“It’s beautiful!”
“Wow!” Kyra affirmed with awe.
“Go put it on” Mason suggested. “You’ll want to wear this tonight.”
Kyra raised her brow curiously. ‘Is he thinking what I think he’s thinking’? she wondered.
Jennifer took the box back to the ladies room of the store, followed by Kyra.
“Hey, let me help you!”
“My hair’s a mess…” Jennifer groaned.
“Not to worry, we’ll fix you up!”
Kyra worked with Jennifer frantically to produce a stunning visage. She touched up her hair and make-up, sprayed on some sweet perfume, and then frantically realized her shoes would not work with this outfit. “Runners!” she gasped.
“Oh dear, Those won’t do. I got an idea…Wait right here!” Kyra scurried off.
Kyra and Jennifer had the same size feet and she remembered that she had a pair of stunning black heels in the trunk of her car. Finally, she returned to present them to her close friend.
“Here” she said, handing the shoes to Jennifer. “You can use these!”
“Oh Kyra! You’re a savior!”
“I know, I know.” Kyra smiled. “So, put them on already and let’s see the whole package, girlfriend.”
She looked fantastic!
“You got it, girl!” Kyra cheered. “Go. Go have a great time and text me when you’re done, okay?”
“I will.”
Kyra watched as Jennifer left the changing area and made her way to the front of the store. As they approached the front, Jennifer didn’t immediately see Mason.
“Ruth? Where’d he go?” she asked.
“He’s out there, assisting a senior with her bags” she replied.
Jennifer smiled as she watched him work his charm.
“Mighty fine fella you got there, girl.” Ruth said.
“I agree, Ruth. I agree.”
Kyra was quietly jealous, but immensely happy for Jennifer. ‘He’s going to propose, I just know it!’ she thought to herself.
Mason looked up from helping the senior and saw his enchantress approaching. He smiled. The senior saw her too.
“Is she with you?”
He nodded.
“Best lock her in, young fella. She’s a hottie!” the senior teased.
“I plan to!” he winked.
Jennifer smiled brightly as he walked towards her. “Ready to go?”
“I need her to stay late.” Rick announced.
“I beg your pardon?” snapped Mason.
“Virginia called in sick about an hour ago and I need jennifer to work late.”
“Not happenin', champ!” Mason scolded.
“She’ll stay if she wants to keep her job... CHAMP!”
Jennifer looked panicked.
“Look here, buddy” Mason’s demeanor began to wander into dark territory, but Kyra alertly jumped in.
“I’ll do it…” she said.
“You’re not off for another thirty minutes” Rick squawked at Kyra, eyeing Jennifer as he did so. He even shot a quick glance at Mason, who was less than impressed.
“Look… I’m ready to work and she isn’t,” Kyra pointed out. “By the time she changes back into her work outfit and clocks in, it'll be almost thirty minutes anyway. Might as well put up with a bit of my brand of hassle for thirty minutes and let me take the extra shift, right?”
Rick groaned. “Damn it, fine. Get to work then, Kyra. Jennifer, you’re ass has been saved... for now.” Mason wanted to add more to the dialogue, but Jennifer gently pulled him back. “Let him go. He’s just a simpleton and an asshole anyway!”
“One day, you won’t work for him anymore. I’ll see to that!”
“That would be lovely, but until then I need the money, okay?”
Mason nodded reluctantly and walked out of the store with Jennifer by his side.
***
Entering the ‘Red Stone’ restaurant, a local five-star dining hot-spot, Mason was noticeably proud. Here he was, entering such a glamorous restaurant with an incredibly beautiful woman by his side. He was aching with pride and it showed in his gait.
“Good evening, sir” said the host.
“Reservation for Mason Wilson, please” he announced.
“Oh, yes...” The host smiled and nodded. “Right this way, folks.”
Without hesitation, the host led the attractive couple to their table, where they were soon met by an attentive waiter. “Our house best, sir?” He asked, holding out a bottle of their best house red wine. Mason nodded. The waiter efficiently poured two full glasses of Pinot Noir, but only after Mason had sampled a light sip from his own glass.
They sat beside a dazzling fireplace. The table was centered with frangrant flowers and blazing candles. Elegant music played in an atmosphere fit for royalty. Jennifer felt like a princess and soaked it all up. Soon, a violinist approached their table and began to play a romantic number.
While the violinist serenaded them, the waiter took their order, to include a seven course meal. The meal was every bit as eloquent as the restaurant and befitting of such a lovely evening. After the 6 course, the waiter removed the plates and placed the delicious Crème brûlée dessert course before them.
Nervously, Mason began to fumble with something in his pocket. His mind ran through his well-rehearsed speech as Jennifer obliviously savored her wine and luscious dessert course.
Then, Mason stood from the table and looked down at Jennifer, his nerves jumping in his throat. “Jennifer? Ever since the day I met you, I have known that this day would come. Your grace and beauty are breathtaking. You amaze me every day. You and Chelsea are everything to me and I am in awe of you both. There’s nothing I want more in this world than to make you a permanent part of my life” he said.
Then, carefully he knelt before her, revealed the white silk box and opened it, displaying a remarkable 2 carat diamond ring. Jennifer’s eyes swelled with tears as her lips began to quiver. She sat quietly as she allowed Mason to finish his speech.
“My sweet Jennifer. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
The room was still and quiet; all eyes were fixated on the lovely romantics.
For a moment, you could have heard a pin drop as Jennifer mastered her composure to answer the surprising proposal. Then with an astounding reply, she said, “Yes. Oh my God, Yes!”
The room lightly cheered as Mason put the ring upon her finger, and the two embraced in a celebratory kiss. Mason was relieved to have gotten through a much-rehearsed proposal, and Jennifer was relieved to have finally found the man of her dreams...
The wedding was on!
SEVEN
The church was decorated with beautiful ivy vines and white carnations. Kyra, the maid of honor stood beside the bride, wearing a beautiful green dress. Jennifer had been disowned by her family and it still hurt deeply, but Helga stood proudly as her honorary stand-in, acting as mother of the bride.
Robert, one of the stock boys from the store, would stand and 'give her away.' Robert was as gay as gay can be, but she and Robert had shared many laughs together. He’d been a valuable friend through the years. It seemed natural to have him there for her special day. Though she lacked the presence of personal family members, she felt as though her honorary family completed her on this, her special day.
“Thank-you for walking me down the aisle” she whispered, as they prepared to make their entrance.
“My pleasure, sweetheart” he said softly. “Just make sure Mr. Hotstuff treats you right, or I will be laying the smack-down on that boy!”
Jennifer smiled. “I’m not worried. You’ve met him, he’s great!”
“He is great, but I don’t trust him completely…” Robert said. “Still, it’s your day, so if this is what you want, then I am all-in for you, sister!”
“Thanks” she said with a smile.
Robert had been suspicious of everyone at one time or another, so his words largely fell upon deaf ears. Je
nnifer simply brushed them off and considered them nothing more than the product of an over-protective and conspiring mind.
Soon, the music began and the doors to the sanctuary opened wide. Then, elegantly, the parade of bridesmaids began to enter, one at a time. Sylvia, one of Jennifer’s friends, was the first to walk down the aisle, followed by Ella and Ruth. Finally, with a quick hug to the bride, Kyra prepared to take her turn down the walkway.
“Knock 'em dead, girl!” Kyra whispered.
“Thanks, Kyra.”
“Meet you at the front.”
Jennifer nodded with a smile.
Chelsea walked with Kyra, sprinkling rose petals along the way. Then, Robert carefully fixed Jennifer’s train and veil, just right. The two of them began down the aisle. All the people in attendance stood and marveled, as the sweet, young lady began to walk down the aisle. Smiles were all around her, but no smile was as big as the beau she saw waiting for her at the front. Then finally, at the front of the sanctuary, Robert gave her hand to Mason and wished her the very best.
***
The ceremony was a dream. Mason had paid for it all. He wouldn’t have it any other way. Then finally, the announcement they’d all been waiting for.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife!” announced the minster. “You may kiss the bride…”
From the ceremony to their honeymoon send-off, the day was a perfect dream. Chelsea would stay with Kyra until their return from a Cancun Honeymoon.
***
Before she knew it, she and her new husband were on a plane to Cancun and seven days of bliss had taken place in what seemed like a matter of hours. They’d made sweet love repeatedly, coming up for air just long enough to enjoy some sights and savory the Cancun culinary treats.
It was heaven on earth for Jennifer, who'd forgotten what true happiness could feel like. Heaven had definitely come to her in the form of this beautiful and attentive man. Now, he was all hers.
“I could live like this forever” she said on their final day. “Too bad we gotta go back.”
“Yeah.” Mason was rather mundane in his response, which caught Jennifer off guard.
“You okay, hun?”
“Of course, why wouldn’t I be?”
“Don’t know, you just seem a bit...” she paused. “I don’t know...”
“No worries dear, I am just tired from all of our honeymoon activities. All is fine in my world.”
Jennifer accepted his words and brushed off her fleeting insecurities.
EIGHT
Upon their return, Jennifer picked Chelsea up from the sitter and then the two of them would now move into their new home of luxury and wonder. Good-bye, ratty old apartment…
Mason assured her she wouldn’t have to work again, but Jennifer liked her job. She didn't care much for Rick of course, but she did like her coworkers and the regular customers. So with the honeymoon over, Jennifer returned to work.
While she was ringing in a sale on her first day back, Kyra arrived for her shift. She was curious to see how her friend was doing. Having been unable to communicate with her earlier, she sought details.
“Sooo...” Kyra probed.
“So, what?” Jennifer asked.
She knew of course that Kyra wanted to hear her say it was wonderful, but chose to tease a bit first.
“You know…”
“Tell you all about it after work, okay?”
“Sure.” Kyra agreed. “By the way, you look radiant!”
The day was hectic, and she’d almost wanted to quit the job on a few occasions, considering she didn't really need it any longer, but she was happy now to be going home to her new husband.
Mason had worked during the day, catching up on his finance books. The books were in disarray. Many of the figures were inconsistent, so it took a lot of probing to fix them and make them square again.
Agent Drummond and Agent Paul of the FBI sat across the bar, having just gotten off duty. They’d frequented the spot often, certain of Mason’s involvement in a crime ring they could not confirm…
Tauntingly, one of them asked, “So Mason, how’s married life treating you?”
“She’s fine...” he seemed distracted.
“She know about your ‘business’?” Sarcasm framed the question, irking Mason.
“She knows I own this bar, yes.”
“I meant, your other business…”
“I don’t have another business.”
“Not what I heard....”
“From who, Vinny? He’s pretty reliable, huh?”
Mason was irritated, but played it cool. He was not about to give them any more ammunition than he needed to.
After a day of bad books and agent taunts, Mason returned home to his new wife and daughter, expecting a hot, home-cooked meal. However...
Kyra, Jennifer, and Robert had decided to stop for a coffee at ‘Bianca’s Café’ with Chelsea, and enjoyed the company of one another over a cup of java and some donut holes. Suddenly, Jennifer realized she was running late.
“I best get home. Mason will be home in a bit and I want to surprise him with a nice supper” she said.
“Sweet” Kyra said.
***
As she fumbled for the keys to her new home, the door flew open with Mason glaring on the other side. She almost dropped Chelsea she was so taken aback, but regained her footing quickly.
“Oh shit, Mason you scared me!”
“Scared you?” he scorned. “You want to know what fear really is?”
His tone of voice was new and she didn’t know what to make of it.
“Why are you so angry?” she asked.
“Look!” he shouted. “I worked hard all day and came home expecting supper to be ready! You’ve been off for 2 hours. Where were you, with another man?”
“Wha? No! I was out with Robert and Kyra” she said with a tone of disgust. “I don’t know where this tone is coming from, but I don’t like it!”
Then, she entered the house and put Chelsea on the ground. “Go play in your room, sweetie.” Suddenly, Mason grabbed her arm.
“Ouch, you’re hurting me!”
A look of rage gleamed from his eyes, but before he went further, he calmed a bit.
Then, thinking it was better, Jennifer asked. “Did you have a bad day?”
“It was bad…” he said. “And, I needed to come home to find you and my supper waiting for me…”
He shoved her ever so slightly. “I shouldn't have to mention this to you, understand?” Chelsea appeared from her room and looked at Mason curiously. “Don’t hurt my mommy!” she demanded.
Suddenly, Mason realized his only allies right now were Jennifer and Chelsea. Finally calming down, he took a deep breath. “Look…I’m sorry. I’m gonna take a run to get this day out of my head. Will supper be ready when I get home?”
Jennifer nodded in quiet compliance, but didn’t know what to think now. Who was this man she’d married? Was this the REAL Mason Wilson, or a tired man who'd had a rough day at the office? Time would tell, Jennifer supposed.
NINE
Mason’s good personality returned, for the most part, but Jennifer didn’t know whether the ‘angry Mason’ was a one-time deal, or whether she would have to face him again in the near future. Then, one day-off from the store she was at home cleaning, when a knock came at the front door.
As she opened the door, she was surprised to see two well-dressed men with their official badges drawn.
“Mrs. Wilson?” asked one of the men.
“Yes.”
“I’m Agent Steven Paul and this is Agent Morris Drummond of the FBI…”
Her heart quickly sank. “The FBI? What can I do for you?”
“It’s about Mason, your husband.”
“What about him?”
“Are you aware of his activities?” asked Paul.
“Activities?”
“Out of work activities.” Drummond confirmed.
“He reads to the kids at
the children’s hospital on occasion, if that's what you mean…but I don’t think that’s illegal, is it?.”
“No, but murder is…”
Her heart skipped another beat as she felt the blood flush from her face. She suddenly felt the room spinning. “Murder!?” she gasped. Her legs became weak as she began to collapse, and Agent Paul put his hand out to catch her impending fall.
“I'm sorry to shock you so, ma'am.” he now realized she was clueless to Mason's wrong-doings, as well as his double-life.
“I don’t understand.”
“You’ve never seen his angry side?” Drummond asked.
She was alarmed. Did they know something she didn’t?
“Everybody has an angry side, so I don’t know how to answer that without sounding trite, agent Drummond.”
“Look, I’ll cut to the chase.” Drummond said. “Your husband is a suspect in at least forty-seven murders.”
The Other Side of Perfect Page 3