After picking up a few things from her apartment, she drove herself to her lunch date. She declined Ray's offer to help her move, since she hardly owned much.
Two large boxes, one suitcase, and a medium-sized bag summed up her possessions, which fit perfectly on the back of her car.
"I thought you'd never make it with your very busy schedule." Jenny greeted her with little playful taunting as soon as she joined her at their favorite restaurant.
Since she had closed the deal the other day and the wedding, she had not been in the office. Her boss called her a few hours ago, asking if she could grab lunch with her because there was something she wished to discuss with her.
"If you asked a little later, then you might be too late. I'm actually leaving this evening for my honeymoon." She dropped the news as if it were no big deal.
But the look that her boss gave her said otherwise.
"Honeymoon?" The curiosity that was swirling in her boss's eyes was a warning sign that she was in for an interrogation. "Wait! Wait! Wait!"
Jenny put her hand up, calling the waiter's attention, and ordered their most expensive champagne.
"I still haven't congratulated you on your wedding." She raised her glass and made a toast. "But explain to me how exactly that happened." Her eyes gazed at her quizzically, obviously puzzled by the turn of events.
"Sophia Maddison. My employee of the year. The woman who couldn't be bothered to date, because her work is more valuable than men, is suddenly married." The mockery in Jenny's voice reflected in the glint in her eyes.
Actually, everything happened so fast. Until now, she had been processing the whole situation. It was as if one morning she had woken up in an alternate universe where everything was upside down.
It was utterly crazy.
"One minute, you are scrambling to get another appointment with Mr. Kingsley. Then, the next minute, you are married to their CEO." Jenny elaborated on the baffling sequence of her last week.
That was true. It had been one roller coaster ride since she bumped into the Morton family again.
But then again, her world had been in a shit storm since she got involved with them.
"There is a part of my life that I never told you." She finally admitted, telling her the secret that she had kept hidden all this time.
The only other person who knew about her past was Dr. Ashley Bennett. Now, Jenny was aware of her true identity.
"Wow, that's..." Shock was a simple way to describe her boss's reaction. "Damn! That's like a story directly taken from a best-selling novel."
If she didn't experience it firsthand, she would probably think that what happened to her was just an elaborate nightmare. But sadly, it was as real as it gets.
"As you can see, I need you to promise that it's a secret that you'll take to your grave." She asked her friend.
Anyway, Jenny had always considered her a friend, actually more like a sister, since she saved her. Jenny had always been there for her when she started in the company, guiding her, even becoming her mentor.
But when it came to work, she wanted their relationship to stay professional. She didn't want her friend to give her any special treatment, preferring to earn her position in the company through hard work.
"Of course, your secret is safe with me," Jenny reassured her, extending her hand to comfort her. "So, that's why you're so adamant to get that contract." Finally, her boss was starting to understand the puzzle.
"Yes, I need it." She confessed, letting her boss in on her plans. "I want to take the Morton Group down."
"I want them to pay for what they did to my family... to my son." Suddenly, tears threatened to fall from her eyes, but she fought hard to stop them.
This was not the time to break down, not when she finally had the chance to pursue her plans.
"Then, let me know what you need from me," Jenny said. "Let me help you."
"No. I can't drag you with my plans. I didn't tell you this..."
"No, you're not dragging me into anything. I'm actually glad that you trust me enough to tell me about your past. But if anything, the Sinclair Group will benefit from the Morton Group's downfall." She surprisingly informed her.
"If it's ok with you. I'm willing to help in any way I can. Just tell me what to do." Jenny tapped her on the shoulder to show her support. "I can even ask Dennis if he could help us."
Truthfully, taking the Morton Group by herself might be an impossible task. But with Jenny's assistance and the backing of the Sinclair Group, maybe it would be more attainable.
Then, Dennis, with his military background, would be a tremendous help.
For another hour, they talked about her plans.
"If at any point you want out of this, just tell me. Promise, I will not take it against you." She knew that what they were getting into was a dangerous mission.
If Oliver or any of his family discovered her plans, it would not be just her life on the line. She would also be putting the lives of everyone working with her in danger.
"I didn't reach my position by hiding behind the shadows. I believe in what you are fighting for. So, as long as we are taking down the bad guys. I'm in." Jenny told her.
After a few more minutes, she drove back home, her new home, pretending that there was nothing unusual going on.
"Can you help me with my things?" She asked Taylor who greeted her at the door.
After arranging her clothes and personal items in the cabinet in her new room, which she would share with her husband for the remainder of their married life, she packed a small bag for their trip.
Actually, she had no idea where they were going or how long they would be gone. Her husband seemed to forget telling her those minor details.
Anyway, she just put a few basic things in her bag, thinking that would do.
"Mom, are you in there?"
A knock, followed by a sweet voice, reverberated on the bedroom door. Then, the door opened, revealing her new adorable son.
"Hey, Caleb, do you need anything?" She asked. Immediately, she sat on her bed and tapped the empty space beside her. "Come on, sit with me." She called to him.
Caleb obediently climbed into her bed and sat comfortably beside her.
"You just moved in. Why are you packing?" The young boy asked, noticing her newly packed bag. "Are you leaving again?"
His youthful face was full of curiosity and questions. She could not help but wonder what was going through his mind.
She often wondered what it was like to raise a child. If her son had lived, what would he have been like? Would she have been a good mother?
"Your father and I are going on a short trip, but don't worry. We'll be back before you know it." She told him, even though she had no idea about her husband's plans.
"Where are you going, Mom?" Caleb's inquisitive eyes continued to stare at her as if he were trying to study her.
Then, "Can I go with you?" Her stepson added, pleading with her with those little doe eyes, so innocent and adorable.
"I'm sorry, Caleb, but that's not for me to decide." Although she was legally his stepmother now, she didn't think she had the right to make decisions for him. Besides, how could she bring him to their honeymoon?
Although the thought of spending the entire weekend or a week with her husband made her feel awkward. Or more like, it was completely unnerving. Bringing a child on the trip was certainly a bad idea.
Wait! Or was it?
Then, Caleb started begging. "Please... don't leave me. I promise I'll behave."
"I'm sorry, but I can't take you with me." Although there was nothing else she wanted to do but take him along on this trip.
"Please, Mommy, I just want to spend more time with you."
"Please, please... Pretty please."