Reasoning

Despite the chaotic start to our evening, the peacefulness of the apartment and the simple pleasure of being together made everything else fade into the background. There was a comfort in the shared experience of enjoying good food, good wine, and good company, a sense of connection that transcended the mishaps of the earlier events.

As the credits rolled and the movie came to an end, we exchanged contented smiles, the glow of the TV casting soft shadows across the room.

"It's getting late, I should go back home and I'm pretty sure my clothes are dry now," I said breaking the silence. I had let myself get carried away and had a bit of fun but that was over now.

"Why are you in such a hurry?" Jasper ran his hand over my buzz cut. "You're giving me a chance, we can hang out longer, right?"

Fine then. "Aren't you curious about why I was in prison for five years? You haven't asked yet."

I could see jaspers mouth practically salivating at the prospect of knowing more. "I'll wait for you to talk about it either way me. I don't think you trust me enough yet. Besides, I have a pretty good idea who hurt you."

"What if I'm the bad guy? Will you still be on my side, Officer McNeil?" I asked, my voice tinged with uncertainty.

Jasper's response was immediate, his conviction unwavering as he met my gaze with unwavering determination. "Yeah, I already know the deal with you rich families," he said, his tone tinged with a hint of cynicism. "You guys are usually ruthless in nature. You guys do every single thing that normal people can't and pay off policemen to clean up the mess."

"You might not believe me, but take it as the truth," I said, my voice soft but firm. "If you don't believe me, just think of it as a funny story."

"I'll believe whatever you say!" Jasper said excitedly.

"Certainly." As I delved deeper into the story of my incarceration, I recounted the intricate web of betrayal spun by my own siblings, a betrayal that cut me to the core and shattered the little trust I had once placed in them.

"You see, my siblings had always harbored feelings of jealousy towards me, fueled by my perceived success and the attention I garnered within the family. They resented the fact that I seemed to excel effortlessly, while they struggled to measure up to the lofty expectations set by our parents."

I explained that in their envy-fueled quest to undermine me, my brother, in particular, resorted to despicable tactics. He clandestinely planted someone close to me, masquerading as a concerned confidant, all the while gathering information to use against me. This individual, whom I later discovered to be Sam Reynolds, insinuated himself into my life under false pretenses, exploiting my trust for his own nefarious ends.

The depths of their treachery became painfully clear when a lifeless body was discovered in my room one fateful night. Despite the glaring absence of evidence implicating me, my siblings wasted no time in casting me as the scapegoat, eager to rid themselves of the perceived threat I posed to their own ambitions and aspirations.

Their swift betrayal, coupled with the callous indifference of my parents, who readily embraced the damning narrative spun by my siblings and the authorities, left me reeling in disbelief and despair. It was a betrayal that cut deeper than any physical wound, a betrayal that shattered the very foundation of trust upon which familial bonds are built. And it was a betrayal that ultimately led to my unjust incarceration and the harrowing ordeal that followed.

The first day in prison was the toughest. But for me, that first day was more than just an adjustment to prison life. It was a battle for survival.

I'll never forget the moment when someone came after me, their intentions clear in their eyes. They wanted me dead, and they were willing to do whatever it took to make it happen.

The fight that day was brutal, each blow landing with bone-rattling force. I fought with every ounce of strength I had, refusing to succumb to the darkness closing in around me. And when it was over, when I finally emerged victorious, I was left battered and bloodied, but alive.

That brush with death was a wake-up call, a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the harsh reality of the world I now found myself in. But it was also a turning point, a moment of clarity amidst the chaos. It was then that I realized I couldn't afford to be passive, to simply accept my fate and fade into obscurity.

I had to fight back. I had to reclaim what had been taken from me no matter what. And so, from that day forward, I began to plan and strategize, to plot my revenge with a single-minded focus that bordered on obsession.

My time in prison may have been a punishment, but it was also a crucible, forging me into something stronger, something more resilient. And now, as I stand on the precipice of my revenge, I know that I am ready. Ready to get back at everyone who ever crossed me.

"Listen, Jasper," I said firmly, "nothing you could tell me would get in my way. I've been through hell and back, and I've faced down demons that would make most people tremble with fear. Whatever secrets you're hiding, whatever darkness lurks in your past, I can handle it as long as I'm not betrayed."

"Wow."

"So go ahead," I continued, "lay it all out on the table. Tell me everything you think I need to know. Because no matter what you say, I'm not backing down. I'm not giving up until I've achieved what I set out to do, no matter the cost."

Jasper remained silent, his expression growing increasingly tense as I finished recounting my story. His silence was palpable, thick with unspoken tension and unresolved emotions.

"Hello, I'm done with my story now! No applause?" I said, snapping my fingers in front of his face in a gesture of frustration.

"If it were me, I'd probably try to end everyone too," Jasper said, his voice tinged with a mixture of awe and disbelief. "I don't know how you kept it all together like you did."

His words echoed in my mind, stirring a complex mix of emotions within me. On one hand, I felt a surge of pride at having survived the unimaginable, at having overcome the odds stacked against me. But beneath that pride lay a deeper sense of sorrow and regret, a realization of the heavy burden I carried and the toll it had taken on me.

"I don't know either," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I guess I just... had to keep going, had to find a way to survive. But then I felt that I shouldn't suffer. I was the one in jail, why kill myself over a bunch of idiots? Crushing them all bit by bit in the palm of my hand and having them beg me for the mercy they didn't give me would be a lot more entertaining. You understand now that I'm not some weak little damaged flower in the wind. I'm going to get my revenge so you can stick with me to the end or we can stop this now."

Jasper's gaze met mine, unwavering and resolute. "I'm not getting cold feet now, Alex," he declared, his voice steady and determined.

With a sense of newfound strength and determination coursing through me, I returned Jasper's smile. "Good."

With a sense of purpose, I quickly changed back into my own clothes, shedding the oversized garments borrowed from Jasper's wardrobe. After throwing on my jacket, I felt a renewed sense of determination, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

Exiting Jasper's apartment, we stepped out into the cool night air, our breath forming misty clouds in the darkness. The streets were quiet, the city lights casting a soft glow over the sidewalks as we made our way towards Travis's home.

The journey was filled with a quiet intensity, each step bringing us closer to our destination. Thoughts swirled in my mind, visions of the future we were striving towards, fueled by our shared desire for justice.

The distant sound of a commotion reached our ears, emanating from a nearby bar. It was a cacophony of raised voices, punctuated by bursts of laughter and the occasional shout.

Curiosity piqued, Jasper and I exchanged a glance, silently communicating our shared interest in investigating the source of the disturbance. Without a word, we veered off course, heading towards the source of the noise.

As we approached the bar, the clamor grew louder, spilling out onto the street in waves of sound. Neon lights bathed the sidewalk in a vibrant glow, casting long shadows that danced along the pavement.

Pushing open the door, we stepped into the dimly lit interior of the bar, the scent of alcohol and cigarette smoke mingling in the air. The place was bustling with activity, patrons crowded around the bar, their voices blending together in a lively chorus.

Jasper and I exchanged a knowing look, both sensing that there was more to this scene than met the eye. With a shared sense of determination, we wove our way through the crowd, eager to uncover the truth behind the commotion.

Jasper tapped the nearby bartender and asked about the situation. The bartender, a burly man with a bushy mustache, leaned in closer, his expression grave. Apparently my brother has been causing a scene for more than an hour. He hasn't paid for six glasses of vodka and he kept on insisting they bring out sex workers for him or else he'll shut them down. The manager had tried to handle but couldn't find a solution that didn't involve getting the police involved.

I turned to Jasper, feeling a mix of disappointment and frustration at the sight of my older brother's behavior. It was hard to reconcile the memories of his past favor with the pitiful state he was in now, consumed by insecurity and greed.

"I don't even know what to say," I muttered, shaking my head in disbelief. "He's spiraling out of control, and that's a good thing."

Jasper placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, his expression sympathetic. "Not going to kick him while he's down," he said softly. "I know this must be hard for you walk away first."

I sighed, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over me. "Let's just get out of here," I said, my voice heavy with resignation. "There's nothing more i can do to him tonight without exposing myself."

As I looked back at the chaotic scene unfolding before me, a sense of satisfaction welled up inside. Despite the unexpected twists and turns of the evening, the pieces of my plan were falling into place sooner than I had anticipated. It was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless.

As Jasper and I continued on our way back to Travis's apartment, a sense of triumph washed over me, buoying my spirits. Despite the unexpected detour caused by my brother's antics, I couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction at his downfall.

The evening had taken an unexpected turn, but it had also presented an opportunity for me to witness the repercussions of my carefully laid plans. My brother's continued humiliation served as a validation of my efforts, a tangible reminder that I was one step closer to achieving my ultimate goal.

As we walked, I found myself humming a tune under my breath, a subconscious expression of the newfound sense of optimism that coursed through me. Jasper, sensing my good mood, flashed me a knowing smile, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

Jasper bid me farewell at the door, his lips grazing my cheek in a quick kiss. Despite my reservations, I allowed the gesture to pass without protest, preferring to avoid any further discussion or potential nagging from him. With a polite smile, I returned his goodbye and watched as he disappeared into the night, leaving me to contemplate the events of the evening.

As I entered Travis's apartment, I found him sprawled haphazardly on the couch, his posture reflecting a state of disarray. The scene before me was a stark contrast to the earlier jovial atmosphere, reminding me of the tumultuous events that had unfolded throughout the evening.

Excitedly, I rushed over to Travis, my words tumbling out in a torrent as I recounted the evening's events in vivid detail. I described the calamitous dinner at the upscale restaurant, where a simple toast had spiraled into a fiery catastrophe, leaving the place drenched and the patrons fleeing in disarray. Then, with a mix of disbelief and amusement, I narrated the scene at the bar, where my brother's antics had caused quite the spectacle, drawing attention and perhaps a touch of sympathy from the onlookers.

Travis listened intently, his eyes alight with excitement as I painted a picture of a night filled with chaos and mayhem, punctuated by moments of unexpected humor and absurdity. With each twist and turn of the story, his grin widened, mirroring my own growing sense of satisfaction at the unfolding events.

As I reached the climax of my tale, describing the scene of my brother's downfall playing out in real-time on the streets below, Travis practically cheered, his laughter filling the room with infectious energy. For a moment, we were both caught up in the thrill of the moment, basking in the sweet taste of vindication and the knowledge that my carefully laid plans were coming to fruition.

"It sounds like a chaotic night. I see why you liked it so much," Travis smiled.

As Travis lounged on the couch, still basking in the excitement of the night's events, I leaned in closer, my voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. With a mischievous glint in my eye, I revealed my latest maneuver in the ongoing game of cat and mouse with Jasper.

"I did something a little risky," I admitted, a sly smile playing at the corners of my lips. "I told Jasper the reason I went to jail, just to see how he'd react."

Travis's eyes widened with intrigue, his interest piqued by the prospect of yet another twist in the tangled web of our schemes. "OMG! Spill all the tea!" he exclaimed, sitting up a little straighter. "How did he take it?"

I shrugged casually, enjoying the suspense as I recounted my exchange with Jasper. "He seemed... intrigued, to say the least," I replied, a hint of amusement coloring my tone. "But he also promised to stand by me, no matter what. It'll be interesting to see if he keeps his word."

Travis nodded thoughtfully, clearly impressed by my audacity. "Well played, Alex," he said, a note of admiration in his voice. "Looks like our little game just got even more interesting."