Anything But Mine (22 page)

When she heard the sound of footsteps approaching the library hours later, signaling Vince’s arrival home, Jen felt a pit in her stomach as she placed her knitting to the side and stood to greet him.
This is so awkward,
she thought, as she hugged him.
He obviously knows, but is choosing to ignore, that our lawyers are meeting next week about the pre-
nup
.

Over dinner, Jen and Vince made some small talk about their respective days, and Jen reminded Vince about the Grant Glasso “after party” later that evening.

“I didn’t forget, Jennifer. I know it’s important to you that we go. By the way, I have some business trips coming up, and I’d like you to travel with me, if you aren’t too busy with wedding plans,” he said.

“I’d love to go with you, but it depends on my work schedule, too. Remember, even though I’m skipping the Paris and Milan fashion shows, I still have the Desiree’s Desire lingerie fashion show and the Sports Weekly swimsuit shoot to get through between now and the wedding.”

“Okay, then just call Marianne to see if my schedule coordinates with yours.”

An awkward silence descended over the dinner table, with the only sounds coming from their silverware coming into contact with their plates. When she could no longer take the uncomfortable lack of conversation, Jen said, “I spoke with my attorney today. She told me that she is going to meet with Seth and your matrimonial attorney next week about our pre-
nuptial
agreement.”

Vince was surprised that Jennifer brought up the pre-
nuptial
agreement. He nodded, and dabbed at his mouth with his napkin before speaking. “Yes, Jennifer, I know they are meeting next week. You haven’t changed your mind about signing a pre-
nup
, have you?”

“No, of course not,” she assured him. “It’s just that, I don’t know…,” her voice trailed off as she fidgeted in her chair. “It’s just that it seems so weird to plan for a divorce before we’re even married. It’s like we’re destined to fail. It’s sad, really.” Jen hung her head down and stared into her lap, unable to look at Vince.

Vince sighed. “Jennifer, I love you. You know I love you more than anything or anyone in the world, but there is so much at stake for my business if we were ever to divorce.” He took her hand, and continued, “I promised your father that I would be more than fair, more than generous with you, and I will be. I really don’t want this to come between us.” He reached for Jen’s face, and lifted it up so he could look into her eyes. “Everything will be okay, I promise. Trust me.”

“You’re fucking insane!” Joel Birnbaum shouted at Vince, “Do you have any idea what you’re doing? You can’t make that kind of first offer.”

Vince ignored Joel, and turned to Seth, who sat stone-
faced
across the conference table at the headquarters of Penn Worldwide Investments. “What do you think?”

Choosing his words carefully, Seth replied in an even tone, “It’s a lot of money, Vince, an awful lot of money. What if she says no? Are you prepared to increase your offer? You’ve told me that she has made some good investments and is a good negotiator. She’s going to counter, and expect you to increase your offer.”

“I want to start high, because I don’t want to nickel and dime her. I’m willing to move, if I have to, but what I’m really more interested in is what she has to say in response.”

“So, you’re testing her,” Seth replied.

Vince made an almost imperceptible gesture with his hand, and said, “Maybe.”

“Goddamn it,” Joel interjected. “This is about making a deal, not about head games.” When Vince glared at him, but didn’t respond, Joel asked, “Do you really want me to communicate that offer?”

“Yes,” Vince said, his eyes dark and narrowed into slits. “Let’s see what happens.”

Joel stood and stormed towards the door, shaking his head and muttering to himself.

Once Joel left, Vince looked at Seth, and said, “I know what I’m doing.”

“I have no doubt,” Seth replied.

Jen jumped when the conference room door opened and Renata purposefully walked in, carrying a legal pad. She sat in a chair across the table from Jen and her parents, and announced, “We have a first financial offer.”

Jen opened her mouth, but found she could barely speak. “What is he offering?”

“Five percent of his net worth, or $1.25 billion, whichever is larger at the time, if the marriage ends in divorce during your first ten years of marriage,” she said, checking her notes. “As of today, those figures are the same, because his personal net worth is approximately $25 billion.”

There was a collective gasp from Jen and her parents, and as Renata’s words began to sink in, Jennifer began to unconsciously wring her hands and tremble uncontrollably.

Finally, Peter broke the silence, and asked, “After ten years, what happens?”

“If the marriage ends after ten years, he is willing to double the offer to ten percent of his net worth, or $2.5 billion, whichever is larger. There are also some additional financial incentives, based on the number of children that are born of the marriage.”

Peter asked, “This is more than you thought you’d be able to get at the end of the negotiations, isn’t it?”

“A lot more,” Renata replied. Turning her attention to Jen, she asked, “What do you want to do?”

“I need a moment to think,” she said, standing up and walking towards the window. She stared out across the East River, focusing on her old apartment building in the distance.
It’s not even a year since I walked in on Chris in bed with Vicky, not even a year since Drew left and moved home to California, not even a year since I was attacked in my apartment. My life has spun out of control since then, and I have to find a way to take some control back.

Jen walked back across the room and sank down into her chair. She took a deep sip from the mug of chamomile tea in front of her, and weighed her options. After a few minutes, she responded, “Accept the offer, and let’s put this all behind us.”

“But this is a first offer, Jen. You and I both know that he has to have room to negotiate. No one’s first offer is their best offer,” Renata said, all business. “I could probably get you a lot more money if we hold out.”

But I know Vince,
she thought.
What if this is some kind of a test of my loyalty?
“Please, Renata, listen to me. Just accept the offer, and move on to whatever else he thinks is important to put in the agreement.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m absolutely sure. Please trust me on this.”

A half hour later, Renata returned to the conference room where Jen and her parents were waiting. “I have some personal issues to discuss with Jen,” she announced as she closed the door behind her. “Grace, Peter, you might want to step outside for a few minutes.”

“It’s okay. My parents can stay,” Jen said, as she furrowed her brows. “What kinds of personal issues?”

Renata drew a deep breath. “He insists on including the number of times per month you will be required to, how should I put it, ‘fulfill your marital obligations’.”

Jen’s cheeks turned beet red, and she buried her head in her hands. “I can’t believe he feels it’s really necessary to put that in the agreement,” Jen said to Renata. “I’m so mortified.”

“Look, Jen, although it is rare, the subject of sex does sometimes come up in the context of pre-
nuptial
agreements. Vince seems to think it is important.” Renata turned to Grace and Peter, and said, “I need to speak with my client, alone.”

“Of course,” Grace said, standing. Rubbing her daughter’s back, she said, “Jen, honey, we’ll be right outside the door if you need us. Let’s go, Pete.”

Once the door closed behind her parents, Jen said, “I think I’m going to throw up. What did he propose?”

“He wants a guarantee of 15 times per month.”

Jen felt nauseous as she tried to calculate whether the number Vince was demanding was reasonable. “I guess that number is okay, Renata,” Jen said. “But, it all has to be conditioned on whether one or the other of us is traveling for business, or if one or the other of us is sick or has some other medical condition. I don’t want to be accused of breach of contract because I have a stomach virus, or if I’m away on a photo shoot, or if I’ve just given birth.”
I can’t let him have his way on everything,
Jen thought.
It’s not unreasonable to want to insert conditions into this part of the agreement.

“I’m not sure he’ll go along with those conditions,” Renata warned.

“Then make sure he knows that I won’t sign the agreement without them. It’s my line in the sand,” Jen replied.
I have to stand up to him on at least one issue, or I’ll look like a doormat and he will just walk all over me
.

When Renata returned to the conference room an hour later, Jen was relieved to learn that they had reached an agreement on all issues.
That was so awkward,
she thought, as she signed the agreement on the line adjacent to Vince’s signature.
Thank God it’s all over.

Vince was already at the apartment when Jen arrived home. She was surprised to see that he seemed relaxed, and was grinning at her as she hung up her suede jacket and tossed her tote bag onto the floor. “Come here,” he said, beckoning her towards his open arms. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

Jen shook her head no, and she allowed herself to be enveloped in Vince’s welcoming embrace. He held her tightly, before taking her by the hand and leading her into the library. Jen sat on one of the large leather sofas, while Vince opened a bottle of cabernet sauvignon, and poured them each a glass. “You look like you could use this,” he said, as he handed her the wine.

She took a deep sip of wine, before nodding her head. When she didn’t say anything, Vince said, “I was surprised that you accepted my initial financial offer. You’re usually an excellent negotiator, and I expected you would make a counter offer.”

Jen took another sip of wine, before replying, “You made an extremely generous offer, Vince, and I wanted to make it clear to you, in case it wasn’t already, that I’m not marrying you for your money.”

I know that now,
Vince thought.
You proved your loyalty to me today.
He slid closer to Jen on the sofa, and pulled her close. “I know that, Jennifer. I know.”

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

“I
still don’t get why you want to tag along with me,” Jen said, as she shifted in her seat on Vince’s Gulfstream G650. “You’re going to be bored out of your mind.”

“Really? I don’t think so,” Vince replied. “I’ve always wanted to see you work.”

“But you’ve watched me walk in fashion shows, and you’ve seen the photos in magazines.”

“This is different,” Vince replied. “This time I get to see everything that goes on behind the scenes. I’ve never understood why it takes a week to do a photo shoot.”
I want to keep my eye on you. And I can’t be away from you that long, either.
“Besides, I’ve wanted you to come with me to Hong Kong for a while now. This way, we can combine the trips.”

“I guess so,” Jen said, looking out the window as Hawaii came into view.
I think you’re more concerned about my being alone with Sergio Fernandez than you are about experiencing what goes on behind the scenes at the photo shoot. When are you going to start to trust me?

Vince ran his fingers through his fiancée’s long hair.
I never liked that lecherous playboy, Sergio Fernandez. There is no way I’d let you do this shoot alone, with him as the photographer.

That evening, Vince watched as an airbrush tan was applied all over Jennifer’s naked body by a female technician. As she stood in the bathroom, waiting for the tanning solution to dry on her body after the technician left, Vince said, “You look like a golden goddess, Jennifer. As soon as that dries, I want to have my way with you.”

The next day, Jen watched as Vince carefully observed her pose in various locations on the beach and in the water.
I wish he wasn’t so jealous,
she repeatedly thought.
It’s so awkward having him hover over me all the time.

“Okay, Jen, sweetie,” Sergio Fernandez said at the end of the day. “Take off your top, slowly. Let the bikini straps fall down one at a time.”

Jen followed his instructions, feeling more self-
conscious
than ever as the photographer’s lens focused on her, knowing Vince was a mere twenty feet away, watching her every move.

“Oh, that’s nice, baby. That’s good, keep looking down. Now look up and give me that shy smile you’re so good at.”

She let the straps fall, clutching her bikini top in one hand, while covering her bare breasts with the other hand. “Gorgeous, baby, just beautiful,” Sergio said, as he moved closer to her, the shutter on his camera clicking away. “Now part your lips, and touch your fingers to them, very lightly, like you might be thinking a slightly naughty thought.”

Jen did whatever Sergio told her to do, until the sun sank down into the Pacific Ocean. “That’s a wrap for today. See you tomorrow at 10 a.m.”

Relieved that the first day of shooting was over, Jen turned to one of the nearby stylists, who handed her a cotton robe. She cinched the tie tightly across her waist, collected her beach bag, and jogged over to where Vince was standing. She greeted him with a peck on the cheek, and asked, “So, what did you think?”

Vince crossed his arms tightly across his chest. “It was interesting,” he said through gritted teeth, barely able to look at her as he made his way back inside the hotel.

He remained silent until they arrived at their suite and, once inside, he slammed the door behind them, startling Jen.

“Why won’t you talk to me? What is wrong?”

“What is wrong? Are you kidding me?” He paced back and forth, before opening the mini bar and grabbing a beer. “I’ll tell you what is wrong,” he bellowed. “I don’t like you being photographed topless. That’s what’s wrong.” He removed the cap from the beer bottle and flung it across the room, before chugging the beer in two gulps.

“But Vince,” she said, reaching out to touch his arm in an attempt to soothe him, “I was still covered up. You know that’s part of what I do. You’ve seen the pictures in the magazine, and the videos on the Sports Weekly website. Why are you all of a sudden questioning my work?”

“Why? Because I don’t want other men fantasizing about you, that’s why. You’re mine, and only mine.” Vince pounded his fist against the wall as if to punctuate his feelings.

A ripple of fear ran down Jen’s spine at Vince’s violent outburst. She grabbed her room key, and backed away from Vince towards the door. He lunged towards her, but she was quicker than he was, and she ran out the door of their suite into the hallway.
He’ll never make a public scene, especially not with the security cameras here in the hallway.

Once in the hallway, Jen said through the open doorway, “Of course I’m yours. We’re getting married in two months.” She took a deep breath before continuing, softly, “I love you, Vince, only you. You’re the only one who gets to touch me, to love me, to make love to me, and sleep with me. But you have to get over this obsessive jealousy.”

When Vince didn’t answer her, Jen cautiously entered the suite.
There’s only one thing I can think of that will reassure him and calm him down.
“I have to take a shower and get ready, otherwise we’re going to be late for our dinner reservation,” she said, as she slipped off her robe and bikini bottom, revealing her naked body. As she entered the bathroom, she looked at Vince over her shoulder and said, “Do you want to join me in the shower? Or are you going to just sit there and sulk?”

Once back home, Jen had two weeks to get ready for the Desiree’s Desire fashion show and taping for the television special that was to air in December. She had been anxiety-
ridden
about the show ever since learning that she had been selected to wear the two million dollar diamond and ruby “passionate gems” bra and matching garter belt on the runway.

As she was being fitted for the jeweled lingerie, Jen worried about walking on the runway while wearing it because of its weight.
It’s such an honor to be selected to model this,
she thought, as the seamstress and jeweler made some final adjustments.
I wish I could tell Vince and my family that they picked me to wear this in the show, but my contract forbids it.

The night of the Desiree’s Desire fashion show, as the finale approached, Jen smiled as she looked at herself in the mirror, admiring the way the jewels sparkled as she moved.
“Passionate” sure is the right word for this bra and garter belt set,
she thought.
Vince is going to go crazy when he sees me in it. He won’t like that I didn’t tell him, but hopefully he’ll understand. He’s going to love how it looks on me,
she thought, knowing he had a front-
row
seat. She took a deep breath and stole a final look in the mirror, before entering the runway to an explosion of flashbulbs and wild cheers.

Vince met Jen backstage after the show and, in an uncharacteristic public display of affection, he surprised her by sweeping her up in his arms. “You were so great, my love! I’m so proud of you,” he gushed. “Let me get a good look at you,” he said, as he stepped back to appraise Jen in the diamond and ruby underwear. Grinning, he leaned in and whispered in her ear, “You have no idea what you are doing to me right now.”

Jen smiled as Vince complimented her, enormously relieved that he wasn’t upset she had kept a secret, or jealous that other men were looking at her. “I wish we didn’t have to go to the after-
party
, because there’s nothing I’d rather do than go home and be alone with you right now,” she whispered back.

Running his fingertips over the strap of the jewel-
encrusted
bra, Vince asked, “Can I help you take this off?”

“Mmm…I’d love that,” she cooed, “but I don’t think the security guards will let you back there.”

Vince pouted. “You’re right, my love. The security guards would never let me into the dressing room.” He watched intently as Jennifer dashed off to change.
More than anything, I wish I could take that bra and garter off you, and make love to you right now,
Vince thought, before accepting a glass of champagne and mingling with the rest of the well-
wishers
backstage.

The night before her 25
th
birthday, Vince surprised Jen by inviting some of her friends and family to a small dinner party at their home. It was the first time Catherine and Luke had been to the massive Fifth Avenue apartment, and when they had a moment alone, Catherine pulled Jen aside and said, “Wow, this place is amazing. I can’t imagine what it is like living here.”

“It’s okay, I guess,” Jen replied. “It’s so dark and masculine, and not really my style, but I’m hoping Vince will let me redecorate a little after the wedding.”

After chatting a few moments, they turned around to find Vince and Luke deep in conversation. “I wonder what that’s about,” Jen said, as she watched the two men talk.

“Maybe they’re talking shop,” replied Catherine. “Luke was really excited about having the opportunity to get to know Vince better tonight. He’s completely consumed by his job on Wall Street, and when he tries to talk to me about it, I don’t have the slightest clue what he is talking about.”

Jen giggled. “I know what you mean! I try to take an interest in Vince’s work, but I don’t always understand what he is talking about either.”

“Catherine, Jennifer,” Vince called out to them. “Come join us.” After the two friends crossed the room together and joined the men in their lives, Vince announced, “We have some news that we want to share with you.”

Jen and Catherine looked from Vince to Luke, who was grinning from ear to ear, and back to Vince. Jen asked, “What’s your news?”

Vince put his arm around Luke’s shoulders. “I’m always on the lookout for talent, and I think Luke has a bright future ahead of him. I’ve offered him a job with Penn Worldwide.”

“Oh wow, that’s fantastic,” Catherine gushed, as she reached for her husband and planted a kiss on his lips.

“Congratulations! That’s great news,” Jen added. “I’m so happy for you, Luke!”

Jen grabbed a bottle of champagne from the nearby ice bucket, and refilled their glasses while Vince made a toast to Luke. “But this is Jen’s birthday party,” Luke said, his embarrassment evident. “We should be toasting her.”

“You’re right, Luke. I like how you think. Everyone,” Vince called out to get the attention of the rest of the guests, “gather around. Before we sit down to dinner, I want to make a toast to my beautiful fiancée. Jennifer, you have made my life so happy, and so complete. I can’t wait until the day you become my wife. Happy birthday, my love.”