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or their relationship would suffer from it.
    When she arrived at the mansion, Bruce was sleeping. He was still dressed and had only removed his shoes. Jennifer could smell the room filled with sweat, cold tobacco and alcohol. His jacket was tossed on a chair, wrinkled and infused with his body odor.
    Jennifer took a step toward it and hesitated; she wanted to check his pockets. She had never felt the need to do such a thing in the past. It was a sudden urge, hard to control and overwhelming. Doubt and jealousy were growing from the depth of her belly and slowly radiating throughout her whole body. However, she fought hard to stay away from his jacket and resisted the urge to satisfy her curiosity.
    She decided it wasn’t healthy and kind of childish. If Bruce had done anything wrong, he would be the one paying the price. She would definitely suffer from it but he would carry the burden of guilt for the rest of his life; not her.
    She gently sat down next to him and traced her finger along his cheek. Her fingertip scratched the rough skin covered with beard, giving Bruce a wild and raw look. She thought that it suited him, even though it wasn’t appropriate for business. He definitely enjoyed himself to allow his appearance - one of the most important things he cared about - to be less than impeccable. She had always known him very neat and meticulous. It was as if he needed to let go after the turmoil of his joint-venture with Kenichi and the trauma of the car explosion.
    Bruce opened one sleepy eye, then the other. “Hey,” he said with a hoarse, but sexy voice.
    “Hi sexy,” she said. “You had fun last night?”
    “It was okay...”
    “Just okay? You seem exhausted. You didn’t even take a shower; it must have been a crazy night...”
    “Are you being sarcastic?”
    “Maybe a little.”
    “Why?”
    “You should know why.”
    “Hey, don’t do this again. I told you, this is how we do business. I need to go out and build relationships. There are only twenty-four hours in a day and we can’t do it during office hours.”
    “I find you particularly zealous this time.”
    “I’ve always done it this way, Jen. You know it.”
    “You were single back then. Now, I’m here, remember? We’re engaged, we’re planning to get married. Do I really have to explain to you that I’m expecting you to change your habits?”
    “It’s not a habit. It’s only for a while and then, I’ll stop.”
    “I don’t know if you’ll be able to stop. Fancelli is a high-roller and I don’t like it. He’s dangerous.”
    “What makes you think he’s a high-roller? How can you judge him? You don’t even know him. He’s a great guy. He’s smart and he’s fun.”
    “Yeah... just like Kenichi.”
    “No. Fancelli works for me, we’re not partners. He tries to screw me and he’s fired. What is this about?”
    “I’ve talked to Victoria. She told me what kind of man he is.”
    “You what?” Bruce frowned and straightened up in his bed. “You went to Doyle Brothers to talk to Victoria?”
    “It wasn’t my plan originally. I just wanted to have a word with Fancelli but he wasn’t there. I ran into her and she asked me what I wanted.”
    “And what did you say?”
    “I said I wasn’t happy about their policy; that they shouldn’t take you out that often because it won’t change anything about their performance.”
    Bruce stood up and took his hair in his hands. “Are you crazy? How does it make me look now? What were you thinking, Jen?”
    “I tried to warn you but you wouldn’t listen to me. You’re not reasonable, Bruce. Why do you party so much? Do you know how it makes me feel?”
    “Jesus, you can’t show up in an investment bank and spill your feelings with a trading floor manager, Jen! This is not professional at all. You should have asked me first. I didn’t bring you there to gossip with Victoria; I wanted to help you so you could learn for your own business!”
    “She didn’t judge you, Bruce.