As soon as Caleb tell her to not restrain herself, she grinned. "Sure. You better assess it, after all, you and Ralfh are the good ones when it comes to reading other people."
"No worries," Caleb pat Jess' hair so it won't be messy. "Let's hope they won't disappoint me and Bryan. For now, take a seat and chill. Did you bring your favourite clothes?"
Jessica shook her head. "I have a jacket here, so if I want to raise my feet, I can still cover my legs." Then she wiggled her eyebrows, earning some chuckle from the group.
As soon as she settled herself to one of the couch, the door opened again, revealing three people: Bryan, the last person of the group, wearing a plain grey cotton shirt and jeans; a well-known businessman rivalled to Andrew Fureno, wearing a light blue dress shirt and slacks, and; Jacob Newman.
The person she wasn't expecting to meet after reborn. Jacob was her close friend after she left her group, and also served as her knight-in-shining-armour every time that Andrew can't turn up to help her. After all, Jacob accepted her for what she is to become friends, not because of her capabilities. And she regrets not seeing him before she died on that basement, not even managed to say thank you for his efforts.
She was stupefied at the scene she was rooted where she was seated. Who would've thought that the person she wants to thank is standing right in front of her? But she knows that he wouldn't recognise her, after all, they will meet as Andrew's common friend until became close to one another enough to treat like siblings.
"Bryan, you brought some initiates, they say." Jessica joked as soon as they got in. The other guy beside Jacob was staring intently at her, studying her with curiosity.
"I will never call them 'initiates,' Jessie," Bryan pushed his eyeglasses back to his face as he answered. "They are your 'victims' tonight."
Jessica chuckled at the dark joke of Bryan. It is partly true since she will test how will be able to withstand her for an hour with her being the meanest of all.
"By the way, this is Jacob Newman and Damian Castro. I met them both in the convention." Bryan introduced them to the group.
"Who would've thought that the friend of my boss and his rival is here with us tonight?" Jessica smirked. "Is this conspiracy or coincidence?"
"What do you mean, Jessie?" Caleb asked.
"I'm an architect to Fureno company, but I didn't attend the party. Mr Newman here is often seen to our office visiting the boss that I hadn't get a glimpse on the face. And Mr Castro here is the rival of the company. So, is there something I should know but I need to keep my mouth shut on others?" Jessica continued.
Bryan's brain is working like gears as his eyes shine, which the newcomers noticed. They met him as a dull person, a meek one but persistent. But as soon as Jessica opened her mouth, he became lively, in contrast to how he appears on others.
"Uhhh, this is entirely a coincidence, miss. I'm sure of it. Actually, I never thought I will meet Mr Castro at the convention since I was interested in Bryan's works." Jacob answered.
Damian just kept on staring at her, trying to read what she wants to imply. Jessica likes to play today, and she'll make sure everyone will have fun. "I think an introduction is needed, don't you think guys? Wait, Josh, you said your girl will come, where is she?"
"She attended 'your' party, so she can't come." Josh shrugged. "Besides, there's still some other day to know her."
"Well let's hope she's good to you, or else..." Jessica warned. "Give me the name, I might know her."
"Hmm, she's the manager of the finance department. Alicia Foster." Josh answered.
Jessica nodded. "Ok, she passed. No need to meet her."
"Oh, that fast?" Josh looks so surprised.
"Your woman is a decent person. Not a taint in her reputation." Jessica turned towards the newcomers. "I'm Jessica Charlie Mason. An architect."
"Oh, you're the JC? Wow, I never thought you're a girl! Your works are so gorgeous, I thought its a guy who did it. But why JC?" Jacob said. "Besides, you're a woman."
"You know, there are some people who despise the fact that a woman can beat them in their own territory. So, giving the only nickname is better than telling my whole name." Jessica leaned at the back support of the couch. "I only want my job, I don't want any personal matters inside my work."
"You forgot your another work, Jessie," Caleb said.
"That one is not important. Next!"
"I'm Joshua Greens, a humble businessman, with a partnership with Bryan Amoroso here," Josh said as he pointed towards Bryan who's reading after they settled themselves.
"Ralfh Justice. A curator." Ralfh answered.
"Bryan John Blaze, co-owner of this club and some club out there."
"Caleb Jason Harthorn. A surgical nurse."
"Jessie..." Amando called.
"What?" Jessie replied.
"You forgot your first job."
"It's not counted."
"But you're still working at them."
"It's part-time."
"Don't get started with, 'It's part-time only,' with me, young woman," Ralfh sternly said. "We don't want our new members getting a heart attack if it happens in front of them."
Jessica looked at the drink. "No."
"Jess!" Caleb said, then sighed. "Fine. I think they are not ready too, after all, they are still new to the group. A fair warning would do."
The confusion was evident to Jacob's face and Damian's eyes. The woman they think that is just having fun has another work beside as an architect.
"Just my only heads up: I can hold a gun and shoot it to someone's head. That's all." Jess said nonchalantly, making it not a big deal.
"Oh, so you're into hunting?" Jacob concluded. "That's a nice hobby."
Jessica smirked. "Who knows? But congratulations to both of you. You're both safe from imminent curse I can cast to people I never like. Have fun tonight!"