— the next day

“Why here?” I whisper yells as we walk inside the restaurant. It's one of those with dim lighting even in the afternoon, the velvet couches and soft aroma with jazz music playing in the background.

I don't know why he thought it's a good place to talk to her.

“Relax” He says, calmly “No one will disturb us here and most importantly she wouldn't be suspicious” He adds, walking beside me with ease, even today he is dressed in a suit. I don't think I have seen him wearing anything except that. He scans the place like he owns it, his hands in his pocket “There”

I follow his gaze and spot Iris seated in a private corner booth, scrolling through her phone least bothered about the situation. She is dressed beautifully — perfect makeup, a soft pastel dress, a designer bag resting beside her.

She seem up for a date

Oh well I am gonna ruin her whole life

I slide into the seat across from her without an invitation, she looks upon hearing the movement — giving me a fake smile, almost mockingly “So…” she drawly, showing her disinterest in being here "I thought you were already deported to your origin, what are you doing here?”

I try not to roll my eyes too hard. Not bothering with any kind of greetings “Tell your father to stop manipulating investors in pulling out of NYX”

She raises her eyebrows “Excuse me”

Girl, don't play dumb

“You heard me” I say more firmly, leaning forward “Tell him to stop immediately, he wanna leave? Fine. But don't drag others”

She laughs out loud

Gosh it's bad than those disney villains.

“Oh girl, are you that stupid” She scoffs, her eyes gleaming with cruelty “He wouldn't have pulled out in the first place he wanted to join again” She shrugs her shoulders, leaning back “The williams are undeserving anyways, I don't know why you brother to defend them. He won't listen, I won't tell him either”

My jaw tightens, I feel Jeff's presence lingering around us ready to interfere if anything happens. He said the closest we could get to her father is through her, the main root of the problem.

He said she would have more affect of my words because we had or still have conflicts.

Don't give up yet

“Oh he will listen” I say coldly, “And you will tell him because you wouldn't want these pretty privileges to be taken away from you when he gets rejected for his illegal imports or shady asset transfers right”

Her smile falters for half a second, then she scoffs again “Is this a joke? No one will believe you. This isn’t India, sweetheart. Wake up from your delusion”

My fingers curl around the edge of the table but I remain silent. Jeff steps forward, making her aware of his presence. Iris stops and looks at him in shock, recognising him immediately “Seriously? He is backing you” She exhales sharply, shaking her head.

Her gaze turns back to me, her eyes losing all the emotions “Careful jasmine, standing with criminals makes you smell like one”

My hand twitches “Shut up”

She rolls her eyes “I am not scared I am not scared okay? Not of you or him! I don't care, they deserved it — especially him”

“Iris” I warn

But she doesn't listen and continues “Just because of you or him, I can’t undo what happened. And honestly? I love the damage it caused.” She leans forward. “It seems to be affecting you all beautifully. And your boyfriend, throwing pathetic tantrums because he is too weak—”

“Iris!”

“He has always been so pathetic, Jasmine!” she snaps, her voice raising “That stupid puppy-like thing. Ruining my chance with Liam.  He is weak, clingy, silent. Moreover depressed. I don’t even know why you are wasting your time with him—”

I don't think

I grab the glass in front of me and splash it on her face

She gasps in disbelief, spluttering something

I stand up, the chair scraping against the marble harshly “You don't get to speak anything about him with that mouth of yours”

She trembles with rage, slamming her palm on the table making it shake “You!”

I lean down pinning her with my glare “You and your father will remember. Just because daddy’s little princess didn’t get her prince doesn’t mean she gets to burn everything down” I say mockingly, letting each word jab her “Remember, if you keep hurting the people I  love, you will see yourself and them going down in drain”

I step back.

She yells my name grabbing others attention and stands up, almost knocking the chair back. Before she steps closer, Jeff moves instantly, stepping between us “Sit. That's the safest option for you” He says, his voice dangerously calm.

And she does

I step back before turning on my heels and walking out of the restaurant, my breathing heavy and heart racing. I stop in front of his car, staring at my reflection

Did I really do that?

Jeff stops behind me, I turn to face him to see his already composed expressions, he tilts his head “A bit dramatic but tolerable” He comments dryly

I groan internally, rolling my eyes at his unseriousness. “We don't have time,” I mutter, opening the door and getting inside the car. I take a deep breath and lean against the seat while he gets inside and starts the car.

The anger still surfacing “Will she listen?”

His hand flexes on the steering wheel as he pulls away from the restaurant. “I will make sure they understand” he assures, look at me for my understanding until I nod. I lean back, looking out of the window as we pass by the buildings

“Even if he listens” I murmur “Make sure all his illegal work is revealed”

Jeff looks at me surprised, not expecting me to say that. I rejected his offer first because I wasn't aware of the damage “Really? Well as you wish”

I nod “Yeah, I don't care what happens. Make sure they regret it” They have dragged everyone, she dragged everyone just because she didn't get what she wanted.

An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.

But I will focus on the first half of it

Today was hectic

The first thing I did this morning was contact Sharma uncle — Kavya’s father. Confronting him of his daughter’s actions and…I guessed right, Kavya did this by herself, secretly using her father's money. Sharma uncle nor Kabir had any idea about this.

He sounded hurt and disappointed, he apologized, he promised to talk to my family and explain, take care of her.

“The cemetery” I remind “Let’s go there next”

Bhai called soon after, assuring me that things are calming down, I had to explain him everything that happened.

I got many calls after that

From kavya - anger and fear

From kabir - apologizing for what happened

from my parents - a subtle assurance

But not everything is settled yet. There still so much to fix

“Can you stop by a flower shop?” I ask, suddenly glancing at him. He doesn't look at him but I notice the displeasure on his face. “I ain't your driver, you know?”

I raise my eyebrow and sit up “But are driving me since morning”

He inhales sharply "I don't understand the connection—”

“You are taking me around anyways” I interrupt “It wouldn't hurt to stop by and grab some flowers for them, right?”

“But that doesn't make me your personal driver to take around—”

“You are not, Jeff but partly for now. That's basically an uber for free” I reason

He groans throwing his head back “God, give me some patience”

“Should as the devil for it”

He looks at me with a deadpan expression “One more word and I will leave you here” he warns and I can see how serious he is. But I don't care, I don't think he actually would, right?

I just shrug nonchalantly “That still wouldn't be the worse thing i faced this week” I try to humour up the situation

His eyes flicker with something - empathy maybe “Flower shop it is” he grumbles, taking a quick turn. I couldn't help but smile a bit

He isn't that bad maybe?

I relax into the seat as the scenery changes — quieter streets replacing the busy area. That’s when my eyes land on something odd resting on the dashboard.

My eyebrows shot up in surprise as I narrow my eyes to look at it more closely

A long, chocolatey ferret laying, so cute, so random and definitely not jeff coded

“Thats quite a decoration—” I let out a squeak when that moves in my hand when I tried to touch it, I put it back on the dashboard and move back so fast that my knee hits the compartment and the seatbelt strangle my lungs.

“Why is that alive!” I yell

Jeff looks unfazed, glancing at the now waking up ferret and back at me “That’s Mr Mellow”

Mr mellow?

I blink at the chocolate puff like a creature who is staring at me with sleepy yet offended eyes. I let out a nervous chuckle, my knee pulled to my chest defensively “You have a ferret?”

I remember that thing from Sofia the First, a princess had that on her shoulders

“Yeah. He is usually at home but somehow clinged to me.” He sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose when the ferret climbs into his lap, forming a comfortable circle and falling asleep again.

I swallow hard, looking at the ferret so comfortable with him. A hint of curiosity crawls inside me “Did you coparent him with..” I quickly shut my mouth seeing his expressions hardens

Why am I so curious?

I heard about her too many times

‘That doesn't mean you need to mention her, right? Curiosity kills the cat’

Why does my internal voice speak after I have already made a mistake?

He gives a small nod “He sleeps like he is dead” He adds, as if changing the topic

I blink in surprise by his reply, moreover that he even bothered to answer “I didn't say anything about it”

“You thought it was a decoration”

“...well he looked as still as ice so excuse me?”

“That’s why you don't wake him up,” he shakes his head while continuing to focus on the driving “He is peaceful when he is asleep or he be sneaking into the most absurd places” he tries to sound in annoyed yet I see his expressions softening for a fraction of second

The silence afterwards is awkward but calm. My eyes drift to the city passing by, fingers twisting in my lap thinking about something

“Jeff?” I whisper

His eyes twitch, trying to look at me but he doesn't “Hmm?”

“That life clause in the contract” I begin slowly, my stomach knots at just the mention “Why did you add that?” The car falls silent again, so long that it makes me regret asking it.

“I handle things myself. I don’t need someone else’s life to fix my problems. Like I have mentioned it before, it's not until something happens” He says, his voice calm and controlled

I pause “So…it might happen but you ain't sure when?”

He hums and nods slowly, sure yet unsure?

“It might be terminated when you reach a point when your life is more required to someone else more than you”

I frown in confusion, staring at him for an explanation “What do you mean?”

He doesn't even spare me a glance while replying “you will understand when you are older”

I scoff “What do you mean older! I am twenty—”

“Exactly” He says flatly, like a matter of fact “That's why I said when you get older”

I stare at him, confused but too emotionally exhausted to decode whatever cryptic fortune-cookie wisdom he just dropped.

“Fine. Be mysterious. Whatever”

The car slows, turning into a small flower shop glowing warm under a small light. I undo my seatbelt and reach for the door, pausing for a second “Thanks for the ride”

He just nods once “Two minutes”

I blink “What? No! Five minutes!”

“One minute”

What!

“Four minutes!”

He looks at me with a deadpan face “You want it to be thirty seconds?”

“Fine, fine. two minutes!” I groan in frustration, closing the car door and walking into the shop

The bell above the door gives a soft little tink as I step inside. “Welcome!” I hear the lady behind the counter greet me with a warm smile.

I reciprocate the gesture “Hello, thank you”

My gaze travels across the shop, rows upon rows of colorful blooms filling the space. The earthy, calming scent wraps around me instantly. I move slowly between the buckets, fingertips gently brushing petals as I pass.

Oh it's been ages since I came to a flower shop

It's just so refreshing

Wait, I don't have time!

“Tell me if you need any help!” The florist calls out, I smile over my shoulder, appreciating her offer “I will, thank you!” I step further inside the aisles of flowers

Roses

Lilies

Tulips

Peonies

So many choices. So many meanings.

I pause when a small handwritten tag catches my eye

Forget-me-not.

I blink, reading it again to make sure I am reading it right. That’s quite a name. For some reason, it reminds me of a Doraemon episode, oh nostalgia.

Should I get it? But I don't know the meaning

Despite being short on time, I find myself slowing down. Because this isn’t just about buying flowers. I am about to stand in front of the people who shaped Lucas’s life.

For Lucas’s father, I picked out a cluster of soft white carnations. They look gentle and kind. He always felt like the kind of man that held their whole family together — these seem fitting for him

For Alinta, I pick out pale peonies. I didn't know what to get her, I don't know anything about her and if it's my place to visit her like this. Yet, I wanna do this.

I couldn't tell Lucas this but I am grateful that she brought him to this world

I let out a soft sigh, holding the flowers together and approaching the counter to get them arranged. The florist smiles at me, taking the flowers gently from me “May I know the occasion?” She asks softly

“A visit to a cemetery”

Her hands pause mid-motion, then her expression softens“Oh. I am sorry.” I shake my head at her apology “It’s alright.”

My eyes flicker to the small white flowers beside her desk, staring at it for too long. Noticing my distraction, she chuckles softly “They are chamomile, they are a good remedy. Symbolising calmness and positivity”

Chamoline

I have heard of them many times from Stella. She loves drinking tea.

The image wilted flower beside his bed crosses my mind

“Can I have them too?” I ask, looking at her “It’s for my boyfriend”

She smiles widely “Of course” She selects a fresh bunch and then after a second of thought, adds a couple of sunflowers “These will go well together.”

I watch as she arranges them, her hands gentle and practiced.

I wished to be a florist so many times

“You have a good choice in flowers” The florist adds, making a bouquet of them. I am examining the bouquet seeing how gently she pulls them together into a beautiful formation.

When the bell chimes again grabbing my attention and Jeff walks in. “I am almost done…” I trail off when I see him walking past me

The lady at the counter looks up and immediately lights up at his presence “Oh! Jeff! Back so soon?”

So soon? What does she mean? He has been here before?

He gives one of those tiny, controlled nods he does “Just passing through.”

But the way she talks to him? He is definitely a regular here. Like suspiciously regular.

He heads straight to the back, to a shelf I didn’t even notice before. The flowers there look different, reserved with soft violet tips and trailing green stems. They are beautiful, though and very delicate.

He picks a bunch of them without hesitation. His movements are perfect and practiced, looking doing this for ages

I try to take a better look at them as he puts them on counter “Those are different.” I mutter under my breath. I try to look at his expressions but his face has that closed door — ‘keep out’ sign hanging on his face. So I backed off. Some answers aren’t meant for people like me.

“Here” the florist says, giving me the bouquet. I clutch my flowers tighter.

Watching in silence she wraps his bouquet.

✄┈┈

The cemetery is quieter than I expected.

As I step onto the group, I feel my body feeling colder. It was very silent, even though I spotted a few people paying a visit to their lost ones. The only noise was of the window rustling through the leaves and the crunch of my footsteps.

The graves were spread across the land, a church nearby. Jeff guides me along the path, to my surprise he carried Mr Mellow out for some reason. He stops stops in front of a gravestone ‘James Williams’

I kneel slowly and place the white carnations at the base of his grave. The white colour is a contrast against the grey stone. My eyes flicker to the engraved words, feeling a light ache inside me.

Maybe if he was here…

I stand up carefully and press my palms together, closing my eyes. I hear Jeff's footsteps fading away — giving me privacy

‘Thank you, for stepping up as his father. For loving him unconditionally. For raising a man who struggles to express yet shows his feelings in his own way. I hope you know he has grown into a wonderful man. Please watch over him. He is hurting for something he shouldn't be blamed for’

I exhale softly, taking a last glance at him before taking a few steps away where she was there — ‘Alinta’

I place the pale peonies down gently, fingers lingering longer than they should. “I don’t know about you” I whisper, “but I hope you know he doesn't blame you. He wasn't angry with you but the situation”

That he wished to see you one last time

When I step back, my gaze drifts across the cemetery searching for him

That’s when I see Jeff.

He is a little far away, standing alone before a grave that's shaded by an old tree. His posture is different — his shoulders lumped down and still

He kneels down before the grave, lowering Mr

Mellow on the ground. He places the bouquet of violet flowers down with careful hands. I couldn't see his expressions and somewhere I am glad because I haven't seen him this vulnerable before.

He stays like this for minutes. I look away, trying to give him privacy yet the air carries his whisper — the longing in his voice.