Chapter 28: Mask

"Jasmine, are you ready to go?"

I turn around and face Ceilia

I hesitate before facing the exit again, ' hm, operation 2.0 phase one!'

"Be right back" I say and disappear into the leaving guests

Once I exited the building I slipped away to the side and scanned the crowd trying to spot the short brown haired girl. I saw her about to step into a taxi and groaned.

'Human interaction. You got this Jasmine, for Amelia' I appeared behind and tapped on her shoulder. She turned around confused but offered a polite smile when we made eye contact.

"Yes? Can I help you?"

I nodded

…

"Um, with what?" She grew more confused by the second as I kept quiet not really knowing what to say. I decided to just grab her hand and tug her back to the party. She grew alert and tried to tug away but my grip was too strong.

"Hey! Let me go!" She dug her heels into the ground

I decided to ignore her and made my way to Amelia who had her back to us.

"Hey are you listening to me! Let me go you short beautiful beauty, ugh god dammit Caramel, don't compliment in an insult" She swore silently to herself, my amusement increasing

'She's adorable' I thought

"Ameilia" I said to gain her attention as we reached her

She turned around with her normal arrogant smirk but faltered when she noticed the extra luggage I had. I finally let Caramel's hand go and patted Amelia's shoulder, gave a thumbs up, and ran away

'Yes! I did it! Go Jasmine go Jasmine. I should tell Grace that I talked to a random human' I hummed happily in my head

Amelia P.O.V.

"You" I looked down at the girl I couldn't stop thinking of

"You" She repeated annoyedly and rolled her eyes," Did you get your lackey or something to get me, you could've come to me yourself you know. It's called walking"

I narrowed my eyes annoyed, " She's not my lackey"

Caramel smirked at my annoyance, "Hm, sureeee. Did you need me for something or can I go?"

"Do whatever you want, its none of my business"

'Don't go' I thought hoping she wouldn't just leave, but to my disappoint she just huffed and turned back around

I felt something as I watched her walk away, and then a kick to the back of my leg knocked me on the ground.

"What the hell! Who the fuck did tha-" I growled and looked behind me to see Jasmine standing over me with complete stillness, sending a shiver down my spine for some reason

"Jasmine, What the hell was that for" I composed myself quickly as eyes started to look over here, and stood up dusting my clothes off

"Get her now"

"Huh? No" I was taken off guard by her commanding tone

"Do not let your pride prevent you from doing what you want"

"What are you talking about, and it's none of your business" I clenched my fists angered at what Jasmine said

'Who does she think she is to tell me this, she doesn't know me at all'

"Whatever" I scoffed and turned around, "Im leaving"

"Amelia"

I ignored her and kept walking, away from Caramel, away from Jasmine, and away from a someone who can help me

Jasmine P.O.V.

I watched as Amelia walked away with her normal raised chin, confident walk, and arrogant smirk

'Its a mask' I thought as she disappeared from view

I know a facade when I see it. Why is she hiding behind an arrogant face? Why is she hiding from me? Aren't we friends?

"Jasmine, we're leaving" Ceilia called me

I sighed and walked away

'You can't hide anything from me Amelia. I'll figure it out' I grinned

_________________________________


"Jasmine, do you know when Alyssa will be coming home?" Ceilia inquired

I shook my head and walked past her to the living room.

"Jasmine, I have to reschedule our morning walk tomorrow" Ceilia smiled beautifully

I titled my head confused

"Oliver wants to talk with me about some collab ideas, so we're going to talk over some coffee in the morning"

I smiled at her and mentally fist bumped Grace

'Mission successful'

All of a sudden a clatter from the kitchen made me tilt my head confused and I looked back to Ceilia for an answer

"Hm, did a maid drop a pan?"

We went into the kitchen to witness the room covered in flour,dough was attached to the wall slowly falling off, bowls everywhere and two unsuspecting people laying ontop of eachother on the floor. Both covered in flour, and sporting grins.

Alyssa was on her back with Aaron positioned above her, his arms caging her on the ground. There noses inches away from each other

Ceilia paled at the mess and the position her daughter was in

And me.... I bloomed the brightest smile...and everyone scattered away

"Jasmine! Mom! Your back. How was the fashion show?" Alyssa hurriedly fixed her appearance and slowly backed away from me with caution

"Mrs. Black" Aaron greeted politely with his business-like smile. He glanced at me warily and put his hand on Alyssa lower back for comfort but my gaze narrowed.

"Alyssa, what happened to the kitchen"

"Oh um, we were baking cookies" She smiled

"Cookies" I perked up and the tension in the room vanished

"We never got around to make them though" Alyssa looked at me apologetically as I slumped from sadness

'Not the cookies' I whined internally

"Well we'll leave you to" Ceilia smirked and grabbed my hand to lead me out of the room. I looked behind my shoulder and saw Alyssa and Aaron smiling at each other, and the look in their eyes made my heart light

'Im happy for you….sister'

Ameilia P.O.V.

"Is something wrong?" Dad asked me when we arrived home

"Nothing" I dismissed him and went to my room without a glance at him. Missing the hurt look in his eyes.

I entered my room and sat down at my dark wood desk in the corner,and opened up my laptop. I clicked on an anonymous website and logged into the messages to see a new notification. I gripped the mouse tightly and stared at the screen.

'Come on Amelia. You do what you have to to succeed. Just like mother said'

"Take anything that presents itself takable"

I pushed away all feelings I had and read the message.

R-Do you have the information

A-No, they haven't taken my offer

I bit my lip as I waited for them to reply and not long after they answered

R- Then make a larger offer

A- I don't have anymore money

R- Then find a way to get more, I don't care, sell your body if you have to, get that information
R logged off

I stood up and slammed my computer shut, tears threatened to fall from eyes

"Ahhh!" I slid my hands from one side of my desk to the other, throwing everything to the ground. I dropped to my knees and held my head in my hands as I breathed heavily. My shoulders shaking.

"I don't want to" I whispered over and over

"Jasmine I'm sorry" I cried to myself, "someone please help me"