Self-Seeker

2

Genesis stifled the self-satisfied feeling that itched to rise to her face as her sister's eyes widened. Her presence came as a surprise to Jazmine.  After all, she hadn't seen her since Genesis was sixteen, she probably wasn't expecting to ever have to see her face again. The atmosphere grew icy.

"Sis? As in sister? Jaz, I thought you said your sister was dead." Her husband spoke up after what felt like an eternity of the couple gaping at Genesis. The expression he held suggested it was uncommon for his wife to keep something from him, especially something this significant.

"Well, if we're speaking technically then I suppose she isn't. But she is dead to me." Jazmine replied, narrowly avoiding eye contact with her husband.

Genesis couldn't help but to scoff. "That's truly rich coming from you, seeing as the last time we spoke, those were the exact words I told you."

Before Jazmine could retort, a literal representation of tall, dark and handsome strode up next to her husband. He had a lazy swing to his step and his hands rested in the pockets of his trousers. It was clear that his body was toned underneath the tuxedo he sported. For a reason unbeknownst to her, Genesis found herself curious to seek confirmation of that. When she finally brought her eyes up to his slightly tanned face, she found his silvery blue orbs had also returned from studying her.

"And what do I call this beauty in black?"

His voice was vibrant, smooth and had a hint of an Italian accent - a tone Genesis found herself quite familiar with. She had met a similar man once, Alejandro, but his voice didn't hold the assertiveness that the man before her projected. He took her left hand in his and placed a small kiss upon the top, not once breaking eye contact.

Genesis smirked. She knew men like him, they charmed women wherever they went then as boredom struck, tossed them aside as if they were nothing but yesterday's trash. His impeccable genes and flirtatious manner would do little to divert her from something she had spent years preparing for.

"Genesis. Jazzy here's younger sister of two years. Pleasure to meet you Mr...?" She trailed off as if she didn't know his name, when in fact, she knew exactly who everyone standing in the room was.

There was a reason she had carried a gun with her to the event. After conducting background checks on everyone on the guest list, she was surprised (to say the least) by the amount of sketchy elites Manhattan had to offer. From her peripheral vision Genesis could detect the uncomfortable fidgeting of guests, who were longing to be clued in on their conversation.

She was also aware that Jazmine was undoubtedly seething, due to Genesis referring to her using her childhood nickname - Jazzy.

"The name is Damon Soldati. Wait. Sister? Jaz, you never told me you had a sibling." He questioned, looking equally as surprised as the groom had been when he found out about Jazmine's sibling - supposedly risen from the dead. "Especially one so...unique." Damon continued, squinting pensively at Genesis, who didn't falter under his observation.

Jazmine crossed her arms with a sigh. "Would you quit flirting with her? She's not actually my sister, Damon. She was adopted by my father." With a knowing smirk, she turned her attention back to Genesis. "You remember our 'Daddy', right Genesis?"

Disgust stirred through Genesis's body, but she refused to let her sister know she had succeeded in patronizing her.

"How could I forget?" She muttered through gritted teeth, feeling her nails draw blood from her palms. It was time to change the subject, there wasn't any need for more tension between them than necessary in public. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your latest conquest?"

Jazmine rolled her eyes.

"Genesis, this is my husband, Tyler Morris. Tyler, meet Genesis Casanova." Jazmine reluctantly announced. The hatred in her voice was barely audible. Clearly, she was refraining from making herself look bad in front of the dozens of judgmental eyes surrounding them.