The Boondocks~My Other Half

Chapter 15: Finalised

~•~

Chapter 15: Finalised

It was evening that time Jasmine stared out the window at the trees. She thought she saw a moving figure and quickly shut the curtains. "I'm seeing things..." she told herself as she paced back and forth.

She had taken a shower earlier and was dressed in a nightgown Rosa had given her. In fact, she had given her dozens of clothes, although they we're fabulous, they weren't Jasmine's stay at home style.

She was aware that since her kidnap, she hadn't slept alone, and it scared her now to be totally honest. She could imagine someone bursting through the window and grabbing her from behind, whispering how the Shadow will kill her, how he'll tear her limb from limb.

She found herself hyperventilating.

~•~

Huey was in his bed already. Rosa had given him and Jasmine different rooms. He admitted to himself that he didn't feel comfortable leaving her alone, even if her door was just across his. He was fast, but not fast enough. Nevertheless, he eased himself into the soft mattress, the softest he had ever felt, and drifted to sleep.

Huey only woke up later that night when Jasmine, her hair still a little damp curled up next to her. He could've asked what she was doing, but he knew the obvious answer, she was scared. Instead he mumbled, "I'll move to the couch."

He began to sit up when Jasmine took his hand, "Please don't." She pulled it around her and snuggled in closer. "I feel safe with you here."

Huey lay there the rest of the night, his arm around her, trying desperately to sleep. It was impossible. He was aware that her body was pressed against his, freshly showered and smelling like a field of strawberries.

~•~

It was late morning when she finally woke up. She stirred a bit and mumbled, "How'd you sleep?"

"Good," he lied, "What about you?"

She shook her head. "Not well," she admitted, "Someone's trying to kill me. I suppose that would wreck a girl's sleep..." She sighed and closed her eyes.

Huey's scowl softened. "I suppose so..."

Huey took the opportunity and examined her face more closely. Her skin really was flawless. He tried, but it was hard to detect an imperfection.

If God is real, he thought, Then this woman is his masterpiece.

As if Jasmine read his thoughts, she opened her eyes and their dark pupils locked on each other. It was like everything around them disappeared at that moment.

In an instant, Huey sat up when he realised what was happening, startling her.

She frowned. "Are you--"

"We should get up."

~•~

There we're men in the kitchen, including Rocco who chattered noisily among themselves. Noise levels only decreased just a bit when Huey walked in, groomed and looking ready in his suit. Rocco grinned. "You look well."

Huey only shrugged and sat on a stool. "What's happening today?"

"Its obvious I'm still furious about that ambush the Shadow tried at my club last night," Rocco clicked his tongue. "Someone was able to take one of his men, but he's hard to interrogate."

"Maybe--"

"Rocco!" Rosa rushed into the kitchen im a long flowery dress.

He frowned at her. "What?"

Rosa said no words as she grabbed a remote and turned on the tv mounted on the wall. The men hushed as the news reporter spoke, "It was finalised this morning that Tom DuBios, will not let these men go free and roam the streets. We have a video interview that he arranged himself."

The clip went on, showing Tom on a platform in front of city hall. He was standing in front of a podium as the reporters tried to get their own comments. "I don't know whether Jasmine is alive or not," he had said, "Frankly, that message I got didn't have any proof. I've been a lawyer long enough to know not to fall for such with no evidence. And I'm sure if Jasmine we're here to see this..." he inhaled a shaky breath. "She wouldn't have encouraged me to go through with this."

Rocco rubbed his chin.

"Ay boss," one of the men said, "Why can't we just return the doll ourselves? Honestly."

"She'll be in even more danger if she's out of our sight. That shadow trash has people undercover in case you forgot!" Rocco snapped at him and rubbed his face.

Huey continued watching, only a bit unfazed as he listened to the news. I should have never taken her, he thought, Its...its all my fault.

Jasmine watched silently from the entrance, leaned on the frame. A few tears ran down from her eyes. Huey just happened to look over his shoulder when he saw her. He muttered a curse to himself before getting off his seat and walking up to her.

She sniffed. "Huey..."

"Shush..." With a bit of reluctance, he hugged her and she buried her head in his chest, "You know what's weird about this..." she said, "He's right...I wouldn't have...I don't get why I'm so...so..."

"Its all right..." He glanced back at the others who noticed her. Rocco was shaking his head, a part of him was disappointed with Tom's decision, but he understood.

"Thanks, Huey..."

He rose an eyebrow.

"For caring..."

"...my pleasure, Jasmine."

~•~

The men had left earlier, including Huey. Jasmine spent most of the time just walking around and exploring the mansion. She rarely saw Rosa and Selena around except for the maids.

She found herself in the library at some point, and it occurred to her that she rarely read. She brushed her fingers on the first cover that her eyes locked on and she pulled the book out and read the title. Tell Me Your Dreams. Just as she was about to open it, she heard, "What the hell are you doing in here?"

Jasmine looked up and saw Selena herself. She was dressed in a bikini with a long scarf around her waist, her long hair was down and her phone was in her hands.

"Am I...not allowed in here?"

Selena glared at her for a moment, then sighed curtly. "I was just asking. Anyway." She began to walk out.

"You...going for a swim?"

Selena nodded and began to walk off, but then stopped. She hesitated for a moment. "Do you...want to come too? I can lend you a swimsuit or whatever."

Jasmine smiled. "Yeah." At least she's finally warming up to me. Maybe...this won't be so bad after all.

~•~