Chapter 28.

"JENNY!!!". I was startled awake. I shot up from Jesse's chest and looked up. "Was that Elena?" I said, shaking Jesse awake. I threw on Jesse's long black robe and sprinted out of the room. "What's wrong?" said Jesse, swinging his legs around the bed. I glanced at the wall clock and noticed it was three in the morning. I ran to Elena's room as fast as I could and swung open the door. "Elena?" I yelled, concerned. "She's in here!" Lacy screamed. Jesse followed quickly behind me. "What happened?" he said to Lacy. "She hasn't stopped throwing up" Lacy exclaimed. "Go get Andi" Jesse directed. In a panic, Lacy sprinted out the door. In what felt like seconds later Andi was in the room.

"What the hell happened?" Andi screamed. "She won't stop throwing up!" Lacy yelled. "I don't know what to do!". Lacy was in hysterics. Jesse consoled Lacy as she cried on his shoulder. I was kneeling on the bathroom floor holding back Elena's hair. I did my best to reassure Elena she would be okay, but despite my efforts she continued to cry. Andi and Lacy were fighting in the other room, Andi ran into the bathroom and kneeled next to me.

"Elena, are you okay?" Andi asked. "Do I look okay?" Elena said between retches. "What did you eat before you went to bed?" Andi said, putting her stethoscope on Elena's back. "Nothing" said Elena. "How much did you drink tonight Elena?" said Andi, putting a pressure cuff on Elena's right arm. "I had two bottles of wine" she said, crying. "Why on God's Earth would you do that you lightweight?" Andi said, attempting to make Elena laugh. "I was stressed" Elena laughed, then threw up more. "I deserved it". I never was able to handle vomit, even as a kid. I began to feel nauseated, but I did my best to help Andi assess Elena.

"You my sweet, stupid, ginger friend have alcohol poisoning" Andi said, reading a thermometer. "That's wonderful" Elena said, sarcastically. "What are we going to do?" Lacy cried. "Lace she'll be fine, just give her a day or two" Andi said. "As for you Elena, no more booze for a while". "Believe me, I don't think I'll ever drink again" said Elena, leaning back on the floor. "I can stay with her if you and Jesse want to get some sleep" Andi said to me. "Don't say a word to Conner, okay?" Elena pleaded. "I won't, I promise" I reassured her. "Are you okay Elena?" Jesse asked, peeking his head in the bathroom. "I will be" she said. "Thanks".

Jesse and I walked back to his room. "As I said, everything happening at once" I laughed sarcastically. "You need to get to bed" he said, pulling the covers back. "Why's that?" I said. "Because you'll be a grouch in the morning" Jesse said, kissing me. "Excuse me?" I laughed. "Go to bed" he said, putting his arm around me. I grumbled at him, only making him squeeze my body harder. No matter how hard I tried to hide it, how aggravated I got sometimes, and how obvious it was to everyone else, I think I loved Jesse Marinos.

The next morning, we woke up way earlier than I expected. I looked at the clock and noticed it was only six o'clock. I was awoken by Jesse yawning fairly loudly. "Dramatic much?" I laughed. "Good morning to you too" he smiled as he stretched his arms. "I'm going to check on Elena" I said as I got dressed. "Don't take too long" he said, walking to the bathroom. "Yeah okay" I laughed. I walked to Elena's room nervously. As I knocked on the door, I took a deep breath trying to get the gruesome image of her vomiting out of my head. "Elena?" I whispered as I opened the door. Her room was dark, so I assumed she was still sleeping and left.

"Good morning" said Lacy from the kitchen. "Hey Lace" I said, walking towards her. "Is she awake?" Lacy asked. "Have you gone to sleep?" I laughed, staring at the bags underneath her eyes. Clearly, she hadn't slept last night. "I slept maybe two hours on the couch" she said, yawning. "I'll keep my eye on her Lace, I promise Elena will be fine" I said, putting my hand on her shoulder. "Go lay down". "Thanks J" Lacy said, eyes welling. Lacy was one of the type of girl who cried when she was tired. I wrapped my arms around her and let her cry. I reassured her Elena would be okay. Finally, Lacy thanked me then walked to her room.

I walked back to Jesses room expecting him to have fallen back to sleep. "Jesse?" I whispered as I walked in the room. I looked around the room and didn't see him. "Jenny!" Jesse whispered loudly as he grabbed my shoulder behind me. "Damnit Jesse!" I yelled, startled. "Miss me?" he laughed. "No" I smirked. Jesse kissed my cheek and laughed. "Want to go to the gym?". I stared at his solid, gorgeous abs and felt myself agree with him. As we walked downstairs, I didn't realize how peaceful and quiet the house really was early in the morning. Now I realized why Jesse liked to get up and workout.

"You need to know how to fight J," Jesse said, wrapping his knuckles. "I know how" I laughed. "You think you do" Jesse said, winking at me. As I stood next to Jesse, I used all my strength and hit him in the shoulder. Just as my fist made contact on his arm, he grabbed my wrist and twisted my arm. My body crashed against his, causing my to stumble backwards into him. "Hey!" I shouted as he ran his finger across my neck. "Bang you're dead" he said. "Too predictable". As Jesse held my wrist, I kicked my heel back and hit him between the legs. "Damnit!" he gasped. Doubling over, I put my hand on his shoulder. "Oh my God, Jesse I'm so sorry!". Jesse grabbed my leg and instantly I was on the floor. "As I said, predictable" he laughed. I rolled my eyes at him and pulled him on the floor with me. "You're an ass" I whispered. "You love me" he smirked. "You're right" I said, kissing him. Jesse looked at me, stunned at my response.

After finally breaking away from the kiss, Jesse helped me stand up. "Do you want to get dinner?". "If you want to" I smiled. "Six?" he asked. "Fine with me" I said. "Let's go upstairs". We walked upstairs and met with Lacy, Andi, Becca, and Luka. "Good morning" I said. "Hey J," said Becca. "Has Elena woke up yet?" I asked. "Not yet… I think Conner's with her" said Andi, pouring a cup of coffee. "Luka, a word?" said Jesse, motioning him to the door. Luka walked over to Jesse and opening the door. Just as the door shut, I got into Andi's face. "Jesse asked me on a date… again". "He did what!?" Becca and Lacy said in unison. "At six…" I said, getting excited. "You have nine hours to mentally prepare yourself… you need an outfit… and I need a game plan" Andi laughed.

"You're overthinking it" said Elena walking in the room. "Good morning to you too" said Andi. "Elena, how are you feeling?" I asked. "Not great" she replied as she grabbed a bottle of water. "Well go back to bed girl!" said Lacy, scolding Elena. "Jenny, you need a cute outfit… Andi, get her a gun… Lacy you're on hair and nail patrol… Becca makeup, and I will distract the boys" Elena directed. "Simple". Taken back, I started laughing. "How did you know?". "I'm pretty genius" Elena laughed. "Elena!" shouted Conner as he joined us in the kitchen. "I told you to stay in bed". "I'm fine you big baby" Elena sighed. Suddenly, I heard the door swing open. Instantly turned my head to the door, watching Jesse and Luka haul giant black garbage bags into the room. "Mitch, Mitch, Mitch" Andi said, shaking her head while smiling. "He's redeemed himself" said Jesse, laughing. Luka hit the button on the table, and I watched as it extended. Jesse dumped the bags on the table revealing more guns that last time.

"What's all of this for?" I asked. "Just in case, baby" said Jesse, winking at me. I rolled my eyes and smiled. Rifles, shotguns, pistols, knives, grenades, syringes. You name it, and it was on the table. "This seems a bit extra" I said, picking up a knife. "Careful J," Luka laughed. "Don't swing that thing around". "I'm perfectly capable of holding a knife" I said, sternly. "I don't doubt that" Andi said, looking at the syringes. "What are those for Andi?" I asked. "Sedatives" she smiled. "I figured as much" I laughed. "What time are we leav—" started Luka, only to be elbowed in the side by Lacy. Confused, I stared at Luka. "What?". "Oh, nothing J," Elena said. "C'mon you have a date to get ready for" Lacy said, trying to change the subject.

"Andi?" I asked, knowing she'd tell me. "You'll know by the end of the night" she winked. "Damn you guys" I said, as the girls and I walked to Andi's room. "What are you going to wear J?" said Lacy. "Nothing too busy" I said. "Probably just a nice shirt, some leggings, and a coat". "Simplicity… I like it" said Andi, staring me down. Andi reached in her closet and grabbed a navy-blue dress. "You can pull this off". I smiled at Andi, then turned to Lacy. "Don't burn me this time" I laughed as she plugged in the curling iron. Lacy rolled her eyes and laughed at me. "It was an accident". "Lace?" Luka yelled from outside the door. "Not this again" Lacy rolled her eyes. "Someone's here for you…". "Tell them I'm busy" Lacy said, bobby pins in her mouth. "He's insistent" Luka whispered. Andi opened the door, revealing Luka and Mitch standing in the doorway.

"Andi shut it" said Lacy, not even looking up. "Lacy" pleaded Mitch. "What-" I mouthed to Elena. Elena shrugged her shoulders and stood up. "Sorry," I head Andi whisper as she shut the door. Mitch put his hand on the door and pushed it open. "Hey!" Andi shouted. "What the hell?!". "Get out Mitch!!" screamed Lacy. "Not until we talk" he said. "I have nothing to say to you!". Elena and I stared at each other confused. Lacy let go of my half-curled hair as Mitch walked towards us. She pointed the scalding curler at Mitch as he walked forward. "Get out!". "Lacy calm down" I said, standing up. "Oh no" Andi whispered. Andi motioned at me to be quiet.

"I told you I never wanted to see you again Mitch" screamed Lacy. She swung the burning hair curler around in the air, trying to get Mitch to back up. "Lacy please" Mitch pleaded. "Can we just talk". "NO!" Lacy shouted. "What the hell is going on in here?" shouted Jesse, barging through the door. "Get him out of here!!" Lacy demanded. "She's being stubborn" Mitch said, exasperated. "Mitch, I really think you should leave" I said, trying to deflect the situation. "Get that psychotic asshole out of here!" Lacy shouted at Luka and Jesse. Mitch finally complied with Lacy and walked out of the room. Luka and Jesse followed him as I stared at Lacy.

"What was that about?". "He's my ex" Lacy said. "Not someone worth my time". "Well on that note, let's finish getting you around J," said Andi trying to change the subject. "Lacy, I think my hair looks great, thank you" I said, afraid that she would burn me. "Okay J," Lacy said, "excuse me". Lacy walked out of Andi's room. I noticed she was close to tears. "Should I check on her?" I asked. "She'll be okay" said Andi. "Give her some time". Because of the tension, I was ready to get out of the house. I looked at the clock and realized it was almost six. After thanking the girls, I walked out of the room to find Jesse.

"Jenny Avery" said Jesse, standing in the corner of the living room. "Jesse Marinos" I laughed. "Where are we going". "It's a surprise" he said, walking over to me. "Be careful you two" said Andi, winking at Jesse. "Right" he smirked. We walked out of the house and got into Jesses car. As I sat in the front seat, I realized how intoxicating the smell of Jesse's cologne was. "Is that new?" I said, as if I were in some sort of trance. "No" he smiled. "Well, I like it" I said, looking up at him. "I thought you would" Jesse said, looking at me. "Eyes on the road Fabio" I could hear someone say. "Do you have—" I started. "An earpiece in? Of course," Jesse said, finishing my sentence. "Andi?" I said, loudly. "You know it hun" she said through the earpiece. "I needed a back up tonight J, just in case" he laughed. I turned around and noticed a familiar car a ways back. "How could she see us from back there?". "She's got good eyes J" he sighed.

We pulled into a stunning glass building. "Where are we?" I asked, staring at the building. "Another great restaurant owned by yours truly" said Jesse. "I could have guessed" I said, kissing him on the cheek. "Let's go inside". As we stepped out of the car, I was instantly blinded by shining flashes of cameras. "Are you kidding me" said Jesse. He put his hand on my back and pushed me inside. "Mr. Marinos are you and Miss. Avery together?". "Mr. Marinos how does Miss. Salvatore feel about this?". "Miss. Avery are you a gold-digger?". With that comment, I saw red. I whipped my head around to see a man, not as tall as Jesse, but taller than me, sneer those words at me. I ripped away from Jesse's grasp, startling him. "I am most certainly not!" I shouted. I drew back my arm and slapped the man across the face. "Jenny!" scolded Jesse, grabbing my arm. "Control them" I scowled at Jesse. "Let's just go inside" he said, opening the door.

As we walked in, the workers scattered like rats as soon as they saw Jesse. He walked me to a table in the corner of the restaurant. Three waitresses rushed to our table. A woman, clearly with a botched plastic surgery spoke up. "What can I get for you Mr. Marinos?". "Whiskey, neat" he said, looking at me. "I thought you weren't going to drink" I laughed, reminding him of what happened to Elena. Jesse smiled at me. "I'll have a glass of merlot" I smiled at the waitress. She glared at me and wrote down our orders.

Our food arrived nearly as soon as we ordered it. "So…" I started. "Miss. Salvatore?". "I knew that was coming" Jesse said, shaking his head. "We dated a while back, but it was more of an entanglement, she only wanted my money. Brandi had been best friends with Andi for a long time, so when I met Brandi for the first time Monica was with her. Andi hooked us up and we dated for a year. She lied constantly, so when Brandi and Monica called and told Andi and I about your Dad, we had to go and make sure she was telling the truth. "So that's why we went to Italy…" I said, taking a sip of my drink. "Exactly" Jesse said.

"I have a proposal for you, Jenny" he said, putting his elbows on the table. "Business talk, I'm intimidated" I laughed. "I want you to go on a mission with us" he said, seriously. "Why?" I questioned. "Because I think you're ready, and I'm going to need everyone on this one" he said. "What do you need me to do?" I asked. "Whatever it takes to get your father back" Jesse smiled. "Andi and I have been conspiring, and we think with all of the progress you've made, you can be of help to us" Jesse said with pride. "When is it?" I asked. "In August, thankfully your Dad gave Mitch a tip. I trust Henry, but I don't trust Lincoln. We have to be at the Santa Monica grand theatre at six" he said. "Is there an event going on? Jesse that's in four months" I asked. "Yes, I know, but we have to prepare. A charity show that Lincoln attends every year, but I don't. He won't suspect us going, because I've never gone" Jesse said, taking a drink. "Why don't you?" I said. "I send the money, I don't attend them simply because I know he does" Jesse stated.

"Marinos… you need to leave right now" Andi shouted through the earpiece. "Got it" he said, pushing on his ear. "Well J, I hate to tell you, but we have to leave". "What's wrong? Is everything okay?" I asked. "Yes, but we just need to get home" he smiled. "Okay" I said, standing up. I was confused, but I knew something was wrong despite what he was telling me. Jesse put his hand on my back, and we walked through the restaurant. As he quickened his pace, I felt myself becoming more nervous. We stepped outside and instantly climbed into Jesse's car. "What's going on Jesse?" I asked. "I'll explain when we get home" he said, staring directly at the road. I noticed a black car following us. "Is that Andi?" I asked. "No, it's not" he said, looking in his mirror. Jesse slammed on the gas, making the car fly forwards. Afraid, I grabbed the side of the car along with Jesse's arm. I glanced through the back window, unable to see the car behind us.

After the nerve-wracking ride, we finally made it back to the house. The house was dark, not a single light was on. "Jesse something is seriously wrong" I said, tearing up. I grabbed his arm as we quietly walked up to the house. He put his key in the door, and slowly unlocked it. "Jesse…" I whispered. He opened the door and turned on the living room light. "C'mon" he said, motioning me to his room. "Where is everyone?" I asked. "Probably sleeping" he said. "We always leave lights on; something is wrong Jesse I can feel it" I said nervously. We walked to his room and he shut the door. "This way" he said, pointing to his closet. As we walked into the closet, Jesse hit a button behind a rack of suits.

Suddenly, a ladder fell from the ceiling. Startled I let out a loud scream. "Jenny shush!" Jesse whispered. "Come on" he said, climbing up the stairs. "Are you out of your mind?" I asked. "No!". "Jenny trust me!" he said in a serious tone. Reluctantly, I followed him up the stairs. I could see a light shining once I reached the top. "Oh my—".

I was taken back immediately once I reached the top of the stairs. Undenounced to me, there was a hidden upstairs to the house, and boy was it beautiful. In front of me laid a giant white leather couch, along with a bar with stools, a giant television, a gorgeous fireplace, and a large hot tub in the corner. The room was littered with candles, and a bottle of champagne sitting on the table by the couch. One thing for sure, Jesse was not only full of surprises, but he was certainly a romantic. "Jesse…" I started. "Do you like it?" he asked, nervously. "I love it" I smiled. "How did you—" I started. "I had help" he laughed. "How come I never knew about this place?" I questioned. "I was saving it for something special" Jesse claimed.

Jesse poured me a glass of champagne and took his suit off. "Jesse" I laughed. I looked and saw he had a pair of swim trunks underneath his suit. "You had this all planned out didn't you" I giggled. "I sure did, go look over there" he smiled. Intrigued, I walked over to the hot tub. On a small table, I noticed one of my maroon bikinis sitting there along with a note.

Jenny,

Have fun you love birds… don't be stupid. Yell if you need us, or if Jesse gets wasted and you need help J.

XO

Andi

I put my bikini on and stepped inside the hot tub. Jesse stood with his back to me, as he poured another glass of champagne. "You look beautiful" he said, handing me a glass. I blushed and took a sip. He stepped into the hot tub, then helped me into it. I sat down and felt the heat of the water sooth my body. The jets in the tub whizzed as they turned on full power. After sitting in a comfortable silence for an hour or so, Jesse finally spoke. "Jenny…" he started. "I want to ask you something". "Okay…" I said, smiling at him. "Are you happy with me?" he asked. "Of course, I am" I said. "Jenny Avery, will you be my girlfriend?" he said. "Yes" I said, beginning to cry. I reached over to Jesse and kissed him. After a while we decided to get out.

As I got out of the hot tub, I wrapped myself in a towel. Jesse Marinos' girlfriend, it has a nice ring to it. Jesse and I made our way to the couch, along with another bottle of champagne. I could feel my body become lighter as the alcohol began to surge through my veins. Jesse flipped the couch, which also happened to be a bed. He turned on the fireplace and pressed a button on a remote. Hearing a whirring noise, I looked up and saw the ceiling fold back, revealing a glass panel above us. The vibrant stars shined through the glass, a truly mesmerizing scene. Jesse and I laid on the bed and watched the stars. "Thank you, Jesse" I whispered. "For what?" he asked, looking down at me. "For loving me" I said. The comfort I felt along with the alcohol allowed me to fall asleep before Jesse could respond.