One Wish

13

Well, if you two talk make sure I'll hear you! Aunt Mihara sighed.

Elijah gives apologizing looks as she turned to Jasmine, but a glint of amusement flickered in her eyes.

Here are your guests, Jasmine, said George peering out from inside the yacht. He gave a smile to Elijah and the girl smiled back at him.

George, my Aunt Mihara... Aunt, George, the steward of the yacht. George smiled sweetly and held out the old woman's hand in shock. And before Aunt Mihara could retrieve the hand George had already kissed the tips of her fingers.

Now I know where your niece got her beauty.

Aunt Mihara sighed again, but at that moment a faint smile flashed slightly on her lips. Gradually the hand was pulled from George's grip. Stop sweet-talking me, it's not going to work.

Jasmine and Elijah exchanged amused glances.

We'd like to dine at eight, George, Jasmine said. And tell Juancho to take care of the boat. Please stay with Aunt Mihara in their cabin.

He is not! Aunt Mihara said firmly even though she was still dizzy. If you think I'll leave my niece alone with you, you're mistaken! I'll follow you wherever you go around this ship!

Auntie... Elijah said in a pleading tone.

Aunt Mihara stared sharply at her niece and then angrily sighed. She turned her attention to George. All right and take me to where I will rest. She stood up and then faced Elijah again. Follow right away, Eli.

Is your aunt a relative of Margaret Thatcher? Jasmine asked smiling. Jasmine couldn't believe that for the first time that this woman will be with her on her yacht... with a chaperone.

Elijah replied with a smile. She then walks onto the deck and looks up across the yacht. Admiration was all over her face.

Your friend's ship is a beauty, Jasmine! It must be wonderful to sail this ship over the curve of the world! If the interior of the yacht is white, it's the opposite of the color of the outside. It's very black! Raven black!

Jasmine stared at her. Elijah's eyes shone as she stared across the ship. Her jaws tightened to prevent the anger she felt from showing on her face. Elijah was no different from the women she knew. Nothing is more important than the luxuries that money brings.

Hey, you didn't answer me anymore, Elijah said but remained staring at the whole yacht.

Jasmine didn't trust herself to speak. Elijah liked rich men and women. Last night she even hinted at that. So why should she be upset if Elijah was just so impressed with her yacht? Why were her disappointment and anger so intense that it was almost painful?

Jasmine knew rich men and women who crave and wanted more, especially a woman like Elijah.

Why should I be angry when I barely know her? Why the hell do I care if she's another gold-digging woman?

She is the most beautiful ship I have ever seen, Jasmine, Elijah continued. She was poised breathtakingly on the edge of the world. More work of art than the simple transportation of a rich man. I wish someday I can afford to put her on film... I'd sure do my very best to capture her beauty and she would be my masterpiece!

Jasmine frowned at the last thing Elijah said. Her thoughts suddenly changed course. What do you mean?

Elijah was surprised and then smiled shyly. I got carried away. Sorry.

Explain the last thing you said, she commanded.

Elijah casually shrugged. I am an enthusiast. I love to take pictures, no matter what. I dream of having an exhibit of my own one day. That's why... She shrugged her shoulders again.

What?

I still have a lot to learn when it comes to taking pictures. She said. My friend said that the pictures I take are very ordinary... I'm just wasting time... She didn't notice the slight resentment in her voice.

And the wrinkle deepened on Jasmine's forehead. Although she has not seen anything in Elijah's works, she wants to hate the person who said that the pictures she took were ordinary.

I can't blame Vincent for saying that my pictures are just ordinary. I am using an ordinary camera, she continued.

A sudden surge of jealousy flooded through her. Why she didn't know.

Is that why you've been admiring the yacht so much ever since? Because you want to capture her on film?

Elijah smiled at her. Of course. She stepped towards the door that George and Aunt Mihara had entered to follow her aunt. She took a small step when she turned around and jokingly said, Don't feel insulted that my admiration is focused on an inanimate object other than yours.

Jasmine couldn't find a word to say back to her as she watched her go. The sudden flood of relief was overwhelming, her suspicion was wrong. And at the same time her pride. She loved her ship.

No other woman had given such artistic comment on her ship but Elijah. And elation ran through her knowing that there was this woman... a total stranger for that matter, who shared her joy and pride.