Wind off

"I know you're the less crazy one, but that's it; just not crazy, not as unfeeling. Not as cold. I've never had a Daughter who behaves like a Mafia Leader, then why now, Jasmine?" She pursed her lips and said nothing. Hazel continued, "people have their own views. They have their own decisions to make. You can't just keep locking people up because, you don't like what they say. Everyone is different, you are different. I can't even count anybody else I have met who is like you," she said, smiling a little, "just let the poor Man go. If you have him, that is." She added, seeing Jasmine move in her seat.

Jasmine said nothing for a long time, her phone lighting up at the corner. But, when she talked, she said through clenched teeth, "I'm not done with him."

Hazel's eyes went wide, her Heart sinking. "You do have him!'

"Were you expecting me to lie to you?" She asked, turning to Hazel.

She could have lied to all other people in the World, but never Ray and Hazel.

Jayden Smith was on the list, since she had never had any cause to lie to him also.

She couldn't possibly start using her left hand at forty.

It was only advisable to continue being truthful to those she had never lied to.

Hazel sighed heavily. "Why would you do that, Jasmine? That is… Abduction is a Crime, You Fool!" She whispered hoarsely, causing Jasmine's eyes to narrow. "You've got to let him…"

"Wait." She cut in coldly. "What is that thing you called me?"

"That is not the point here…"

"You don't tell me what the point should be in my own Territory!" Hazel flinched. 

"Look, Jasmine…"

"You know what, 'Mother'? You can leave when you're done-"

"Jasmine!"

"-Or I'll get someone to drive you Home… Anthony!"

Hazel straightened, shocked at the turn this dialogue took.

She had never planned this in the Scene!

"We are not done here, Jasmine!"

"What?" She asked, getting up. "You love my name so much?"

Hazel spread her hands helplessly. "Of course! That was why I gave it to you!"

"You," Jasmine inched closer, her eyes icy, "don't raise your voice at me in my House."

"I'm your Mother."

"So?" She quirked up an eyebrow. "See her out, Anthony. If she doesn't want to go, you have hands," her eyes swept over Hazel as she added, "I don't think she weighs much."

"Oh, my God, Jasmine!"

"Take her out already!"

She went back up, as Anthony walked towards Hazel awkwardly, muttering under his breath, 

"I am so sorry, Madam Reign, but please…"

She stared after her Daughter as she nodded continuously, too traumatized to speak.

Jasmine really was changing.

It certainly wasn't the first time she had called her names, then why was the reaction so different in a bad way now?

What was happening to the Child she had watched grow up?

Jason and Keeon had left the Country early.

Kimberly had never really liked to stay Home as a Kid. She was the vibrant Twin, who liked to go out and have fun to the fullest like the Daughter of an average Man.

But Jasmine, she was the loner. 

She was the one who didn't like people around her.

She was the one who stayed Home when other Children were having fun, drawing the curtains in order not to see them.

Thus, Jasmine had been the only Child who was with her the longest.

She surely didn't like people, but back then, she wouldn't have had the Heart to keep her away when Hazel wanted to spend time with her.

She showed she wasn't really into it, but she never did shut her out like this.

Why were things changing so fast for the worst?

Anthony cleared his throat to alleviate the awkwardness before he asked, "can I drive you Home, Madam?"

"No," she shook her head, blinking back tears, "no, it's fine."

Since Jasmine had been the one to throw her out, it obviously showed she didn't want her near her property, how then could she accept something she owned?

Jasmine watched until the Car was out of sight, before she drew the Curtains.

"You came at the wrong time, Mother." She muttered to herself, checking the Mail she had received.

'Let's wind off a little.'

Her eyes hardened.

Aya.

Aya didn't 'wind off'. She only never ceased serving as an Alarm to the end of her time to get her hands on the person she came for in the first place.

She changed to white Shorts and an extremely baggy Top, grabbing her Keys as her Black Trainers padded her out of the Room.

She held Anthony back again when he intended to take the Keys.

"I'll drive myself."

As she sped off, Anthony pursed his lips.

"I might as well take a Leave."

-----

Restafé.

Her GPS took her to Restafé.

A Restaurant with a Café on top of it.

Why would Aya come here?

She did not like to live extravagantly, then why would she come to a place a cup of Coffee was crazily expensive?

She frowned as she got into the Café with skepticism written over her face. She pulled her Hat lower.

Aya didn't take time to spot. Her long, curly hair and big eyes were too animatedly beautiful to be missed.

She walked to her, the long Coat she wore, splitting open in the middle every time she threw a leg forward, to reveal the lean set of creamy white legs the lights helped to enhance. 

Dragging down an urge to draw the Coat closer to her body at the holes she could feel being pierced into her flesh by the eyes of the numerous people here, she sat across from Aya, removing her Hat since people had already recognized her.

Aya smiled brightly. Propping her head up on her palms, she said, "hey, Beautiful..."

"Get to the point." She cut in sharply. 

"Relax," Aya shrugged, "why do you think there is a point to every Meeting, Ma… Jasmine?"

"Gods!" Jasmine breathed, rubbing her hands over her face briefly. She looked up again. "Aya, don't you dare… Don't dare it. The next time you call me that, you'll be sorry." 

"I already am." She responded to Jasmine's threats, blinking her eyes slowly. "But, how easy do you really think it is to call you something different from what I've always known you by?"

"I don't care how, or how not difficult it is, just get used to it!"

"I am really trying to…"

"Aya," she interrupted, raising a hand to cover her face from the sudden flash of light. A Camera. "Why did you call me here?"

"To have fun."

"Yeah, keep on lying to yourself."

"It's you I'm lying to, Okay," Jasmine eyed her incredulously, "I know the truth and I've told it to myself."

"Tell me that also." She said, causing Aya's lips to twist in a half smile.

"You'll figure it out yourself."

"I don't have so much time to waste, Aya. You're literally not supposed to exist, talk less of in my personal life!" 

She could feel the breath in her mask turn hot. Though the mugs of Coffee that arrived, was hotter. 

She turned fatigued eyes to Aya. 

"I'm paying for this, aren't I?"

"Totally."

"Get me the Bills." She said to the Waiter. 

Her eyes widened when Jasmine turned to her, but she cleared her throat immediately and walked away after nodding.

Aya flashed the Card at her. 

"The Bills are already here." She chuckled, then added, "I screamed 'holy shit' when I saw it." 

And Jasmine knew she screamed.

Literally.