Therapist's therapy

Heart explosion

Jasper and Julianna sat in the jeep away from any street light that might give them away. Not like most which lined the street worked.
"Looks like our plan B was countered too" Jasper said eyeing a cat in the dark alley.
"That's alright. It wouldn't be worth it if it was so easy" Julianna turned to the driver "let's go home, it's late"
"Yes ma" with this they drove off unnoticed.

Mr. Benson was silent at the other end of the call. They had recounted all that had conspired that evening. Although he had been mad they didn't confide in him before meeting Jasper, he agreed it would not have changed the outcome.
"I know Matilda would be found out but I didn't expect it to be this early. She is useless to us now" he finally said.
"True. She did say she would be able to come up with an excuse but we are better off not contacting her anymore" Arianna added
"So what do we do now?" Travis inquired.
Arianna thought for a while she needed privacy to piece everything together and to think of their new move but she was sure she wasn't getting any tonight.
"Let's gather our thoughts for tonight and I'll call you back first thing in the morning" Arianna suggested.
"That's a great idea. I do hope your call is the first thing that wakes me up in the morning."
"Don't jinx it sir" Arianna joked
"Your apartment seems rather umm private" that was the rich word for tiny "I can send someone to pick Travis up since his car leaving would likely be suspicious"
Arianna eyed Travis we made no move to attempt to get ready to leave.
"I doubt anybody in this complex owns a car so any fancy car coming here would be suspicious"
"Well then, Good night to both of you" so nonchalant Arianna thought
"Be rest assured he won't get poor people's fever over night" Mr. Benson smiled a sort off embarrassed smile and cut the call "Has he always been this fatherly?"
"I guess he is still getting used to it" travis said avoiding eye contact "at least I know I am, calling him dad did come naturally but I don't know if I truly mean it. I was really shocking you know I passed him countless times in the hallway of the company without exchanging even looks" Arianna wondered why Julianna even hid that fact in the first place
Arianna sat at the edge of the bed facing him. "I can't say I understand how you feel but gaining a loved one is better than losing one. You should get over awkwardness fast and start making some memories"
"You're right. I don't know if this is late but so sorry for your loss" Arianna had not been open about her parent's death with Travis but asking him how he found out would be useless.
"Thanks. But enough emotional talks! Julianna isn't having a heart to heart talk right now" Arianna stood at the board around. "Travis I have a question for you" Travis sat straighter and held his breath
"Just how far do you think Julianna will go? She is your mother after all"
"I don't know if I'm fit to answer that. Every time I think I understand her she does something unimaginable. She was basically poisoning me! So if I'm to answer I'll say pretty far. I admired her because she always got whatever she wanted"
"That's good enough. I can't leave any stone unturned then. Can you message your dad for me? It's a bed time assignment. Ask him to make a list of all board members in Favour of Julianna." Travis nodded and got on with it "with your grandfather out of the picture the next strong decision makes are the board we need to make sure they are on our side, or at least most are"
"Done. He says he is on it" Arianna dragged jasper's suspect picture to beside Julianna "I don't think you should underestimate my grandfather. He is strong you know. Many people have wanted him dead but he persevered. He might break out of this too" Travis quipped.
"That's not what I'm thinking. I'm just saying, I don't want to put my hope in someone who might not pick you" hurt flashed in Travis eyes and he looked away.
"Yeah, you are right"
"But don't worry, I'll always pick you and that's worth a lot" Arianna didn't face him but she knew he was smirking.
"So, what are we thinking?" he asked. His spirit back up
"Thinking on how to turn this whole situation around. Julianna knows there is a spy while she might not be sure who it is, we can easily divert her attention else where"
"I see. So you want to plant uncertainty. Won't that be kind of difficult? Among a Harry and Jasper I can't tell who is more likely to fall for any of your trap"
"You hold them in high regard. But first I need a bit of information. Although it's risky, I need to acquire it as fast as possible" Arianna said resting a pin on Harry's name
"What's that?"
"I need to find out if Julianna knows about Harry's fiancé or not" Travis didn't seem to see the big picture "her ignorance will be key to how this plays out"
"What exactly are you planing?"
"Nothing extreme just a mini kidnap" Travis almost fell off the couch
"You plan to kidnap her? That's extreme!" He spat
"Relax I'm not going to hurt or threaten anyone. I'll simply be killing two birds with one stone.
"That sounds crazy you know"
"You're not one to talk." Travis didn't argue "I'm sure you we can get his home address from the office right?"
"Yeah all those are compulsory information for all workers. I should be able to get my hands on it"
"That would be most useful. We should get some sleep for now I see a storm coming"
"I never understand your parables" Travis complained.
"You can take the bed. I'm used to falling asleep on my work desk." Arianna said tossing him a warmer
"This is your house I can't have you sleeping on a table!" Arianna raised her brows comically
"Well what do you suggest, We share the bed?"
"I don't mind"
"You are in no place to mind!" Arianna spat.
"We've spent countless hours in the same room before why is this any different?"
"It's different" Arianna yelled louder than she intended "it's different. Then I thought of you as a crazy manic without sanity whatsoever ever. But now It's different, I feel different" Arianna grabbed a pillow and tossed it at him hard "just go to sleep already! I'm going to my grandma's" she left the room and slammed the door.
"What?" She heard Travis ask before shutting the door.
She stood in the hallways thinking of what just happened, that was unlike her, loosing her cool like some teenager at the idea of sharing the same bed with a guy. What was going on? She thought. Her heart was beating fast and no matter how much she slowed her breath and her cheeks were hot as though she had a fever. She finally solidified her resolve and knocked on her grandma door. It took a while before her sleepy voice came through.
"Arianna? Is that you?" Of course it couldn't be anybody else.
"Yes ma" the lock clicked reluctantly. And she peeped out.
"Arianna what are you doing awake this late?" Her grandmother pulled her in and shut the door. "Are you hungry? Did you go to bed without eating?"
"That's not it ma. I really just want to lie down" she led Arianna to the bed where they both lay down wrapped in warmers. "Ma? What's this feeling like my heart is going to burst?"
"Are you having a heart attack?" Her grandmother asked worried.
"No. Like burst in a good way"
"Of you mean love. You had me worried"
"Love? I've been in love before and it didn't feel like this" she thought of Jasper " at least I thought I was"
"I'm sure you were but love comes in various degrees. Some simple affections and others," she stroked Arianna's hair "your heart might just burst" Arianna chuckled
"Love is dangerous. I should use it as a weapon sometimes" it was her grandma's turn to giggle. By the next minute they were both asleep.