One Wish

29

See for yourself. Jessica said while pointing to Jasmine the pictures taken by Elijah.

Jasmine took a deep breath while looking at the pictures. What she is feeling right now is a mix of emotions... excitement, and anger. The photos reminded her of the way Elijah made her look like a fool. But despite all the feelings, the admiration for the girl's works was intruding. She was very good. She thought to herself.

If you didn't say that she was taking pictures, I wouldn't have recognized that it was you. Jessica's voice drifted to her thoughts. She was fantastic! And look at your ship, she didn't just take a picture of the ship, Jazzy. Elijah photographed your very soul.

Jasmine greeted her teeth. Pain and yearning sliced through her heart. Within three months, Elijah haunted her. There was not a night that she did not occupy her entire mind. There is no morning that she is not the first thing that comes to her mind when she wakes up. If she ever had gotten a good night's sleep.

Damn it, Jessica! Is this the only reason why I have to face traffic and be late for the meeting? Jasmine asked angrily.

Marley greeted them, frowned for a moment, and shifted her gaze from the pictures to Jasmine.

Jessica smiles at Marley while entering the photo booth holding Jasmine's arms. Look at that, Jazzy. Jessica said while pointing at the bottle of chardonnay. Inside was its label and Jasmine's business card.

Jasmine stiffened. Is that?

Precisely. Jessica answered. Jessica then looks at Marley. Where is Elijah? These photos are hers, aren't they?

Yes ma'am. She went out for lunch. You must be Jasmine. She remarked.

Jasmine turned to her. Surprised by the animosity in her voice. But before she could reply, Marley speak up again.

I don't know what you are doing here. Elijah is slowly recovering from what you did to her. I hope you will leave before she comes back and causes another pain in her feelings.

Jessica smiled at Marley. I understand your concern, Miss. I just want to ask whose the owner of this bottle. This wine bottle and its contents?

Jasmine waited impatiently for Marley's answer. Her heart hammered in her chest violently. Did she make the wrong accusations about Elijah?

Marley looks straight at Jasmine before answering. My best friend found that stupid bottle while fishing. Kept it and met you at the same time. Not knowing that the woman who owned the card was the same wrong woman she fell in love with. She had hours to kill before meeting you, and her curiosity about the card and the message in it pushed her to pass the time and go to your office.

Oh, god! Jasmine dejectedly retreated to the wall of the booth and closed her eyes tightly.

Marley was amazed at the appearance she could see. Had there been a misunderstanding?

Jessica wants to burst her chest both for her sister and Elijah. She took a handkerchief from her purse and at the same time, Jasmine's cellphone is ringing. Jasmine didn't move to answer the call, Jessica took the phone from her sling bag and answer it quickly. She is certain that it is their father calling her for the meeting.

Hello... Jessica answered. Hello, she repeated. But no one is answering. Jessica looks at her sister.

Jaz, listen to this, please. I can hear the splash of water and the motor... But Jasmine didn't move at all. Jessica looks in Marley's direction. Where is Elijah? Who was she with?

S-she is with her ex-boyfriend. He suddenly showed up here and invited Elijah for lunch. Elijah doesn't want to go but I urged her to---

Marley didn't finish what she was trying to say. Jasmine moved and snatch the cell phone from Jessica.

Hello... Hello!

---

Elijah on the other hand simply checks the phone. She knows that someone already answered. Help me! Oh, please help me... but before she could say more Vincent grab the phone and throw it into the sea. And before Elijah knew what was going to happen next, a strong slap landed on her.

Hello! Hope is that you? Hello! A whizz of wind or water and then nothing. Jasmine stared at the phone with wide eyes. I don't understand what is being said. The surroundings are chaotic. I couldn't be sure if it was Hope...

Call her, Jasmine. She has your phone. She always had your phone, hoping day after day that you would call. Marley said the last sentence softly, accusingly.

Pain, such as she never felt before sliced through her so that she felt like weeping. She was a despicable person. Literally... figuratively.

She dialed the number but then she heard the voice of the operator. The subscriber cannot be reached. She re-dialed again, but the same thing happened. She fought the urge to smash her phone. Wide eyes, she looks between the two ladies looking at her.

Y-you... you don't think she is in trouble, do you? Marley asked concerned.

I heard the sound of an engine motor, Jaz. Jessica said.

Jasmine turned to Jessica. Call the office and get the chopper here, to the rooftop. Alert the Malibu coast guard. Call Papa and Mama! Oh, Lord, Jessica... pull some strings! She felt that her chest wanted to burst anytime soon because of nervousness and fear. If something happened to Elijah, she will not forgive herself. Jasmine runs to the elevator to go to the roof.

---

From the noise coming from the engine motor to the splash of water, Elijah heard the sound of the chopper.

Yes. I was a chopper. But she gave a hopeless sigh. Even if the warplanes fly below the sea they will not be noticed by them. Indeed, they encountered many yachts, but no one would take notice.

Vincent looked up to see that the chopper was barely flying and it was hovering to and from the water. Vincent increases the speed of the boat.

When the chopper was seen towards them, intense nervousness and hope rose in her chest. She balances herself and stands up. She shouted, help! Please, help me while waving her hands.

I'll kill you, Elijah! You and your father! Vincent said while looking at her angrily and increasing the speed of the boat.

That's it! Jasmine shouted seeing a passenger aboard rising from the speedboat. Lower it a little more. She instructed the pilot.

When the chopper turned, Elijah saw Jasmine. Happiness flooded through her. Jasmine heard her and didn't neglect her. She was weeping as she waved to her.

Jasmine!

Vincent looked at Elijah with burning eyes. The speedboat gradually slowed down at the same time Vincent drew his gun.

From above, Jasmine's heart seemed to stop beating when she saw what Vincent had done. She shouted in panic. Oh, no! Hope, look out!

Elijah! Vincent shouted as he raised his gun pointing at her.

Elijah turned around, not even afraid. The noise of the chopper drowned out Vincent's gunfire. Elijah swayed and fell into the water.

Jasmine shouted her name. At the same time, she jumped into the water from the chopper.

Vincent shockingly stares at the gun in his hand and then released it. Unconsciously looked at the water. Fear in his eyes when he saw blood where Elijah fell.

E-Elijah... I didn't mean to shoot you. I-am just scaring you... I- I didn't mean to hurt you...Vincent said crying.

Vincent didn't notice the speedboats approaching him with the coast guards.