"So what are you suggesting i do?" Socorro asked, tugging on her gloves anxiously.
Whenever she saw Jasper, she knew he had a favor to ask her.
Ever since they met, They somehow ended up having this unusual relationship, where he tasks her with something in exchange for her to get something in return.
"You're a good manipulator, I need you to find a way to get this guy to do something for me, him and I don't have the best relationship for me to do this myself." Jasper replied sending Socorro a picture, She immediately checked her phone to find a picture of Yurei.
"I've seen him before, not sure where though...he looks Alot like Muriel actually."
"That's because his name is Yurei Spenser, an acquaintance of mine, and he's like his name implies, a relative of Muriel."
"A Spenser? wait his mismatched eyes! it's really the Spencer family trade mark... but Muriel never said he had other family members, he never mentioned this Yurei."
"Yeah, that's cuz Muriel himself doesn't remember this guy, but don't worry about something like this, you'll get the idea soon enough Coco.
I'll text you all the details you need about Yurei and what I want you to do, also I need you to keep this a secret from Muriel, this is something to remain between you and me."
"I should've never trusted you to begin with, you know how much i hate hiding shit from Muriel, just as much as I hate it when he does the same to me...so what's in it for me to do this in the first place? I'm not such a good person to do you this shady favor, unpaid."
"I know I know, and that's what I like most about you Socorro, always striving for your own success, but you'll also do anything for Muriel's wellbeing.
You consider him your only best friend and family to you, when your own family let you down."
"How's that related to this? and what about my shitty family? are you bragging to me now that you were raised in a loving home, that you had the perfect childhood while I never felt like a child in my life!" Socorro said annoyed.
"Sweetheart chill, you know nothing!... just because I was raised in a loving environment, that doesn't mean I was happy nor that I was safe.
We both know how the real world sucks, and we both experienced it first hand...no one is bragging about their shitty life here, so take a deep breath and focus with me." Jasper replied.
Scoffing, "Humph, is this everything you want? you can see my boss is waiting for me." she said pointing at the impatient Muriel in the car.
"Yeah, I'll make sure your attribution don't go unrewarded..." Jasper replied before his phone buzzed in his hands, "Eh? wait a minute, someone is texting me." Jasper unlocked it to find a message from Aroon.
He raised an eyebrow when he noticed the emoji included in the message, Aroon rarely ever uses emojis.
-[ Roonie]: Master (. ❛ ᴗ ❛.)? did you finish your work? I met master Thorn outside!
-[itsMeJaspie]: stop saying master (ಠ_>ಠ) did u see the new assistant btw? are they someone trustworthy?
-[ Roonie]: Yes! (≧▽≦) although I don't know if that man is trustworthy from a first impression, he was quite shy and polite, Thorn picked an alpha this time!
-[itsMeJaspie]: an alpha? someone is happy about it (ಡ ͜ ʖ ಡ)! what was he like? cute?
-[ Roonie]: Adorable (≧▽≦)! he has a unique name too! Lucius Satcliffe.
-[itsMeJaspie]: wow (・o・) is he Brit or smth?
-[ Roonie]: apparently! he looks like a teddy bear compared to Master Thorn ʕ·ᴥ·ʔ
-[itsMeJaspie]: anyways, I'm ready to leave, u done with ur break?
-[ Roonie]: yes! wait for me, will be there soon! we need to get back to get ready anyways (•‿•)
-[itsMeJaspie]: wait did something happen?!
(⊙﹏⊙)
-[ Roonie]: oh no! nothing, Master Thorn invited me for karaoke, I told him I'm bringing more people, you are coming too hehe!
( ಠ ͜ʖ ಠ)
-[itsMeJaspie]: (• ▽ •;) I'm sorry but WHAT!
-[ Roonie]: it'll be fun! I promise! Lucius is as socially awkward as you, he barely spoke anything, you two can open up to each other.
-[itsMeJaspie]: no thanks, I have a room for karaoke in my house, I don't need to go out.
-[ Roonie]: yes you do! you only talk to people to ask them favors, that needs to stop! try talking just for the sake of talking.
-[itsMeJaspie]: this is funny coming from you! we both prefer deep talks, rather than stupid basic chitchat.
-[ Roonie]: true, but still! I missed the days where Shadow used to shove us inside her car and take us on wild adventures! after all it's only the girls in our household that were extroverted or liked going out frequently.
-[itsMeJaspie]: (ಥ╭╮ಥ) I really miss those days, where I didn't feel like a useless immortal.
-[ Roonie]: I miss hanging out with everyone together too, lately things have been so... boring.
-[itsMeJaspie]: is it going to be just me, you, Thorn and his assistant? did you guys invite anyone else.
-[ Roonie]: Yes Lucius is the only extra.
Apparently he can sing very well, you two can have a sing off ♪
-[itsMeJaspie]: you're a better singer than me and... I'm not still not sure about going, I'm worried about Taci since he didn't turn up yet.
-[ Roonie]: same, Poor boy! we will talk about this more when I pick you up.
-[itsMeJaspie]: okay you traitor ( ಥ ‿ ಥ )
-[ Roonie]: hehe (◠‿◕)
Sighing, "Seriously Aroon, I was hoping I'd spend my night in peace." Jasper complained to himself.
"Everything's alright?" Socorro asked, "Nothing serious, my mom's assistant, he just signed me up on a social event I didn't ask for." he replied causing her to giggle.
"Haha! this reminds me of how I feel when Muriel ends up taking me out, whenever he wants to be the extrovert he is.
He even bribes me with books and wardrobe, so I'd be his plus one on social events." she said, he did try to bribe her to stay earlier, promising to take her buy books.
Then suddenly, An Idea crept inside Jasper's head, "How about going on a karaoke night?" he suggested.
Skeptical, "Karaoke? you mean me or Muriel?" Socorro asked.
"Both! I'm going with Aroon tonight with a new friend, Muriel likes partying right? ask him to come as well, it'll raise his spirit!
In fact I'll ask Mom to join in, I'm sure Matilda will jump first in the car the moment she hears the news." he explained, but Jasper deliberately didn't mention something important to Socorro.
"Who's Matilda?...how come you're comfortable inviting more people?" Socorro asked.
"It's for Muriel, I'm making sacrifices to fix his sad situation." Jasper replied.
"I'm not sure what that means, but I'll join in on the fun as well!
I have nothing to do lately other than babysit a fussy Muriel... that movie project ain't anywhere close to be started, and I haven't gotten the chance to meet my idol yet." Socorro said annoyed, not only Orange tree cancelled the meeting they were supposed to have with them today, Muriel seems to have dropped the whole movie idea in the trash can, because of Thorn.
"Awesome! see ya later, I gotta go, Aroon is coming to pick me up." Jasper replied, So The two slightly bowed to each other, then Socorro went to check on her boss while Jasper walked to meet Aroon.
Climbing into her boss's vehicle, Socorro refrained from smiling at Muriel, she wanted him to see that she was still, seriously angry at him.
"Coco? What did Jasper want?"
Sighing, " Young Master, you called my phone over and over before I even made it out, you even waited for me in the car for so long...I don't think you intended to ask me about Jasper, did you?"
"No." Muriel simply replied.
Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, "He is inviting you and me to a karaoke night, with him, Aroon and possibly Ned as well." Socorro answered his previous question.
"Oh! a night out sounds like a good idea, it is odd for Jasper to ask something like this...So will you come with me?"
"I will make exceptions tonight, but after that, don't expect to see my face again."
Holding her hand in his, "Coco please, I will apologize to Thorn.. just not now, I need you to see this first."
"See what?" She asked, Socorro felt bad when she saw how puffy Muriel's eyes were.
He was crying while he waited for her, and usually Socorro would be comforting Muriel in this situation, instead of being harsh on him.
So while sucking up all of her anger, Socorro reached for the small water bottle near her, cracking it open as Muriel placed a paper sheet on her lap.
She took few sips of water before placing the bottle away, And finally picking up the document in her hand.
One look and she immediately recognized the symbol printed on the top corner of the paper, this was a medical document issued by the hospital Ned owned.
Bracing herself for the worst outcome possible, Socorro slowly examined the paper.
But also From first glance, she noticed those familiar small black and white images attached to the sheet, her expression changed as she read the results, "Muriel... you're pregnant...a month or so old, what the hell?!" she spoke in shock, her hand no longer steady, they were trembling while holding the paper.
"I was late because I went to Neddie early morning, I was already on edge because I got lectured by him, and I let out all my frustrations on Thorn, since he was my only partner during this time...i wanted to blame him for my misery.
I felt miserable because Ned told me that although it is possible and my health is stable for now, carrying a child is still dangerous for me.
And although Ned said he will help me throughout the pregnancy, he also recommended I talk with Thorn about the best course of action.
I could not bear the thought of telling him anything when I met him face to face, he was so happy to see me and I felt angry by that, I never wanted for this to happen, for me to get into another relationship." Muriel explained, his eyes welled up with tears again.
"Wait, you're keeping the baby?!"
"Yes, Ned also said that my health... would only deteriorate as the time passes by, this could be my only chance to carry a child safely, and before you say anything against it, I want a child of my own Socorro.
I am not wasting this opportunity."
"Oh heavens, I don't like this news at All! no wonder you lashed out on Thorn earlier."
"And now I need you, Coco please... I only ask for your support, I am not asking for you to do anything else, you do not have to lift a finger, just stay by my side... I am terrified of doing this alone."
"As if you left me another choice! I can't leave you in this hardship alone, I'm surprised you're keeping His child."
"That is something that I Can explain." Muriel said remove one his shoes, he then removed the dark stockings he wore over his foot.
Socorro watched as Muriel revealed what looked like a snake mark on his left foot, she instantly knew what it was.
"Oh my goodness?! does he knows? don't tell me he doesn't know this too?! it's dangerous to hide this From him." she Said.
"I will try finding Thorn tomorrow, I have to ask him eventually about His mark and, and I want you by my side as well when I do that.
I promise I will apologize to him and tell him the truth the next time I see him Coco, so please do not leave my side.
I Need you." Muriel replied wearing his shoe again.