Chapter 42: A Trigger
about
to
up
over
- it.
In Henry’s words, Jay was intermittently insane; best to ignore him. Auntie Sterling, fearing
riled got Sonya’s concerns, quickly explained that Jay was a bachelor who
whenever he heard someone getting married. Nothing worry about; he’d get Leaving Simon’s eatery, Henry carried the jujubes he’d picked. Back home, they sat on the second–floor sunroom, backs against each other, reading, quietly enjoying the last rays of the setting sun.
They’d planned to cook dinner together, but Henry got a call.
“It’s about a business deal; I’m deciding whether to give the other party a chance.”
It was work–related, so Sonya didn’t pry. Shortly after Henry left, Lily Lane called, inviting her for drinks at Jake Parker’s bar.
“You stood me up last time,” she huffed.
“I
got drunk and forgot to call you. I just left,” Lily Lane explained.
“I’m pretty tired, actually.”
“I miss you.”
“Fine, I’ll go.”
The bar was closed. Inside, only one private room was lit.
“Sonya, over here!”
Lily Lane waved from the bar. Sonya nodded.“Why aren’t you open?”
Lily Lane pointed to the lit room.“Jake Parker said he’s hosting an important client tonight.”
Sonya sat beside Lily Lane.“Is Jake Parker in there?”
“And Leo Jones,” Lily Lane paused, “and Julian Jennings.”
Sonya frowned at the name.
“I didn’t know he’d be there,” Lily Lane quickly added.
“It’s fine.”
Sonya saw Lily Lane’s flushed face; she’d had quite a bit to drink.
“How’s filming going?” she asked.
Lily Lane sighed.“I transferred to Group A.”
“Luna Stone is giving you a hard time?”
“It’s manageable, but Director Davis has high standards. Every take of my scenes is a retake; the pressure’s intense.”
Sonya patted Lily Lane.“You haven’t acted in years; it takes time to adjust.”
“Teacher Sullivan is really helpful. She occasionally gives me acting tips. Oh, you know Teacher Sullivan?”
“I know her, but we’re not close.”
Lily Lane hugged Sonya.“Teacher Sullivan is only being nice to me because of you.”
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Chapter 42: A Trigger
“Really?”
Menu
“She mentions you constantly, asking about you. I’m starting to think she wants you to be her daughter–in–law.”
Sonya laughed.“Does Teacher Sullivan have a son?”
“She did, but…” Lily Lane pondered, “he passed away.”
news
report;
a car
accident. His fiancée
was
with him.”
“I remember the
Sonya was startled. Linda had such a painful past. As a fan, she hadn’t delved into her private life. Chef Stone rushed out from the kitchen, asking Sonya for help delivering a freshly prepared dish to the private room.
“We’re closed, nobody’s here. I’m the only one in the kitchen, I’m swamped!” He scurried back. “I’ll go,” Lily Lane offered.
“I’ll go,” Sonya said, steadying her.“You’re drunk.”
“Okay, just don’t bonk Julian Jennings on the head.”
“I just wish I didn’t know him.”
Sonya carried the dish towards the private room. She heard lively chatter. Opening the door, she froze.
Sitting opposite, lounging and smoking, was Henry. He stiffened, instantly straightening up.
Before he could speak, Julian Jennings cut in.
“Who says all the girls in school like you? Some of us like me, too.” Julian Jennings glared at Henry, then pointed at Sonya.“She loves me, madly. Even if I didn’t marry her, she’d have stayed with me for eight years.”
It had been a joke, but Jake Parker and Leo Jones frowned.
“Julian, don’t talk nonsense; you’re about to get married,” Jake Parker warned.
Julian Jennings, seemingly fueled by something, continued, “I am getting married, but she still loves me. She’d rather be my mistress than leave me.”
“Julian, you’re drunk.”
Leo Jones reached for Julian Jennings’s glass, but he shoved him away, slamming it on the table.
“Sonya, pour me a drink.”
Sonya took a deep breath, placed the dish on the table, then grabbed the bottle and poured it directly over Julian Jennings’s head.
Everyone was stunned, but Henry reacted first, clapping with
Julian Jennings, humiliated, yelled at Sonya.
“Are you crazy?!”
laughter.
Before Sonya could respond, Henry grabbed a pack of cigarettes and threw it at Julian Jennings.
“Cut the crap!”
Julian Jennings’s eyes widened, furious. Jake Parker and Leo Jones quickly intervened, wiping Julian Jennings’s face and calming Sonya.
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Chapter 42 A Trigger
“Julian Jennings, we’re old classmates. Regarding this deal, I’ll give you face, but…” Henry took a long drag from his cigarette, flicking the ash, then challenged Julian Jennings, “Let’s have a drinking contest. If you win, you can sign with Reynolds tomorrow.”
Julian Jennings stood up abruptly.“Forget the deal. Tonight, I’m going to drink you under the table!”
Henry chuckled, then looked at Sonya, “Please, pretty lady, get us some more drinks.” Sonya frowned, about to speak, but Henry winked at her.
“It’s fine. He’s definitely going down.”
Leo Jones went to fetch drinks with Sonya, explaining Henry and Julian Jennings’s relationship. “They’re childhood friends. Their families were close, so they always hung out. Kindergarten through high school, same class, inseparable. But in middle school, Henry had some trouble, missed a lot of school, and repeated a grade. In high school, we knew Henry through Julian Henry was brilliant, handsome, and a great fighter; loyal and fun. He had tons of friends. He and Julian fought… well, Julian got beat up pretty badly. He needed surgery. After that, they stopped talking. We drifted away from Henry. We only heard that he studied abroad later.” Childhood friends? Sonya felt a headache coming on.
