The inside of the house was just as elegant as the outside made you expect it to be. Jennifer didn't have much of a chance to look around, as Mrs. Morrison immediately whisked her away to the large dining table where everyone was gathered.Mr. Lucas Morrison stood immediately, his rather stoic expression breaking away as he smiled, and extended his hand. Jennifer, however had expected a hug and had her arms ready for one.He laughed, then pulled her into a fatherly embrace. Mrs. Morrison stood beside them, watching happily."Hello. You must be Jennifer."Jennifer turned to the woman. She was a bit taller, but the other woman was so dressed up, and spoke of elegance and dignity."Yes..yes, ma'am.""Oh, just call her Mariah." Mrs. Morrison interrupted with a disregarding wave of her hand.Mariah bit the inside of her cheeks at the disrespect, but maintained the smile. She extended her hand to her, her eyes hiding the deep contempt she felt."I am Elijah's first wife." She introduced. "
Jennifer smiled at Mariah's retreating figure, then lowered her head."Don't let it bother you." Elijah suddenly said as he lowered his fork."Is this really okay? You don't have to do this just because you pity me, you know. It is just that...I feel so bad seeing her that way."Elijah gently pushed his plate away, and turned his body completely towards her. He leaned closer, examining her facial expression."Pity?" He asked. "You think I pity you?" He did. But he didn't want her to know. She didn't need to look at him and think she was there just for the kindness of his heart."Then? You proposed to me because you pitied me...right?""Go to bed, Jennifer. I bet you will have a long day tomorrow with the wedding preparation."She nodded, letting the question he had left unanswered hang in the air. She probably did not need to know the answer either."Can I ask a question, then?""Go on," He said as he pulled her chair out and helped her from it, then started to lead the way to her roo
She broke into a wide, beautiful smile. "You are a good man."He laughed and leaned back, feeling light for no reason at all. "You can read now. I'll be quiet."She nodded and turned her attention back to her book.The next couple of days saw her finding an escape from the hustle bustle in Elijah's study, whether he was around or not. She would read some books, a few that were familiar, and most that just piqued her interest.The days passed by so quickly, by the time she stopped to take a breath, it was her wedding. The day of her wedding with Elijah.He had, become even more respectable in her eyes, and she believed she has formed at least, the subtlest friendship with him. She didn't find herself as nervous that morning, as she sat in front of the large mirror and the makeup crew put her hair and face in order.Monica Lim had given certain instructions on her make up and hair, so that she didn't overshadow the dress or the jewelry, but perfectly complimented it.They first piled he
Jennifer woke up the next morning, feeling a little better about the previous night. She had rested off the fatigue, and was now ready to officially live as Elijah's wife and daughter in-law of the Morrison family. Even though she didn't see any babies forthcoming for Mrs. Morrison, she was going to strive as hard as she could.She got ready quickly, at the record time of 8:23 a.m. It was weird when she went down and the house was already busy, with a lot of preparations going on. Mrs. Morrison was one agile woman despite her age, and she was going up and down, doing things and setting things right.Elijah was seated on the dining table in one of his perfectly fitted suit, his coffee in his hand as he swiped through the morning daily. Lucas too was doing the exact same thing. Genes never lie."Good morning, mother." She said as she walked to Mrs. morrison who was standing between the dining hall where Elijah was and the kitchen where Mariah was. She had made a quick trip to great Lucas
"Do not take what she said to heart. She is not a bad person, just really sharp mouthed."Elijah was standing in front of the bed, as he adjusted his watch."I understand." Jennifer sighed and sat on the bed. "You have to go to the office, right?""I am already late," He answered. "I might not come back tonight. The governor has alerted me of some small scale flooding in one of the provinces. I need to go there and check it out."He won't come back tonight. She bit down on her lip, thinking of how she would manage on her own. "Take care." She said. She didn't want to say anything else or look like she was dissatisfied with her life there already."I noticed you didn't have much earlier. I will send some food up for you, and I will tell mother that you don't feel well. Stay in here for as long as you want." With that, he left, even before she could thank him.He was thoughtful, but aloof. Kind but distant. She sighed and lay on the bed, staring up to the ceiling. She missed her mum now
Elijah hugged his coat tighter, as he stayed atop a little elevated hill, his hand clasped together. The flooding had affected a large part of the province, and the affected area was very close to Jennifer's home. He decided he would probably stop by before going home to check on them and make sure they were all fine, seeing as the unexpected flood had caused a few injuries.He also wanted to go back home today at least. He hasn't talked to jennifer ever since he was called by the governor, and it had been days already. He also made a mental note to get her a phone, so he can call her whenever."Ivan. Have you recorded all the casualties?"Ivan nodded, then walked over, holding a paper. "The casualties, the treated ones and the ones that are still receiving treatment are here. Also, the people we are supposed to compensate for losing their homes, I have documented them too. I will do the needful once I get back to the office."Elijah nodded, then stepped back carefully, and started to
Elijah waited in the car as Jennifer wore her shoe. He watched her keenly, his eyes following her every movement.She lifted her eyes and saw him waiting in the car, then started to run towards it, so as not to waste his time. Her shoe, however, wasn't properly working just yet, causing her big toe to catch in it making her lose stamina. She reeked forward, just before she got to the car.Elijah opened to the door, but he was too late, and she fell right on her knee."Jennifer. Are you okay? Where does it hurt?" He came down to where she was on the floor, holding her knee."It is just a slight bruise." She said, trying to stand. He helped her up, but she was limping, so he held her back."Stop. Just wait." She obediently stopped walking. He went down and propped her knees comfortably on his hands, then carried her bridal style into the car."Thank you." She said, adjusting the knee length dress."Look at that. Elijah himself carrying a woman? It is unheard of." Stephanie stood in fron
"Is something wrong?" Elijah asked, as Jennifer went blank, her eyes filling with tears. "Jennifer," He said, shaking her gently. "Are you alright? What's wrong? Why are you crying?""Elijah," Mr. Morrison said. "I think it's best if you take her to your room. She must have been shocked by what she heard."Elijah nodded and without hesitation picked her up, cradling her in his arms. He walked to their room, where he gently placed her on the bed, then sat beside her. She was saying nothing, just crying hard, her hand covering her face."Let me get you some water." He wasn't sure how he could comfort a crying woman, especially when he didn't know the reason, so he thought it would be best to offer her water.He stood up and turned to leave, but Jennifer held the coat he was wearing back, as she sat up."What's wrong, Jennifer? Why did you suddenly start crying?"She sniffs. "My sister, Elijah.""What happened?" He asked, coming back to sit. She looked like she preferred his company to
The car came to a sudden stop in front of the mansion. Elijah turned to the towering mansion and gave a small sigh. It was filled with peoole, people he wasn't even so sure he cared for half as much as he did the one person in the car with him."Sir?" He looked up, then placed a long finger on his lips and shook his head. He slowly turned to the still sleeping Jennifer, her hair now falling in front of her eyes, her lashes fluttering slowly against the disturbance.His fingers came up to her face to move the hair away, and he tucked it behind her ear, his fingers leaving small traces on her skin.She gave a half conscious smile and leaned further into him, causing him to chuckle a little.Gently, he turned her to lay on the headrest, before he walked out himself and went around to her side of the car.Gently, he pulled her to him, his hand supporting her back, the other behind her knees. She stirred a little as he adjusted her, her head comfortably on his chest.With a small sigh, she
Elijah stopped eating, then slowly turned to her, his eyes a little wide. He wasn't sure what to make of it. Mostly because he felt it too. The funny feeling he wasn't sure what to make of.She burst into laughter, then shook her head. "I guess I am just so thankful to you. Because of you, it really feels like a lot of things fell into place."He swallowed, his eyes roaming around her face, before he slowly nodded, then leaned back. He found he had no appetite anymore, and he would rather just wait it out."Did I make you uncomfortable?" She asked when she noticed he wasn't eating.He immediately shook his head. "No, it just...I ate enough. Eat more. I am not so sure you had breakfast.""You won't attend the ceremony?"He looked down at his watch. "It should start by 12. We still have a few hours."She suddenly stood up, then went in front of him, and twirled a little. "Do you think this is okay? Do I look okay?"He swallowed. "You look beautiful."There was a sincerity in his voice, a
Cafe Del Amour was a large cafe that doubled as an art gallery. The scenery was especially beautiful at night, with a simulation of the Aurora Borealis overlooking the top to down French style windows.Jennifer gasped as they walked in to the refreshing scent of chocolate tainted with a hint of roses, and a smile widened her lips again. It warmed Elijah's heart just seeing her so happy with the gesture."Do you like it?"She shook her head. "I love it. It's so beautiful."Elijah smiled, then took out a handkerchief. He had heard her voice crack, and knowing how emotional she was, he knew she would cry. She collected it with another grateful smile, then carefully dabbed under her eyes.Elijah said nothing as he reserved the private table for them, and they both made their way to the secluded part. Instead of a table and chair, it had one large couch that was big enough for two, and a round revolving table in front. "What would you like to have?" Elijah asked softly as he guided her to
Mariah held her forehead, her other hand going to her waist. She couldn't lose control of her temper right now, or she would arouse too much suspicion and lack of trust."I am sorry, mother." She started to say, but Mrs.Morrison did not look like she was about to be calm. "I just thought it would be better if he went with me because I know my way around. It is fine." She turned and left the dining hall, even before Mrs.Morrison could say a word.Mrs. Morrison sat back down, her eyes filling up. "Did you hear Elijah? I bet he has felt so neglected over the years. This is all my fault, really. I pushed him into this marriage so he would establish himself as a family man. He never looked happy or even in love. I should have known." She took in a deep breath and held her head with both hands. Stephanie put a comforting hand on her shoulder as Jennifer stood up."Let me check on Elijah, mother. I wil be back.""No," Mrs. Morrison said. "Just stay with him, I will be fine."Jennifer gave her
Jennifer ate calmly, occasionally stealing glances at Elijah. He tried hard to focus on his food, and excused himself once he finished.Jennifer stalled for a minute or two, before excusing herself too and went after him, holding the box close to her chest.Elijah was removing his coat when she came in, and she stood by the door."What is wrong?" Elijah asked, then turned to her."Uh...I wanted to give you your privacy. That's why."He smiled and unbuttoned his cuffs, then pulled the sleeve upwards and walked to her slowly."You can come in. I am just going to freshen up." "Uhm, Elijah? You, uhm..got me this gift..."He nodded. "Yes?""I mean, there is no occasion and it must have been expensive."He looked at her for a minute, wondering if he heard it correctly."I just..." He let his voice trail off as he took in a deep breath. "I just thought of you the moment I saw it. And they said I could customize it and that's why I did that." He threw his hands up in defeat, lacking proper wo
Jennifer found herself left alone throughout, with Susan taking a lot of bed rest and Lilian tending to her. For some reason, it felt to Jennifer like Lilian didn't want to talk to her anymore, but she tried to keep the thought aside.She hadn't offended her, that she was sure of, so she just attributed it to her having so much on her hands."What are you thinking of?" Stephanie suddenly said, as she occupied the dining seat next to Jennifer's."Uh..not much." Jennifer said. It was surprising how Stephanie was now a lot calmer while talking to her, and she was kinder."You just don't want to share it?" She asked with a chuckle. "I understand." Stephanie stood, a slightly hurt expression on her face, but Jennifer called her back."I was just thinking of Elijah. He seems occupied."Stephanie giggled and sat next to her again. "Do you really like him? I mean, I thought of you as a gold digger, but...you don't even seem to wear any expensive stuff. You married him because you like him?""N
"Hey! Inmate 605. You have a letter." The jailer came to the door and threw in the wrapped envelope.Mr. Williams who looked way older than he actually was looked up at him and his brows furrowed."A letter?"The jailer only gave him a scowl as he turned his back to the door.He scowled back, even though the jailer wouldn't see it, and walked to the letter. He stood by the door which was the only source of light and opened the letter."The Mayor is investigating. X." That was the only content of the letter, but Mr. Williams knew exactly what it meant.He shook the remaining contents of the letter, and thousand dollar bills rolled off unto the floor.Going to his knees, he immediately packed them up and pushed them into the envelope, his eyes scanning around. There was no one.He knew he had to inform Lucky, Glory bar head immediately. If the Mayor finds anything on them, he wouldn't be the only one to go down. After all, some of his illegal activities have already come to light and he
Elijah put Jennifer gently to bed, and tucked her in, then went back to the desk to continue with his work. He has a few cards to check into, and he was going to check the phone number on the cards.There were only five, and he put the numbers into a call search site on his laptop. All five brought up the same name, Williams.He checked the cards. They were all slightly different. But not that he saw it, some had "Mr.Hugh." While others had "Liam Hugh."It rang a bell in his mind, and he put a call across to Ivan."Hello.""Yes sir?""The name of the contractor for the suburban area residential homes...what is his name again?"Ivan took a second before he answered. "Mr. Williams hugh. He was brought back and is still in jail awaiting evidence.""He is? Alright then. Thank you." He hung up and looked at it. No matter how he tried to check, Mr. Williams hugh was definitely connected to glory bar and the missing girls. All evidence and even circumstances pointed to him.He had built the
Jennifer suddenly opened her eyes, and Elijah moved away from her, awkwardly tucking his hands into his pockets."Were you about to wake me up? Do you need something?" She asked, straightening to a sitting position on the couch.He shook his head. "No, not really. I just...uh...I am going to wrap up here, and then take you home. I will see the Governor over tea later." "Okay. You can just finish up and I'll wait."Relieved, he took in a deep breath and nodded. "I will be quick."He went back to his laptop while she stretched, then stood up to put the pen back in it's case. "You are using the notepad, right?" She asked, and he nodded."I asked Ivan to check it.""Okay, then. Glad I was of help."She waited for him till he wrapped up all the reports he was making, took a few phone calls, and they were set to go."Are you hungry? All you had was breakfast."She shrugged. "I am going home soon, anyway. I think I will be fine."He looked at her and sighed. "Let's go." He said to the drive