Chapter 21
Yasmine gave her head a firm shake.
Alaric, all cool and collected, raised an eyebrow. “What’s the hold–up”
Got nothing to trade here,” she said, flashing her empty pockets.
Alaric had to admit, Yasmine was a refreshing change from his sister, who seemed to get her kicks
ks from causing chaos., Yasmine, on the other hand, had her wits about her..
With a teasing grin, Alaric suggested. “You’ve got something I want. How about that gift you were saving for Xavier?”
The wary look returned to Yasmine’s face, and she shook her head even more firmly. “Not happening.
Alaric stood up, a playful challenge in his tone. “Alright then. Come to me if you change your mind.”
“I won’t” Yasmine insisted, her voice all innocence and determination.
Alaric clipped the mic back on. “Time to hit the books”
Yasmine shot him a look that said he was the one who was out of touch. “It’s Saturday. School’s not happening”
Alaric was momentarily at a loss for words
After freshening up and tending to the animals, Yasmine steamed some buns. Instead of handing them over to Alaric, she asked, “The crew gonna feed you?”
“The production crew? Nah, he replied.
“If I don’t share, you’ll be starving, right?” she pressed.
“Bingo,” he confirmed.
With a resigned sigh, Yasmine handed him the buns, looking like she was betraying Xavier.
Alaric, on the other hand, found her expression hilarious. It was a refreshing change from the predictable thrill of a perfect test score. The usual tasks he dealt with had become just that–usual. Remembering the mushrooms Yasmine had picked, he asked, “Heading to town to sell those mushrooms?”
“Nope, not going to town, she replied.
“Why not?” he asked.
“Xavier hasn’t recovered, she explained.
“Was he supposed to take you to town?” Alaric paused, then continued, “No biggie. I’ll fill in.”
Before Yasmine could argue, Alaric scooped her up and headed out, approaching the production crew with a clear intention. “Yasmine and I are taking a trip to town to sell mushrooms.”
The crew was taken aback, impressed by the generosity of the boys. They couldn’t see what needed fixing in either of them.
Yasmine tugred at Alaric’s sleeve and whispered, “I don’t want to go. To her, Alaric was still a stranger.
Ignoring her. Alaric proposed to the crew, “How about I trade some points for this?”
The crew had no choice but to agree. “Alright, off to town it is”
Alaric inquired further. “Where’s Xavier recovering”
The crew hesitated. “You mean-”
We’ll make a pit stop to see him,” Alaric stated, turning to Yasmine. “You don’t want to see Xavier?”
10:08 AM c
Chapter 21
Yasmine’s eyes lit up with excitement. “I do!”
Pleased, Alaric said, “Then let’s roll”
not into the
“Wait.” Yasmine wriggled out of Alaric’s hold, dashed back into the house, and returned with something in her pocket. They got car, and Alaric secured her seatbelt and closed the door.
Yasmine’s eyes widened in realization. The mushrooms! We left the mushrooms behind!”
I the bask
The crew, amused, fetched the basket for them.
[Oh man, Alaric is really laying it on thick, trying to get a rise out of Xavier, isn’t he?l
[I saw the car logo–it’s a Maybach. Who would drive a luxury car to sell mushrooms?]
The crew found the situation surreal. Alaric selling mushrooms was one thing, but they also had to be ready for a potential showdown between the two in the hospital room.
As the car started. Jessica received a call from her father, informing her that Alaric was protecting Yasmine and wouldn’t leave.
Jessica was seething, but she had no idea what was coming next was even more explosive.
Jessica
The luxurious Maybach business car rolled into the small town, drawing the attention of the locals.
“A lot of wealthy people have been coming around lately.
“Yeah, did you hear? Someone bought out half of the mall yesterday
“Wow, what a spendthrift.”
The locals craned their necks to get a better look, chattering about the fancy car and the folks who might be inside.
The car door opened, and Alaric stepped out first.
“He definitely looks wealthy!” one of them exclaimed.
“He reminds me of that celebrity,” another echoed.
The crowd’s cheers grew louder, with some people snapping photos with their phones.
Alaric paused, turned, and extended his hand to help Yasmine out of the car.
“I can get out by myself, Yasmine said, trying to be independent.
Alaric raised an eyebrow. “Can you unfasten the seatbelt?”
Yasmine was stumped. She could only stare back at him, wide–eyed.
Alaric leaned in to unfasten her seatbelt and lifted her out of the car. Yasmine didn’t protest further.
“Check out the adorable kid over there, are they related?” someone mused.
“Their outfits are totally off, another observed.
“Like you’d know anything about style, a third person said acidly,
The crowd
all abouzz, eyes wide with disbelief, as Alaric set up a stall and announced, “Mushrooms for sale!“ it was a scene that didn’t qupe fit with the luxury car parked nearby.
What’s this all about?” one asked.
“Dude selling mushrooms from a luxury car another one chuckled, clearly entertained.
i staff member just shook his head, grumbling. “Told you it wouldn’t fly. But Mr. Kendrick’s got a one–track mind”
Despite the gathering crowd, sales were slower than a sail on a cold day.
10:00 am ↑ ₫
Chapter 21
Yasmine glanced at Alaric, who, for the first time, owned up to his mistake with a sigh. “Guess I messed up. But I’m on it.”
Yasmine, with a barely–there sigh, sized up the group and made her move. She sauntered over to an elderly lady, her eyes wide with hope “Ma’am, how about some mushrooms for your soup? They’re tasty.”
The lady found Yasmine adorable, her face creasing into a smile as she asked gently, “Why are you and your brother selling mushrooms?”
Yasmine held her tongue about the brother thing. Playing the part, she let her eyes go all droopy, her cute face taking on a look of pure misery. “Taccidentally broke my brother’s stuff, and we’re selling mushrooms to fix it, she replied, her voice just a touch too innocent.
The audience had a mix of responses to this moment. [Yasmine’s a sly one, for sure. She’s tricking that lady.]
This is considered tricking? Seriously?]
The old lady chuckled, clearly smitten. “What a gem you are. Il take some for my grandkid. I wish he was as nice as you. That beat never even says sorry for breaking stuff.”
And with that. Yasmine scored her first sale.
They can’t do without Yasmine:]
[She’s basically the family’s breadwinner with these mushrooms.]
Yasmine had one of those faces that could melt hearts. If she were up for grabs, there’d be a whole line of people wanting to take her
home.
As the lady left, others, won over by Yasmine’s charm, started digging into their pockets
“Ma’am, it’s just a buck. Yasmine offered, her hands outstretched, her palms telling tales of toil.
Alaric stepped in, his tone brooking no argument. “You can’t sell them at that price,” he said, gesturing to the pile. “They’re w bucks a pound. I’ll get us a scale. His authoritative air commanded respect, and Yasmine fell in line.
worth thirty
The onlookers watched the price hike unfold, but instead of scoffing, they let out a few chuckles. “You’ve got to watch your brother’s moves, kiddo. If you keep selling like that, you’ll be in the red in no time,” one of them teased.
Looking sharp and dressed to impress, Alaric easily borrowed a scale from someone nearby. With that, Alaric and Yasmine worked in tandem, one bagging the mushrooms, the other weighing and collecting money.
The production crew raised their eyebrows in unison. They’ve got this,” one remarked.
The crowd was mostly curious, and the expensive mushrooms weren’t selling. Sull, Alaric refused to lower the
prices.
Yasmine took a moment, then approached a briefcase–toting man on the edge of the crowd. ‘Sir, care to check out this mushroom?” she asked hopefully.
He seemed ready to decline, but she quickly changed tactics. “It’s on the pricier side, though. Maybe this one’s more your speed? It’s cheaper and stir–fries up great with just a bit of oil,”
Intrigued, the man inquired, “How much does it cost?”
Yasmine’s voice wavered slightly as she relayed Alaric’s set price. “It’s 100 bucks a pound.”
With the crowd’s eyes on him, the man pressed his lips together, then gave in with a nod. “Alright, weigh me out some.”
The moment the mentioned the high price, the man actually went for it. That’s impressive |
As the first person to grab the high–priced goods with everyone watching, he must have loved all those surprised looks.
Who knew this little girl was a natural at selling stuff?]
Then Evan Luther, a portly man in a sharp suit muscled his way through the throng. “Got any pricier mushrooms?” he asked, already fishing out his wallet. “If they’re top notch, I’ll take them all for gifts.”
Yasmine s eyes lit up as Evan grabbed their most expensive mushrooms. He hung around for a bit, giving Alaric a thoughtful look
Chapter 21
다
before strolling away with his purchase.
Alaric had a feeling he was being scoped out. As he handed off the empty basket to the crew, he was about to leave with Yasmine when Evan dashed after them, his voice shaky. Hello, are you Mr. Ted Kendrick’s kid!”
Alaric was thrown by the recognition in this one–horse town. He didn’t bite on the question, instead asking “What do you want?”
Evan fumbled, his hands rubbing together nervously. 1. uh… I’m looking to maybe chat about a deal.
Alaric sized up Evan’s get–up. He figured Evan’s pitch was nothing huge, but he had to give it to Evan for having the balls to come at him straight,
“Can’t help you. We’re swamped” Alaric dismissed him, rolling up the car window. Yasmine, though, gave Evan an extra once–over.
Evan’s eyes lit up with a new plan. As he watched them leave, he quickly pulled out his phone and searched for the show involving Alaric. Seeing Yasmine with Alaric, Evan realized she must be somebody important. He made a mental note to get to her next time around.
In the car, Yasmine was bouncing off the walls. “Let’s count the cash!”
Alaric quirked an eyebrow, “Can you handle that?”
Alaric
Yasmine nodded enthusiastically.
Alaric let out a light laugh, feeling a tiny bit let down. He’d been looking forward to Yasmine asking him to help with the counting
Once Yasmine finished counting, they pulled up to the hospital. She quickly stuffed the money into her bag, jumped out, and ran inside. She asked around for the production crew and found Xavier’s ward. Pausing outside the door, she gently pushed it open.
“Xavier, we got this for you,” Jessica murmured by the bedside.
Yasmine froze, thinking Jessica was Xavier’s own sister.
Xavier’s gaze flicked over, and for a second, he second–guessed what he was seeing. But his reflexes kicked in before his thoughts could catch up. He was off the bed in a flash
Jessica was puzzled. “Xavier, what’s going on?”
Xavier closed the distance in a few strides, lifting Yasmine. “What are you doing here?” he asked, a hint of surprise in his tone.
Yasmine was at a loss, so she just pulled out a piece of candy from her pocket and handed it over. “Here, for you”
Xavier glanced down at the candy, a bit melty and wrapped in a not–so–pretty wrapper. He remembered her telling him how she could exchange her star stickers for this candy and then sell it to make some spare change. But this time, she’d kept it for him.
Xavier took the candy, clutching it in his palm. This is awesome,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.
Johnny, hanging back, raised an eyebrow. It hit him now why Yasmine had such a knack for winning over his son–she had Xavier all figured out.
Jessica was frozen in surprise, her thoughts racing at Yasmine’s unexpected appearance. But in the midst of the chaos, Jessica’s confusion didn’t catch anyone’s attention.
Xavier played with the candy, rolling it between his fingers as he softly asked, “How’d you end up here? Did the crew bring you?” He was silently impressed by the crew’s consideration.
But then a voice from the hallway cut through the moment. Alaric walked towards them, saying. “Tim the one who brought her.
“Damn it” Xavier muttered, quickly shutting the door before Alaric got in and lifting Yasmine back up. “Let’s get away from that sourpuss” he said with a straight face
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