Broken Hearts
This
story is an alternative version of Emilio’s return to Salem.
Part
1
Jennifer
is in her office at the Spectator when a phone rings.
Jennifer:
Hello.
The
voice: Hi Jennifer.
Jennifer:
Emilio???
Emilio:
That’s right, it’s me.
Jennifer
isn't sure whether Emilio had anything to do with Justin’s accident and still
has feelings for him.
Jennifer:
What is going on with you? Where have you been?
Emilio:
Oh, it’s a long story…
Jennifer:
Why are you calling? Is there anything you want from me?
Emilio:
Actually yes.
Jennifer:
And what would that be?
Emilio:
We need to talk.
Jennifer
Well then let’s talk…
Emilio: No,
no, no…. Not like this.... I need to see you. I need to tell you that in person…
Jennifer:
Tell me what?
Emilio:
You will know when we meet.
Jennifer:
OK, when do you want to meet? Tomorrow…
Emilio:
How about in fifteen minutes by the pier?
Jennifer:
WHAT??? Emilio, where are you?
Emilio:
Here is Salem.
Jennifer:
Are you crazy? The police is after you!!!
Emilio:
I know, but I’m very careful.
Jennifer:
Emilio…
Emilio:
I really am, Jennifer. I’ll be fine.
Jennifer
(sighs): I hope so…
Emilio:
So? Will you be able to make it? I really need to talk to you.
Jennifer:
I think I can make it. Jack is not here and I think he has his own problems to
take care of so he won’t be bothering me anyway.
Emilio:
Great! So I will be waiting by the pier in fifteen minutes.
Jennifer:
OK, I’ll be there. Bye.
She
hangs up and leans against her table. What could it be that Emilio wants? Deep
in her heart she tries to believe that he is a good guy and would never hurt
anyone.
Jennifer
(thinks): I wonder what’s up with him. (she takes her purse and closes the
office) Well, let’s find out…
She
leaves the Spectator and heads towards the pier.
Part
2
Jack
is wandering aimlessly on the streets of Salem. He feels that this whole
situation with Kayla and Steve got out of control. He knows that he has made
some mistakes in dealing with his problems but there is nothing that he can do,
nothing to change what he has done. He is also still hurting because of this
whole adoption thing. He wants to make peace with Jo, but somehow in his heart
he can’t find it forgive her. He knows she is trying, but that isn’t the
point. He knows that it will take a lot more time until he accepts the fact that
he is not really a Deveraux… Besides he knows that Steve isn’t his biggest
fan, so his relationship with Jo could affect her relationship with Steve, and
that’s the last thing Jack wants.
He
looks at the sun as it was starting to set.
Jack
(running his hand through his hair): Gosh, how did I get into this mess?
Part
3
When
Jennifer gets to the pier, Emilio is already waiting for her. For a moment she
hesitates but then she runs to him and gives him a big hug.
Jennifer:
It’s so good to see you. Are you OK?
Emilio:
I’m fine, Jennifer, thanks. What about you?
Jennifer:
I’m fine, I’m fine… The job is going pretty well and… you know…
Emilio:
Yeah, I know…
Jennifer
(feeling a little bit awkward): So what is it that you wanted to talk to me
about?
Emilio:
Look Jennifer, it’s not easy for me, but the sooner you know the better…
Jennifer:
The sooner I know what, Emilio?
Emilio:
You see, I’ve been doing some thinking recently….
Jennifer:
Thinking?
Emilio:
Yeah… I thought a lot about my life… About you… About us…
Jennifer
(somehow glad that Emilio had been thinking about her): About us?
Emilio:
Yeah, about us… Look, I know we’ve shared some wonderful moments and we used
to have great time together…
Jennifer
(smiling): That’s right.
Emilio:
But….
Jennifer:
But?
Emilio:
Jennifer, as I was thinking about us, I realized that…
Jennifer
(still hoping that he would say how much he cares about her): You realized what?
Emilio:
Look, I know that’s not what you’d like to hear, but… I… I realized that
this wasn’t it.
Jennifer:
What? What are you talking bout?
Emilio:
Our relationship… It wasn’t it… It wasn’t what I…
Jennifer
(a little bit puzzled): It just wasn’t what you wanted, right?
Emilio:
Look, Jennifer…
Jennifer:
No, no, no… It’s OK… I’m glad that you are being honest with me…
Really…
Emilio:
Jennifer, I…
Jennifer
(trying to keep it together): Look, no, you don’t have to explain. It’s OK,
it’s cool…
Emilio:
Jennifer, you don’t have to pretend that it’s not a big deal?
Jennifer:
And what makes you think that I’m pretending?
Emilio:
Jennifer…
Jennifer:
Just stop it, OK? You told me what you wanted to say so now you can go, right?
Emilio:
Don’t…
Jennifer:
Don’t what? You’re the one who’s breaking up with me! You did that so you
can go, OK?
Emilio:
Look, I…
Jennifer:
Just go!
Emilio:
Are you… are you OK?
Jennifer:
I’m fine.
Emilio:
Jennifer…
Jennifer
(screams): I said I was fine!!!
Emilio: OK, OK, I’m going…
Emilio
once again looks at Jennifer and turns around to leave.
Jennifer:
Emilio…
Emilio:
Yeah?
Jennifer:
Just tell me one thing…
Emilio:
Anything.
Jennifer:
You’ve met somebody, haven’t you?
Emilio
(feeling terrible): Jennifer, I…
Jennifer:
Just answer me honestly…
Emilio
(reluctantly): Yes, I’ve met somebody else…
Jennifer:
I knew it… I knew it… I just wasn’t good enough for you, was I?
Emilio:
Look Jennifer, it’s not it… You’re a wonderful girl and one day you will
find somebody who will love you the way you deserve to be loved… We just
weren’t meant for each other…
Jennifer:
Yeah, yeah… We weren’t…
Emilio:
I’m sorry Jennifer.
Jennifer
(with tears in her eyes): Me too… Me too…
Emilio
(kissing Jennifer on the cheek): Goodbye.
He
slowly walked away.
Jennifer
(stars crying for good now): Why… What have I done wrong…
She
covers her face with her hands and starts to sob. Suddenly she feels somebody
touching her shoulder. She turns around…
Jennifer
(feeling a bit strange): Jack….
Part
4
Jennifer
(keeps staring at Jack): Jack, what are you doing here?
Jack
(looking at her very emotionally, but not wanting to reveal his feeling):
Jennifer, what’s wrong?
Jennifer:
I asked you a question.
Jack:
It doesn’t matter what I’m doing here. What matters is that you’re here
all alone.. Crying…
Jennifer
(trying to hide her pain): I’m OK…
Jack:
No, you’re not. (Jack takes a tissue out of his pocket and gives it to
Jennifer) Here, take it.
Jennifer
(for a moment she keeps staring at Jack and then she takes the tissue): Thank
you…
Jack:
So are you going to tell me what is going on?
Jennifer:
Why? Because you gave me a tissue?
Jack:
Jennifer, don’t… Please. I want to know what’s bothering you…
Jennifer:
That’s none of your business!
Jack:
You’re my employee.
Jennifer:
That’s right. I’m your employee, nothing more. (Jack feels a bit hurt by
this statement) And my love life is not of your concern.
Jack:
Oh, so it’s your love life that is a problem…
Jennifer:
Look Jack, I don’t feel like discussing my personal life with you. Can you
please just leave me alone?
Jack:
No, I can’t.
Jennifer:
Excuse me?
Jack:
I can’t leave you like this… Alone… Hurting…
Jennifer:
I’m fine…
Jack
(looking at her with concern): Like hell you are. Hey, you’re shivering…
He
takes off his jacket and gives it to Jennifer.
Jennifer
(although she feels otherwise): I don’t want your jacket.
Jack:
Yes you do.
Jennifer:
You always know better, don’t you?
Jack:
Of course I do. I’m the boss, remember?
Jennifer:
Oh you won’t let me forget for a moment!
Jack:
Am I that bad?
Jennifer:
Yes you are.
Jack
smiles to himself as he sees that Jennifer feels a little bit more comfortable
around him that she did a few minutes ago. He takes his jacket and wraps it
around Jennifer shoulders. She doesn’t object this time.
Jennifer:
Thank you…
Jack
(smiling): So now you’re suddenly liking my jacket.
Jennifer
(takes it off and screams): You can have your stupid jacket!!!
Jack:
No, no, no… I didn’t mean to upset you… Just take the jacket, OK?
She
puts the jacket on and looks meaningfully at Jack.
Jack:
What?
Jennifer:
You can go now. Don’t worry about your jacket, I will give it back to you
tomorrow. It will be like new.
Jack:
Come on, Jennifer, you know it’s not the jacket that I’m worried about…
It’s you…
Jennifer:
Then stop worrying about me and just go home.
Jack:
I can’t… I can’t leave you here.
Jennifer:
Jack, please go… Yeah, I know, I know, you’re the boss. But can’t I just
tell you to do something once?
Jack:
As a matter of fact… NO. Jennifer, I’m not leaving here until you tell me
what happened.
Jennifer:
God, where did you get that stubborn?
Jack:
I don’t remember. (he laughs but Jennifer doesn’t and he gets more serious)
Look, I’m not leaving until…
Jennifer:
I heard it, OK? You don’t have to repeat.
Jack:
Great, great… So how is it gonna be? Are you going to tell me?
Jennifer:
How many times do I have to tell you? I’m not saying a word to you! Why should
I? You never talk to me about your personal life so why should I talk to you
about mine?
Jack
(realizing that she is absolutely right): OK… Alright… I will leave you
alone…
Jennifer
(sighs with relief): Great!
Jack:
On one condition.
Jennifer:
Which is?
Jack:
You will let me walk you home.
Jennifer:
What?
Jack:
It’s simple… I will walk you home, make sure that you’re safe and then I
will be gone.
Jennifer:
God, you never give up, do you?
Jack:
No I don’t. We, Deverauxes…. (Jack starts and after a moment he stops) Never
mind…
Jennifer
(looking at him concerned): Jack, are you OK?
Jack:
I’m fine, I’m fine… It’s you that we’re worrying about here, remember?
So… Will you let me walk you home?
Jennifer:
And do I have a choice?
Jack:
No, you don’t.
Jennifer
(sighs): I knew it.
Jack
smirks and they walk away from the pier.
Part
5
Jack
and Jennifer have just made the way to Jenn’s apartment. Jennifer gets into he
house and Jack sneaks right behind her.
Jennifer:
What do you think you’re doing?
Jack:
Making sure that you get home safe.
Jennifer:
Well I did… And now you can go.
Jack:
Not just yet…
Jennifer:
What the hell do you want Jack? Do you take some sick pleasure from watching me
suffer???!!!
Jack:
So you’re admitting that you’re suffering?
Jennifer:
You are unbelievable…
Jack:
You are hurt? Very much hurt, aren’t you?
Jennifer:
For God’s sake… YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! I, Jennifer Horton admit to being
hurt!!!! I am hurting!!!! Yes I am hurting!!! And my heart is broken!!!!!
Jack
looks at her puzzled as she screams.
Jennifer:
So, how’s that? Is that good enough for you? I am hurt, OK? I
am....
She
starts sobbing and doesn’t seem to be able to keep it together any longer.
Jack:
Jennifer, I…
He
tries to say something but he realizes that it’s not what Jennifer needs. He
comes closer to her and takes her in his arms. He slowly walks her to the sofa
and they sit. Jennifer still sobs and Jack holds her close. He feels somehow
uncomfortable about their closeness but Jennifer doesn’t push him away so he
figures it’s what she needs.
Jack
(whispering): Hey, it’s going to be OK… It’s going to be fine… It’s
going to be…
He
doesn’t finish as he suddenly feels Jennifer’s sight on his face. He has
never seen her looking at him that way…
Jennifer
(cries): Jack….
He
looks back at her and can’t fight the feeling of wanting to kiss her… Hold
her… He keeps fighting but finally he feels that he can’t stand it any
longer. He leans forward and places a gentle kiss on her lips. He is surprised
she doesn't jump and tell him to go to hell. So he kisses her again, more
passionately, this time feeling her respond.
Jack
(when they finally part): Jennifer, I…
Jennifer:
Don’t say anything….
Jennifer
pulls him closer again and their lips meet in an even more passionate kiss than
before.
Jennifer
(suddenly breathing some air): Make love to me, Jack.
Jack
(not sure if he heard it right): What?
Jennifer:
Make love to me.
Jack
(looking at her shocked, not knowing what he should feel at the moment):
Jennifer, I think you should…
He
doesn’t finish because she shuts his lips with another passionate kiss. He
seems to have forgotten about all the things he tried to persuade tell himself
– that he’s not interested in Jennifer and that he should leave her alone…
He can’t…
Their
kisses are becoming more and more passionate and suddenly Jack catches himself
on trying to unbutton Jennifer’s blouse. And as much as he wants to do that,
he knows that he shouldn’t.
Jack
(thinks): What the hell did I think I was doing????
He
pushes her away and stands up.
Jennifer:
Jack, what’s wrong?
Jack:
Jennifer, I can’t… We can’t… I can’t do this…
Jennifer:
Why?
Jack:
I can’t… It’s not the way… Not this way… I…
Jennifer:
What way Jack? I thought you wanted me… (she starts to cry) I thought…
Jack
(thinks): God, Jennifer, I do want you…. But now… Not like that… (Jack
speaks up) Jennifer, I don’t think it’s the best moment to… I know you
don’t want this…
Jennifer:
Did I look like I didn’t want this?
Jack:
Look Jennifer, you may think that you want it but you don’t… Deep in your
heart you feel otherwise… You got hurt and you want to forget it… But
that’s not the way… I can stay with you, you can talk to me about…. About
Emilio…. He’s the one who hurt you, isn’t he?
Jennifer
(scared that Jack sees right through her): Just go to hell Jack!
Jack:
Jennifer…
Jennifer:
God, what is it about me that all men keep treating me like a dirt???!!! Some
cheap prostitute you can have for a few dates and that’s it? (Jennifer gets
more and more hurt) Am I that terrible? What is it about me? Am I not pretty
enough? Am I not sexy enough? Is that it? Is that the reason you don’t want to
sleep with me.
Jack:
God, Jennifer, if you only knew…
Jennifer:
Knew what?
Jack:
How much I… Never mind…
Jennifer:
How much you what Jack?
Jack:
Nothing…. I said never mind…
Jennifer:
Damn you, Jack! Do you have any idea how I feel after being pushed away by
another man? Do you have any idea…
Jack:
Jennifer, I did it for your own good… Because I know that you would wake up
tomorrow and regret this for the rest of your life.
Jennifer:
And how do you know? Do you know me that well?
Jack:
As a matter of fact I thing I do.
Jennifer:
You know what, just go! Just leave!!!! Get out!!!
Jack:
Jennifer, let me…
Jennifer:
Just get out!!!!
Jack
(seeing that this time Jennifer is not going to change her mind): OK, I’ll
go… Bye…
He
looks at her with affection and then leaves. Jennifer takes his jacket that he
left and throws it onto the door.
Jennifer
(angry): Damn you Jack!!!!
Part
6
It’s
the next day’s afternoon. Jennifer is still in bed as she didn’t feel like
going to work after everything that happened. She keeps thinking about what
happened between her and Jack. She can’t believe that she let that happen and
is angry at herself for revealing her real feelings for Jack.
Suddenly
she hears a doorbell and goes to open the door. She sees Jack at the doorstep.
Jennifer
(thinking that she’s going to faint in a moment): What are you going here?
Jack:
I… I just wanted to see how you’re doing…
Jennifer:
And how do you think I’m doing?
Jack:
Look, Jennifer, about yesterday….
Jennifer:
Don’t… Don’t even start with it…
Jack:
OK, I won’t. But I just wanted to… You know... Come by and see if you’re
OK.
Jennifer:
I’m fine Jack.
Jack:
Are you sure?
Jennifer:
Positive.
Jack
(feeling that Jennifer really needs to be alone right now): Well then I’ll go.
Jennifer:
You’d better. You have a newspaper to run.
Jack:
And you have an assignment for today.
Jennifer:
I know, and it will be on your desk soon.
Jack:
Jennifer, you don’t have to…
Jennifer
(lies): It’s almost ready.
Jack:
OK… Well then I guess I will go…
Jennifer:
Yeah.
Jack
looks at her with concern but then turns around to leave. Jennifer grabs his
hand.
Jennifer:
Jack, you were right.
Jack:
Right? About what?
Jennifer:
Yesterday… I didn’t… I didn’t really want to…
Jack:
I know. That’s what I told you.
Jennifer:
How did you know?
Jack:
I just… I just felt it…
They
look at each other with great intensity and suddenly Jack breaks the silence.
Jack:
Well I’d better go… You take care, OK?
Jennifer:
I will, thanks…
Jack
turns around and is almost gone.
Jennifer:
Jack?
Jack:
Yeah?
Jennifer:
Thanks. For everything.
Jack:
Don’t mention it. After all, you’re my best employee.
He
smiles and walks away. But both of them know that that’s not why Jack all the
things he did for Jennifer. And both of them know that starting from now on,
nothing will ever be the same between them.
THE
END