she held it in mid air suddenly feeling tongue-tied. What would she say to him? Hi Tony, my husband is being a little nicer to me but he is still an arse so I was wondering if I can use you as confidant for one more session? She couldn’t say that! How about… Tony! I’ve been dreaming about you for the past two nights and I think I might have a crush on you, is there any chance you feel the same toward me? Yeah right! Brenna thought dropping her arm ready to leave.
But just as she was about to turn away Tony’s door opened.
“Brenna!” he exclaimed as he saw her.
“Good morning Tony.” Brenna said shyly.
“How are you? I haven’t seen you in what… two days?” he said as delightful as always.
“I know.” Brenna agreed “I’ve been a little busy lately.”
Her words were followed by a few seconds of awkwardness, and then Brenna broke the silence.
“I’m leaving tomorrow, and I wanted to say good bye and give you this as a token of my gratitude.” She said handing him a fruit basket.
Tony smiled widely as he took the basket in his hands and looked down at it.
“Oh jolly, my very own fruit salad!’ he said making her laugh.
“No, seriously now, thanks.” Tony said
“You’re welcome. I saw you were on your way out, so I won’t keep you any longer.”
“Actually I was about to go down to see if I had the good luck of running into you again, but you’re already here so why don’t you come in and we can order a film on pay-per-view.”
Flattered by his confession Brenna agreed to go into his room.
“What movie are we watching?” she asked him sitting on the couch facing the television set.
“I’ve been meaning to watch this musical everyone talks about. The Phantom of the Opera!” Tony said imitating a theater announcer. “With that actor… what’s his name? J- Something.”
“Jared Bonkers!” Brenna said cheerfully “He is so cute!”
“I sense a little crush toward the guy.” Her friend teased her
Brenna avoided his eyes. If you only knew who I was crushing on, she thought.
The movie was great, Brenna had been meaning to see her while she was still in her hometown but the disturbing news of her arranged engagement took priority from the instant she heard about it. Then there was no time to go to the theater anymore, she spend the next few months preparing mentally for her unwelcome destiny. There was nothing she could do about that now, was there? She was already married. The only good thing that had come out of her first days as a married woman was her friendship to Tony.
“Then I decided to come visit and see if I could make up my mind whether or not to move here. I have been working for this company for about two years and it would be the best thing anyways.” Tony told Brenna after the movie was over and they stayed sitting down telling each other their lives stories.
“So you are Canadian by birth, but you were raised in Oxford and now you are relocating here to London?”
“Yeah that pretty much sums it up.” Tony said
“If you are going to live here too then may be we can continue to meet once in a while for coffee.” Brenna bravely offered
“That would be nice.”
“Yes, it would.” She said dreamingly
Tony moved a little closer to her and caressed her cheek lovingly. Then Brenna did the unexpected, she enclosed Tony’s lips with hers and kissed him. Soon they were both embracing each other and confessing their attraction. Their kisses were tender and sweet, a passion was igniting itself by their harmony, and they made a promise to see each other again soon, very soon. |
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The first day in their enormous new home, Jackie shocked Brenna by leaving very clear that he wanted a child within two years.
“I won’t force you into intercourse, you can let me know when you’re ready for it, but those are my terms.” Jackie informed her
Brenna was speechless.
“Aside from that I don’t really have much use for you so you can go shopping during the day, maybe even tour the city and get accustomed to
London.”
Many vicious retorts floated in Brenna’s head but she now had something to hide from Jackie and she would try to be as pleasant with him so that he did not suspect.
“Boy or girl?” she asked distant
Jackie’s eyes twinkled as he pictured a stubborn little girl with fiery red hair. Although a boy would not be so bad either, they could have more than one. But his child’s sex did not really matter to Jackie.
“Either one.” He responded smiling “Our child will be a Junior, there is no more to that.”
Arrogant jerk, Brenna thought silently.
“And you won’t force me into anything?’
“I said I wouldn’t the night we married.” Jackie reminded her
“You said you had to develop a liking to me.” She confronted him “Does that mean you’ve achieved that already?”
“I had to.” Jackie responded, “There is no other way to conceive a child.”
Offended by his answer Brenna sighted deeply before speaking.
“There is another way. We can always try an in-vitro.” She said making him laugh
“No child of mine will be created by any other means than the natural ones.” He said
Bothered Brenna tried to speak.
“But…”
“Don’t worry.” Jackie said smiling as he walked to her “I promise I’ll go easy on you, and if it’s me you’re worried about let me assure you that I can handle it. There is always the possibility of covering your face with a paper bag.”
Infuriated Brenna ran to her room and left Jackie laughing hysterically at her reaction. Suddenly she did not feel like seeing his face anymore. She longed to be by Tony’s side, so instead of dwelling on Jackie’s hurtful comments Brenna decided to think about her true love and their agreed meeting for the next day.
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A month into their marriage Jackie and Brenna were farther apart than when they started. And while Brenna was a bit nicer to Jackie, and they had learned to share their daily adventures during dinner, and during the weekends Jackie stayed home to read a nice book with Brenna or go out to the theater, they still fought like cats and dogs.
Jackie always found the vilest insults to spit at Brenna when she least expected them, and Brenna on her part could not keep her mouth shut after being repeatedly insulted by her maniac husband.
Still, they managed to survive each other and wake up everyday with a cheerful attitude. Jackie actually spent his lonely nights thinking up more verbal abuse he could use on his adorable wife. He smiled wickedly each time she wrinkled her nose at him as she left after his attacks. Jackie could not deny that Brenna was entertaining.
“Is my wife home?” Jackie asked Charles as he entered his home one Friday afternoon.
“Not yet.” Charles answered helping his boss and old friend with the bags he was carrying in.
“Pity, I wanted to show her something I bought her. Thanks.” He said happy as he handed some bags to Charles
“You’re always buying her something. And you let her go shopping everyday. Don’t you think you’re overdoing it?”
“Nonsense.” Jackie said laughingly “That’s what money is for, to spend it.”
Jackie spoke sincerely happy that he and Brenna had something in common, their love for great sales.
“You know that restaurant by the main theater?” Jackie asked
“The French one?”
“Yes that one. You think Brenna would like it?”
Charles smiled at his friend and Jackie smiled back childishly animated. For a moment, Charles thought that he was looking at the ‘old’ Jackie, the one he had met about 4 years ago when he was carefree and always merry. That Jackie was just as menacing a businessman as always but he was lighthearted and friendly. Then the worst thing happened to him, he died after a betrayal.
“So you think she’ll like it?” Jackie insisted interrupting his friend’s memories.
“I’m sure she will.”
“Good. As soon as she gets back tell her I want to speak to her.” Jackie said rushing to his room.
By 6pm, Brenna had not been back yet and | | | |
