Jalana's fervent wish to make their house feel like a home for Jacob and Jasmine was taking form. With Jacob's help, they moved around the mall searching for decorations that suit Jasmine's taste.
Their cart was full in no time, with bedside lamps, floral patterned curtains and marching bedsheets, glimmering small stars for the ceiling and more stuff they picked out.
Together they rolled the shopping cart towards the counter to make payments. "I think we should ask Ander if there's anything else we should get," Jacob suggested.
"I've been meaning to ask you about him. How is he related to Jasmine? And how come he gets to know her better than you do?"
Jalana paused and pulled the cart to a stop. It puzzled her how close Ander was with Jasmine, he was the only person alive that daringly did as he pleased around her without consequences.
She got to see an example of Ander's influence when her mother suggested everyone joins the shopping spree. Ander happily agreed to the idea and without asking Jasmine her opinion, he dragged to the car and forced the decision on her. Jasmine didn't argue or refute the idea, she barely made an attempt to fight back.
Seeing as most of the prominent families in the city feared her sixteen year old step-sister, it made no sense why Ander, a boy with no influencial background could command such a presence with her.
"He's her boyfriend," Jacob replied.
"I know that but he's a minor, why doesn't he live with his family?" she asked. "Why does he stay with Jasmine and follow her around like a lost puppy?"
"He stays with Jasmine as it's part of the conditions of their contracted relationship."
"A contract relationship?"
Jalana had seen them in telenovelas and heard whispers of rich people opting for such relationships instead of the normal one. It helps one to secure their assets and offers security in terms of their partner. A contract has fine lines that one has to follow. It's safe.
"Ander's mother was sick before, his family used up all their money in her treatment, even sold their home in the process," Jacob began to explain.
"That's sad."
"He's the most popular student at Lavena high; been student of the year since he enrolled, great at sports and has the second best academic scores. So people adore him and all the best colleges in the country are gunning for him," Jacob said, his eyes glowing in admiration as he sang Ander's praises.
"He sounds like an amazing person," Jalana commented. She was amazed that all his achievements didn't change him into an arrogant person. Ander was the most down to earth person she ever met. "I hope he's open to being friends. I could use good people in my life. So what happened?"
"His mother's condition cost him his scholarship since he couldn't focus in school. So the headmaster lured him and Jasmine into a weird lunch date hoping he'd be able to convince Jasmine into helping Ander out," Jacob sneered, a recollection of that date setting him off into a laughing frenzy.
It was the first time he saw the headmaster shiver with his tail in between his legs like a coward. Jasmine didn't take kindly to being tricked and threatened to sue him and destroy the school in the process, with strong points that the headmaster couldn't refute.
She forced the headmaster to scurry off as though being chased by a ghost. A scene recorded by the students and used to create memes. It was hilarious to say the least, for those watching from the comfort of classroom windows.
"Wait, so that's how they ended up dating?"
"I'm not sure how they came to date from there. But that was the day that Jasmine noticed Ander Larson," he let out. "All I know is that Jasmine settled his mother's hospital bills, bought a better house for his family, put a separate account to fund his education all the way through college, got his parents a restaurant and since then, Ander had always been glued to her side."
Jalana nodded, feeling happy that things turned out well for Ander. The boy had this look in his eyes, a kindness that made one wish him all the best in his life. Jalana admired Jasmine, for stepping out of her comfort zone and going out of her way to help Ander.
A truth that made Jasmine a better person that she was. Despite being from the richest, prominent family in the country, there were no tales of her kindness. Like spoiled brats, she spends her money on shopping sprees and filling her already stuffed closet with more clothes and shoes.
"I wish I had Jasmine's kindness!" she exclaimed.
Jacob choked a cough at her statement. Surprised she'd refer to his sister as kind. His cold-hearted sister didn't do anything that didn't benefit her, although, in Ander's case it was different. She received nothing from the boy other than company, one that Jacob found her loathing almost every second of the day.
She let Ander live freely, away from her as long as he was close by, even though she spent millions on him and his family. It was a miracle.
"Yeah, I guess you can say she is a little kind," He said, wondering what spell Ander cast on Jasmine that makes her tolerate him. "I guess that's why she lets her guard down with him. She knows he can't betray her," he added.
"You're her brother, you'd never betray her either."
"We who are born into rich families are blessed with so much but the ability to trust our own. Who needs enemies when your own family desires your downfall so they can take your place?" Jacob lowered his gaze.
His thoughts drifted off to his cousins and aunts that live in the Kincade house. Of all of them, only Clara and Raul didn't fight like hungry dogs for the family wealth. The rest came at Jasmine like blood hounds, to destroy her and take everything she has.
Growing up in that environment forced him to lose his sister. Jasmine had to step up, hold everything at arms lengths to avoid getting stabbed or betrayed and slowly became an ice princess of the Kincade family.
"I failed to protect her. I don't blame her for not trusting me, I'm just glad Ander is here and he's doing better than I did for her," he admitted to Jalana. "Jasmine isn't alone and I still get to support her from the side. It's all I want."
"I'm here now too," Jalana claimed, linking their arms together. "I won't ever leave. I love you, Jacob."
"I love you too, Jalana."
She couldn't relate to living with a family that plots her doom as her brother and mother doted on her but she wanted to comfort her siblings. To free Jacob and Jasmine from the confines of the terrible life they lived in the past, help create a warm home for them, like her mother and brother did for her.
"Let's get going and find the others," she told.
They walked in silence hand-in-hand together while pushing the shopping cart. Each moment bringing them closer with each other than ever before.
'I won't let you or Jasmine experience pain again,' Jalana internally vowed.