Seven minutes in Heaven

As he was inching closer, he said "I had to settle for a short hug after spending a night apart because your friends were watching, but I hope you don't think that was enough to make it up to me.." Jenny was staring at the face that kept getting closer, looking into the eyes of the man that didn't seem like he would stop. She felt that all resistance was futile seeing as she had no where to escape. So instead she just braced herself for what she thought was to come. Jenny closed her eyes, waiting for their lips to touch. Jason looked at her tightly closed eyes, her flustered face and how her body was cramped up as she was apparently waiting for "impact". He smiled as he diverted his face and whispered in her ear "Don't worry, I am not going to kiss you. Consider this punishment for letting the first thing you do, when you turned away from my embrace, be getting chummy with Harry in front of my face." Jenny opened her eyes and glared at the teasing man in front of her. With flushed cheeks from embarrassment she gave him a kick to the shin and walked into the living room. Jason laughed with a slightly pained expression as he was rubbing the spot her foot had hit.. She did not hold back at all. She was proving the name "Feisty tiger" was well deserved. Her kick was sure to leave a mark, but he did not regret it.

Just as Jason was about to enter into the living room as well, the doorbell rang once more. Jason was standing a few feet away from the door when it rang, so he decided to fill the role of the doorkeeper once more. Both faces looked surprised when they saw him in the door opening instead of the face of the housekeeper they were used to. They never expected the rich master of the Westwood residence to be opening doors in his own home, let alone provide this service in other people's homes. Jason did not bother to wait for them and simply said "come in" before walking away. Sophia en Julia entered quickly and tried to process what happened while taking their coats off and handing them to the housekeeper who by now had reached the door opening as well. He too was confused by all that was happening today, mainly Mr. Westwood's behavior, but did not show anything on his face and instead just closed the door and went on with his other duties. This was what all professional housekeepers did from the esteemed families. They saw all and talked about none.

Now that the group was complete and the necessary introductions were made, they decided to play a game. The group would be divided into teams of two and would play a game of different types of hints and guessing. With each correct guess one could win a coin from a specific category, these being "draw something", "guess the word", "trivia", "music" and "no words allowed". The first to win a coin in each category and reach the end of the game board would win. They decided the winner could give one of the other teams an assignment. Everyone was eager to win and it was no surprise that the teams of two consisted of the couples present. Kelly finally got what she wished for and was teamed with Nick, the only one of the guys that was still single. Her remaining friends also formed a team together. The game would test how well they could work together and how well they understood each other. After a slightly awkward interaction between Harry and Julia, a pinch under the table from Jenny to Jason who was trying to wrap his arms around her, and a giddy one between Kelly and Nick, they could start. One team after the other put themselves to the test and tried to collect all the different coins, which proved harder than they initially thought. They laughed, yelled and worked hard to use the method on the board to let their partner guess the word they picked. After playing for nearly two hours, the winners were Kim and Linda. Their years of friendship proved useful in winning this game and they were now tasked with thinking of an assignment for one of the losing couples.

They decided to first pick the couple. They huddled together in a corner of the room and discussed their options. "Harry and Julia would be perfect candidates for a romantic punishment seeing how awkward they are being around one another, but considering what Jenny told us last night, I feel that anything can make or break them at this point in time. So we shouldn't poke that bear, when they are still figuring out what they want to be to each other." "We could give Kelly her bit of fun with Nick?" "I guess..but it kinda feels like letting the playboy win and letting him take advantage of a girl with a weakness for pretty boys. How about Jenny and Jason? They have been acting funny from the moment we started this game. I even saw Jenny pinching him. Considering they were being so lovey dovey just moments before, I am guessing something happened in the short time between the game and us coming here. How about we add some fuel to that fire? They seem stable enough to withstand the heat, don't you think?" Kim showed an evil smile and tapped her fingers against each other, like an evil scientist with a devilish plan. "I guess she was feeling still feeling a bit jealous and wanted to have some fun by bullying Jenny a bit before we leave" Linda thought to herself as she sighed and went along with her plan.

"We have decided. What we want is for Jenny and Jason to play the old game of 'seven minutes in heaven'. Considering they just had their engagement party and already had to spend the night apart, this punishment should feel like no punishment at all right?" Again Kim showed a smile. This time an innocent one that was hiding a more evil one that was clearly enjoying the situation. The small crowd of friends erupted after this announcement was made. They clapped and cheered in agreement. George who knew how to whistle with his hands, did a few high pitched blows. It seemed like the assignment was settled, but the people involved showed two very different responses to what was asked of them. Will they go along with what was asked of them or will they refuse?