Real.Doc - Part 2 - Joe (English Version)

Jasper

The moment we stepped inside, I spotted Françoise lounging comfortably with a glass of whisky, MaryAnne seated beside him. But it wasn't their presence that startled me—it was the man standing squarely in the center of the room, the same man who had been kidnapped along with me.

"Hel-looo," Françoise greeted with a smile that didn't quite meet his eyes.

"Who's this?" Jase asked, his gaze locking onto the stranger.

"This is Jasper," Françoise answered smoothly. "One of my personal security guards."

"Why..." Jase began, but Françoise, ever impatient, cut him off.

"Jasper clocked in today with quite an amusing story," Françoise teased, his grin widening.

I felt the tension rising. "Let's talk in the office," I said, casting a glance at Françoise, Jase, and Jasper. "Just the two of you and Jase. Come on."

"Lilly..." Rony's voice interrupted, his concern evident.

"I'll be fine," I assured him, my words more resolute than I felt. "Tell Joe."

As we made our way into the office, my mind raced. Where could I possibly begin? Françoise, ever the picture of nonchalance, helped himself to another glass of whisky before sitting down, his eyes expectant.

"What did he tell you?" I asked, my voice sounding smaller than I'd intended.

Françoise glanced around the room, taking in the sight of all of us before he finally spoke.

"In an effort not to waste anyone's precious time, I'll go straight to the point," he said, his tone sharp yet composed. "I have many questions, but it all boils down to one." He turned his gaze to me, eyes gleaming. "...You cannot die, can you?"

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. For a moment, I was frozen, not knowing what to say. I glanced at Jase, who seemed equally at a loss for words. Feeling the weight of the moment, I slowly lowered myself onto the couch across from Françoise, my thoughts spinning.

"I do not intend to test my theory, you can be sure of that," Françoise continued, swirling the whisky in his glass. "My only desire is to know if it's true."

Silence filled the room. My mind was in overdrive. What was the right answer? Was this the moment where we gained a powerful ally, or were we risking everything? I knew Jase was thinking the same thing. I barely knew Françoise. Could we trust him with such a monumental truth?

Sensing my hesitation, Françoise softened his tone. "Is it true, love?"

The question hung in the air, heavy with the weight of its consequences. I was terrified, but I saw no other way. He could test his theory on his own security guard if he wanted. He was set to be Chaos's godfather, after all.

"Yes," I finally said, my voice barely a whisper. "It's true."

Françoise leaned back in his chair, stunned. His eyes danced with curiosity and disbelief.

"So you and Jasper..."

"Him too," Jasper confirmed, pointing at Jase. "And the others outside."

"Everyone?" Françoise asked, his voice filled with awe. "Well then, what about me?"

Without warning, Jase rushed forward, desperation in his movements. "Love, love..." He coaxed Françoise's attention back to him. "We don't know how it happens. It just does."

"Yeeesss, but I want in," Françoise replied, a sudden urgency in his voice.

"We don't know how!" Jase protested, his voice trembling.