"Be quiet. And let's do this quick, I don't want any mishaps"

"Yes ma'am" the two guys tiptoed upstairs making sure not to knock anything down. There was a carpet on the stairs drowning out the sound of their footsteps and Daniella smiled knowing This would be quick and smooth. At some point, she had thought they could make it work, that Jere would forget about his ex-wife and they could live happily ever after. But the joke was on her.

When she'd first met him, Jere had been a job. Get in, get details, get out. But he was such a sweet guy always there for her even when she was being a pain. He never complained about anything and to some extent, she did like him. But that was in the past now. Last night she'd followed him here, to his ex-wife's house. Watching him climb up her window like a teenager had really grated on her nerves. He'd never done anything like that for her. Of course, she knew she'd told him their relationship was fake but damn it she wanted it to be real. All of it.

She wanted to feel him in her arms. Wanted to know what it was like to be loved by him. Adored by him. But he couldn't see past his ex-wife. That was why she was there. To make him see her. If his ex-was a problem, she was going to fix it. She was known as a problem solver. In this case, all she had to do was eliminate the problem that was sleeping peacefully upstairs all covered up. They'd waited till Jere had left so that they could go in. He'd probably gone to buy breakfast so he could surprise her with it in bed. She wished she could see his face when he realized that his precious wife was gone.

"Take her. Blankets and all, we don't have much time before he gets back" she told the men who nodded then got to work. She didn't even stir. The thought that the only reason she was so worn out was that Jere had kept her up all night made bitter bile rise in her throat. He better have cherished their time together. By the time she was done with the other woman, there wouldn't be anything recognizable about her. She looked around the room one last time smiling. Jere would go back to her whether he liked it or not.

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Jeremiah bought the whole store. He wasn't sure what Jennifer would want for breakfast so he bought anything he came across. Then he remembered the kids would be coming back home that day and doubled his purchases. He filled two and a half trolleys with groceries, snacks, toys and even clothes. Buoyed by the thought of having his wife back, he shopped like a madman taking whatever he thought she needed. The woman at the counter glared at his purchases with a sneer and he could only imagine what a pain it would be for her to punch in everything but he didn't care.

Nothing was going to put a damper on his mood that day. He was happy, the happiest he'd been in a long time. Being with Jennifer last night had reminded him how special what they had was. He'd driven Daniella back to the hotel they were staying in and explained to her that their charade of a relationship had to end. He told her he still loved his wife and would only love her for the rest of his life. He'd asked if she wanted him to speak with her father so he'd let go of her trust fund but she had said it was okay. She would figure it out herself. She'd also wished him good luck and he did the same. She was a good woman who deserved to be with someone who loved her.

He hadn't planned on things to go the way they did. He wasn't complaining either. During his drive to Jennifer's house, he'd thought of how to tell her the truth and if she would understand and forgive him. The fact that she forgave him and took him back still hadn't registered fully in his mind. What he'd done was unforgivable and he blamed himself for her miscarriage every day. But they had a second chance to start all over again. He wasn't going to screw it up this time. He would do anything to make her happy because he'd learned from his mistakes. He'd told her he couldn't go back to living without her and he meant. It had been hell waking up alone, knowing that if he hadn't been so stupid she would be there beside him. He wouldn't go back to that life. Not if it was up to him.

The things he'd bought couldn't fit in his car so the store provided their delivery van that followed him home. He told the guys unloading to be quiet because his wife was still sleeping and he wanted her to rest since she'd had a long night. Thanks to me. He added silently. They'd made love all night, making up for all the time they'd been apart. He couldn't believe he had survived that long without her. No other woman had tempted him because Jennifer had always been on his mind. Day in, day out. He watched as the guys carried everything inside then tipped them heavily when they were done. Closing the door behind him, he went up to the bedroom to check in his wife.

"Are you up?" he asked opening the door. She wasn't in bed so he guessed she was in the bathroom taking a shower. He peeked inside but it was empty. Where could she have gone? He left the bedroom to look for her in the other rooms. When he couldn't find her anywhere, he started panicking.

Jeremiah rushed back to her bedroom looking for his phone. It was right next to hers, where they'd put them last night. Actually, everything was still the same except for the bed. It was bare like someone had stripped it. He would have gone to look for her in the laundry room but he'd already checked and she wasn't there. Where could she have gone? Did she leave him again? No. They were fine last night. She had said she loved him. No way she would leave without saying a word. Something was definitely wrong. Turning around he walked to the closet. If she'd left, then her clothes wouldn't be there.

He opened it and froze. "Jennifer?" she was curled up in there, Her hands hugging her legs while her chin rested on her knees. "Honey why are you in the closet?" he asked her but she didn't reply. Placing one hand on her back and the other behind her knees, he lifted up, taking her to the bed where he sat and cradled her like a child. "Talk to me, Jennifer. What's wrong?"

"She told me to hide," she said after a moment.

"Who told you to hide?" Jeremiah asked calmly. He didn't want to jump into conclusions yet.

"I don't know her. She woke me up and shoved me in the closet then pretended to be me"

"Why?"

"Some people came in a few seconds later and took her. I heard them saying that no one would ever see me again"

Jeremiah shifted her so he could look into her eyes. "Are you telling me someone tried to kidnap you?"

"Yes. But they took her"

"Did you see who they were? The people who tried to kidnap you?"

"No. But one of them was a woman." she met his gaze and he saw the fear in her eyes. "I just froze Jeremy. I couldn't move or even try to help her. What will they do to her? What if they kill her?"

"Jennifer...."

"It would be my fault. She was helping me and I didn't do anything to help her. I froze Jeremy. I.... I... "

"It wasn't your fault honey. I don't know who that woman was but I'm sure that she took your place for a reason. She had to know who those people were and why they were trying to....." her phone rang cutting him off. He reached for it not wanting to ignore the call in case it was about the kids. It wasn't. Jonathan was calling. "Now is not a good time" he snarled into the phone.

"I don't care. Is Jennifer there?"

"Like I said its not a good....."

"Time. I got that. Now stop being an idiot and tell me if she's okay."

"Why do you want to know?"

"Damn it, Jere. Will you put aside your ego for once and tell me if she's okay?"

"She's fine. Why do..... "

"Give her the phone"

"Not a chance," Jeremiah said through gritted teeth.

"What I wouldn't give to be in front of you so I could punch you. Put her on. It's important"

"You're on loudspeaker"

"Imbecile." he muttered then asked "Jennifer?"

"Yes, Jonathan. I'm here"

"Good. I take it Cassandra was there?"

"Who is Cassandra?"

"5'6, blonde and really crazy?"

"You mean the woman who saved me?"

"Yes. Is she there too?"

"No. They took her Jonathan and I couldn't help her. I'm sorry"

He breathed out "Don't worry about her. She can take care of herself"

"But there were at least three people and two of them were men"

"Like I said she can take care of herself. And if she needs help I know how to find her so stop worrying. All that matters is that you're okay"

"Care to explain what the Fuck is going?" Jeremiah asked.

"Well, to begin with, your girlfriend isn't really who she says she is"

"She isn't my girlfriend" Jeremiah bit out. "And what do you mean she isn't who she says she is?"

"All I can tell you is that she lied to you about everything. Luckily I found out the truth and acted fast. Now I'm going to need you to not let Jennifer out of your sight. If you have to attach yourself to her hip, do so. Under no circumstances should you leave her alone"

Jeremiah snickered "You don't have to tell me that. She's my wife and I can take care of her"

"You do that. If something happens to her I will kill you"

"Who the hell do you think you are to threaten me? She is my Fucking wife you moron"

"Take a chill pill, Jere. Stay safe Jennifer and try not to get yourself kidnapped. Love you" he hang up before Jeremiah could reply.

"Can you believe him?"

"He was just trying to rile you up Jeremy," Jennifer said smiling.

"I'm glad you think this is funny," he told her throwing her phone against the pillows. He wanted to make that Jonathan guy understand that Jennifer was his. But a small part of him was also a little grateful because he got her to smile. That was the only reason he wasn't taking out his gear to hunt that bastard down.

"You're cute when you get jealous," she said winding her hands around his neck.

"Cute? I'll show you cute alright" he flipped them, pressing her body into the mattress. Thinking that she could have been somewhere held captive made him want to handcuff her to himself. As much as he didn't like Jonathan, he couldn't deny the man had saved his wife. The next time he saw him, he'd punch him first before thanking him.

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"Love you? Really?" Penny asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I didn't mean it like that"

"Oh, I know how you meant it. Why were you trying to get that guy angry?"

"Is that what I was doing? I didn't realize it"

"Yeah. I take it you're friends then?"

"Never"

Penny cocked her head to the side studying him "Really? From how you two spoke to each other I thought you guys are friends. Or had been at some point"

"What is it you want to know Penny? I didn't think you were the kind of person who beat around the bush"

"I'm just asking if you know that guy. You did use a nickname. Jere"

"That is short for Jeremiah just like Penny is short for Penelope"

"Yeah. But you've kissed me before and I can say we know each other personally. Can you say the same with "Jere"?"

"Jesus woman will you drop it. In fact get out of my room. I need to take a shower and rest"

"Do you need a hand?"

"I need more than a hand," he said narrowing his gaze. Sensing the shift in the air, she took a step back. And then another one just to be sure there was enough distance between them.

"On second thought I think I need to rest too. Welcome to Italy Jonathan"

"Thank you. Maybe next time you can be all wrapped up on my bed. As much as I love the bathtub, I think the bed would offer more appropriate accommodations. Don't you think?"

"Screw you" she turned around and headed towards the door.

"Wouldn't you like that?" Jonathan said just as she was closing the door. She was tempted to flip but realized he was right. She would definitely like to screw him.

*****************************************

Cassandra saved the day. A round of applause 👏 for her, please.

Penny is on to something although I have a feeling she would prefer being on top of it but hey 🤷 that is just my opinion. What's yours?

It's not over yet. Almost there though. Don't miss out the conclusion guys.