Chapter 6: Jack's Jazz...Wrong Reason: Right One

“Jason,”

Jazz quickly approached the boy. These last two days she noticed he kept himself apart from everyone. She was still uncertain but was acting on a gut feeling around him. If she was reading the signs correctly the boy has trust issues. She felt drawn to him almost like she should protect him. She remembers being very independent after losing her parents but there was something else going on with the boy.

“Is something wrong Jazz?” he quickly sits up straight closing his school books.

“No, I am just letting you know I am going out for an hour. Will you be okay?”

“Yes, Jazz,”

“Okay, can we have a movie night later?”

“I would like that. Maybe we can ask Jack to join us.” He asked hopeful.

“That’s an idea. Just so you know, I am not into romantic stories, I like scary or action packed.” She grinned when she saw she hit the right note for movie night. She hugged him again before leaving.

Jason watched her, silent tears streaming down his face. He quickly looked around relief when he noticed there was no servants close. He quickly learned they moved around like unseen ghosts.

Jack stood at the study window looking at his wife leaving the grounds. He timed the movements when he saw his ‘man’ reacting. He looked at the surveillance photos in his hands. He did a background check on the Duncan family. He always covers his back. He didn’t like what he learned about Eva Duncan. That woman should be watched, she will not get another chance to play his wife for a fool. He frowns wondering what Jazz remembers about that night. He certainly was in conflict about how she would react. A brief smiled played around his lips when he remembers she was a wild card. He found a moment’s pleasure in remembering the shock on his ex-girlfriend’s face when Jazz stripped and left his study proudly naked. Her warning still ringing in his own ears, ‘what’s mine stays mine’. That very statement settles a possessive protective feeling in his heart. He turned away, knowing Jazz should find out what’s going on behind her back on her own. Life has a harshness about it that can make you bleed while silent tears streamed down your face. He learned a long time ago to wiped away his own tears.

Jazz stood in front of her boyfriends’ apartment. She looked at the ring on her finger feeling uncertain about what she was doing. The moment she signs that document as Jazz Duncan Warren, something shifted within her. This was just a contract between two strangers living together now, but to the world she was now a married woman. She always lived according to certain rules. It doesn’t matter that the marriage wasn’t real, she refuses to play the man a fool.

“What should I do?” she questions herself.

In open conflict with herself she starts to paced in front of the building while wringing her hands. She still remembers her parents loving each other, she was raised in such an environment. That was always the life she desired for herself, since meeting Allan Black two years ago she insist they take their relationship slow. The security door of the apartment suddenly opened. The tenant holds the door for her winking at her.

“Thanks, “she mouthed before entering. Full of conflict as she slowly walked towards the familiar red door which she helped painted. She frowned when she found the door slightly ajar hearing music coming from inside. She smiled wondering if he was working from his apartment today. As a professional dancer he can be temperamental. He usually does this when he had an argument with either another dancer or possibly a director. He loved following his own rules, whereas she was a stickler for rules. Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door wider and stepped inside. She discovered three bottles of red wine and half eaten snacks. Frowning as she wonders about this very puzzled. Her body suddenly froze when she heard the soft laughter. It suddenly sounded over familiar but she can’t place the moment.

“What the fuck are you doing baby?”

Jazz instantly recognized her cousins voice. Her heart felt like it just dropped to the floor.

“Patience, baby cake, I am coming,” Allan Black answered.

Jazz’s heart shattered into pieces and her illusions of a trusted relationship.

“You know, Allan, I wonder about that fool that was so eager to marry that idiot cousin of mine.”

“You just had to remind me; I wasn’t finished with Jazz.”

“What’s your bloody obsession with her anyways? It wasn’t like you were fucking her.” Eva said in a nasty tone.

“I love you baby cakes but your lousy reputation helps with nothing. Jazz comes clean-cut and trustworthy.”

“Bastard,” she hissed.

“Bitch in heat,” he declares with obvious satisfaction.

Jazz tries her best to move her frozen legs disgusted by what she was hearing standing in the hall.

“I wonder if that man managed to fuck that frigid bitch?”

“I doubt it, Jazz believes in loyalty and marriage. That guy just bought her for a year.” Allan said annoyed. “I hope she at least sign a contract.”

“Why,”

“Compensation for a years’ worth of work.” Allan said sounding openly greedy and jealous.

“Enough me now.” Eva instructed.

“Eva,”

“What?”

“Do you think Jazz remembers the night at the club?”

“No and it was a waste of time and effort. Someone wiped the whole footage from the internet.”

“I still have a copy on my cell phone.” Allan bragged. “Maybe I will get money from it.”

“Show me later, fuck me now,” Eva instructed.

Jazz stood outside the apartment. She wants to vomit but can’t. She looked at the phone she bought Allan as a gift.

“What did they do?” she whispered in fear.

Hearing steps running down the stairs she suddenly bolted running down the length of the street. She saw the taxi and run straight for it. The quick driver climbed back into the front. Starting the vehicle.

She looked over her shoulder to see if anyone followed her. The street stayed empty.

“Where to Missus Warren?” the driver asked.

Jazz felt her head was ripping from her neck as she swiftly faces the driver in shock.

“Who are you? How do you know my position?”

“I work for Jack Warren.” The man answered simple and honest.

“Did…did you follow me?” she asked openly shocked.

“Yes ma’am.”

“Why,”

“Your husband asked that I watch over you.”

“Why,”

“My job is to keep the media away from you. Jack Warren hates them with a passion.”

“Why,”

“That you must ask him ma’am.”

“Stop calling me ma’am, I am not ancient.” Jazz suddenly snap furious feeling stupid for trusting Allan Black.

“Where too?” the man asked with suppressed laughter in his voice.

“Duncan Estate.” She sits back looking at the phone.

“Hello grandmother,” Jazz stepped into the tea lounge.

“I have been waiting for your arrival.” Tina Duncan looked sharply at her. She noticed that something was wrong with Jazz. “What happened?”

“Nothing, do I have permission to remove some personal belongings from the mansion?”

“What’s with the attitude Jazz?”

“How am I suppose to behave, grandmother? You sold me to a stranger for a year.”

“Why were you naked in that seedy motel room?”

“I don’t know. How did you know where to find me?”

Tina Duncan looked pointedly at her beloved granddaughter. A fury was starting to build in her eyes. She slowly took the tea cup and thoughtfully start drinking.

“You finally made your choice grandmother, now you and Eva can have a delightful time together. Do I have permission to remove my belongings?”

“What will you do if I refuse?”

“I do love the notion of being a nudist,” Jazz said flatly.

Tina Duncan choked on her lemon tasted tea.

“Are you trying to kill grandmother Jazz?” Eva made an appearance gently slapping the older woman on the back.