𝗔𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝘂𝘁

Chapter 22

February 28th, 2022

3RD PERSON

"Hey Sasha."
"Hey." Sasha looked up at Jaden who just walked into her store.

"Is your shift over?"
"No, actually I'm supposed to start it in few minutes."
"Good, Serenity, would you mind Sasha going out to me for few moments?"
"No, of course. Go ahead."

Sasha walked out of the shop, putting her jacket on as Jaden opened doors for her.

"What's up?" Sasha asked as she crossed her arms over her chest, feeling a bit cold.

"Don't pretend like you don't know what I want to talk about. Tomorrow, judge is finally moving away."
"Good for him."
"Sash, c'mon, you should be at least a little excited."
"Why?"
"Because soon you're gonna get rid of Joseph."
"Jaden, I don't want to be mean, but you're kinda getting too much into my and my kids' home life." Sasha knew that every time she tries to push him away and stop him from helping her kids, deep down she doesn't want it to happen. Just like this time too.

"Are you kidding me? C'mon, don't be ridiculous now. We both know you told me all of that just as a scream for help. Because you didn't share it with anyone, just the people that you trust. And with your trust, I know you want me to help you. You're just too scared to admit you need my help. Help from male." Jaden stated the truth, his voice still very calm.

"Jaden, I need you to stop all of this bullshit." Please don't, "Scream for help? What are you even on?" I can't confirm it, "You really need to mind your own business." Please don't. I need your help.

Sasha was saying complete opposite from what she thought. Everything that Jaden would say if 100% right, but she couldn't just ask him to literally risk his life for her and her kids. But deep down she was praying he wouldn't leave them alone.

"You really don't need my help?"
"No."
"Really? Tell me you're 100% sure that you don't want me to help you out."
"I'm 100% sure I don't want you to help me out."
"Okay." Jaden nodded his head, turning around and leaving to his car.

Sasha let out a big sigh. She thought she lost all of the hope now, just because she couldn't let him risk everything.

"What was that?"
"Please don't ask." Sasha sighed, taking off her jacket at getting back to work.

"Jaden and you have been talking alone for a bit now, huh? What's up with that?" Serenity asked, taking a sip of her coffee.

"He just can't give up on getting Joseph in jail. He said judge is retiring and moving to Michigan and then Jimmy and Jason are going down. And he doesn't plan on giving up."
"Those are great news."
"T-"
"Look, man is trying to help you to finally get better life for your kids, if you don't want it for yourself. Why can't you just embrace that fact? Let him help you. Fuck that manipulative shit that Joseph does. You deserve to be free. Did Jaden tell you his plan?"
"No, I didn't let him."
"Then let him tell you what he has to say. C'mon, give him a chance to help you."

——

"Hi lovely, what are you doing here?" Linda smiled at Jaden as she saw him walk onto the floor she was in.

"Oh, I wouldn't miss you packing your stuff and moving them to different office." Jaden teased as Linda wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I'm almost done packing everything. Is everything alright, you seem little tense?" Linda narrowed her eyebrows as her hand played with the hair on the back of Jaden's neck. She knew it calms him down and relaxes him.

"Yeah, I just had a talk with that woman I'm trying to help."
"Oh. What did she say?"
"Nothing. Again denying my help."
"But you're not planning onto giving up."
"No, not really. But, I got you latte." Smiled peaked on Jaden's face as he lifted up his hand.
"Aww, that's so sweet. Thank you."
"Of course. Do you need any help with these?" Jaden looked at all the boxes and stuff around Linda's office.

"No, not really. I'm not hurrying anywhere."
"Okay, if you say so."

"Hey, about the dinner tonight. Uh, I actually have to decline it." Linda said, signs of guilt filling her voice.

"Why, what happened?"
"My mom is bringing my brothers kids for a night. She'll stay over with them and then tomorrow they're going back home."
"Oh. It's okay."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, it's fine."
"Okay, but as apologize I'm cooking us next dinner."
"Oop, okay. I'll hold you onto that."

Linda smiled as she looked at Jaden after taking a sip of her drink.

"Linda, it's- Oh, I'm sorry." Jaden turned around, only to be met with very familiar face.

"Oh, hi. Judge, this is Jaden, close friend of mine. Jaden, this is judge Gordon."
"Pleasure to meet you." Jaden said as he shook his hand, putting a smile on his face. It was not a genuine 'nice to meet you smile', it was more like a little evil smile when he remembered his plan.

"You too. I'll leave you two alone to it, we'll talk later."
"No, no. I was just leaving. I'll see you later Linda." Jaden nodded his head at Linda, leaving past Gordon and exiting the building.

Jaden couldn't stand the man that was in front of him. He wanted to spit in man's face, but instead shook his hand.

That's what made Jaden a better person than most of people around him. Even when he couldn't stand someone, he'd be very polite and mature.

Some would say he is just a fake person, but he's actually only being smart and very well thought.

"Let's go Astor." Jaden went on a little run around the block with his dog. Kids were in school, and he had quite a bit of time until they are home.

"Jaden?"
"Hey Mads, 'sup?"
"Are you okay? You sound out of breath?"
"Oh, I'm on run with Astor. What's up?"
"You won't believe what happened."
"What?" Jaden said as he stopped running completely, resting his hand on his knee and breathing heavily.

"Jason has just gotten into car accident. His car flipped over when he drove into someone."
"Jesus, is he alive?"
"They're taking him to hospital, I'm currently driving to the scene."
"Damn. Call me and inform me about everything."
"I will. Okay, talk to you later."
"Bye." Jaden shook his head, before continuing his run.

"Whoosh, we were good Astor. Good boy." Jaden took Astor's treat and gave it to him before going to his room to take a shower.

He stripped down and turned on his shower, before stepping inside.

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