Jasmine's phone beeped.
'Down to a game of Basketball?' Ray.
She gave it to Kimberly. "Say this aloud."
"Well," Kimberly frowned as she scanned it lightly, "why can't you?"
Jasmine gave a small smile. "Kimberly," she said, running a hand down her body to prove a point that made her Sister roll her eyes, "c'mon."
"I get it - would anyone like to play basketball? - you're the reserved one."
"Glad you're not all that dumb." She shrugged, walking away.
And Kimberly's head shot up to follow her withdrawing figure. "Excuse me?"
But, Adrian came by Jasmine before she had the chance to force the words out her lip. "Would you mind if I hold him?"
"Yes." She uttered curtly enough for him to realize she wanted no small talk, and she moved further, rubbing Baxter's furry length.
'Can never get down, you know it, but yes.' Jasmine.
He shook his head in wonder when he got it.
-----
Jasmine sat lazily on the sand while the game went on, stroking Baxter's fur distractedly as she said to Gemma,
"Yeah, today's going to be a looooong day."
"But, it's just an outing with Family."
"Isn't that why it's going to be long? Gemma, get some brain, you should be able to speak fluent 'Jasmine' by now."
"Only if it's that easy, Ma'am."
"You'll always complain."
Gemma chuckled, shaking her head slightly as Jasmine let out a breath to show her boredom, leaning back on her hands.
"We're getting the Script ready, it's just the Actors we've got to contact."
"I know," she reasoned, "but I'm not so into Movies, just a way to get money. Got any suggestions?"
"Actually," Gemma sent her a list of qualified A-Class Actors at once, "I've got a ton of them. Laura Lorins will be good for the Antagonist role, don't you think?"
Jasmine scrolled through.
Laura Lorins: Age: 27
Contract Type: Single Signees Contract
Relationship Status: Unmarried
And lists of other things Jasmine didn't want to waste time on.
She couldn't tell good or bad, but as far as Gemma recommended, "it's doable."
"Sweet!"
Danielle Robin: Age: 23
Contract Type: Single Signees Contract
Relationship Status: Unknown
"Looks good to me, though you should know best."
"That's too much praise, it makes me think if I'm getting to get fired." Jasmine's lips kicked up at the corners. "Third, we've got Dana Edmund…"
"Why is everyone from the same Company?"
"Oh, might be because they are one of the best choices? We can change them if you want." She said, unsure, but Jasmine just waved it away, her eyes fixed on some Man, whose Car she had just refused.
"No need, the owner is within my grasp."
"What?"
"You're so dumb," Gemma frowned in confusion, "I'll just have a little chat with him and give you a go-ahead on offering them the Contract. All good?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
The call ended with Jasmine sighing. When was this day ever going to end? She had a lot of work to do and she was wasting her time on some…
"Jasmine!" Kimberly jogged to her, sweating bullets. She leaned over to let out breaths the moment she got to her. "You… You've been sitting there, watching us play our ass off!" She said accusingly, peering at Jasmine through lashes matted by sweat.
But, she shrugged, looking non-chalant. "What else should I be doing?"
"I don't know, like helping us?!"
"Not interested."
"Jasmine, we're losing!"
"So?"
"And you're basically good at everything-"
"That is true," she said pensively, "but I still don't know what you're trying to get at."
"-Don't play dumb with me, Sis, you do. Just come over, our Team is not complete."
"Not my problem."
Kimberly stared, clutching a hand on her hips defensively. "It is. Your Family is losing out there, 'we' are the Reigns."
"So sort yourself out, duh, can't you see I'm Working?" She questioned rhetorically, rolling her eyes behind glasses as she muttered under her breath, "can't do anything without Jasmine."
Kimberly stooped, frustrated. They had strict Rules on behaviour, especially during Family time.
"But you're not supposed to be Working on a Family Picnic!"
"Says the person who I'm doing better than in everything. Of course, you will think that way."
She pursed her lips, feeling offended. Doing better than? Might be true, but in everything? That was just some stupid show of narcissism!
Yet she had learned how Jasmine worked. And it 'wasn't' by arguing. She pushed her anger down, taking hold of her Sister's hand as she gently shook it. "Jasmine, c'mon, we're Family here. I'll treat you to something, just a little help." She said, causing Jasmine to scoff as she drew her hand away.
"Kimberly, you ever heard the expression, pouring a cup of water in the River Niger?"
"Yeah?" She answered through her confusion, eyes darting.
Jasmine nodded. "Good. Just come to me, I'll treat you to everything in the World and pay with the mention of my name. Not the other way round, go continue your game. Being defeated? Wouldn't be the first time."
Kimberly didn't miss her smirk.
Those words stayed with Kimberly as she stared at her with contempt while the Sun went down.
They had been defeated, obviously, and it wasn't supposed to mean a War, but Jasmine just got to her somehow. Those words were irrational, very typical of her Sister, but why could she never change? Why could she not consider the feelings of others before speaking?
She watched Jasmine and Dylan talk coldly to each other, discussing something about a Collaboration she was not interested in and in the end, she could only drive herself Home, gritting her teeth in annoyance.