SHORT STORY

As the leaves fall softly to the ground below, there is an eerie presence in the neighborhood. While everyone lays in slumber for tomorrow's anticipation of what lies ahead, there is one house in a state of unrest. Jessica Desanti is struggling with a cumbersome object, trying to get it into the basement. A large husky trails her, sniffing this large item as she continues to work with it. "Sasha, I have to get him downstairs." breathing heavily. Finally, she reaches the stairs leading to the basement. Sweating profusely, she sits down at the top of the stairs to gain some strength and oxygen. In the basement in the far dark corner lies a trunk. Next to the chest is a silver table like a dentist's office where all his utensils would be. On this tray were some cotton balls, rubbing alcohol, fresh linen, and a couple of hypodermic needles. "Well, Sasha, time to complete this mission," she said while standing up and grabbing the feet of her husband and began to drag him down the stairs.

Three Years Earlier

Jordan and Jessica were out to dinner with some of their associates from their "Desanti Catering." The Desantis' business was very prominent in their community. They were out to dinner that night, testing the food of this restaurant's Chef. He was looking for another Chef due to the business was expanding. When Jordan told Jessica that they were going to this restaurant, she said that the food there was not that great, but he insisted. Her radar was immediately alerted. The Desantis' marriage was on the rocks lately. The beautiful harmony that their relationship had just seven little months ago had fizzled some. Jessica had suspected that Jordan was having another affair, and all his classic signs were there. However, as a woman does, she sucked it up; buttercup got dressed and went out to dinner with their friends like everything was kosher. During the dinner, Jessica noticed the waitress was flirtatious with Jordan, almost to the point where Jessica was ready to say something to her.

"Is everything okay here, Sir"? directing her question to Jordan as she glides her hand across his shoulders. "Excuse me, ma'am, what is your name"? Jessica asked sarcastically. "Oh, Pardon me, my name is La'Janice Ma'am," she said flirtatiously. "Miss La'Janice, My HUSBAND, and I would like to speak with the chef if we may? And could you be a little less touchy in this pandemic world we live in. Thank you". Raising her eyebrow and folding her hands in front of her. "Oh yes, ma'am, I will get him. And I apologize if I misbehaved in any way,". the waitress said lightly, miffed. Jordan grabbed her arm and said, "Miss La'Janice, thank you, and it is not that serious ." he glances up at the waitress, throwing her that pretty smile of his. Jessica shot him a look that if eyes were a gun, Jordan shot through his face.

Three days later, Jessica walked into her house; to her dismay, there sat in her living room, the waitress from the other night. "Mrs. Desanti, how are you. La'Janice from the other night. Remember,"? she said with a cunning smile on her face. "Why, yes, I remember. Jessica said, glaring at her husband. "Jordan, I mean, Mr. Desanti offered me the position as his assistant today, and I have accepted," she commented as she walked towards Jordan. Taking a deep breath, still staring directly at Jordan, Jessica says, "And exactly why is she taking that position? What happened to Sergio"? Jordan got up out of the chair. Walk over to Jessica, puts his hands on both of her shoulders, looking into her eyes, "Babe, not in front of our newest employee. Will we discuss it later, okay, love"? Kissed her gently on the lips, smiled, and mouthed, "I love you," turned around and addressed La'Janice, "Miss Duncan, Thank you for joining the acceptance interview. Please check email updates. Have any questions for us"? Jordan asked, smiling at her. "Thank you, Mr. Desanti, for this opportunity to work for your company. Goodnight until first thing Monday morning". She said while grabbing her things. "Well, okay, Miss Duncan. Welcome to the Desanti Catering family. .He said, offering help with her coat. He walked her to the door and opened it, "Thank you again, Miss Duncan, have a great evening. We will see you Monday morning." He said, then mouthed the words, "Call you later." Jordan turned around slowly to face his wife. Who is a little perturbed about what just took place. Trying to ease into this conversation, Jordan walked up to his wife, kissed her, and asked, "Hey babe, how was your day first before getting into this business"? Walking to the bar to fix himself a drink, he gestured to Jessica if she wanted one.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I will take one. The day was uneventful." Handing her the drink and chuckling a little. "Now hiring Miss Duncan was by pure coincidence. We hired the Chef also. Sergio was an excellent assistant. However, Sergio was not whom we thought he was. Sergio is a female with a violent criminal record". Jessica looked at her husband in total shock, dropping to the couch, "What! A woman? No way". She looked shocked but still a little apprehensive about the Miss Duncan situation. Fixing herself another drink, Jessica went back to the couch and turned on the television; by then, Sasha came in the doggy door and settled on the sofa next to Jessica. Sitting there stroking Sasha and having the tv watch her, she sat in deep thought about his friend Sergio. The company always believed that Sergio was just a gay man, not a woman pretending to be a gay man. At the precise moment, the Movie Channel advertised the movie "Victor/Victoria" with Julie Andrews was coming on next. Jordan and Jessica looked at each other and, at the same time, said, "DAMN."

All three are cuddled on the couch together, watching Victor/Victoria when Jordan's phone rings. "Hello........Ron, Yeah, What is wrong? Oh, Okay, on my way". He hung up the phone, leaning over to kiss Jessica, "Got a," Jordan interrupted, "Little emergency. Be back as soon as I take care of it". Jessica said sarcastically. "Yeah. Love you". Jordan said. He stopped and looked at her, a little puzzled. Kiss her, pat Sasha on the head, got his keys, and left. Two-thirty in the morning, Jordan came in snuggling up next to Jessica in the bed. She settled into his arms and began to drift back to sleep when this aroma over-took her nostrils. Jessica thought that the smell is familiar. She closed her eyes and sniffed again. Eyes pop wide open; the smell was the perfume Miss Duncan was wearing when she was here.

A little bit of La'Janice can go a long way. This woman has only been on the job for a month and is already trying to take Jessica's spot. Jessica had a meeting with some clients for a wedding reception for the Senators God-daughter. Upon arrival at the junction with the Senator and his wife, there sat La'Janice. At the seat of the helm. Jessica was walking up to the table, eyes on La'Janice. "Good Evening, Senator and Mrs. Radcliff. Thanks for coming this evening. Thanks to Miss Duncan for getting the table for us this evening. So how is everyone's night"? she asked, maintaining her composure. All went well with the Radcliffe's, even with the annoying interruptions from La'Janice.

The Senator and his wife loved the presentation that Jessica presented them and have decided to go with Desanti Catering for their God-daughters wedding. As the group was leaving for the evening, "Miss Duncan? let us talk for a minute." Jessica said. "Yes, Ma'am, how may I help you"? La'Janice said. "May I ask why you were here this evening"? Jessica inquired. "Well, Jordan, I mean, Mr. Desanti informed me about the meeting and mentioned that they were a significant client with the potential to get the business a substantial amount of money. So being Mr. Desantis's assistant, we thought that would add a little youthfulness to this deal and cliche it for the company. HaHa, in which we did,". she said, smiling and gesturing a high five with Jessica. "Um-hm, you also found it appropriate to change the appointment time," Jessica said, sitting down on the bench outside the restaurant, patting the seat next to her. "Oh yeah, I meant to call you with the change. However, the Radcliffe's wanted to wait. The thought was we would give a whole new look to Desanti Catering. A more youthful look with more youthful ideals Jessica Desanti looks great for her age. Desantis has been doing catering a while; youthfulness will give Desantis' a little pizzazz,". she said, smiling as though she had made some excellent points. Clearing her throat and raising her eyebrow, Jessica said. "You have one thing right. Catering has been in our life for a long time. As a matter of fact, for eleven years, to be exact. Thanks for the compliment; Miss Duncan, we admire the enthusiasm to advance. In the future, please get permission before scheduling appointments, speaking with clients about appointments, or attending dinners/consultations. Not from Mr. Desanti, which is how he will address going forward. Is that understood"? La'Janice is a little miffed, "Yes, Ma'am. Will there be anything else"? "No, Ma'am, have a great night," Jessica said, walking to her car.

After a long day with clients to discuss their events, Jessica looked forward to a long relaxing bath, a smooth glass of wine, and a good movie to go to sleep on. Unlocking the door, "Oh babe, I am so ready for." Jessica interrupted by the sight of Miss Duncan sitting in her living room with her shoes off, curled up on the couch with a glass of wine in her hand. Jordan is sitting next to her in his t-shirt and no shoes either. La'Janice held up her glass, "Hey Mrs. Desanti, come join us." Jordan got up and walked towards Jessica, "Hey babe. Yes, join us in a glass of wine, kick your shoes off and chill. Ha, Ha,". He leaned in to kiss her, "Where is Sasha"? Jessica growled. "Oh, outside. She was not getting along too well with LJ, so we locked her outside," stated Jordan. Jessica glared at him, went to the back door, let Sasha in, and went upstairs with her. By the time Jordan came upstairs, Jessica was fast asleep. Again he got in the bed and snuggled up against Jessica, and with his wine breath, "I love you, babe." Jordan whispered. Jessica returns with a, "Really? Jordan".

"You will not even have respect enough to wash her stench off you before getting into bed with me"! she thundered. Sitting up, acting shocked. "What, Babe? Please explain,"? Walking back and forth, shaking her head, speaking with a little nervous laugh. "Aww, Come on, Jordan. Giving insults now"? saying very angry now. "Miss Duncan hugged me before she left. That is why I smell like her probably,". he said, trying to sound convincing. "Wow, Jordan! Get out. That is the best you got. So were you naked when she hugged you"? she shouted angrily. "What. Babe. Why would I be naked, hugging Miss Duncan? Babe, I love you; there is no other woman for me." getting up out of bed, walking over to her with his arms outstretched to hug her. She pushed him away, "So when she hugged you, her perfume went straight through your clothes to your bare skin? Get out, Jordan! Get the Hell out of my room. NOW!" she yelled, standing at the door, holding it open. Jordan gets to the door looks at Jessica, "I love you, Babe. Goodnight". He leans in to kiss her; she turns her head, he walks out the door, and Jessica slams it behind him.

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