One Wish

Prologue

Hey! Jessica half yelled. She followed by a look at the model who is frowning heading to the upper deck of the yacht where there are a few and its selected guests of hers, all of whom belong to high society. It was Leah's 26th birthday and the celebration was held at Jasmine's yacht.

When Leah disappeared from Jessica's sight, she looks at her sister on the other side of the upper deck looking at the ocean with wine in her hand. Jessica walks toward her sister where there are two couches and a table where a bottle of wine was on it.

Bad day for Leah, huh... Jessica said while sitting on the couch she then took a cigarette and gold lighter from the table. She was sure that the model left it. Jessica lit up the cigarette.

Did Mama and Papa know that you are smoking? You know it is bad for your heart, Jes. Jasmine said with her forehead furrowed while looking at the cigarette in her hand.

What was that all about? Shall I expect a reconciliation before we dock or another child of Eve made you cry? Jessica continued while puffing the cigarette and blowing the smoke heavenward. And when her sister tried to snatch the cigarette from her hand, she quickly lowered it into the ashtray and killed it.

You didn't answer me, Jazzy.

Jasmine combed her hair backward using her hands before answering. She wanted me to announce our engagement to the guests tonight.

I expected that, too. She is the longest relationship you have, three months if I am not mistaken. I know that Leah has already told everyone you talk about marriage. If I didn't know you better I would quite believe her. Jessica said with amusement.

One corner of Jasmine's mouth twisted in a sarcastic smile. Like other women I have met, Jes, it was too obvious that she wanted to marry me because of my money...

Stop being cynical, Jasmine. Jessica said while rolling her eyes at her sister. I can't even tell if you're arrogantly humble or you are underestimating the attraction you have to men and women.

Mmm... Arrogantly humble... Jasmine repeated. Isn't that a contradiction? She smiled. Talking about my attraction, money can attract more, my dear sister.

Jessica spent a few seconds before speaking again. You need a life partner... Like our cousins.

Jasmine emptied her wine and looked out over the vast and dark ocean. Then in a soft bitter voice, she says... I had enough betrayals to last me a lifetime.

It's been three years since that happened, Jasmine. Why don't you bury it in oblivion? Give yourself a chance, go to Leah and announce your engagement with her. You could've known that she only wants you for your money. Her family is from promi--

That the business was collapsing and needed my money to redeem. Jasmine said quickly in low voice.

So she also wants your money, you have more than enough, Jazzy. Your money will not be reduced just in case, and your reward will be happiness and a lifetime partner.

Well, I couldn't be so sure about that, too. Jasmine said while Jessica shook her head.

And that is the price you have to pay for having too much... Our family is not like other so-called families where marriage is arranged and sometimes one of the distant cousins ​​is chosen so that the wealth is kept in the family only. We are all allowed to marry the man or woman of our choice... Jessica said.

That's a big joke, Jessica! I am not allowed to marry the one that I choose. Jasmine said in a sarcastic tone. What about the tradition? That even the poor should come from a good and sensible family?

Is it that bad and difficult, Jazzy? Jessica asked softly.

And in my case, Papa didn't make the mistake of blocking me from wanting it to happen. Which made me look like a complete fool. Jasmine said angrily.

Shouldn't you thank Papa for objecting to your relationship with Miles? You have proven that she is not the right person for you...

When Jasmine didn't answer, she looked at her sister. She was 28, two years younger than her. So imposing and so gorgeous. Her black dress was blown away by the wind the same as her long and shiny hair. And her sister wasn't just a very good-looking woman, she was also very rich. And bitter... And lonely, too.

I don't understand if it's a curse or a blessing being born in this family, Jes. She said in an ironic voice.

Don't let bad experiences in the past make you unhappy, Jasmine... Jessica said heaving out a sigh. Except for her, her sister never discusses such a topic with anyone.

Jessica was about to stand up and return to the party when she notice the bottle of wine on the table. She looks again at her sister who is drinking, then her eyes went back to the wine bottle. No one knows wherever her thoughts came from. It just popped up in her mind. Maybe it's from the movie she's been watching. She smiled. She then took the bottle and carefully remove the label. She stands up and emptied the bottle into the ocean.

What the hell Jessica! That wine is worth--

Thousand of dollars. Jessica said quickly she then smiled at her sister. It was nothing to the jewelry that you are giving to your girlfriends and boyfriends, Jazzy.

Jessica went back to her seat and open her purse. From there she took her pencil lipstick and carefully writes on the back of the label using her lipstick.

What are you writing? Jasmine asks her sister curiously while raising her eyebrows.

She knew her sister to be so tightfisted so it is unbelievable that she will just throw away the expensive wine just because she wants to write.

Jessica shows her what she's written. And to whom will you give that? Who, among the guests? Surely, they still know that Leah and I are still together... Unless she told everyone that we are fighting, but I doubt she's going to do that.

Do you, by any chance, have a business card in your purse? Jessica asked.

What do you want to happen? She asked furiously but she took her purse and get a card and gave it to her sister.

Jessica didn't answer but smiled when she saw the card. Jasmine is not the kind to just give it away.

Uh... Uh... Jasmine said raising her both hands when she saw her sister putting the label and her card inside the bottle. Jessica winked at her.

You're crazy! You throw away the expensive wine just because of that nonsense? Jasmine said then laughed. You've been watching a lot of nonsense movies, Jes. She added.

Life on this planet is so strange, my dear gorgeous sister. We'll never know if someone saw this bottle and read the message inside of it. Maybe that someone can change your perspective in life?

She didn't really believe that. Jasmine was right when she said she was crazy. Jessica stands up and dramatically looks at the ocean before she throws the bottle.

That's against the law. You're polluting the water. Jasmine said laughing.

Jasmine was still laughing when she turned around to look at her. From being goofy and cheerful, Jasmine seldom laughed, ever since their father shows the true colors of the woman she fights for their parents and the whole family.

Or maybe that was an overstatement. She wasn't laughing at all. But she has now. It was a good omen.