Clueful

Dylan found Beryl an Uber, then drove himself Home, thinking of Ms. Reign against his will.

Or maybe, he did want to, but he wouldn't admit to it so easily.

-Wasn't she one proud Peacock? Refusing to admit who her Friends were and who weren't. Or was she being serious? Beryl did have a way of painting things, but even in the Tales of her closeness to Jasmine, the girl had not sounded quite all into it-

It wasn't really easy not to think about her, when they had been getting a bit close lately, related by circumstances Dylan still found amusing.

Why would she even wipe Laura off the Season?!

He was surely going to ask her if they ever met again.

He drove into his own Garage, seeing another Car already occupying a part of the space.

Old Smith?

The Butler bowed deeply as the door pulled open, saying without rising, "welcome Home, Youngest Master."

Dylan nodded as he went in. He had been away from Capé for a time, and after the Laura Lorins Sueing issue, he had no time to come Home after he had spent some time at the Smith Residence.

But, it hadn't been such a long time ago, why would Old Smith be…

"Dylan!" Ciara jumped from her seat, taking a cushion with her, "you're back." She said, smiling at him like the Morning Sun as he walked towards her, glancing around.

"Where," he sniffed. The scent in the air was… Airy? "Is Dad?"

"He's not here. Why?"

"Didn't I just see his Car outside?" He asked, his eyes narrowing.

It was obvious; Ciara must have been the one to get it here.

Why would Old Smith let her use his Car?

It wasn't like it was the first time, but the Man was pampering her too much.

She lived in their House, wasn't that enough?

He let out a sigh. "What are you doing here? To live in my House, too?" He questioned, causing her smile to turn shy.

"If you would let me, that would be lovely."

"Well, that's not happening." He said, scoffing in amusement that didn't reach his eyes.

He had stayed with Ciara too long to know her well. 

Her coyness was a big help in masquerading her real nature - something sly and creepy. She wanted something, he knew it, and he was in no way interested in being a part of her new ploy. 

Ciara's lips turned down at the corners in disappointment, but she was quick in wiping that look off her face. "I heard you were finally coming Home and since you must be worn out, I thought of making you something; mashed potatoes, enchiladas, apple crust pie…"

"Apple crust pie? I thought it was pizza."

"Culinary skills." She answered nervously under his watchful eyes, worrying the Hem of her Dress with her nails.

He gave a low snort as he looked away, heading to the stairs. "Well, I don't believe in being used as a mannequin to test new arrivals, I'm not interested… And pack it up for your road trip, which is going to be happening right now."

"But, Dylan," she shouted after him, watching him break into jogs on the stairs, "I spent a whole lot of time in making this for you!" 

He paused for a moment. "Yeah, I thought as much. That's why I told you to pack it up, because it's going in the trash if you don't."

Ciara stared way after he had disappeared, unnerved at the abrupt way he had dismissed her.

Why must he be the one playing so hard to get? She was trying hard enough here!

She dumped the food in the trash herself and stomped on to the Car.

*****

Jasmine was sweating her brows off after her Work-out Session as she stood by her phone, chugging water from a can as Rayfus talked.

"We'll only need Mr. Smith's word here."

He was even surprised Jasmine had agreed to stick around during all these crazy talk of irrelevant issues. The Jasmine Reign he had heard of would not even have bothered to show her face, but she was even devoting her time.

For someone as stupid as Laura.

Her actions were really unpredictable.

Laura was still gritting her teeth in rage as she looked at her screen and saw only Jasmine's Lawyer, but not hers.

She had reported the Case of Tyler being missing a few days ago and most of the search for him turned out… 'Clueful'.

He had informed a handful of people about planning a trip to the East Sount, which wasn't really good in Networking - easily explained why she couldn't reach him - with the addition that a few of his stuff was missing, it made perfect sense. The Booking and Entering, Arrival of his Flight was intact, too… The Case had been dropped, not seeing reason to be continued.

But, Laura just felt something was wrong.

Jacquelyn Jefferson sat like an ice statue, letting the Madam handle her own Case.

"Then call him up, I can't keep on wasting my time like this."

"Right away, Ma'am, why not?" He agreed nervously, drawing his eyes from the distracting curve of her waist; she was still clad in the clingy Shorts and Crop-top she exercised in.

Nobody else opted to dial Dylan Smith, since Laura mostly thought they could get anybody to do a voice. She called him up at once, glaring at Jasmine from her side of the screen.

"Oh?" The call got connected straight to Dylan's Secretary. "The Sir is in his Office, I'll just forward this."

"Please, do."

His impatient voice came over the phone moments later as he said, "I don't have time to waste, Lorins, what do you want?"

She pursed her lips.

He hadn't even heard her out, yet he was so excited to get back to work all of a sudden.

What a nice way to receive an Employee, who was a victim, when the phone speaker was on loud!

Her face scrunched up all the more as a feeling of being severely wronged crept in her Heart.

"Mr. Rayfus Peyton wants to know," she answered through gritted teeth, "what do you think about me getting ruthlessly kicked out?"

Oh, Mother Dear, Jasmine exchanged glances with Jacquelyn, it was going to be a sorrowful moment.

Dylan frowned. "Ruthlessly kicked out? Why are you sounding so pathetic, Lorins? I really don't have time for your games."

"This isn't a game!"

"Tell that to yourself. You think Sueing Ms. Reign against something so measly is going to be easy? I hope you're thinking again."

"But, Mr. Smith…"

"Get on with your Tale. Rayfus wants to know what?" 

She squeezed her eyes shut, feeling humiliated. 

Jasmine only sat there expressionlessly, sweat sticking to her taut-soft body and making it glow in healthy confidence.

She started explaining slowly in detail. "The Contract states Ms. Reign has the power to make decisions with you. And if she takes one alone, against the good of a Signed Worker, and you're not Okay with it, it's a Breach." She sucked in a breath and gave him time to mull it over. "Are you Okay with the decision of signing me off the Season?"

Dylan said nothing for a fairly long time. "Against the good of a Worker," he echoed, finally, "has Ms. Reign stated her reason for laying you off and it's not for your good?"

"That doesn't make sense…" Laura trailed off, throwing Jasmine a glance.

It actually made sense.

But, what reason would she have that would be for her good?

All eyes went to Jasmine.

"That's a fine question, Mr. Smith," Rayfus cleared his throat and sat up, "Ma'am? Any… Special reasons?"

Jasmine let her fingers thrum on her phone case as she stared at him.