Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde: Hot and Cold

Chapter 1

Din tapped his fingers on the table. "You must remain in this marriage until I am ready to release you."

Jessie smirked, perplexed.

"I understand you're short on cash, and I'm willing to compensate you for your efforts."

"For the money, you want me to pretend to be married to you? What else could you possibly want from me? Sex?"

"No. I swear I won't touch you until you give your permission."

"Oh my God!" Jessie screamed angrily.

"Please take a deep breath and relax. I can also assist you with your professional endeavors. I know you've been having trouble landing a big job since you passed up the opportunity to go to Paris. I'm also aware that you haven't been able to find work since you missed your chance and flew to Vegas during your breakup, so let's lend a hand to each other." Din made an offer.

"Did you run a background check on me?" Jessie inquired.

He demonstrated, "Just a teeny-tiny check-up." He was being truthful, which made Jessie sigh. She despised the fact that he was so forthright about it. No! She was not going to fall for it. He was about to entice her into another marital trap.

"No," Jessie stated emphatically. Clearly and boldly.

He inquired, "Are you sure? All you have to do is pretend to be a happy pair in front of my grandfather and I'll give you twice as much."

"No," she said as she stood up and carried her bag. "I'm looking for a divorce. Mr. Cooper, there are billions of girls out there who would be honored to do all of this with you and would also be willing to remain, but I'm out." She pushed herself out of the chair and proceeded toward the door. She fixed her gaze on him. "I'm going to court if you don't consent to the divorce." She said after opening the door and walking out.

***

(FLASHBACK)

"Here you go, Sweetie." Jessie Walker handed her fiance Mark his early morning cup of smoothies. Mark sipped the smoothie through the straw.

As he stared at the watch, he returned the cup to Jessie.

"Okay, so I made reservations tonight at the Marcellus restaurant at 8:30. I thought maybe we should__Do you know? Setting a date?"

"Alright, I will see you later." he headed towards the door and opened it.

"Hey hey hey. Love you." Her hand sat on his shoulder as she pouted her lips. Looking forward to being kissed.

"Love you too." Mark placed a kiss on her forehead instead and headed through the door to work.

Having returned to the kitchen table, Jessie sighed. Her attention was caught by the five-carat diamond ring on her finger. It brought a smile to her face. In just a few short months, she will marry the man of her dreams.

"Jessie!" Taylor's booming voice reached out to her from across the living room. With a sigh, Jessie opened her eyes and glanced at her friend who stood in front of the kitchen door. "The door wasn't locked."

Jessie stood up to hug her friend. "I was sure I locked it when Mark went out of the house. Or is the door broken?" she asked her friend as they both went to sit on the stool.

"This is a very beautiful day. I brought something for you." Taylor dipped her hand into her big bag which was shaped like a bucket. "All right. Here you go." She handed Jessie a bottle of champagne. Jessie inspected the bottle for a little while with her eyes. She hasn't seen that type of champagne before even though she was popular with them. Taylor noticed Jessie's confusion. "That is my new sample. It is apple-flavored." Taylor cleared.