The life of Jennifer – Chapter 1

Jennifer took the champagne glass from the waitress’s tray with trembling hands. And with trembling hands, she brought it to her lips to take a sip. She had been taught, since little, never to drink too much in social events. Alcohol took away control, and without being in control, she couldn’t read others. Without reading others, she couldn’t be properly charming.

“Charm is the most powerful tool we women have, Jenn,” her mother had always told her. She had been tutored, schooled, drilled, and made to practice countless hours of that ever since she was a child.

“Control yourself,” she thought. “This is your night.”

The champagne felt good as it ran smoothly down her throat. And it did help her calm down. She promised, for the third time tonight, this would be the last glass. This time, she did intend to keep it that way. She wasn’t about to make a fool of herself on her wedding night.

The wedding proper had already happened earlier in the afternoon. It had been an expensive, but relatively small, event. Now they were at the party. She was sitting in the bride’s chair, surrounded by a few female cousins and family. She took another sip of her champagne and felt her cheeks flush.

“I can’t believe that the Oza deal fell through!” exclaimed one of her aunts, “It ruined both our families fortunes. I’ve had to..” she stopped talking when Jennifer flashed her a pointed look.

“What?” she asked.

“We aren’t supposed to talk about that… at all!” snapped Jennifer in reprimand, her tone stern and serious, but not yelling. She brought her glass up as if to take another sip to hide the sternness on her face. Her aunt’s tongue always rolled too much when she drank. She would have to see to it that she be quietly retired from the evening.

“Don’t worry about it, my father will figure it out. He will get money again..” said Ivy, her cousin, cutting in. Jennifer knew Ivy well, they had grown up together, almost like sisters. She knew the woman was smarter than this, she was only trying to give her aunt hope. There was little chance to get the money back. Jennifer caressed her arm. Ivy had always been slim and thin. She was a professional dancer, and took great care of that. Yet, she seemed to have lost even more weight since last she saw her.

Jennifer couldn’t believe she was getting married. She had been told only four weeks ago about this arrangement. A part of her was excited. Marriage at last. Getting away from home, getting to run her own household at last. But another part of her was filled with dread. She had to go into her marriage lying and keeping secrets. A few months ago, she received the news that a large investment her father and her uncle had made fell through. They had most of their personal assets and money tied into it and it had left the company ruptured and leaning on loans. In simple terms, they were broke. Her sister had already been married off to the man who controlled the media in the city, so the scandal had been kept secret. Now it was Jennifer’s turn.

She was riddled with guilt. She hadn’t seen her sister since the wedding and now, she was getting married. She felt like she got the better part of the deal. Anne had just turned 18, and was married to an old man, old enough to be her grandfather. She had never even had the opportunity to enjoy life as an adult. Jennifer, on the other hand, had had a few years of that, she was in her mid twenties and was getting married to someone her age. Someone good looking and, from the brief time they had met, who seemed pleasant enough. They had met twice only. Once in another event, where he had been nice and polite to her. He hadn’t tried to get into her pants, like most men she met. No, he had been sophisticated and a gentleman. She could, at least, hope they had a chance to grow to love each other. The second time had been about a month ago, in a formal dinner where he had proposed to her. It had been a planned event. She had smiled and feigned surprise because it’s what was expected, but it had all gone along to a predefined plan someone had made. But now she was worried. Not about getting caught, she was a good liar, her mother had trained her well. One couldn’t survive in this world without lying, she had always told her. But she didn’t know how long she would have to keep this secret, and she dreaded the possibility of failing in her mission. She needed her husband’s money to save her family. That was her duty. She needed to win him over. She needed to be perfect.

She might as well go and find her husband and spend some time with him. Because it’s what was proper and expected, she told herself. Not because these women were stressing her out. Jennifer excused herself and stood up to leave the group. She was still wearing her wedding dress: A simple but elegant white lace dress that had a corset for the bodice and sleeves that hung off her shoulders. Her black hair was loosely curled. It had been combed before, during the ceremony. But now that they were at the party it was loose. Her skirt, as well, had been shortened for the party, so it didn’t trail behind. She looked like a princess and, as she placed a smile on her face, the look was even better. She walked around, greeting those she knew, those she recognized and knew she should know, and those she had never seen before, introducing herself to them.

As she moved about she saw Molly walking around here and there, her pearl sparkling dress fitting her perfectly, crowned by a lustrous golden blonde hair. She smiled and chatted with men and women both. Making a spectacular display of social grace, but no doubt gossiping about, or extracting information that would be useful to her master -or to Jennifer’s new husband- in the future. Jennifer saw an old man approach Molly. He looked quite old, easily in his seventies. Fat, and slimy. The man’s forehead was even glistening with sweat, for fuck’s sake. Jennifer left her still filled glass on a nearby table and approached a waitress who happened to be closer to them. She took a glass from her and pretended to take a sip as she took another couple steps, until she was within earshot.

“Molly, hi,” he said, placing a hand on her shoulder. Molly smiled back, seemingly welcoming the touch and turned towards him. She hated the old pig. “I wanted to talk to you about that thing we had discussed before? Do you think you could get me an appointment with Marcus?” He kept his hand on Molly’s shoulder. He was a disgusting worm of a man, ever horny and lustful. Even now, so openly staring at Molly, almost salivating, even while asking for a favor. Pathetic. With some money, though, Jennifer knew, although his fortune was fast fading. She couldn’t know it, but he’d been pestering Molly for a meeting for quite a while now, hoping to present a deal and that Molly’s influence with Marcus would help him. Molly fought the urge to shove his hand aside and smiled at him.

“I will talk to him once he returns from his honeymoon. He is far too busy right now to bother and they leave on Monday. Upon his return, I’ll talk to him,” she replied. Though that was not a promise of a meeting.

The old man smiled at Molly, but Jennifer had to move around and switch places. She was the bride, she drew attention. She couldn’t read their body languages as she shifted spots, and lost some time giving some smiles and greetings.

“…glad I can count on you, hehe…” she heard the pig man say, and she saw his hand had slid down Molly’s arm to hold her hand. “I still remember fondly how you used to serve me before.” That last part had been harder to hear, the man had lowered his voice.