Who is My Papa?

Jasmine's emerald irises shrink again, making her eyes rounder when she learns that she doesn't have to spend a penny on a school bill because of Leonardo's earring.

[Tch, this earring has magical power.] Jasmine clicks in her heart.  She covers her earring with her hair.  So no other student sees that earring. They must have insulted Jasmine, seducing young master Leonardo for money.

"Hey!"  A greeting from a beautiful girl surprises Jasmine. Who else but Ariana. She is curious about Jasmine.

Jasmine traces Ariana's body from head to toe.  Everything looks perfect, beautiful, and full of luxury brands.  Of course, she's a celebrity. She must be shining, shimmering, splendid like the stars. But not enough to make Jasmine starstruck.

Ariana has been looking for Jasmine's whereabouts from earlier.  She feels she knows Jasmine because her face is familiar in her memory. Even though her family never told her about her sister's presence —from another mother. Ariana felt Jasmine's presence when she was little.

"Who?" Jasmine asks.

"My name is Ariana.  Your name?"  Ariana asks back.

"Jasmine."

"Hello, Jasmine. Nice to meet you.  Are you in this year too?  What's your surname?"  Ariana is curious, does Jasmine has the same surname as she is?

"Hmm... does that matter to you?"  Jasmine blinks. She doesn't have a surname because she doesn't have a father. Rosie doesn't give her a surname because Rosie doesn't have one either.

"No. But usually, everyone has one," said Ariana. Yes, it's a common thing, but not for Jasmine.

"Ah, then my name is an unusual case,"  Jasmine answers indifferently and then walks from where she is standing.

"Hey!! Wait!"  Ariana calls her.

"What else?"  Jasmine is annoyed. She feels that she doesn't know Ariana and doesn't want to be friendly with her.

Like Leon, Jasmine is also quiet, rude, and indifferent.  She never wants to be friends with anyone, afraid they will insult and belittle her.  Besides, there is no time for her to make friends. Her life is busy making money or helping Rosie at home.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you.  I want to be friends with you." Ariana walks beside Jasmine.

"Why do you want to be friends with me?  You have a lot of friends. You have a lot of fans who adore you. Why do you even want to be close to an emp... poor like me?" Jasmine, without hesitation, asks so many questions to Ariana. She is afraid that Ariana is hiding something terrible behind her kindness. She faster her steps to avoid the girl.

"Hey, don't look down on yourself.  You must be great can enter ALDE HS without your parent's influence," Ariana says. Jasmine immediately stops her step, making Ariana bump into her.

"I came here because of someone's intervention, and that's not something to be proud of either."  Jasmine snorts in annoyance, hoping that Ariana will leave her side soon.

"Oh, I see.  Who?"

"SECRET!"  Jasmine sticks out her tongue and walks away from Arina.

"Hey!! What a rude evil girl!" Ariana yells.

"So stay away from me, Young Lady!"  Jasmine exclaims from a distance.

Ariana puts her hands on her hips, annoyed with Jasmine's rude behavior.  Ariana even asked politely, but Jasmine answered it in an unpleasant tone.  Arina lowers her arm, rubbing her forehead before turning back to the administration room.

[ I'll talk to her again tomorrow.] She thinks. Ariana does not give up yet, getting closer. She feels she has a bond with Jasmine.

Unlike Jasmine, who consistently ranks first because of her diligence and hard work.  Ariana is already brilliant. Her memory is much sharper than Jasmine's.  She always believes that she has a sister, and her name is Jasmine.  If it's true that Jasmine is her older sister, of course, Ariana must love her, right?

— JUST MINE —

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In the classroom, Leon continues to daydream, sometimes smiling without reason.  Ray, El, and the teacher who teach them today gawk at this Arrogant Young Master's behavior—wondering whether there is anything good that the smile won't leave his handsome face.

"Whoa!! What kind of demon is possessed you?"  Ray asks. He taps Leon's shoulder, making him glance in annoyance.

"Why are you guys bothering me?" Leon gets mad.

"You're thinking about that girl, aren't you?"  El guesses. He smirks, mocking Leon.

"So What?"  Leon asks coldly.

"Hah??? Girl?  Leon falling in love? Seriously, El?  Are you serious, Leon?"  Ray looks shocking. Leon glances at him sharply, making Ray's guts shrink.

"You better throw away your love!  You will have no future with her.  Your father will choose your future wife."  El puts his feet on the table.

"El was right. If you want to play, play, but you don't have to bring feelings.  It's better to trim your feeling rather than regret it later."  Ray picks up his boogers he throws them on the table.

"Eek... That's gross!" El hits Ray's head.

"So, Boys, can we start the lesson?"  Asks their teacher. He looks at his three students, who are busy talking to and ignoring him.

No one answers.

"If you're bored, give her to me, okay?"  El gets up from his seat.

"Where?"  asks Ray.

"Cafeteria, I need caffeine." Raphael yawns.

"Come on, Leon!"  Ray gets up too.

"Hey, where are you going, guys!! Hey!! Studying first!!"  Calls the teacher.

"Tsk, damn it!"  Leon gets up and walks away with them.

"Young Masters, please come back!!" The teacher cries.

The boys ignore their teacher's call and choose to leave the classroom.  Leon is thinking about Raphael's words. He is right. Their future as successors of the wealthy family will not allow Leon to love Jasmine, let alone marry her.  Leon knows that one day he will be forced to marry the woman of his family's choice.

Marrying for business is commonplace. For them, marriage is a multiplication of assets and wealth.  Their name is getting bigger, the industry is progressing, and their offspring will excel.

"Damn it!"  Leon curses. He feels he can not stop his feelings that are already pounding for Jasmine.  The sweet taste and softness of their kiss in the garden this morning never left Leon's lips.

— JUST MINE —

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In the afternoon. Rosie and Sanches gape at Jasmine. She is trying on her uniform—a suit with a pleated skirt above the knee and a maroon blazer.  On the collar of her shirt, there is a bow tie of the same color.  On the left chest, there is an embroidery school emblem with silver thread.

"You passed?"  Rosie had asked five times, still in disbelief.

"Yeah, Ma.  If I don't pass then, what is this?"  Jasmine points to her left chest.

"You're great, kid!"  Sanches claps his palms.

"Of course!!"  Jasmine laughs, even though she is sad in her heart for lying. She can enter ALDE high school because of Leonardo, not her hard work or intelligence.

"We have to celebrate.  I'll buy some meat."  Sanches rushes to grab his jacket and leave the house.

"Be Careful!"  Both shout.

"You're amazing, Girl!!  Mama is proud of you!"  Rosie hugs Jasmine.

"Nothing to be proud of, Ma."  Jasmine grins.

"Still, it's difficult to get in there, and you can.  When Mama lives in the village, Mama will tell the whole villager that my daughter was studying at ALDE HS," Rosie says happily.

"Well, don't show off, Ma."  Jasmine giggles, a pleasure to see the joy on her mother's beautiful face.

"Have you made any friends there?  Are the boys handsome?"  Rosie's question tickles Jasmine's memory. She gets her first kiss from a crazy but handsome boy today.

Jasmine's face immediately turns red. She hides her embarrassment with her palm hands. Rosie smiles. She knows for sure her daughter is in love with someone.  Her demeanor is too obvious.

"Jasmine, is he handsome?"  Rosie asks, Jasmine nodding.

"Is he as tall as Uncle Sanches?"  Rosie asks again. Jasmine nods again.

"Ah, you teenager!  It's good being a teenager. I miss those times."  Rosie smiles. She hopes that Jasmine's teenage years will be beautiful and full of laughter, not like her youth.  Bitter and dark.

"Ma."

"Huh?"

"Earlier, someone asked about my family name.  Who is my Papa?  Why doesn't Mama ever tell me anything about him?"  Jasmine gets up, then looks into Rosie's eyes.

Rosie is confused. She chokes when Jasmine asks about her Papa, as you know how cruel El Richo was to them both.  Rosie feels that Jasmine doesn't need to know or have anything to do with El Richo.  Yes, but blood is thicker than water.  At the time, Jasmine will ask about her Papa, and this time is the time.

"Mama will tell you, Jasmine.  Prepare your heart, baby, for this is not a happy story."  Rosie smiles wryly.

"Okay, Ma.  Jasmine is ready to hear it."  Jasmine sits down, listening intently.

— JUST MINE —

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