7. Jennifer Thomson

“Hello, sir?”

This was the first time in a long while since Jason had received a call from the director, and he couldn't help but wonder what the young man wanted to discuss.

Hoping that it had nothing to do with his wife, Jason asked,

“Yes Harry, is there a problem?”

“Oh not at all sir,” The director replied, his tone carrying a hint of excitement rather than his usual compliance about a certain production cost.

“I didn't get a chance to meet you in person to talk to you about it, but I wish to invite you to the industry's gala night to celebrate the success of our last movie. At the same time, we would love you to select the new actress for the next movie.”

Jason was indifferent, at the moment, he hated anything that was related to the movie industry considering that Melissa worked in it. He had the power to take her out but that was the least of his problems.

“I'm not interested,” He replied briskly, without giving any reasons for his refusal.

“Also, you are yet to get back to me on the budget for the new production, I need that information as soon as possible.”

“No problem sir, the team will send it to you soon.”

“Good.”

The call ended, and Jason sighed in frustration. He had been through a lot in one day and all he needed was a break, some moments to close his eyes and take a nap, but he couldn't help but notice the lady's expression after she ended her phone call.

Out of concern, he ask if she was doing alright, whilst trying not to make her feel uncomfortable.

“Yes I am good,” She lied, and it was evident in her facial expression, and Jason being a man who was not keen on sharing his problems understood her reasons for not sharing any details.

“You know,” He uttered, an attempt to take a different approach,

“It's not every time you see a lady this beautiful on her own in this place unless something has gone wrong, even I came here because something went wrong.”

“I hate to bother people with my problems…

“I might be able to help you know?” Jason assured her with a smile, with her accessories, he could tell that this lady was well to do, she wasn't a street beggar or someone faking to be rich, she also looked very familiar like someone he had seen somewhere but he couldn't recall.

With a sigh, she mumbled,

“I'm not in a good state today, everything just seems to be against me.”

They began to take a stroll towards the exit, with both of them neglecting the reason they came here in the first place.

“I was a little bit ashamed when you came here, I'm not sure you recognise me… you don't so uhm… I lost my job today, actually, I was meant to take a lead role for an upcoming movie this September but I lost that role and it didn't just end there.”

Her brief narration gave Jason a hint as to who she might be, she worked in the entertainment industry and was an actress.

“Jennifer Thomson,” He mumbled and the lady lifted her head and looked at him.

“You know me?” She asked him, burying her face in her palm in shame.

For a second, Jason felt like a wolf in sheep's clothing, or rather it was fate trying to remind him of the people who he made their lives worse just to make Melissa happy, a lady who did not deserve it.

Even without context, Jason already knew what the young lady was going through. Everything she once had belonged to the company and as soon as she lost that role, everything was taken from her, because Jason had not only instructed her to lose that role but also be permanently suspended from the company.

Quite ironic that Jennifer was standing next to the man who made her life crumble. Taking her face off her palm, she continued,

“Everything the company gave me was taken away, I just got a call that my home has been taken as well, I don't even know where to begin, what people will think of me. They'll hear the name Jennifer Thomson and think that I am probably on vacation at the luxurious suite, meanwhile, I don't even have a home to stay in.”

With every word she said, Jason felt bitter on the inside, he constantly stole a glance at her face even though she didn't seem to notice or care about it.

“I own some properties,” He uttered, feeling the need to make up for his wrongdoings without revealing them to her.

“Since you've got nowhere to go you can stay in one of them… it's a collection of homes, you can stay there rent-free.”

Jennifer paused, they were out of the cemetery gate and close to Jason's car. It felt to her as though Jason was the angel sent to rescue her from whatever curse was placed upon her.

“I know you are about to thank me,” Jason said just as he noticed her behavior,

“Just don't say it, get into the car let's go. As you said, no one must see Jennifer Thomson like this.”

Jason opened the door for her to go in, and then he took the wheel and drove off the premises. Jennifer did not know how to express her gratitude, she felt like saying thank you wasn't enough, she wanted to do something big, but what?

She constantly stole a glance at Jason while he was driving, and after a few minutes of deliberation, she thanked him from the depths of her heart even though he said not to.

Within ten minutes they were at the building, it was a luxurious home, usually rented out for millions and at first sight, Jennifer wondered what kind of man Jason was.

As they got into the building, she couldn't help but marvel at the interior designs, it was like she never left the celebrity world. She waited for Jason to speak with the clerk and once they were done, he walked back to her and handed over the keys to her room, and also offered to show her where it was.

As an executive, he led her to the executive's elevator, used by the elite, no random worker would ever be seen there, but unfortunately as soon as the elevator door opened up, Melissa and Alex were staring right at their faces.