Three weeks of kissing, hugging and cuddling. Three weeks of waking up next to someone. Three weeks of happiness with Michael. It almost felt like we were an actual couple. For a spilt-second, I forgot about the contract and just enjoyed my time with him. The only weird thing that happened was him asking about my family's... business.

Flashback from a week ago. (Michael being nosey)

It was a rainy day. Michael had the day off and we were watching Chucky. All was well and then he stopped the freakin movie.

"Michael, what the hell? Chucky was about to kill that bitch of a sister Barb" I said in a joking voice as I pointed at the TV.

"Jeanette I wanna talk," Michael said in a firm voice and that sent a chill through my spine.

"Oh shit. When a guy says that it usually means he's breaking up with you" I laughed nervously as I put the popcorn down on the coffee table and turned to face him. His face was filled with dread.

Oh shit I knew this wouldn't last.

"No its nothing like that..." he said and didn't look at me. I didn't understand what was wrong with him. He was acting weird.

"Michael, what's wrong? Tell me" I said as I took his chin and gently turned it to me.

"Well I want to know more about the Mafia your in," he said in a hurry. My hand slowly dropped and I gave him a weak smile.

"What about the mafia?" I asked. This was out of the blue. He's never asked me to tell him anything about that. He knew about it but he never asked about it.

"Well, I have a million questions like what exactly do you do? What do you sell? Where do you sell? What company do you have hiding this big gang? What ranking are you?" he asked in a hurry again.

"Why you so interested? You never asked me any questions about this before?" I asked as I crossed my arms.

"Because it's a part of your life and I'm part of your life so I would like to know about it," he said simply. I stayed silent and looked at him. I wasn't all too sure of this. Discussing this shit out in the open was a bad idea. But I trusted Michael. He hasn't betrayed me yet... and even if he did he wouldn't betray me by telling anybody about what I do. I was sure of it.

"If you don't want to talk about it I understand," he said and then started to shrug off the conversation but I stopped him.

"The first question was what exactly do I do right?" I asked with a smile. And he nodded.

"Well, my family has been dealing goods to a lot of producer's. Paper, Farming equipment and a lot of not so legal drugs. My great-grandfather set up ports to sell in France and the one who just past had been managing them. When I moved here I set up some more locations and connections and now that he's gone everything might have to move. I change the location of the produces every 3 months so I can lose the cops. There never in the same location. Our marketing front is a Construction company. We build houses, small business buildings, and hotels. Your dad told me that my family even built your building a long time ago. And last but not least our ranking is very high. We're the number one Mafia in France." I explained. He was just staring at me. I didn't know if he was impressed or surprise or horrified by the information I told him.

"Did I answer all your questions?" I said with a smirk as I took back the popcorn and placed it on my lap.

"Yes... Thank you" he said and I replied with a simple your welcome. I felt a little weird when I told him. Like I was revealed somehow. But I also felt closer to him.

Flashback over.

Anyways all was well with the world. We were happy until I got some mail that Tiffany had brought over a couple of days ago. Michael and I were sitting around the table eating breakfast.

When I opened the letter I was stiff. He couldn't see the letter but I guess he saw my facial expression change because he became curious.

"Something wrong Jeanette?" Michael asked as he took a bite of his pancake. I wasn't paying close attention. I was very preoccupied with the very interesting letter and what it contented.

"Jeanette," Michael said, trying to get my attention.

"What?" I said as I managed to peel my eyes from the letter.

"You looked surprised. What does that paper say?" he asked.

"It's nothing. But listen I should get going" I said as I folded the piece of paper back up and put it back in the envelope.

"What do you mean? I thought you weren't doing anything today" he said confused.

"Schedules change Chuckles. See you later" I said with a gleeful smile and then kissed his cheek. Then without another word, I walked out of the house. I stopped at the sidewalk and whipped out my phone.

(Group message on her phone)

🤔

😑

😜

🙄

😜

😘

😝

"Ugh, assholes" I muttered under my breath as I got inside my car. My men found it packed behind some ally. Jason is a real tool.

Anyways I stopped by McDonald's and then went to Cheri's. When I got inside everyone was seated in the living room. 3 people on the new couch and one in an armchair. I guess I was going to have to grab a chair from the kitchen. I placed the food on the table and the savages mauled the bag in a seconds notice. When I came back from the kitchen with the chair, the bag was on the floor in sheds.

"You better have a good reason for setting up this random meeting. I was at a bar" Tiffany said as she bit her sandwich.

"It's 11.00 am" I said with confusion.

"I needed to get a lap dance," she said simply with a shrug.

"I was enjoying a really good show" Cheri added.

"I was at the gym. Today was arms" Wes said.

"I'm grateful you called. The children are too much. They cry, cry and cry. I honestly thought my ears were going to go deaf from all the noise they were making... Now, what were you going to tell us?" Martin said as he scarfed down his sandwich and sipped on his coffee.

"Look, " I said as I held up the paper to them. Tiffany used her shirt as a napkin and took the paper from me. Everyone joined in to look at the paper and they had the same face I had when I first read it.

"Oh my shit" Tiffany said with wide eyes.

"This paper-" Wes began to say.

"Changes-" Cheri said.

"Everything bitch. You got an offer from the biggest company in England to be one of their senior editors?" Martin said in an excited voice.

"What did Michael say about this?" Wes asked with a raised brow.

"I didn't tell him anything. When I opened the paper I left and came here" I explained.

"Why didn't you tell him. He'd be so happy for you" Martin said.

"I don't know about that. He could take this letter as a way of me trying to leave him" I explained truthfully. I couldn't just tell him about this. With Michael he was always taking things from 0-100 and I didn't want to screw up his good mood if I wasn't sure about going.

"Would that be such a bad thing?" Wes muttered under his breath.

"Jeanie" Cheri said bring me to her attention.

"Ever since I met you, it's been your dream to travel and do something in the writing business. You are going to be a writer and being an editor is probably a good way to go about it." Cheri said.

"I think you should take it," Martin said.

"But what about you guys?" I said in a sad voice. These guys were the only thing I had remotely close to family and I don't think I could leave them. Along with someone else...

"We'll be fine unless you want to babysit my army of kids" Martin yawned.

"Hard no on that Martin," I said.

"Damn it. The misses and I need a break from the little demons" Martin whimpered.

"Jesus Martin. How did you escape?"Tiffany said horrified.

"I told my wife that I had to walk the dog"

"You got a puppy?" I said with excitement.

"No. I took a stuffed animal from one of the kids. Put a cable cord around its neck and she bought it. She hasn't slept for 3 days so she is seeing things." Martin explained.

"Jesus" Me and Cheri in the same horrified tone. I knew Martin had a lot of kids but I didn't know they were that bad. That pushed me even more not to have children. I like to sleep.

"I'll watch them." Tiffany volunteered with a raised hand. We all looked at her in surprise.

"What? I'm 28 years old with no kids and a lot of time to burn" Tiffany casually said with a shrug.

"Your an angel. I can see the wings and the halo. I can see your halo. Halo. I can see your halo. Haloooo." Martin began to sing. Once he got to the second verse I guess Tiffany had enough.

"Someone put Martin down," Tiffany said and then Cheri took his arm.

"Come on. You can sleep in the guest bedroom" Cheri said like she was talking to a crazy person. She proceeded to help him up and they went to my old room.

"Tiffany if you were me, would you go?" I asked. She was the only one I didn't hear from.

"With the amount of starting money they are offering, I would have hitched a ride on a plane the second I read that letter," Tiffany said and then her mouth went to a thin line.

"Thank you for thinking of us in your decision," I said sarcastically with a small smile.

"Why are you so hesitant? You can't possibly enjoy being with married to an ass wipe like Michael" Wes snapped with a very harsh tone.

"Wes he's not that bad. Why are you being so harsh?" I scoffed in astonishment.

"He's not the guy for you!" Wes yelled in frustration.

"And who is the guy for me exactly?" I said with a little bit of attitude as I narrowed my eyes. I was confused and a little angry about Wes's reaction. Although it was understandable he didn't have to act so aggressively.

"Someone who didn't treat you like shit the first time they saw you. If you want my honest answer I would suggest you get a speedy divorce and go follow your dream in England. Now if you'll excuse me I have things to do today." Wes said sharply. And then without waiting for anyone to reply he left slamming the door.

"Well Wes was-" I started to try and find the right word but nothing came out.

"Jealous?" Cheri said as she walked over to the couch.

"You heard that," I asked.

"I was in another room. Not in China" Cheri said sarcastically.

"What's the real reason your not jumping at the idea?" Tiffany said with suspicion.

"I told you. Because of-" I was about to say but Cheri cut in.

"And we told you that we would all want for you to go and live out your dream," Cheri said slowly with a smile.

"It isn't because of Shaw? Is it?" Tiffany said with a smirk.

"Maybe a little," I said in a low voice as I shrugged.

"Jeanette don't be stupid. You can't sacrifice such a good opportunity for love. Listen before I married James there was this big ass company that wanted me to come and work for them in Delaware. I turned it down because James said he wanted me to stay with him forever." she said and then took a pause.

"Turns out forever was just for 9 years" she scoffed bitterly.

"Anyways I took a job at a crappy radio station that's paying me one-third of the money I would have made in Delaware. On top of that, I'm fucking divorced. Fucking alone" she said as her eyes began to water and then she started to sob. It broke my heart that she was feeling this way. I wanted to cry for her and take that pain away but there was nothing I could do but get her through the sadness.

"Tiffany-" I was about to say but she cut me off.

"It's fine" she sniffed and then wiped her tears with her hand.

"I'm just having a hard time. I look back on everything and see all the things I gave up for James. But it's not his fault. It's mine. I was the one who turned down a chance at a successful career, a happy life with kids. I left everything to James and now I have to sort my shit out by myself. I'll probably die alone" she said with her voice full of regret.

"Tiffany please stop crying," Cheri said in a soft voice.

"James is a jackass. He is the king of Jackass's and you don't deserve this shit. You shouldn't be crying. He should. You know why?" I asked.

"No," Tiffany said in a little voice.

"Because you are kind, caring, honest, beautiful, smart as hell, and a million of other things. I bet you were the best thing that ever happened to James. I know for a fact because you were one of the best things that happened to me and Cheri and everyone else who's met you. When I came here I was shy and lost and then I met you and you fucking taught me how to be a kick-ass bitch. Cry now. But there will be happiness at the end of the rainbow for you. I just know it... You are worth so much Tiffany. Too bad James lost his glasses and became too blind to see what he had. Don't worry about the things you don't have now because you will get them later. Don't regret because everything happens for a reason. " I said and then gave her a hug and a pat on the back. I wasn't going to let Tiffany feel bad for this. I wasn't going to let my best friend cry. And if she denied it I wouldn't care because that's what I see for her and no one, not even James, was going to bring her down.

"You really think that?" Tiffany asked through sniffs.

"Yea, you'll get millions of offers Tiffany. There's no doubt in my mind. But you'll never meet a handful of people who will make you truly happy if you don't take some detours and ask for directions. And you'll only experience a few moments that you will keep in your heart and mind forever. Moments worth saving. This is just one of the sad days of your life. The happy period will come. Trust me." I said softly.

"Cheri and I will be by your side. Ain't that right Cheri?" I said and then looked at Cheri for her to back me up but her face turned grim.

"I should tell you something," Cheri said with dread.

"What is it?" Tiffany asked.

"I'm moving back to France," she said upset.

"WHAT?!" I yelled in shock. Cheri couldn't leave me. She's been there for me since we were kids. I couldn't lose her. I lose my grandfather. I couldn't lose her.

"Yea... I'm sorry but my dad is sick and I need to go back and take care of him," she said and then a tear rolled down her face.

"What's wrong with him?" I asked concerned. I mean Cheri's dad was always strong as a horse and he was always nice to me. He couldn't be sick.

"He has adult onset diabetes. He gets weaker every day and wants me to come and care for him since he won't go to a home. He says there prisons" Cheri said.

"I'm so sorry Cheri," Tiffany said and we all came in for a group hug. I didn't know today would have so much sad news.

"What about that guy Hudson we saw you with?" Tiffany asked.

"I ended it with him because I didn't want to lead him on. I like him but I can't ask someone to move across the country and I didn't want a long distance relationship. I leave next week" Cheri explained. There was silence. So much sadness was in the air. It was dreadful.

"We'll be alright. No matter what happens we will still be there for each other right?" I asked and they replied with nods.

"We need to lighten the mood. Anyone wanna go out for Ice cream?" Cheri asked and as you would have guessed. It was unanimously a yes.

It's been 3 hours since she left. When was she coming back? She said that she was just going to be gone for a little while. We were going to spend the day together when she got this letter during breakfast and left abruptly. I hope it wasn't bad news.

Then there was knock on my door. I opened it and there was an asshole standing in front of me. The man who wanted to take what was mine.

"You bastard" He yelled as he pushed me aside to get into my house.

"What the fuck are you doing here man? Do you really not like living that much that you came to my house?" I yelled through gritted teeth.

"I'm here to tell your pompous ass that your holding Jeanette back" He spat.

"I'm sorry but are we talking about the same Jeanette. I couldn't make that woman listen to me even if I wanted her to. She's stubborn as hell." I hissed. It was true. I couldn't tame Jeanette.

"Well then why isn't she going to fulfill her dream of being a big writer in England? They offered her a job there" Wes said and then pushed me a little. When I heard that I was shocked and angry.

"I have no fucking idea what you're talking about," I admitted furiously.

"Oh she didn't tell you" he sarcastically with a smirk. It was like he was taunting me and rubbing my face in it.

"That priceless. I guess you guys aren't anything special. Just causal fuck buddies" The prick taunted. When he said that I wanted to rip his head off.

"SHUT THE FUCK YOU YOU PIECE OF SHIT?" I yelled as I clutched my fist.

"Your nothing but a burden. I bet she feels she has to stay with you because your blackmailing her, but let me tell you something Mikey. Jeanette deserves better than a little rich prick trying to dictate her life." Wes growled.

"Me and Jeanette's relationship doesn't need any fucking help from you" I growled.

"Relationship? That's a stretch" He scoffed.

"She doesn't confide in you about anything" he continued to mock me.

"And what? You think you have a chance with her? Let me tell you something. Jeanette has more feelings for me then she will ever have for you." I laughed bitterly.

"Don't doubt. Jeanette and I have something special" he said defensively.

"Please explain to me the type of special relationship you have with My Wife? Because from what I see, she is living out her life while you follow her along like some sad creepy puppy"

"Whatever Shaw. What you think doesn't matter. Jeanette will get tired of you soon and then she will come to me and we will live out our life in England together. I'll be sure to send you a invitation to the wedding " He bitterly. I wanted to kill him. I wanted to commit murder. Jeanette would have helped me dispose of the body. But I couldn't kill him. I couldn't touch him because I furious. Furious that Jeanette told him over me. I thought she felt the same way I did but I guess she didn't.

I got home like at 5:30ish. I had some of Michael's favorite ice cream as a peace offering for coming home later than expected. I walked through the living room and went straight to the kitchen. I saw Michael staring at something in the distance.

"Hi Chuckles," I said as I slipped into the kitchen. Then I was feeling generous so I gave him a kiss on his cheek but he was very tense. I decided to just ignore that. Maybe he was stressed out from something at work.

"I got you strawberry ice cream," I said and then when to the cabinet and got a spoon. When I turned around I saw that he was still in the same position. I went to go sit next to him and put the spoon next to his ice cream on the table.

"Are you going to say something?" I said as I poked his shoulder.

Silence.

"Michael you're scaring me" I laughed nervously.