Jennifer sighed. She took a deep breath, and called Bruce.
“Yes, Mr. Wilson?” she said with a cold voice.
“Jennifer, am I bothering you?”
Silence. Jennifer didn’t like to lie and she wasn’t going to pretend; yes, he was bothering her but she couldn’t say it.
“I guess I am,” he said. “But I'll take that for a no. Jennifer, I need your help before you go and it's something that Bernie cannot do for me.”
“Benny,” she said, her voice sharp.
“Yes, whatever. That's really important, and only you can help me. There's this company in East Europe, and I have heard really good things about them. I need you to help me set up a... let's say major acquisition.”
“But, Mr. Wilson, it's not something that I can arrange for you overnight, and I...”
“No no, don't worry” Bruce interrupted. “This is not that type of acquisition. Actually, this is not even a business request.”
Jennifer blinked and frowned. What the hell did he want then?
“I'm not sure I understand, Mr. Wilson,” she said, puzzled.
“Okay, this is simple Jennifer. Their service is to offer very high profile mail order brides,” he said with the most natural tone.
What? Are you kidding me?
“Pardon me?” she said. She was appalled.
“I know you’ve heard me, don’t make me repeat please,” he said. “I like the models you’ve picked for my birthday. I assume you know my taste when it comes to women.”
Jennifer couldn’t believe her ears; was he really asking her to find him a wife? Him? Couldn’t he do that by himself?
“You want me to choose a bride for you?” she asked, to confirm she wasn’t dreaming.
“Exactly,” he said. “And I want her to be here in three days.”
Chapter Two
“What? This is what he calls a major acquisition? Who the hell is he kidding? And he really has to call me the night before I'm supposed to leave for my trip?”
Jennifer was so furious she was thinking out loud.
She couldn't believe it. Why was everything so wrong? Why couldn't she enjoy her life just a little bit after all these years of hard work? She wasn't the type of girl who complained and whined easily, but this time, she had had enough.
First, her passport was expired, and it seemed like she couldn't go to Thailand anymore. It was very unlikely that she could get a refund from the luxurious resort that she had booked in Phuket. And on top of that, Bruce wanted her to work more, when she’d made it clear that she needed a break, fighting for two months to get some time for herself. He clearly didn't respect her. All he cared about was his own interests, his own requests.
And what a request this time!
Jennifer was not shocked, nor surprised by the nature of the job she had to accomplish. She was used to look for models to entertain her boss, but it was a very different kind of situation. The women that he usually dated were not in need, or at least they had many other options to make a living. Gold digging with a billionaire was just an option among other choices, and Jennifer didn't feel any sympathy or pity toward them.
But these brides from East Europe, did they really have a choice? Did they really know what to expect? They were literally sold to rich American men, and it was something Jennifer wasn't comfortable with.
Why did Bruce want to participate in this kind of modern slavery? It was disgusting. Was he really looking for a wife?
Bruce, the Hottest Bachelor of the Year? Come on, it doesn’t make sense. He can have whoever he wants right now. Why bothering looking somewhere abroad! Oh, I know... he must be bored and probably needs a little change! It’s crazy what a man can do when he has money. That’s ridiculous...
Jennifer spent the next hour lying on her bed, unable to get focused and think about what to do next. She was completely furious. She was furious at herself for making such a silly mistake with her passport and not being able to enjoy a long vacation on a beautiful exotic beach.
And most of all, she was furious at her employer for being such a spoiled thirty-five-year-old boy who thought he could afford anything he wanted with his money. A mail order bride, are you kidding me? There are things in life that can't be bought, Bruce. Maybe it’s time for you to grow up and realize that! Jennifer thought, looking at the ceiling.
She turned her head to her bedside table, and saw a book that she had read a few months ago: Think And Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill. It was a classic that Bruce had recommended to her, saying it was this book that set him on track for success several years ago.
In this book, there was a quote that she remembered:
Every adversity carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.
She thought about it for several minutes, trying to apply it to her situation. She kept thinking for a while but struggled to find any solution that seemed to carry the seed of any benefit whatsoever.
Her phone rang again, interrupting her thoughts. Bruce again, she thought. Unbelievable!
“Yes!” said Jennifer dryly.
“It's me sweetheart, what's going on?” a woman said with a heavy accent.
Jennifer sighed. “Sorry, Grandma,” Jennifer said, guilt in her voice.
“You sound upset. I'm just calling to make sure everything is fine before you leave tomorrow,” her grandmother said.
“I know. I thought it was someone else.”
“New boyfriend?”
“I wish. It was my boss.”
“Your boss? Aren't you supposed to be on holiday by now?”
“That’s exactly why I’m pissed. Yes, I'm supposed to. But my boss is crazy and I'm stupid...”
“Honey, calm down. Tell me what's going on.”
“I forgot to check my passport, and it's expired. I can't go abroad anymore. And my boss wants me to find him a bride from East Europe. He said he wants her to be here in three days. I really don't want to help him with that...”
“Hum. Don't be too hard on yourself about your passport. Everybody makes mistakes and you've been pushing yourself too much lately. It's no big deal, okay? Now, regarding your boss... you told me he was a playboy. How come he wants to be married?”
“I have no idea, Grandma. It doesn’t make sense to be honest. And it’s none of my business.”
“Well, you've been close to him for many years. You’re smart and you're very pretty, honey.”
“And?”
“And... Maybe you should think about it...”
“Think about what?”
“Well, you’re not that young anymore. It’s time to think about the future...”
“Yes, I know, I know, we talked about it Grandma.”
“Don’t you see an opportunity, here?”
“Wait a minute, you mean getting married with Bruce? With my boss? Come on Grandma, this is ridiculous. Do you really know who he is?”
“When I was young, it was not that ridiculous.”
“In the 1950's, yes Grandma but we're in the 21th century now. Secretaries and assistants don't go to work to find a husband anymore. And he’s not the owner of the little shop down the street. He’s a very big guy!”
“This is not about your job position, honey. You're pretty, and he's very handsome. You two get along. You're available and he's looking for someone serious. It's perfect! He even called you to let you know. That's a sign; believe your old Grandma...”
Jennifer laughed. Her grandmother, Margareta was a Hungarian refugee who had arrived in the United States during the Hungarian rebellion of 1956. Good natured and optimistic, she had raised Jennifer's mother and Jennifer herself with a positive outlook on life.
“Yeah, yeah, I will think about it,” Jennifer lied, smiling.
“Are you sure? I know when you lie to me.”
Jennifer giggled. “Fine, I’ll think about it.”
“Okay but don't think too much, okay? You’ll find a solution. I love you. Good night.”