Chapter 24
The production crew, not wanting Alaric to linger in the town, showed up
at the
crack of dawn, knocking on doors.
Alaric was ready to roll, sliding into his Maybach to scoop Yasmine from the hospital.
She’d slept so soundly on that comfy hospital bed that she didn’t budge until the crew’s: and swaddled in a thin blanket, she looked like a little doll just coming to life.
Xavier, not a morning person, frowned at the crew. “What’s the rush?” he grumbled.
noisy arrival. When she finally sat up, all groggy
“Apart from her grandpa, she’s got the animals to tend to back home, the crew explained.
“Why can’t you feed them?” Xavier challenged
“We’re not good at it, they admitted
“Can’t even handle that? Xavier’s brow furrowed. “Not even as capable as a kid?”
The crew was left without a response. They had to admit that Yasmine, despite her young age, was more reliable than the adults around her. It was clear that she was indispensable at home.
Wait, Yasmine needs to wash up and brush her teeth,” Xavier finally conceded, thinking his wound would heal quickly and he’d soon be back on top, outshining Alaric
While Yasmine quickly freshened up, Xavier took his sweet time styling her ponytail to perfection.
“It’s a bit off–center,” he admitted, not quite satisfied with his handiwork
“But we’re running out of time.” a staff member interjected, growing increasingly anxious.
“Alright, you may go, Xavier gave in, his irritation fading into a smile as he told Yasmine, “Wait for me to get back
Yasmine nodded and left the room. Alaric was in the hallway, receiving thanks from the crew for his understanding.
If Alaric had shown up to take Yasmine away himself, it would have definitely set Xavier off. But with Alaric waiting outside, Xavier was easier to deal with.
The Maybach started up and pulled away from Winter County Hospital. Inside, Yasmine pulled out some crumpled bills to give to Alaric. He raised an eyebrow at the sight of the worn–out money. “You should keep it,” he suggested.
“No, I want you to have it, Yasmine insisted, pushing the money into his hand. “So you can buy your own meals later.”
Alaric was taken aback, realizing Yasmine was setting boundaries. It’s quite hard to get close to her, he sighed inwardly.
As they neared Lexcrity, someone at the entrance flagged them down, shouting for Yasmine.
“Someone’s calling me,” Yasmine said, pressing her face against the window,
Alaric rolled down the window, and Yasmine turned to him, whispering a soft, “Thank you.”
The driver slowed down, and the person who had flagged them down rushed over. Yasmine, your grandpa needs you to go t grandaunt’s house right away.”
“What for?” Alaric asked.
to your
The person hesitated, glancing at Alaric before saying. Your grandpa said there’s something you need to pick up. It’s… something that belonged to your mom.
“My mom’s things?” Yasmine’s eyes sparkled at the mention of her mom’s things. “Okay, I’m going” she agreed eagerly.
Alaric grabbed Yasmine’s arm, asking. “Which house are you going to?” That person’s accent was heavy, and Alaric hadn’t quite caught
his words
“My grandaunt’s house,” Yasmine replied.
1/3
10:00 AM
Chapter 21
“How far is it?” Alaric pressed.
Yasmine did a quick count on her fingers. “It’s a four–hour hike,” she said,
Alaric looked at her thin frame skeptically. “A four–hour walk?”
Yep, Yasmine nodded, looking at him hopefully. “I need to get out. Can you help me with the door?” She wasn’t familiar with car doors or seatbelts
Instead of helping, Alaric told the driver. Take her there.”
The driver was about to agree when the person in the passenger seat stopped him. The show needed drama; they couldn’t do everything for the participants.
Alaric noticed their hesitation and said, “I’ll trade my points for it.”
The staff member turned and chuckled. “You’ve used up all your points.”
Alaric had only been there for a couple of days, so it was no surprise he was out of points. After a moment of thought, he opened the door for Yasmine himself.
The staff member asked. “Mr. Kendrick, aren’t you going with her?”
Tm heading back to earn some points, Alaric replied, ready to get back to the gaine.
Yasmine hopped out of the car and headed downs a different path, her figure shrinking to a tiny dot as she walked away. The viewers couldn’t help but express their sympathy.
[Walking for over four hours? Just thinking about it makes any legs achell
Yasmine’s actually pretty pitiable.)
[She’s even splitting the money with Alaric. She’s such a nice person.]
Shouldn’t the cameraman follow her?]
The question made everyone recall that the spotlight was supposed to be on Xavier and Jessica, with Alaric sort of forced into the mix. As for Yasmine? She was just pulled into this whole thing by Xavier
Waiting for Yasmine to come back]
Me too. It’s pretty interesting to see Alaric get put in his place by her.]
The show was shifting gears, and the director, Danny, keeping an eye on the online chatter, thought, IfTd known this would happen, why bother changing the cast? But this unexpected twist is giving the show a freshyibe
The assistant director, Werner Jordan, leaned in and whispered, “Should we let the cameraman follow her?”
Danny waved him off, “Let the viewers worry about Yasmine for a bit. It’s fine.”
Werner hesitated, then asked, “Those rumors about Yasmine before… Could they be fake?”
Danny nodded, “Possible, but it’s not our problem”
“If Xavier wants to clear Yasmine’s name later… Werner paused, his eyes liglating up. That would make for some great TVI
Danny smiled and nodded again, and Werner, impressed, clicked his tongue. “You’re the expert here, Werner exclaimed, dropping the subject of Yasmine after that
Yastane had walked quite a distance before realizing she forgot to ask someone to feed the chickens and pigs, but she didn’t worry abeout it, thanking the animals could skip one meal, and she’d be home before it got dark.
Picking up her pace, she continued down the dirt road to Freya’s house, her shoes and clothes splattered with mud by the time she
She cautiously pushed open the large iron gate and stepped into the yard. The concrete pavement made her hesitate; she didn’t want to
Chapter 24
anger Freya and risk losing her mother’s things…
“Yasmine, you’re here. Freya greeted her warmly, coming out to take her hand. “Come on, let’s go inside and talk.”
Yasmine followed her in, only to find the lights off.
Freya closed the door and found the light cord on the wall. With a pull, the bright light flooded the room, momentarily blinding Yasmine. She instinctively shut her eyes, then opened them again to see who was sitting in the living room
Her heart raced, and she tried to back away, but Freya caught her, lifting her up so her legs dangled in the air. No matter how hard she struggled, she couldn’t escape.
“Why are you running, kid?” Freya said with a smile. “It’s been a while since you last saw your uncle and his family.”
Vasmine remembered her distant uncle, Devin Leach, visiting every New Year’s Day. With a smile, he’d pat her head, hand her a gift, and say, “Why don’t you come live a good life with my family?” At the time, she didn’t quite grasp what he was getting at..
Later, the local kids would tease her, surrounding her and laughing. “Oh! Oh! Yasmine’s grandpa is going to sell her for money! She’s going to be a wife for a cripple!”,
Frightened by their words, Yasmine had told her teacher about that.
The following day, Devin returned, his face a mask of rage. Your teacher is here to teach for a while, got it? They’re gone after two years. Let me tell you, nobody’s going to protect you forever?
After his harsh words, he slapped her so fiercely that her ears rang and blood dripped from her nose.
She had stood there calling for her grandpa, who was leaning on the doorframe, puffing on his pipe. He had sighed, Yasmine, it’s not easy for Grandpa to raise you alone.”
Eventually, it became little Yasmine who took care of her grandpa. Her uncle never showed up again, and she almost forgot about him-
until now.
The memory of that slap came rushing back, and Yasmine’s head started buzzing again. She clenched her fists and said, “I want to go home.”
Devin got up, walked over, and took her from Freya’s arms, smiling with narrowed eyes, looking like a kind elder at first glance. “Go home? Come live in the city with me. The car is right outside,” he said.
Yasmine fought to keep her composure. “I want to go home! If I don’t go home, someone will come looking for me.”
Ө
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