Concerned about her husband’s unusual behavior for some weeks, a devoted wife makes plans for a kind taxi driver to follow the guy wherever, regardless of the expenses. When she finally discovers the truth and reveals a long-kept secret, though, things are not as they first seem.
Feeling the strain of his recent late evenings at work on the Simmons project, Jessica and Jason sat silently across each other at the dinner table. “This is nice,” Jason said.
“Is it??” Jessica responded cynically. “It makes me very happy you enjoy it. I worked feverishly at it all afternoon.
Pursing his lips, he questioned, “Is something bothering you?”
“I’m not sure, Jason. You tell me. Is anything wrong? Jessica responded sarcastically.
“Look, honey; I’m sorry I worked late. Right now, our company depends on this project absolutely. Should we lose the account, we will close. We’re busting a gut to make sure we get this one perfect, Jason said, sighing.
Oh, is that still the case? Anything you say, Jason. Perform your required action. Who am I to interfere with your business?
Jason hated the hostility in his wife’s voice and worried that his next comment might send her flying. “Uh, darling,” he continued, “I know you’re going to kill me, but regrettably I have to go back to work now; it’s just—
Jessica jumped to her feet, grabbed her half-empty dinner plate and the lasagna dish, stormed off into the kitchen without a word before he could complete his justification.
Oh, God, Jason murmured to himself. “This is not good..” He got up, shouldered the jacket on the rear of his chair, grabbed the laptop bag from underfoot, and silently walked out the front door.
Jessica was at ease. She placed the call she had been preparing as soon as the front door closed: “Where are you?” she questioned the person on the other end of the line. “Alright, good. I’m leaving right now from the rear gate.
Jessica pushed fast across the backyard and out onto the street, wrapped in a dark maroon shawl. She had requested for exactly the yellow taxi cab, right on the curb in front of the rear gate.
She started jumping in. She told the driver, who nodded and stepped on the throttle, “Go around the block to the front of the house, fast.” They swung around, turning quickly right then once again.
“There up ahead,” Jessica said, “the black Audi, follow that car.”
The man nodded toward the car. Yes, lady, he replied.
” Not too close,” Jessica remarked. He must not know he is being watched.
Jessica promised an extra five hundred bucks on top of the meter to assist in revealing the truth regarding the behavior of her husband. She told Musa, the driver, she was suspicious of Jason having an affair.
Musa, who admitted he was a full citizen and married but originally from Nigeria, understood her predicament.
They trailed Jason’s automobile toward his workplace building. Jessica requested Musa to keep observing, then she revealed that her buddy had lately spotted Jason with a younger woman in a cafe.
Biting her nails, Jessica said, “Let’s wait a while longer.”
Musa nodded and said, “No problem.”
Thinking Jason had been honest, Jessica’s determination faltered half an hour later as she got ready to head home. She then watched his automobile leave the lot with a young, tastefully dressed blonde woman seated in the passenger side.
“Follow them,” she gave the order They followed them to a park where Jason and the woman confirmed Jessica’s worst worries by walking arm-in-arm.
She replied, slumped into her seat, “I’ve seen enough.” Ask me to take you home.
Musa drove home while she sobbed silently. Inquiring as to her condition, he
She said, “I’m not sure whether I’m okay,” and Musa could only nod sympathetically.
Jessica was lost in ideas at home, not sure how to approach her husband. She finally opted to wait till morning.
Jason’s demeanor at breakfast the next day was erratic and tense. He discussed working late once again, which just made her feel worse. Jessica shot back, rolling her eyes, “Don’t wake me when you come home.”
Once he walked away, Jessica battled to concentrate on her food photography and writing. She wondered for a bit about their long marriage and whether she had lost her appeal. But she called Musa once more instead of lolling around the whole day.
They once more went to wait at Jason’s office. Not long after he showed up with the blonde woman. They trailed them this time to Luigi’s. When Jessica saw her beloved Italian restaurant, she felt a stinging in her chest. This is our place.
She wanted to go, but she determined to collect absolutely clear evidence of his adultery. Musa, I will get you food. Handing the cab driver a fifty-dollar cash, Jessica suggested, “go into the restaurant, seat close by, and report how they behave.”
Musa sadly came back not too long ago, shaking his head since he couldn find a place without a reservation. Grunt, Jessica marched into the restaurant personally.
Recognizing her, Dimitri, the maître d’, extended an invitation to sit.
“Dimitri, that man just here alone seeking a table, did you tell him he needs to have a reservation and cannot be seated?” She pressed impatiently.
“Um, ma’am,” said Was he here as your guest? I apologies sincerely. Though the restaurant is filled, I would be pleased to locate a place for you two. Will you be with your hubby as well? He said tensely.
“No, I will not be joining my husband!!” Jessica answered somewhat loudly than she meant, drawing stares from some customers—including Jason. He got pale looking up from his pasta plate.
Jessica kept her ground at the door and fixed Jason fiercely. Rising, he went toward his enraged wife.
” Jess, what are you doing here? He asked apprehensively.
“What am I doing here? ” Jessica questioned back. “You told me you ate pizzas at the office and were working late. And I discover you here among another lady. Whose is that?
“Jess, I can go over everything. Please join us; why don’t you? He put his hand on Jessica’s shoulder but she brushed it off angrily.
“Dimitri, kindly arrange a table seat for my wife,” Jason said to the maître d’.
“Don’t bother, Dmitri; this won’t take long,” Jessica remarked, glancing at the young woman seated at the table observing the event with much curiosity.
Jessica moved over coolly, without looking at Jason. She settled down and studied the stranger across from her. Jessica thought she was about twenty, rather beautiful with hazel-colored eyes and a nice, freckled nose.
“Jessica,” Jason answered professionally, “I would want you to meet Skylar. my daughter.
Jessica tried to absorb the truth, her jaw meeting the floor. Beautiful twenty-one-year-old Skylar clarified further, including her wish to see her father and how she had been interning at his workplace.
Drinking a full glass of wine, Jessica promptly performed mental arithmetic. “Twenty-one,” she said again, then she broke off and turned to face her husband. “That implies we were married when she was born already.”
Jason nodded and lowered his head. He acknowledged having a one-time affair twenty-one years ago during a business meeting. Jessica ordered Dmitri to prepare some dinner and left home, too much for her, but not before telling Jason he would be sleeping in the guest room that night.
She also said she was sorry to Skylar and hoped they had crossed paths under other conditions. Jessica left the restaurant carrying her takeaway and then went back to Musa’s taxi to give him food.
Should he ever go back, she assured him the greatest seat in the eatery.
Thank you, madam, Musa said, grinning. ” Back home then?”
Jessica said, reclining on the seat back home.
When Jason got home some later, they settled in the kitchen. Across a cup of tea, they faced the truth. He came clean about his guilt about hiding Skylar. Losing Jessica would make him nervous.
We are meant to share everything. She admitted before retiring to bed alone, not sure if I could make it back from this.
Two weeks of Jason sleeping in the spare room later, they started both separately and collectively counseling. Jessica shared the agony of learning about the affair as well as the extra hurt from their reproductive problems.
The therapist stressed the value of honest communication and the difficulty in juggling the new dynamic with Skylar. “That road will be long and meandering,” the doctor advised.
Though dubious about forgiving Jason, Jessica admitted her eagerness to try and move over the betrayal. Realising the long road ahead and the changes required to welcome Skylar into their extended family, she and her husband left the session intending to mend their relationship.
Jessica’s heart opened gradually over the next two months, and she started to trust Jason once more because of his attempts to spend time with Skylar.
Inspired by her past trip, Jessica called Musa one morning inviting her and her wife Debbie to supper with Skylar. That evening, they all sat around the dining table laughing and sharing roast lamb.
Jason teased about Jessica’s trip with Musa. “How did my wife get you to pursue me all over town?” he inquired.
Musa laughed, “Cold, hard cash,” which sent everyone else laughing around the table.
Each person offered their own viewpoint as the discussion turned to their preferred areas of the city. Jason then said they were thinking about retaining Skylar on since she was producing outstanding work for his company.
“Skylar,” Jessica responded. ” Especially our family, welcome you to our house. You are free to stay here whenever you choose. Think about this, too, your place.
“Many thanks greatly. For me, that means the world. Skylar stated.
“To family and friends, old and new,” Musa said in a toast, and everyone clinked their glasses together to celebrate.
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