Chapter 20
Yasmine has prepared my sleeping spot. You’ll need to find another place to rest.]
I hope you’re not naive enough to trust Yasmine’s grandfather. Don’t allow that old man to manipulate her.]
[Keep your distance from Yasmine. You don’t want to infect her with your negative energy l
[I’ll be back before long.l
Xavier’s texts were flooding in, each one more desperate than the last.
Alaric swiped left, deleting them all without a second glance. He was starting to think Xavier’s absence might be a good thing
Danny, after getting the phone from Alaric, raised an eyebrow. “That’s it? You’re not responding
oth
Alaric shrugged off the director’s surprised look with a casual, “Nope, not hitting reply,” and strolled off.
The night before, Alaric had opted for a different spot to crash, not really feeling the close quarters with a kid he didn’t know. But tonight, he was all about claiming Xavier’s turf.
Yasmine saw him going for the blanket and leaped in, clutching it for dear life. Those are Xavier’s. Keep your hands off, she warned, her voice uny but fierce as hell
LAww, that really gets to me.]
[Alaric looks sort of scary.]
Alaric had to give her props for her loyalty. “You aware it’s gonna get frosty tonight?” he asked, squatting down to her level.
Seeing Yasmine shake her head, he continued, “I checked the weather–it’s going to plummet to 46 degrees. I can’t sleep outside like did last night: I’d freeze solid.” He gave Yasmine a look that was half–joking, half–serious. “You wouldn’t want me to freeze, would you?”
Yasmine slowly released her grip, clearly tom. “Fine, she finally gave in, “but swear you won’t mess with Xavier’s bed.”
Alaric realized why Xavier was so protective of Yasmine. She was both strong and gentle, with an innocence that the world hadn’t touched
Once they’d wrapped up their bedtime rituals, Alaric flopped onto the hard ground, staring up at the ceiling. I checked out some of the show before I hooked up.” he said, trying to start a conversation.
Yasmine perked up at the sound of
of his voice, but she remained silent.
Alaric kept going, unfazed. “Heard you singing to Xavier.”
Yasmine got wary. She wasn’t about to sing for him.
“It was A Song for Mama! Do you miss your mom?” he probed.
Xavier never asked such personal questions. He might have been brash and quick–tempered, but he had a softer side. Alaric, on the other hand, seemed chill on the surface, but his quiet persistence was kind of pushy, like he’d step all over others‘ feelings to get what he
wanted.
Yasmine stayed mum, but Alaric wasn’t about to let it lie. “You don’t miss her! I figured you’d miss her something fierce when you see other kids with their folks after school.”
Damn, Alaric’s words are so harsh.]
INo wonder he clashes with Xavier]
Yumine rolled over, her voice muffled by the blanket. I don’t need to m warmth of the sun, and the breath of the wind. I see her every day”
miss her. Mom said she’d turn into the dew on the grass, the
[That’s really heartwarming |
TO OBAM
Chapter 201
Yasmine’s mom must have been a very gentle person.]
I guess she’s also cultured. You
scan’t
stuff like that unless you are.]
Wonder if she’s local Judging by Yasmine’s looks, her mom must have been a beauty too. How did she end poor place!]
The viewers were filled with empathy and admiration for Yasmine’s mom.
Alaric kept at it, chueless to the emotional beatdown his words were laying on her. “What about your dad?”
up
marrying into such a
Yasmine’s voice hardened. “No!” She was definite about it, making it clear she wasn’t missing him one little bit.
“So you’re not hoping he’ll show up again?” he pressed.
Yasmine’s face, bathed in the soft moonlight, glistened with tears. She pulled the blanket down and with a strength that didn’t match her years, she said, “No”
Alaric changed the subject. “Your mom taught you the standard Clusian, yeah?”
Yasmine gave a nod, her voice barely a whisper. “Yeah.”
Was
she city–bred?” he asked
“Don’t know,” Yasmine replied, her gaze dropping.
(Is he seriously playing the concerned family member card, digging for info like that?) someone guessed.
Alaric didn’t press the issue. He had a nagging sensation that Yasmine just didn’t fit in this setting. It was like watching a clown at a funeral–out of place and jarring
The sun was just starting to rise, casting long shadows across the ground. The chirping of birds was usually a pleasant sound, but to Alaric, it was like listening to a broken record.
He stepped outside and found a man in his late forties sneaking around, acting shifty as hell.
“Late to the party, aren’t you?” Alaric said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. The loot’s long gone.”
Andrew nearly jumped out of his skin at the sound of Alaric’s voice. He spun around, eyes wide with surprise. “I, uh, I’m Andrew Leach, the leader here, he stammered, clearly not expecting to be caught.
Alaric gave him a quick up and down. “Oh, really? Here for some charity work?”
Andrew fumbled for words. “No, no. I’m actually here to see you. My granddaughter Jessica, she’s the one who’s been sent to the city for the show.”
Alaric raised an eyebrow, skepticism dripping from his voice. “Never heard of her” Alaric thought it was kind of ridiculous how this unexpected visitor acted like they were acquaintances. With Alaric’s famous family, people usually knew who he was, not the other way around
Andrew looked taken aback by Alaric’s cool demeanor. He stammered, “But… but you’re supposed to come to my house for the recording according to the show’s rules.”
“Rules, huh?” Alaric called out to the director. “Danny, you got any rules like that?”
Danny hurried over, looking a bit lost, “Well, there are… or there aren’t?”
Alaric gave him a pointed look. “You’re asking me?”
Danny quickly corrected himself. “Nope, no such rules”
Andrew looked like he’d been hit with a wet fish. “How could you Andrew sputtered, clearly flustered. “Xavier didn’t play by this rule, and now you’re not either?
Alaric shrugged, nonchalant. “TI Xavier didn’t do it, why should I?”
TOOS AM
Chapter 20
Danny stepped in, trying to smooth things over. “Right, right. You should head out.”
Hit Andrew wasn’t having it. He’d just missed out on one golden opportunity and wasn’t about to lose another. “You don’t know how rough it is here. My place is way better. Comfortable beds, hot water, and we’ve got internet,”
Alaric looked at hun sideways, his tone flat as he asked, “Lexcrity’s broke as a joke, and you’re living the high life? You embezzle funds?”
Andrew’s face went from pale to red in a flash. T… I didn’t! It’s just my son… He’s got a job in town…
“Alright, alright, that’s enough, Danny cut in, giving Andrew a gentle nudge to the side and dropping his voice. “Don’t play dumb. I’ve got my eyes on you.”
Andrew’s face lost some color, but he tried to defend himself. “Play dumb? About what? I really don’t get it.”
The director snorted and said, “Actually, I find Yasmine to be quite likable” That got Andrew to zip it real quick.
Inside. Yasmine was sitting up as Alaric came back in. “Who was it! Xavier’s back?”
Alaric shook his head, “Nope, it was the leader here”
Oh Her face fell as she replied.
joh
Alaric asked, “They give you a hard time?”
Yasmine looked at him, clueless, “Who?”
The leader’s family,” he replied.
Her silence spoke volumes, and he pressed, “Why so quiet? They put the squeeze on you?”
Yasmine whispered, “My grandpa listens to them. He says I should too.”
aric, nodding at the camera, took off his mic and camera, leaned in, and looked Yasmine in the eyes. He asked quietly, “Need me to set things right?” He added with a smirk, ‘I can handle it better than Xavier‘
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