They had taken the private helicopter back to Jefferson Estates after their solemnization but not before Alex made a short statement to the press that were waiting excitedly outside the courthouse about his sudden marriage. What was even more surprising to the world was his marriage partner was none other than the small time stage actress that was supposedly charge with possession of cocaine!
"Mr. Jefferson, would there be any wedding reception? Could we get an invitation?" one of the reporters asked him hopefully.
"I am afraid there won't be any. I have promise my beautiful bride to a quiet wedding but seems you boys has found me out!" he grinned devilishly for the many cameras. Aida was hiding behind, his back shielding her from the press. Inwardly Aida was grateful for his consideration towards her.
"Could you tell us, how did you two met? We understand just past week of her involve..." another reporter was determined to get to the bottom of the whole affair and had bravely asked a very sensitive question but before he could finish, Alex has interjected.
"My wife has been cleared off all charges. The police department has made a mistake and that is all I can tell you. If you will excuse us, we got a flight to catch so to speak," he gave them his most dashing debonair smile but indicated nonetheless the interview was over.
There will be no more answers to any more questions. Obviously the crowds were not appeased with such feeble answers. They wanted more. But Alex's bodyguards would make sure no one could get any closer than necessary besides no one would want their cameras smashed. Alex's bodyguards looked like Amazonians. Big, burly and black.
The moment they touched down at Jefferson Estates, servants were running out and line up neatly in a row to greet them. Alex formally introduced Aida to the staffs and the staffs were to acknowledge her as Mrs. Jefferson at all times. Greg and Wendy have followed them to their house too. It was huge and magnificent. The house looks more like a castle. The house was build upon acres and acres of land as far as the eyes could reach. You could see sprinklers lazily rotating watering the lawn making them moist under the hot weather. Aida was indifferent to her new surrounding. Wendy was awestruck with the massive sight of the place even Greg could not help but kept looking around obviously admiring the view.
While they were still up in the air, Alex had introduced Ian and his wife, Nicole to Aida. The ladies exchanged a few pleasant but awkward words and nods. Alex noticed Marie and her no good son, Roderick wasn't at the reception to greet them, not that he missed them or anything like that. In fact he would prefer it this way it's not their business what he does with his own life anyway.
Alex led them all to a wide patio where a long table was covered with white expensive table cloth that was laden with all sorts of food, a big crystal punch bowl with pink looking content swirling inside and even a four tiered wedding cake! A small four men band dressed in Mexican was playing Mexican folk songs! Aida didn't like the look of it one bit.
"Alex, I thought we agreed not to have any reception?" Aida asked non-too happily.
Alex smiled down at this troubled-looking unwilling bride, "Relax, you can hardly call this a reception, can you? Even if you are not hungry, which I sincerely doubt so, your friends and mine would be already. Besides, I AM hungry myself," he softly told her.
"But still, I shouldn't think it's proper to have a wed...wedding cake? Don't you think it's a little out of context to our a...agreement?"
"Hmm...let me try and recall what was in the contract." He theatrically drummed his finger on his chin as though concentrating, much to Aida's annoyance. " It seems to say that there will not be any reception WHICH we are not having one now as there are no other guests! But it never says I can't feed my friends or yours. AND I don't recall that wedding cakes were not allowed!" he smiled at her wickedly.
Oooh, how could he act so cool about the whole thing and so...so cheeky when she was fuming mad. AND she didn't like the way he looked at her. He was making her extremely feeling uncomfortable with his stare. It was full of knowing looks. How come she had the feeling that she might just turned out to be his 'food' by the end of the evening? She looked away from him. She just prayed that he would honoured his words on the contract and that she was not expected to 'perform' on him. Alex then took her arm and linked it to his once again and turned to the little party as if to make an announcement.
"Friends!" he began. "I want to thank you all for coming to the courthouse to witness the solemnization and also for helping out to make this a memorable day. My wife and I would like to propose a toast as a gesture of gratitude to you all." He ended the short speech with a smile and gulped down his drink. Aida could only glared at him. How dare he!
Mrs. Josef was dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief, "I just so love a wedding," saying to no one in particular. While the small group shakes Alex and Aida's hand, Greg and Wendy stood aside not wanting to.
Alex left Aida's side and walked towards the brother and sister and said to them, all seriousness in his voice now. "I just want you to know, my wife and I are glad that you could make it to the solemn..."
"She is not your wife!" Greg interrupted him angrily speaking in a low tone.
"Oh? We have the contract and we have the marriage license to prove contractually and legally that we are married. If she is not my wife then is she yours?" Alex asked Greg coolly.
"I don't know what you are trying to get at, but I intend to find out. And believe me I will expose your scam!" Greg told him hotly.
"Let me ask you something, Greg...did you happen to carry a torch for her all this while? but too chicken to make a move? If that is the case, I feel so sorry for you. I, on the other hand always has a keen eye for good deals. If I think it's a good investment, I will go right ahead and get it. No holding back. Decision has to be made fast and sharp. And in this case, I see something in Aida that suits me perfectly well and I go for it. I don't see anything wrong with it. If there is demand there will always be supply." Alex lectures Greg. Wendy could only looked at the two men. She wonders when they are going to exchange blows soon.
"She is NOT a commodity or an object to be bought or sold" Greg retaliates.
"I don't remember forcing her doing anything against her will. It was her own decision, her choice. She agrees to it. She perfectly well knows what is in for her. I, just merely guide her along," said Alex, dangerously.
"BUT YOU DON'T LOVE HER!" said Greg forcefully but not loud enough for the rest to hear it.
Alex looked at Greg and then gave him a sardonic laugh. "You are still wet behind the ears, Greg. You have a long way to go. What has love got to do with business transactions? Do you feel love when you go to a supermarket to buy a packet of pasta? Or do you feel love for the taxman when he comes knocking on your door for your unpaid taxes? Or do you need to feel love to get your washing done? So tell me, what has love gotta do with life or business.
"You know something Jefferson. You are one cold-blooded bastard!" said Greg scathingly.
"OH, so NOW I am a cold-blooded bastard. Listen! When I do a take-over. I make sure that some people would still have a job and feed their families! If I don't buy over their company and revamped it, can you imagine how many people will be out of job because the company was closing down?! When I build a business, I create jobs. I, the cold-blooded bastard, happen to contribute vastly to our country GDP! Thousands of people working under me, depending on me for their livelihoods and I don't let them down because you know why? I deliver what they want! JOBS! AND unlike some morons like you who THINK, love conquers all!"
Alex is now clearly livid. Oh, no...he is not going to let Greg get away so easily without teaching him a thing or two. No, no, he won't let this happen. He won't let a small time actor teach him about life.
He relentlessly pressed on, "Let me tell you something Mr. Johnson, the shirt you are wearing now, happens to be manufactured in Africa by one of my subsidiaries factory by a poor little girl! WHO, was constantly worrying when was her next meal. SHE, works for me and I pay her US$00.20 for each shirt she sewed. WITHOUT that twenty cents, she would not be able to buy food to fill her empty stomach! WITHOUT that twenty cents she would probably be dead from starvation and no one, NO ONE could be bothered about her filthy corpse lying by the roadside! Or worst, becomes a child prostitutes and got infected with all sorts of diseases! You want that to happen to her?! So tell me again in my face that I am cold-blooded and I will tell you to take a hike! Grow up, Greg. Your world is too small. Love can't filled an empty stomach, business do and ALWAYS WILL!"
He ended that statement and stalked off. Greg's face has turned slightly pale upon hearing his speech. Perhaps he might really have misjudged his intention after all. Wendy could only gulped and look in awed at Alex's back. "Boy, he sure is something, big brother. Ding! Jefferson versus Johnson. One up for Jeffer...umm...sorry Greg, I umm...going to get something to eat," Wendy saw the murderous look on her brother's face and decided to shut up and walk over to Aida, whom by now seems to have relax and was chatting to Nicole easily.
The sun was now setting over the horizon of the vast land of the Jefferson. It creates a surreal feel to the scene before them. Alex announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, I am afraid my wife and I will have to take our leave. There are guests rooms prepared should you have the need for them. Or if you decide to leave our humble abode my chauffer will see you safely home."
Aida looked at him and frowned slightly. Where is he taking me to now? Aida decided to find out.
"Are we going somewhere, I really want to be with my friends a little longer," she explained.
"I am afraid we have to go Aida. You can talk to your friends any time you want but right now I want you to meet my grandfather. We are going to the hospital. I want you to get acquainted with him. I am taking him home in the next couple of days," he said.
Aida could only nod. All of them decided to go back to their own place instead of staying overnight at Alex's place. Alex then made arrangement for their transportation. Before Greg and Wendy bid goodbye to Aida, they hugged each other. "I think you will be ok here, Aida. I have confidence you will like your new job and I think he will make a good boss," said Greg and indicating his head in Alex's direction.
"I will see you two soon," said Aida with a slight tremble in her voice, her eyes misted over. The pair of brother and sister reluctantly let Aida go and board the car that was waiting for them to take them back to their tiny apartment.
There were still some reporters milling outside the Jefferson Estates but that was as far as they could get. The high security made sure the Jeffersons were safe from the prying eyes of the press. The guests left the estate by the main entrance but Alex decided to go by another route to the hospital to avoid the hounding press. Aida sat next to him in an Aston Martin Vanquish, one of the many luxury cars he owned. The car engine was so quiet and smooth that it almost lull Aida to sleep. It has been the most harried and longest day of her life. She was half asleep when Alex leant over and unbuckled her seat belt for her. She jerked wide-awake. Alex was very close to her, too close for comfort. She can feel his body heat emanate out of him and she feels uncomfortable with their close contact. Alex was watching her with a slight smile on his lips. To break the ice, she asked, "Are we here yet?" averting his eyes.
