The Cookie Jar, Scene #01
Picture this: a quiet suburban driveway, a young couple—Travis and Amy—stepping out of their car, nerves dancing beneath Amy's skin. She's about to meet Travis' parents for the first time, and the butterflies in her stomach are performing a full-blown symphony. Travis, ever the supportive boyfriend, has been delivering pep talks the entire drive. "You've got this," he encourages, handing her a bag from the trunk. "My parents are the most welcoming people you'll ever meet. They're going to adore you!" Amy wants to believe him, but she can't shake off her insecurities. Coming from a humble background, she worries about fitting into Travis' upper-middle-class world. Even her luggage looks like it's seen better days. Travis wraps an arm around his anxious girlfriend, leading her to the front door. As he reaches for the knob, the door swings open, revealing his beaming father. The men share a hearty hug, and Mrs. Greene joins in, welcoming them warmly. Amy hangs back, awkwardly, until Travis pulls her into the mix. Introductions are made, and Mrs. Greene takes Amy by the hand, inviting her inside while Mr. Greene offers to take her bags. The warmth of their welcome begins to ease Amy's nerves, and she shyly smiles at Mr. Greene as she follows his wife into the house. But as he holds the door open, Mr. Greene sneaks a quick glance at Amy's behind. A hint of things to come, perhaps? Cut to the kitchen, where the family chats and cooks together. Amy is captivated by the Greene family dynamic—they seem to have it all! Mrs. Greene is the epitome of glamour and sophistication, while Mr. Greene, though quiet, exudes wisdom and success. As a respected surgeon, he commands an air of authority. Amy can't help but imagine herself as part of this perfect nuclear family, a glimpse into her own future. As she loosens up and joins the conversation, Mr. Greene watches her from the corner of his eye, his own thoughts about the future playing out in his mind. Fast forward to the evening, and the family is gathered around the living room, sharing dessert and laughter. Mrs. Greene regales Amy with embarrassing stories from Travis' childhood, much to his dismay. But as the laughter fills the room, Amy starts to notice Mr. Greene's gaze lingering on her. Their eyes meet, and an awkward tension fills the air. She begins to worry—does he dislike her? When Mr. Greene suddenly excuses himself to bed, Amy is convinced she's done something wrong. Later that night, Amy stares at her reflection in the bathroom mirror, anxiety etched on her face. She climbs into bed beside Travis, who playfully suggests a late-night tryst. But Amy's mind is elsewhere. She asks if they can just sleep, and Travis, understanding, snuggles up beside her. In the darkness, Amy whispers her fears. "Do you think your father hates me?" Travis chuckles and reassures her, "Of course not. He's just a quiet man." They drift off to sleep, but Amy's mind is far from peaceful. Cut to Amy, wide awake at 2 AM, her insomnia fueled by the night's events. She slips out of bed, hoping to clear her mind. As she enters the kitchen for a glass of water, she finds herself face-to-face with Mr. Greene, sitting in his bathrobe, enjoying milk and cookies. Surprise fills her voice, "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you." He smiles, dipping a cookie into his milk. "Not at all. Couldn't sleep?" She mutters a response, and he offers her a cookie. Not wanting to offend him, Amy accepts and sits down. The awkwardness is palpable as she nibbles on the cookie, feeling his gaze on her. "It seems like you really care for my son," he says, breaking the silence. Amy nods, gushing about how amazing Travis is. Mr. Greene agrees but adds, "I still think he has a lot of growing up to do." Amy looks down at her milk, feeling a sense of unease. "But... you are certainly the most beautiful girl he has ever brought home," Mr. Greene continues, his eyes never leaving her. Amy blushes, thanking him, as the heat rises in her cheeks. He leans in slightly, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "I understand that you come from a difficult upbringing. And that dating Travis has represented quite a change in standards for you. Am I correct?" Amy rushes to assure him that she loves Travis for who he is, not what he has. Mr. Greene nods, eating another cookie. "But, you agree that standards are important?" he asks. She nods, feeling a growing unease. "As a father, I hold Travis to extremely high standards. I'm sure you can understand why." She nods again, her heart pounding in her chest. Mr. Greene stands up, moving closer to her. "He isn't going to end up with just any woman. He is going to end up with someone who is the right fit for both him and our family." Amy nervously whispers that she hopes that can include her. Mr. Greene smiles, his intentions becoming clearer. "I think it can... once you have earned my blessing." The room is filled with an awkward silence, the weight of Mr. Greene's insinuations hanging heavy in the air. Amy's eyes drift down to the bulge in his pajama pants. "What exactly are you asking, Mr. Greene?" she mumbles. He removes his robe, his intentions crystal clear. "I think I'm making myself quite clear, Amy. If you want to be part of this family, you're going to need to start by impressing me." Amy is overwhelmed, her mind racing. "I don't want to hurt Travis," she meekly argues. Mr. Greene assures her that Travis will never find out. Just ten minutes now, and she will have his full approval and support for life. She hesitates, torn between her love for Travis and the temptation of securing her future with him. Mr. Greene drops a bombshell. "You do realize why Travis brought you here this weekend, right?" Amy shakes her head, her heart pounding in her ears. "There is a ring in his bedroom with your name on it. A family heirloom. My grandmother's ring." He reveals the truth, "The only thing Travis is waiting on is my opinion." Amy's mouth drops open as she fully realizes what her future father-in-law is proposing. "He really has a ring?" she asks, her voice barely a whisper. Mr. Greene nods, a triumphant smile on his face as he starts to stroke her hair. Slowly, Amy gets to her knees, her decision made. "I want to marry Travis. I'll prove it. If this is what it takes, then fine. Just tell me what to do." Mr. Greene's voice is thick with desire. "You can start by calling me daddy," he says, guiding her mouth to his cock. Cut to the next morning, and Amy is staring up at the ceiling, her mind reeling from the guilt of her affair the night before. Travis leans over, kissing her good morning. Not wanting to give herself away, she kisses him back, and he climbs on top of her, eager to continue what he tried to start the night before. As they make love, Amy desperately tries to hide her guilt, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Afterward, Travis holds her close, whispering, "Do you know how much I love you?" Amy smiles, her heart aching. "Probably not as much as I love you," she whispers back. Travis leaps out of bed, pulling a ring box from his drawer, and drops to his knees. He tells Amy that she is his soulmate, the only woman he has ever wanted to spend his life with, and asks her to marry him. Breaking down, she says yes, and he kisses her, slipping the ring on her finger. Through her guilty tears, she chokes out, "I love you so much." Travis, overjoyed, suggests they go and tell his parents the good news. As they walk hand in hand towards the kitchen, Amy can't shake off the weight of her secret. She knows that her future with Travis is now intertwined with the dark secret she shares with his father. The question is, can she live with the guilt, or will the weight of her actions tear them apart? Only time will tell in this gripping tale of love, desire, and the lengths one will go to secure their future. Stay tuned for the next chapter in Amy and Travis's story, where the stakes are higher, and the secrets are darker than ever before.