As Sunday moved into Monday, then Tuesday, and finally Wednesday, events were actually quite calm for Clemens and Jenny. Despite her increased workload from having to take on Jacob and Jason’s work while they were facing disciplinary action, now that she had effectively brought their workload back to where it should’ve been, it was down to a manageable level, leaving her less worn out at the end of each day given that she had much-needed time for short breaks.
Clemens on the other hand was busier than normal, checking the work schedules to make sure that there was sufficient cover for the protracted time he’d be away for, adding to that the Bachelor Party on Wednesday, which he suspected would leave a number of those attending to hung-over to be able to work effectively the next day, especially considering the nature of the parties that David liked to hold. At least the management had been made aware to adjust the timetables accordingly and with time to spare.
And given that Friday was the day of the rehearsal, followed by the Wedding itself the day after, it was clear to Clemens that today would be his last workday before his long absence.
The door to his office opening distracted him from his thoughts.
“Clemens? Ready for tonight?” Jacob Pertwee asked once the door was closed.
“Asss ready asss I’ll ever be.” Clemens replied, a mixture of fear, nervousness, curiosity, and a little bit of excitement running through him. “But, I forgot to asssk thisss earlier, about the dresss code.”
“Formal.” Jacob answered swiftly. “It’s, a rather high-end place that was booked after all.”
“I sssee, I think I have one to ssspare then.” Clemens referred to a decent suit he had.
“And, taxi’s have been arranged, so you won’t need to worry about that.” Jacob added.
“I guessssed as much.”
“So you’ll be ready tonight? At seven-thirty?”
“That’sss the time to leave?”
“To be there before eight, to begin at eight-thirty.”
“I’ll be ready.”
“Good. I’ll see you there then.”
“Of courssse.” Clemens responded just before Jacob left him alone again.
Though Clemens knew they wanted him to have a good time before his Wedding, he was also aware of what these kinds of parties ended up becoming, and he did remember Jenny’s prediction that they might have a snake-woman to be a stripper for him. But he also knew that Jenny was aware of these things happening, and had already made clear that she’d be okay with Clemens going a little wild that night, still, he would try not to do anything that he’d regret, especially for Jenny’s sake.
That said though, he still had the day’s work to finish, before he could properly put his attention to the coming night.
[+]
It was just after six-thirty when Jenny entered their apartment, still looking tired from her work, but not nearly as bad as it had been the week before.
“How wasss work today?” Clemens asked her, still concerned as to how well she was coping under the increased strain.
“Not too bad.” Jenny replied, stifling a small yawn. “The worst is past now.”
“Good.” Clemens sighed as they embraced each other, Jenny’s hands running over his scales slowly.
“And besides, during our Honeymoon, there’ll need to be someone to handle my workload for the duration.” Jenny added with a laugh.
“You mean thossse two?” Clemens referred to the pair who had instigated the events that led Jenny to her current situation at work.
“Most likely, as they’ve been on that course for a while now, so it’s only natural that they’ll be called on to pick up any slack.”
“And even though it won’t be asss much…” Clemens began.
“…it will be for much longer.” Jenny finished his sentence before changing the subject. “You ready for your night?”
“Sssuit’sss out and ready, only a sssmall sssnack for me here, enough time for a quick clean, I’ll be ready.”
“Good. Now, you have fun, it’s your night after all.” Jenny half-teased him, in good humour.
“I’ll try.” Clemens replied, still a little nervous at just what they might have planned. “Oh, one more thing.”
“Yes?”
“We got a reply from Mr Wilkinssson today. It’sss not great newsss, in that no persssonal photographing will be allowed.” Clemens admitted to Jenny. “Jussst finisshhed sssending out the e-mailsss to let them all know.”
“That’s, too bad then.” Though Jenny wasn’t too pleased at the news, she did understand why this might be the case.
“Ssstill, there’sss your dinner ready now.” Clemens pointed out to cheer her up.