Find another way

Jenny and Jason had gone to the auction, which took place just days after Jenny showed Jason what she had picked for his grandfather. After a few rounds of bidding, they managed to obtain the chess game for a little over 70.000 pounds. Jenny was shocked to see with what amounts the starting price would be increased at an event like this. After each time that a bidding peddle was lifted in the air to let the auctioneer know they were interested, which was every few seconds, 5000 pounds would be added to the price. It was all passing by so fast. In less than two minutes they had spent almost a grand like it was absolutely nothing. Like they were playing with Monopoly money. But Jenny had to admit that the chess game was absolutely gorgeous and felt like it was worth every penny. It was almost a shame that she had to give it away. She thought to herself that Jason's grandfather had better like it too, otherwise she would take it back home with her!

Now that she had found a gift and they had obtained it, Jenny felt a sense of relief and could finally start looking forward to the party. Even though there was still the matter of gaining his approval, the biggest weight seemed lifted from her shoulder as she now had the means to make a good first impression or at the very least not disappoint. Even her outfit had already been picked out and approved by both her mother-in-law and Jason himself. The approval of his grandfather was something she could work on for a longer period of time if need be, but a first impression is something that you can only do once. With a gift in hand she and Jason headed to a italian restaurant for tonight's dinner, where they would meet up with Stephen and Susan. Though it was a bit far away but since they wanted to stay within the theme of the gift, they chose it anyways. It was a restaurant they had been to before and had loved, which helped the case a lot.

The reason they decided to go out for dinner was because auction houses work with a dress code. So, she had to put on a cocktail dress and Jason had to put on slacks and a dress shirt. Feeling that it would be a waste to go home right after the action after having put in the effort to dress up, they decided to eat outside and have a nice family dinner.

After eating their fill and then some, they all returned back to the Westwood residence and Jenny for one slept like a baby. Having slept for a solid nine hours, she woke up well rested and ready for another day of school. Even Jason had woken up early as he usually followed shortly after she had escaped out of his embrace, making them arrive well on time for the first time since a very long time. Surprising all of their friends when she and Jason were the ones greeting them by the classroom door instead of the other way around.

After both she and Elizabeth had been dropped off at their classroom she asked, "What has gotten you so extra cheerful. Can I take this as the hint that you were able to obtain the chess game?" Jenny chuckled and said, "You sure can. Thank you for helping me find something. It was even more gorgeous in real life. If Jason's grandfather doesn't like it, I'll take it for myself. Now all that is left to do is find a job to pay for the remaining amount of Jason's present. But I have got a lead for that. All I need to do is discuss it with Jason as it might involve a person he isn't too fond of..." This was enough of a clue for Elizabeth to understand who Jenny was talking about, but before she could say anything about it class had already started. On their way to chemistry class, the only class aside from PE that wasn't given in their set classroom, Elizabeth tried to bring up the matter again. With a slightly worried look, as she had seen what kind of trouble Max's presence had caused between Jenny and Jason and also how Jenny's relationship with that guy had been becoming closer and closer, she said, "About what you said before regarding the 'lead' for a job. You might not want to bring it up at all...Surely there are other jobs. If need be I can find a job for you at my father's company. I am sure he could use a secretary or something."

"Where is this suddenly coming from?"

"I don't like seeing how close you are getting to that Max guy. He seems a bit too interested in you."

"You too? Why is everyone so wary of him. We are just friends."

"The better question might be why you aren't more wary? Just because you see him as just a friend, does not mean that he doesn't have other intentions. Isn't spending every school day and even some breaks AND an hour after school with a guy, who isn't your fiance, enough? Do you need to add evenings and weekends to that equation too? It might be unintentional, but he already caused trouble between you and Jason when there was barely contact between the two of you and the only connection was you being classmates. Why would you risk causing even bigger problems by spending too much time with Max, possibly giving him the wrong idea as well. For Jason it will be difficult enough to accept that you don't want to spend his money and instead want to work to earn your own. Why add a potential love rival to that mix? Besides, you shouldn't forget the reason you want that job in the first place. It's to earn money for HIS birthday gift, so you can thank HIM for all the nice things he has done for you and to make up for forgetting his birthday last year. Do you think stubbornly working with Max will get that message across? If you want to make Jason happy and want him to appreciate the gift and your intentions behind it, I advise you to find another way."