Chapter 25: Him and Her

When I arrived home I was greeted by Alyssa who told me that she won't be attending the fashion show. Alyssa smiled happily when she told me that Aaron asked her out on that day. She also started mumbling about him becoming more respectful and less pushy all of a sudden.

I smirked internally at that comment and went upstairs to put away a beautiful small black rectangular purse with a golden chain, and a golden dragon engraved on it.

I looked at the purse for a second before I gathered all my painting supplies and started to paint the scene of Grace smiling while holding the purse in both hands.

"How about this one Jasmine" Grace spun around cheerfully holding a black and golden purse against her chest

I looked curiously at the purse and was drawn to the dragon that was engraved into it

"Dragon" I mumbled

"Do you like dragons?" Gabriel asked curiously

I nodded my head

"Dangerous creatures that are seen as bad, but the most beautiful when you actually stop to observe instead of assume"  I said quietly

Gabriel and Grace stared at me confused,  I shrugged it off

I placed the finished painting in my closet with the others and walked over to my bed. Though before I could lay down my phone dinged.

I looked at the message and noticed it was a notification for a request on the dark web. I opened the request about investigating someone and stopped when I read the name.

I narrowed my eyes and clutched my phone before turning it off and throwing it onto the couch.

I climbed into bed and closed my eyes trying to ignore the request

'Why would someone want to investigate *———-*?"

Timeskip

It's finally Saturday and Aaron is going to be here in any second to pick up Alyssa

"Honey are you okay" Cecilia asked Alyssa 

"Okay, of course I'm okay. Why would I be nervous about this date. It's not like I have feelings for Aaron. Who is this Aaron anyway" Alyssa ranted

Cecilia and I just deadpanned at her reaction

'We didn't ask if you liked him,' Cecilia and I thought at the same time

*Ding*

Alyssa jumped at the sound and straightens her self out before walking out of the living room to the front door

For some reason I found amusement in Alyssa's actions

'They're kinda cute' I chuckled softly 

I was to focused on watching Alyssa making a foul out of herself in front of Aaron, that I didn't notice Cecilia's gaze on me

Cecilia was stunned by Jasmines chuckling, but then smiled fondly at the scene

"By mom, Jasmine. Have fun at the fashion show" Alyssa said her goodbyes and left the house

Aaron was about to leave but then he felt a chill run up his spine. He slowly turned around and found Cecilia and me staring him down with glares.

Cecilia used her hand to point to her eyes and then directed them back at him

'I'm watching you' Cecilia conveyed

Aaron chuckled nervously and said goodbye before quickly exiting

A few hours later Oliver showed up at the house with Amelia.

I rushed to her side and took her by the arm and dragged her over to the couch in the living room.

Cecilia and Oliver laughed at our interaction.

"Jasmine, don't drag the poor girl" Cecilia called

Amelia didn't say anything and sat arrogantly on the couch with a smirk and her legs crossed over one another.

"What are you wearing to the fashion show" Amelia asked looking down at me from the the corner of her eye 

I glanced down at what I'm currently wearing, which consisted of black sweatpants, fluffy bunny socks, and a red crop top

Amelia noticed what I was thinking and her face turned into shock

"You can't be serious. You can not wear that to a FASHION show for god's sake" Amelia said seemingly too shocked to say anything else

Oliver chuckled at his daughters dramatics

"Jasmine, why don't you try and wear something else for tonight" Cecilia said nicely to me

I look reluctant because I could just image the uncomfortableness

Cecilia has learned of my reluctance to wear pretty clothes and just smiled

"If you're worried about being uncomfortable, don't be. There are plenty of soft and comfortable pieces of clothes that will fit with the rest of the people in the fashion show." 

I was still silent

"Please, I know you don't like it and I don't want to force you, but it would be respectful if you at least wore dress pants and a nice top" Cecilia pulled the guilty card

I narrowed my eyes knowing what she's trying to do, but she simply just returned my stare with a smile

My cheeks puffed out unknowingly causing Amelia to blush from beside me

"Fin-" before I could finish talking Cecilia called for Kiki and she randomly appeared beside me with an evil glare

"Kiki, would you help Jasmine get ready, and don't push her to wear anything she doesn't want to. Dress pants and a nice top will do. If they have a problem with my daughter there then I can just kick them out" , Cecilia said with a smirk, " After all I'm one of the people running it"

"Yes ma'am" Kiki beckoned me to follow her

I begrudgingly got up and even though I don't want to dress up, knowing Cecilia considered my feelings in this made my heart feel warm

Later that day we arrived at the venue for the show and stepped out of the limo. Cameras flashed violently to take pictures of Cecilia Black and the Hales.

'Wow that looks intense' I thought crouching on a tree branch behind the crowd watching everyone, ' So glad Cecilia said I could sneak in from the back. Ugh, attention. It makes my skin crawl'

Another limo pulled up behind ours and I was about to leave when I heard the name Vale's 

I turned around and saw Grace in a stunning green dress with her arm around Gabriel's.

I stared at Gabriel in his suit for a minute before I couldn't see him anymore as he entered the building.

I shook my head from the weird feeling and snuck inside from the second story balcony.

I looked at everyone from above and didn't spot Jack, Madelyn, or the twins.

'Good' I thought and smirked

I glanced back down again and I stopped all of a sudden, and smirked after watching

'Hm' I thought as I rested my head in my palms, 'this will be fun'

…..

"Oh! I'm sorry" Two different people said at the same time from different sides of the room

"Hmph, I guess it's fine" Amelia said to the girl in front of her

"Oh, no. It's fine, are you alright?" Grace smiled up at the guy in front of her