Chapter 7 Looking for Jennifer

In haste, Jennifer wolfed down her meal, pretending not to understand what she just heard.

After breakfast, Jennifer and Dave Powell went ahead to the tailor for their wedding dress and suit. Not wanting to waste any time, they then proceeded to take their wedding photos as well.

They picked out a wedding dress, got her makeup done, and took a couple of outdoor shots at the beach, followed by a few other ones at the studio. By the end of it all, Jennifer began to feel like her legs were jelly – they were almost giving out on her.

"Put on your best dress tonight," instructed Dave Powell while they made their way home.

"Why?" Jennifer asked.

"I'm taking you to a ball," he explained.

She agreed without hesitation, thinking that it would not matter much since she could get a good rest before evening arrived.

Dave Powell then drove away after dropping her off at the doorstep.

She punched in the passcode and unlocked the digital lock on the door. Dog-tired, she quickly made her way to her bedroom upstairs and sprawled onto the bed, not wanting to move another inch.

"Boss, someone is calLing you!" went her mobile ringtone. Looking at the caller display which showed a local unknown number, she picked up the call. "Hello?"

Instead of linging up when she heard Halkins Catherine's voice, Jennifer asked, "What's the matter?"

"Cousin, I know I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry. Will you forgive me?" Halkins Catherine apologized.

"Though I'm unsure of how you'd even have the cheek to ask for my forgiveness, I'm afraid I can't. I'm not a saint nor God. I can't be that magnanimous and forgiving," Jennifer replied sarcastically.

"Jennifer! I apologized to you sincerely from the bottom of my heart, yet you're still so unforgiving and obstinate. Who do you think you are? Marrying a rich husband does not make you high and mighty!" Halkins Catherine snapped scornfully.

"Look at you getting all worked up. Don't embarrass yourself again by calLing me. Watch out, don't hurt yourself getting too upset. Otherwise, Elon Jeff might just go ahead and have another affair again," mocked Jennifer. She ended the call right after, not giving Halkins Catherine a chance to retaliate.

FeeLing much less exhausted, Jennifer laid down in bed again and sandwiched a pillow between her legs. After a big stretch, she set an alarm on her phone and dozed off in no time.

The alarm went off at 5 PM sharp, waking Jennifer up.

By now, she was already famished, and her stomach let out a low grumble. She quickly took a bath, dried her hair, and did her makeup - all in one go.

Dave Powell arrived to pick her up just as she went downstairs.

Jennifer looked more flawless than ever - what with her face boasting immaculate makeup and her long, curly locks cascading down her back.

"What ball is it? What are the people there going to be like?" asked Jennifer, trying to distract herself from her hunger.

"You'll know when we get there," answered Dave Powell.

"That's as good as not replying," scorned Jennifer.

All eyes were on Jennifer and Dave Powell as the couple entered the venue with their arms locked. They could already guess who the ravishing beauty was by their body language.

A bevy of single socialites stared at Jennifer with a look of disdain on their faces; all were green with envy.

"Is that Dave Powell's new wife?" they began to gossip.

"Yes, they just registered their marriage not long ago. I heard they had their wedding photoshoot today."

"She's pretty good-looking, except she lacks class and elegance. What a shame. I heard she comes from a small village, with lowly status."

"Exactly, it must be true love between them..."

Although the gossipmongers were careful not to be too loud, Jennifer still managed to hear everything they had to say - be it good or bad - thanks to her impeccable hearing.

As she continued to stride forward, she felt Dave Powell slowing down in his tracks.

Glancing ahead, she noticed a lady dressed in a violet gown with a goblet of wine in her hands, chatting merrily with other guests. Though her looks were not extraordinary, she had perfectly poised mannerisms and exuded a certain air of elegance, which were bound to leave a lasting impression.

Shifting her attention to the couple, she stood up and began to walk gracefully towards them, a gentle smile on her lips.

"Powell, I need a word with you privately," said the lady while shooting Jennifer a glance.

Sensing something peculiar about the relationship between the lady and Dave Powell, Jennifer excused herself. "Excuse me while I visit the restroom."

"Why did you do that? I know you don't love her. You're only trying to spite me and get your revenge because I got together with Danny," questioned Dale Carol as she stared at the man before her.

"You said you wanted a word with me. Is this all you have to say?" asked Dave Powell, his eyes fixed on her.

"Powell, you can't fool me," Dale Carol said firmly, without doubt. "It's not too late to turn back now. I don't wish to see you acting like this, torturing yourself because of me," she continued.

"We've already registered our marriage. Don't you watch the news?" retorted Dave Powell.

"You..." replied Dale Carol, at a loss for words.

As she sat on the toilet bowl, it suddenly struck Jennifer that she was the lawful wife of Dave Powell. Why did she have to allow them to have a conversation privately?

Could there be a secret between them which was not to be divulged? she thought in her head.

She had no idea how long they were going to take.

After she was done with her business, Jennifer sat atop the toilet seat cover for 15 minutes straight.

Wondering where she had gone, Dave Powell began to look for her himself.

Since he could not enter the Ladies' Room, he waited patiently for someone to exit or enter it, hoping that they could help him call for Jennifer. However, there was not a single soul in sight as time passed. He had no choice but to enter the restroom.

"Jennifer?" he called.

"Yes?" she responded, at the same time standing up and exiting the cubicle. At that very instant, she heard a female voice from outside, approaching the restroom. A quick-witted Jennifer frantically grasped at Dave Powell and shoved him into a cubicle.

Two women entered just as she closed the cubicle's door shut.

Standing on tiptoe, she whispered in his ear, "Why did you come inside the Ladies?"

She was thinking that he could have simply given her a phone call if he was looking for her. Little did she know that he had forgotten to bring his mobile phone out with him that evening.

"To look for you, of course. Why else would I be in here?" Dave Powell asked teasingly. As he did so, he stroked her long locks.

"This is the Ladies' Room, how daring of you," she replied with a change of expression, trying to suppress her voice.

"What's wrong with that?" he asked, his lips brushing lightly across her face. The warmth of his breath sent her into a state of nervousness. Her legs turned to jelly.

Jennifer gazed at him, speechless. Her heart was ricocheting against her chest. She could still hear the women chatting incessantly, along with the sound of water trickling from the tap in the background.

She stood rooted to the ground, afraid to even speak, for she was fearful that the women would find out about Dave Powell hiding in the Ladies'.

Initially, he had purely wanted to just look for her, nothing more.

Dave Powell likened Jennifer to an aged wine - incredibly addictive after savoring it just once, leaving one begging for more because it tastes better and better with each sip, while the aftertaste Lingers in one's mouth.

She had silky smooth hair, and a pair of eyes that sparkled like diamonds, coupled with a pair of luscious lips. What a fine woman, indeed.

For a period of time, no one entered the restroom, perhaps because the ball had commenced.

The pair of newlyweds exited the toilet, feeling like a huge load was lifted off their chests - there was no longer anyone within their vicinity. And thank heavens: Dave Powell would have surely made the headlines if he had gotten caught in the act of trespassing into the Ladies' Room.