After work Jack went home quickly and changed his clothes into something more casual for the little ‘reunion’ he would be attending with Shaleef. He knew that trouble was soon to come. It was after all the first face to face sit down that Shaleef has had since Javier was born with Kathy’s father and older brother Javier Jr. He hoped that it wouldn’t get too terrible before they had a chance to talk about the wedding. He was sure in his mind that Kathy’s father Javier Sr. was none too happy about Kathy accepting Shaleef’s proposal after all these years. When Jack thought about it himself he couldn’t blame him for being anger. If some guy had put one of his daughters’ though what Shaleef put Kathy though he was sure that he would be in Jail somewhere or atleast have a very long record. It was more than a shame that Kathy suffered so long with Shaleef. Sometimes he wondered if Kathy would be better off with somebody else. In fact he knew that Kathy most like would be better off. Steve might have been a better fit. He was well to do and seemed to be more of a father to Javier than Shaleef was at times. Steve was a nice guy in general and also happened now to be Kathy’s boss but the more Jack thought about it he knew that perhaps he could have made her happy.

Jack let his mind wonder on other thoughts as his driver navigated the streets of Chicago. Gracie seemed happy. He guessed that Troy was being very good to her because he hadn’t heard from her in two weeks. He was happy that his daughter was happy but he missed having dinner with her and him sitting on the couch with him talking about everything. He hated to admit that Kay was more than right about him taking second to Troy now that they were together. He guessed it was all good though since he hadn’t heard any complaints from his daughter. Jazz was another story. He knew she was taking what was going on with her mother very hard and he really didn’t know what to do about it. He didn’t want to really get involved with Almira at all. He was still hurt about what she had done with the boys to even think about trying to establish some sort of relationship with her. He didn’t think they could even be friends at any point in time. Jay seemed to be taking everything in stride and the twins seemed to be doing a lot better now. All together Jack had no real complaints about what was going on in it life.

“Jack you finally made it. It’s been a long time since I have seen you. How are you?” Javier Sr. a man of burly stock with penetrating hazel eyes and a military like demeanor shook Jack’s hand conservatively.

“It’s nice to see you again Mr. Santos. You look well and Javier nice to see you too.” Jack directed to Javier Jr. who had also extended his hand. Jack took his as well but was pulled in for a hug.

“Now you know This is not business meeting Jack. Give me some love. It’s not you I have a problem with.” Javier Jr. explained as he and Jack exchanged their greetings.

“Yeah I know speaking of problems…Is Shaleef here yet?” he asked.

“No, he said he would be a little late. Something about traffic or whatever it was this time.” Mr. Santos said, “I just think he’s scared of me. He should be though after all he’s done to my daughter and grandson.”

“I’m sure he will be here very soon. I know that he wouldn’t have had me come just to waste time after all I don’t know what the wedding plans are myself.” Jack assure them. He hoped that Shaleef would show up soon.

“Speak of the devil….he comes now.” The younger Javier announced.

“Sorry I’m late. Traffic.” Shaleef said as if it explained everything.

“Well now that you’re here why don’t we discuss what we came to discuss.” Javier Sr. was not in the mood to waste time with small talk.

“Alright then…as you all know Kathy and I plan on getting married. The wedding will be in about 6 months from now. Yes we finally have a date so this outing was to let you know what is going on so far…that and Kathy will looking a little different at the time of the wedding.” Shaleef said trying not to flinch at the stare of Javier Sr. whom was eyeing him suspiously.

“Now why would Kathy look different at the wedding? I have already seen her after her surgery. Why and how would she look any different 6 months from now?” Javier Sr. was not on for too many surprises.

“Oh well…..you see….Kathy and I are…..well let me just say it. She is pregnant and by the time we get married she will be showing or she might be showing…She’ll be like 7 months I think.”

“You mean to tell me that my daughter is pregnant again by you?” The elder Javier wasn’t very happy to learn this new information. He really did not like Shaleef at all. He had to stand on the side lines and watch as he broke his daughter’s heart again and again. It was worse since Javy had to witness all of the foolishness that his father put his mother through. He would have liked it if Kathy had gotten together with Steve rather than continue going for Shaleef. Steve was respectable and seemed to care more about Kathy and her son then Shaleef seemed to.

“It’s not as bad as it sounds. Well be married by the time the baby gets here and all will be well. Just know that this one if it is a boy will to be names Javier.” Shaleef informed.

“I don’t care what the baby name will be. I care about my daughter and my grandson and soon to be grandchild when it gets here. If you don’t want to marry her than don’t because if you hurt her gain with your…..I don’t even know what to call it anymore….I will not rest until I got you. I just can’t believe this.” He said and walked out of the bar.

“Somehow I don’t think he is coming back.”Shaleef said.

Jack said, “Well I think this little whatever this was is over….thank you for coming Javier. Give your father my regards. I think you might want to drive him home though….he is not in the right state of mind. Now as for you Shaleef…I’ll talk to you later. I do have a wife at home and will not be making her wait much longer for my return so without further ado. I will take my leave and leave you gentlemen to your own devices.”

“Goodbye Jack give your wife my regards.” Javier Jr. said and then looked to Shaleef. “Why can’t you just leave her alone. She would do so much better without you. She was doing so much better without you. They both were.” Javier Jr. said and turned sharply to follow the path his father had made out of the bar leaving a very aggravated Shaleef to foot the bill.

Jack junior had a new motivation and her name was Ginny Templeton. He was determined to get her and he figured that he had a great chance of it. He was young and rich given that he wasn’t allowed to make certain purchases or spend over a certain amount without the approval of his parents. He didn’t think that would be a problem. In truth he could have had another car already but he had his heart set on a car with the price tag being a little over 300,000 which did not include the shipping and other details like insurance. He knew that if he kept doing a good job at his father’s office that he would be riding around in his new car in no time but he hoped that Ginny wouldn’t mind the wait. He had been leaving less than settle hints of his attraction to her but she seemed to be playing had to get. Jay didn’t mind that at all in fact it made the whole thing more fun. He was planning on asking her to dinner on Friday. He was sure b y then that he get a yes.

“Jay are you done with the report yet? It has to be turned in by 3:00.” Ginny asked as she turned from her computer to where Jay was sitting.

“Yes it is. I’m sending it to your printer now. The Alan report is not looking that great. I am not sure that Mr. Ames will be happy with the progress. I think that Joey will have to go down to Texas to see about things. Maybe even send in the auditors if need be. I’m not sure I trust the current estimated worth of the land and equipment.”

“We are in bad economic time Jay. I expect the land to have gone down in value.”

“But not this much in value according to what their office has sent us. That land has oil. I could only see it going down by this much if it were discovered that they had no more oil resources but that can’t be true since the equipment was purchased less than a year ago. We loaned them 50 million for further development. I am not quite sure that the loan indicated that the money be spent on drilling on that property for I know it was also used to further develop their Green energy plans. The Alan report was not very specific on that front. We may have to really bring Alan in to go down there and do the report his way. Whoever did this report was not as detailed as Alan.” Jay said looking over at her.

“He didn’t do the report. They just used his format because Mr. Ames prefers it in these cases. Ok, I got it.” She said looking over the newly printed report. She ignored Jay’s staring to make sure the report was looked over correctly before she put it on Jack’s desk. Everything looked good so far. She didn’t expect Jay to know so much about how the office worked but apparently he had done this before.

“This Friday I have no prior obligations. I was wondering if you would to go out to dinner with me after work?”

“Excuse me?” Ginny said taking her eyes off of the report to eye him.

“I was asking you out to dinner Friday. Would you like to go?”

“Jay….I don’t think that is a good idea. We work together and…”

“And what? I’m just asking you to dinner.”

“Jay you’re a nice guy but…you’re not ready.”Ginny started looking for the right words to say to him.

“Not ready?” he started to question further but his father appeared in the room. “Sir.”

“Ok Jazz I got it! Well take mom to the Education for Girls Benefit. It will be packed with Sheiks that want to change the image of what the Arab and Muslim world is like. I got the name of those who are coming. I’m sure she’ll find someone there and then we’ll be free of her meddling in our lives for a while. She’ll be too busy trying to bag a new husband.”

“You know if we take her there she will be busy looking for husbands for us.” Jazz told her sister.

“Yeah true but Mom can’t help but look herself besides I’m perfectly happy with Troy. You on the other hand might benefit from this.” She pointed out.

“I’m 19 years old and I am not looking to tie the knot with someone I don’t know. Besides Dad would have a heart attack and then they both will be arguing over it. I do see a boyfriend later in my future.”

“How far in this future?” Gracie asked.

“When Dad is not paying attention to me.”

“Tough luck with that….you’re his youngest daughter. I doubt he stop paying much attention to you especially since I’m with Troy.”

“I think that Jay is bound to have a young life crisis any moment now so I’ll snag one then.”

“You really think so?”

“I know so. He is my twin after all besides I am not too sure that he is really going to get that car. He’ll probably realize that it’s a waste of money once dad talks him out of it.”

“Hmm you’re probably right. Now back to the issue of our mother… I think I should be the one to tell her about the event. She knows I’m the one to get involved in that type of thing anyway. She won’t suspect anything if it comes from me.” Gracie said twirling her straw in her latte.

­­­­­­­­­

“So when are going to tell your parents about us Javier?”

“I wasn’t going to. I don’t think my mom would like it and I know my dad won’t. Besides this only happened twice so there is no us and no need to tell anybody anything. We can pretend it didn’t happen.”

“Oh come on now you know it’s too late to play that crap. You’re almost an adult now so what are they going to do to you?”

“Listen I don’t know where you come from but my parents don’t work that way. I can’t do this anymore. I’m tired of sneaking around with you. It’s not worth it at all. I’m leaving.” Javier said.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ If there was anyone in the world that could stand to listen to Jay’s problems it was Tahira. She seemed to have the patience to let him vent on and on without interrupting unless she thought he was being especially ridiculous. She guessed that being best friends with him gave her that patience. Well that and she thought he looked especially cute when he was like this so when he called her to meet him at his apartment that day she said sure and bought her books with her. It wasn’t like he would notice her reading one chapter of her text book as he paced back and forth about something. Her first thought was that it was going to be about that car again. She really didn’t think it was a good idea for him to get a car that damn expensive especially with some of the shady characters that they had at school but she knew that his dad would probably talk him or work him out of it before hand. She wasn’t expecting this conversation however when she had arrived and settled done.

“Do you think I’m ugly?” he asked her.

“What?”

“Do you think I’m ugly or that there is something wrong with me?” he asked her. She had a confused look on her face this time. He could tell that she really didn’t know where he was going with this one.

“Jay… you’re not ugly. Now if there is something wrong with you I reserve judgement.” She half way joked.

“I’m serious about this.”

“I don’t understand why you are asking me this or where this conversation is going.” She knew that he plan to read up on a chapter in her finance book was not going to happen now.

“Well it’s this woman at my dad’s office and….”

“Oh….I see.”

“Yeah well she doesn’t seem that interested in me.”

“Describe her.” She said after she took off her sneakers and got very comfortable on his couch. It was going to be a long day.

“She is 5’5, 5’6. She has long blonde hair….”

“Oh one of those…..so how old is this one.” She asked.

“She’s 26.”

“Well then that answers everything.”

“What do you mean by that?” Jay asked her. ‘How the hell does that answer everything?’ he thought.

“If I was 26 I wouldn’t an interest in you either. What could you possibly do for a 26 year old woman besides pick up her kids and f*** her? Think about Jay it makes sense. You can’t even legal take her out for a drink.”

“Alright, alright so I can’t take her out to a bar.”

“You also can’t do her like your father could.” She added.

“What?”

“You’re father is very accomplished individual. He has money and power which are very attractive things to have. He could take her anywhere and buy damn near anything without breaking the bank. You can’t do that.”

“I have money. It’s not like I’m struggling.”

“No you’re far from that but you don’t have unlimited access to your money. If you wanted to make a big purchase you’d have to get permission from your mother and father. Even when you turn 21 I’d doubt that you’d get access to everything.”

“How do you know? I don’t take about my money business with you.”

“I know your father. I also know you’re mother doesn’t want to see you go through your inheritance like many others in your position. It’s not something that is hard to figure out you know.” Tahira was trying to make her points valid enough for Jay to get it. In her opinion he really didn’t have a chance with this woman unless she wanted to play him.

“You know I thought you been more understanding about this.”

“I have been understanding to your situation. You’re just stubborn. You said she isn’t interested in you and I pointed out why she isn’t. She is not looking for a boy at this stage of her life Jay. I think maybe you should just leave her alone.”

“I’m not a boy.” Jay stated firmly. He didn’t understand why she was being so difficult in understanding where he was coming from.

“Ok you’re a young man who’s too young for her. Is that better?”

“Come on Tary, it’s not like she’s forty.” He reasoned.

“You just don’t get it. She’s seven years older than you. She has a career. She probably has atleast two degrees from some top tier school and she’s working for your father. I think she can do better than a 19 year old rich brat.”

“Rich brat?”

“Hey you are what you eat. Besides you know that you are bratty.” She smiled at his facial expression.

“I’m not a brat.” He mumbled.

“No you’re not a brat. You’re a rich brat. There’s a difference.”

“Humph… and you’re supposed to be my best friend.”

“I am you’re best friend and this best friend likes being a real friend and a real friend knows your faults. Look if I didn’t care what happens to you then I tell you to go for it but I do care about you and I don’t want you to get hurt. She’s out of your league. If you keep going after her you’re just going to get your feelings hurt. I’d expect you to do the same for me, Jay.” Tahira told him in all seriousness.

“Yeah I know but I think you’re wrong. I think I just need to try harder.”

“I hope you are enjoying yourself Kay.” Jack surprised her by taking her to a very exclusive spa in the city.

“Jack…baby you don’t have to surprise me like this all the time. You make me feel kinda bad baby.”

“How do I make you feel bad?” he asked. This was not the kind of thing he was expecting her to say to him.

“You’re just so good to me Jack. It’s still hard to get use to. I feel like I don’t do as much for you as you do for me.” She admitted.

“Kay…I don’t look for you to constantly shower me with anything but your love. I told you that I would treat you like a lady and I meant it. Baby you being my wife is more than enough for me besides you’ve helped me in ways you don’t even realize. Like for instance with Gracie, I’m very protective of her. She’s my baby but you helped me let go and trust in her judgment. You’ve helped me realize that she is a young woman now and not my little girl anymore.
It was hard for me to see that and I didn’t want to come to that realization but you made me see that I had no choice if I didn’t want to lose her. “

“I didn’t think of it that way.”

“Or how about with Horace and Jacob? After that nightmare night with their mother you helped them in a way I couldn’t. I’ll always owe you fro that Kay. Always. Besides this little day at the spa was to help you and I relax after these last few weeks at the office.”

“Well it sure is relaxing sweetie. You know before I meant you I really didn’t take out too much time to go the Spa. I would see Troy or perhaps proceed with my former clients.” She said softly thinking about her past as a Dom.

“Hmm well that’s behind us and I don’t hold it against you. Mmm I think perhaps we should get a Jacuzzi for apartment.” He said.

“So we can never leave the bathroom Jack?” she said catching on to his thoughts.

“We would have a very good time I assure you.” He smiled.

“I know that we would. Oh hun, how is Jay doing at your office?” She was curious to know how little Jack was fairing out working for his father.

“Work wise he is doing well. I have no complaints on that end but I think I may have a problem on the social end with him at this point."

"The social end, Jack?" she asked.

"He is trying bag Ginny Templeton."