Chapter 8: Bonding

Ceilia P.O.V

When my disgrace of a husband brought home his other family I wasn't even surprised. I knew before he even gave birth to his children. I could have broken off the marriage easily, but I let my daughter have a father. Though it seems it was meaningless because he barely spent time with her anyway.

When I met the other woman I knew right away that I would have to watch out. I'm more powerful than her, but I've learned over the years to not underestimate a scheming woman. Her eldest daughter also. She seems to have taken after her mother and father, which is a dangerous combo. I know my husband is not as stupid as he let's on. He's greedy, despicable, but most he's extremely cunning. He knows how to get things done.

I don't have to worry much about the second eldest. She doesn't have an ounce of manipulation in her body. I would say she is a puppet for her family if I didn't see how much Madelyn and Jack adore their three children. 

Then comes the youngest. I watched from the window when she exited the car by herself and received her own luggage. How she showed no love for her father when he arrived and how she acknowledged the servants. I don't know what to think of her, but when those dull and blank eyes met hers she felt something tug at her heart. How can someone so young have that look.

I ignored the feeling and left her alone when I realized she isn't like her family. Though I understood quickly what her family thought of her. Alyssa seemed to have realized the first part and wanted to help her be more confident and self loving.

Though she didn't realize that Jasmine has already started to grow on her own.

Jasmine P.O.V

"-the thorns are sharper than ever" I heard Ceilia say as I sat on the roof of the greenhouse

I felt her presence and decided to see what they were going to talk about. I guess I was right about William being more than what he seemed.

I sighed and looked up at the bright sky

'I'm gonna use her own words against her. She realized the first part of me growing on my own, but didn't dive deeper into the second part. The thorns may be sharp, but you won't bleed unless you mistreat it'

I jump down and walk along the stone path ahead of Cielia.

I stop near the small pond and watch the fish move about. I sense Ceilia come up next to me

"Jasmine, why don't you join me for some tea" She said looking at me 

She has a cold and noble look, but I can see the slight fondness in her eyes

I want to get back and paint, but the way she is looking at me is the way my mother used to.

I nodded and followed after her. We arrived at a lounge area beside the pool and a servant came to serve us. She glanced at me curiously and when I nodded a thanks for the tea her eyes lit up like finding out something is true.

Ceilia was watching this interaction and smiled.

I took a sip while keeping my eyes on her

'How could Alyssa not think her mom loved her. The book described her as cold but she shows a motherly side so easily. Was Alyssa extremely blind in her first life' I thought confused

"I heard from Alyssa that you like to paint" she started a conversation 

?

'The only way she would find out in that short amount of time would be if Alyssa texted her' I concluded

I nodded my head

"I would love to see one of your paintings" She hinted

I stared at her and was about to say no, but was interrupted by Alyssa come out

"Mom, Jasmine" She said happy that Jasmine is out of her room

Alyssa sat down between us

"Alyssa, how was the company" Ceilia seemed to have caught my rejection and moved onto Alyssa

"It was good, but I did run into an annoying bug" She said innocently 

.....

On the outside I was expressionless, but on the inside I was cracking up

'Hahaha ha, she called the ML a bug. I wonder if she said that to his face. I get the feeling she did though, and I wish I saw his face. Something I love is seeing entitled Jerks getting a smack down' I though calmly taking a sip of tea

Ceilia looked at her daughter in understanding. She probably had to deal with many annoying bugs in her lifetime.

"But I did find a little cutie" She said motioning a servant who brought a big, black, and fluffy dog

'Little' I deadpanned

The dog looked at Alyssa and Ceilia with a judgemental stare. The dog narrowed its eyes with a deadly glint.

I think I remember this. Alyssa found a dog on the street and wanted to bring it home, but the dog ignored her until she brought out food. Later on the dog lounged around the house and didn't listen to anyone and was later revealed that the dog was trained by the mafia as a killer dog. Blah, blah, blah stuff happened and the dog finally liked Alyssa.

I stared blankly at the dog and on instinct said,

"Cute" 

All three looked at me, two in surprise and the other is curiosity 

The dog padded over and sniffed me. Then laid down by my feet, feeling comfortable in my presence 

'Probably sensed how similar I am to the mafia. The dog has been around them for all its life' I thought stroking the dogs head and looked up

Alyssa and Ceilia are smiling at me

"If you like her then you can keep her" Ceilia said

"I'm surprised how fast she warmed up to you. The dog has been giving the cold shoulder to everyone" Alyssa scratched her cheek sheepishly 

"Give her a name" She said

I looked back at the big black dog

"Bear" I said getting up and going back to my room

'Sigh, I'm being rude. Whatever I just want to paint' I walked inside with Bear following me