Chapter 23
Xavier and Alaric were on the same page, w
which was weird to see.
Π
They both zeroed in on Jessica, who was doing her best to avoid Alaric’s stare. She turned to Yasmine, her face a mess of tears as she tried to apologize. “I don’t remember, but I’m really sorry. If it was me, I’m truly sorry”
Her voice shook as she went on, “And I went to talk to you earlier because my dad told me we’re on the same show. He said you’re having a tough time and asked me to look out for you if we crossed paths. We’re from the same place, right?”
[Jessica was crying her eyes out.]
[Yeah, being grilled by both Xavier and Alaric, she must have been scared stiff. She’s just a young girl, after all.)
Xavier snorted, about to tell Yasmine she didn’t have to forgive if she didn’t want to–she had every right. But Yasmine beat him to it saying to Jessica, “Oh, okay. But I don’t need you to look out for me, and I’m not playing with you.”
Jessica’s face dropped. Yasmine’s words hit harder than a straight I’m not forgiving you.” If Yasmine had kept picking on her, Jessica could have spun the story, making Yasmine look petty and unforgiving. But Yasmine made it sound like Jessica had a character flaw and wasn’t worth her time.
Xavier was pleased, playfully pinching Yasmine’s cheek. “Right, don’t play with others. Play with me.”
Alaric couldn’t help but steal a glance at Yasmine, curious about what her cheek felt like to pinch.
Johnny rubbed his temples, like he was watching a bad soap opera, and tipped the bodyguard a nod. The bodyguard got the message and approached Jessica, asking. “You wanna freshen up?”
Jessica managed a nod through her sobs, and as she left, she shot Yasmine a pleading look. “Yasmine, please don’t be mad at me, okay?”
No reply came from Yasmine, and Jessica left, looking even more devastated, clutching the bodyguard’s arm as she was guided out,
As the door swung shut behind Jessica, Xavier piped up. “Finally, some peace and quiet.
Johnny shook his head. “Boy, you’re harsh. She’s just a kid.”
Xavier pointed at Yasmine. “She’s a kid too. And isn’t she way cuter? More lovable?”
Johnny had nothing to say to that.
Alaric stepped in, all business. “It’s getting late. Yasmine should head home
Xavier perked up. “Late, huh? Well, then, no need to rush off. Yasmine can crash here tonight. No school tomorrow, right?”
Before Alaric could chime in, Yasmine shook her head. “My grandpa’s waiting for me.”
“Alaric can go back and take care of your grandpa, Xavier declared, taking charge of the situation..
Alaric replied dryly, Then he might not see the sunrise tomorrow.”
Xavier shot the crew a look, a silent understanding passing between them.
The crew hesitated “We take care of him? :
Xavier smiled. “You guys are all hearts. Good karma, right? So, this is all on you, guys,”
The crew exclunged looks, not sure how to play this.
Xavier a hospital room was a private suite, with a hospital bed and a cot. The cot had been gathering dust, but not tonight.
Xavier gestured to it. “Yasmine, you’re bunking here tonight”
[Will Alaric listen to Xavier‘]
Maybe he’ll just rough it on t
the
Chapter 21
Alaric, not one to suffer in silence as the viewers guessed, asked, “Mr. Sanchez, where have you been staying these days?”
“Sunnyside Hotel, Johnny replied. Despite some friction between the Sanchez and Kendrick families, Johnny maintained a polite façade when it came to the younger generation.
Till stay there too.” Alaric decided.
The staff looked surprised. “This… this isn’t quite appropriate, is it? We’re in the middle of filming…
“Or I can sleep in my car, if you’re not worried about me accidentally suffocating, Alaric offered, his tone light but firm.
The crew members struggled to keep a straight face. “Fine. You can just hit the hotel for the night. We’ll be back in Lexcrity by tomorrow. Cool with you?”
Alaric gave a quick nod, like they’d agreed on a game plan.
Xavier didn’t argue, which was a first. As long as Alaric wasn’t sticking to Yasmine like glue, he was down with whatever.
Alaric’s a handful, way more work than Xavier]
IXavier called him a sourpuss. That’s spot o
Xavier
Johnny had to get back to the grind: he couldn’t linger. As he headed out, Alaric was right behind him.
Jessica, figuring Yasmine wasn’t with Alaric, found her courage and approached him, her eyes pooling with tears. “Alaric, could you put in a good word for me with Yasmine?” she asked, her voice quivering.
Allaric looked at her, one eyebrow arched. “Who are you again? We tight? Didn’t you just seem pretty tight with Xavier?”
Jessica was taken aback, wondering if Alaric had some kind of possessive streak, like she wasn’t allowed to be friendly with anyone else.
Before she could think it through Alaric tossed out some sarcasm. “You’re trying to get in good with a lot of people, huh?”
Jessica paused, then said, “I don’t have a brother, so I look up to you guys. I just want to kick it with you”
Alaric’s tone was flat. “Kick it with us? Yasmine doesn’t even want to do that.”
Jessica bit her lip, wanting to tell him that she was not like Yasmine.
“Quit saying you see me as a brother. I’ve got a real sister, and if she saw you on TV, she’d be out for blood,” Alaric said, climbing into his Maybach and shutting the door right in Jessica’s face.
Jessica’s face contorted for a second. She knew about Alaric’s sister–she’d taken her own life overseas, a fact Jessica knew because she was living a second life. Hmph, who’s to say her life is any better than mine she thought to herself.
In the quieter part of the hospital, with someone looking after her grandpa, Yasmine wasn’t pushing to leave. She asked Xavier, “Is there someone looking after you?”
“Definitely. Why? You’re just a little one, and you want to look after me? Xavier chuckled.
Yasmine looked at him, concern in her eyes. “Does it still hurt?”
Xavier, melting a bit under her gaze, replied, “Haven’t hurt in a bit. After a brief pause, he asked, “Did Alaric mess with you?”
“Alaric“” Yasmine looked puzzled.
“Yeah, the one who just left. You don’t know his name?” he replied.
Yastnine shook her head, getting it now. “I didn’t play with him. But…….
“We sold mushrooms together today”
Xavier waved it off as hed heard about it
“No worries. So, did you sell them? If not, no biggie. I’ll take you to s
the next
Chapter 23
“I sold them all.” Yasmine interrupted.
Xavier paused, then asked. “How much did you get for them?”
331 bucks, she replied.
“Not too shabby, Xavier’s competitive side kicked in. “Next time, I’ll help you get even more.”
Yasmine nodded and said, “He helped me sell the mushrooms, so I should split the cash with him.”
Xavier gave a sour look. “Why split it with him?”
Yasmine pulled out her cloth bag, found a five–dollar bill, and handed it to Xavier. “Sharing with you too.”
Xavier’s mood lifted, holding the five dollars as if it were worth millions. He joked, “What’s this for? Gonna buy me some candy?”
Yasmine thought for a moment, then replied, “Buy something else. I can get candy by trading star stickers.”
Is she really thinking about trading her star stickers for candy for me? Xavier wondered.
He wasn’t really into candy, and he had no idea why Yasmine thought he liked it. But the thought of her wanting to get him candy made him feel all warm inside, like his heart was a balloon floating away.
He murmured. “Yasmine, what if you stop bringing me candy one day?”
Yasmine almost asked Xavier for his address, thinking she could send him letters after he left. But she held back, figuring he’d probably forget about her the moment he was gone.
screen. “We’re
“Let’s grab some takeout, Xavier said, his spirits lifting as he whipped out his phone and started tapping away at the scr gonna feast on something good tonight.”
Back in Lescrity, they were stuck with the basics, but now Xavier was on a mission to introduce Yasmine to the culinary delights she’d
been missing out on
The food came in no time, and soon their little hospital table was a mountain of deliciousness.
Xavier was all excited, showing off each dish. “Tried pineapple pie? What about a burger? And check out this milkshake. Oh, and the fried chicken. You’re gonna love all this,” he said, beaming as Yasmine’s eyes widened. Seeing her this stoked was the highlight of his day.
Xavier couldn’t help but think about how much more he could show her if they were in the city. The food scene in this small town was just too limited for his taste.
Yasmine was in food heaven, her belly full of flavors she’d never imagined. The world out there is incredible, she thought, rubbing her utisfied round belly.
“Okay, kiddo, time to get those teeth sparkling.” Xavier said, lifting Yasmine into his arms. He pulled up a small stool so she could reach the sink, and made sure she was balanced while she brushed and washed up. After she was all clean, he carefully set her back down.
In the gentle light, Yasmine’s eyelashes cast soft shadows on her cheeks as she thought about how nice it was to have someone take care of her. But then Yasmine recalled her mom’s warning about the dangers of getting too attached to the world’s comforts.
As she wiped her eyes, Yasmine repeated to herself in her mind. This is all just a dream.”
Meanwhile, bark in Lexcrity, the leader, Andrew, found himself at Yasmine’s house again, hoping to sway Barnaby, “Barnaby,” he called out his voice carrying a hint of desperation
Barnaby, not in the best of moods, responded with a gruff, “What now?”
Andrew leaned in, whispering urgently, but Harnaby’s face showed his reluctance. “No, I can’t do it,” Barnaby said, shaking his head.
Andrew’s frustration was palpable “200 bucks, and you’re still not interested? Your appetite has grown, Harnaby”
Barnaby scoffed. “The TV crew offered me 300 bucks, and that young man promised me anything I want in the future. His father’s
10.08 AM
Chapter 23
Andrew cursed under his breath and took a more aggressive stance. You can’t trust the words of some rich kid. He’s not coming back.”
Barnaby wavered, and Andrew seized the moment. “Look, you’ve had a tough time. Yasmine gave the TV crew’s money to Mandy, and you didn’t get a penny. Are you really cool with that? I’m offering you 2.000 dollars. It’s more than fair.”
“3.000 dollars, Barnaby countered.
“Think about it,” Andrew urged. “Once this is done, you’ll get tens of thousands more. My offer is just the start. You need to think big.”
After a moment of silence, Barnaby nodded, his decision made. “Alright, it’s a deal. That girl won’t be a problem for you anymore.”
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