When the Night Falls

JASMINE

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“Follow me,” he instructed.

Always a step behind him, he led me through the house.

I could see the muscles of his back through his shirt. I wanted to reach forward and just touch him. I was entranced by the way he moved. Such authority, such elegance, such mystery.

I noticed we were headed downstairs. The airy light from the large windows above was gone. Mr. Jefferson led me down a hallway toward a large metal door. He stopped outside it. He placed his palm on a scanner before opening it.

Inside was a windowless room. It looked like a dungeon with red velvet decor. My mind immediately went to the S** dungeons from my BDSM novels, I blushed at the thought of Mr. Jefferson and me in a S** dungeon together.

“What is this room?” I asked, a little uneasy as I stepped in. If I screamed here, no one could hear me up above.

“This is the panic room,” he explained. “If there is a security breach at any point, this is where you bring Thea. It’s impenetrable.”

“What sort of security breach are you expecting with a room like this?”

Who was Theodore Jefferson, really? Who were his enemies? All powerful men had enemies

He opened his mouth, then shut it, clearly deciding against answering my question.

“I will program your palm into the sensor,” he said.

I knew it was better not to press him further about it.

“And what about Thea?” I asked. “When will I be meeting her?”

“Ah, yes,” he said. “We can go check on Thea right away.”

As we walked away from the panic room, I glanced back at the large door, wondering if the time would ever come for us to use it.

12:51 Wed, 24 Jan GD

***

“Thea, meet your nanny,” Mr. Jefferson said.

Hearing Mr. Jefferson’s cl*pped tone, I started looking around. The room was bare, too plain for a young girl. It seemed like the room of a middle-aged woman with no taste. It needed a major makeover. Something that made it hospitable, a real home for a young child. My mind raced with a million ideas for redecorating.

Noticing that Mr. Jefferson was looking down, I lowered my gaze to see a cute little girl, about seven or eight years old, hiding near her bed.

She shyly lifted her head to see me. I was amused, seeing her cheeks turning red from the attention she was getting. At least someone blushes because of me.

“Hey!” My voice was soft, and to make her comfortable, I waved my hand, smiling at the cute girl with semi-curly hair.

She took three steps forward, waving her hand. “Hello.”

She was looking at me with her big eyes, they flashed with recognition, clearly curious about me.

“You’re the lady who gave me her handkerchief,” she stated.

“I’m Jasmine.”

“Flower!” Thea exclaimed.

“What was that?”

“Can I call you Flower?”

“Sure

you can, love.”

“I’m Thea. Your name is pretty. Just like Princess Jasmine.”

She was already starting to ease around me.

I was confused for a split second before it hit me. She was referring to the Disney character from. Aladdin.

“Is that your favorite Disney movie?”

“No,” her face came alive like no one had ever asked her this question. “I do like Aladdin. Very much. But my favorite is Frozen. I especially like Anna.”

She walked up to me and started stroking my hair.

“You and Anna have the same hair color. I wish my hair looked like yours. How come your hair is red, and mine is brown?”

12:52 Wed, 24 Jan GO.

I chuckled at her question. “People are born with different color hair. You got brown, and I got red. Some people even color their hair blue or purple or green.”

“Hmm…” She seemed to really think about what I was saying. “You aren’t like those old nannies. You actually talk to me. They were bad to me, never listening.”

I frowned at her words.

“Would you want to watch Frozen tonight?” I suggested. “We could even make some Frozen-themed snacks.”

Her face came alive with excitement. But before she could answer, Mr. Jefferson interrupted. I jumped at the sound of his voice. I was so lost in the moment with Thea that I had forgotten that her father was right there watching us.

“Thea doesn’t watch movies on school nights,” Mr. Jefferson said.

I looked at Thea. She was disappointed but didn’t say anything.

Now”

Mr. Jefferson said, “I am going to show you the room where you’ll be staying, Jasmine.”

“You’re staying here?” Thea perked up. “In the house with us?”

“Yes.” I smiled at her. “I’ll settle in and come find you.”

I winked at her before following Mr. Jefferson outside the room.

I was shocked by how cold he was toward her. Like Iris suggested, I could give him some tips.

My room was a few doors down on the opposite side of Thea’s room.

“This will be your room,” he said.

“Close to Thea’s,” I added. “That’s great.”

“And close to mine,” he walks to the door immediately next to mine. “So be careful what you do and say, Jasmine, the walls are thick, but they’re not that thick.”

As he disappeared behind his door into his room, I couldn’t help but think…

Would he be listening to me late at night?

Rules were made to be broken. Theodore Jefferson would have to make an exception to his strict rules for our Frozen movie night. Thea and I giggled as we made snowmen out of plump marshmallows.

“You use licorice for the eyes,” I demonstrated. “Candy corn for the nose.”

About his arms?” Thea asked.

12:52 Wed, 24 Jan

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“About his arms?” Thea asked.

“Oh,” I exclaimed. “That’s the best part.”

A grabbed pretzel sticks and shoved them where the arms would go. This made Then explode in a fit of giggles.

“Just like Olaf!” she squealed.

we

“Shall we get started on the movie then?” I asked, gathering the Frozen-themed feast in front of us on the kitchen counter.

We both sunk into the couch. It was one of those couches that probably cost ten thousand dollars. As I settled in next to Thea, a blanket keeping us warm and snug. I knew it was worth every

penny.

“Do you think Dad will be upset?” Thea looked up at me as the opening credits began.

“I don’t think so, sweetheart.” I said. “And if he is, I’ll talk to him.”

Quietly. Thea sang along to the songs. We were about halfway through the movie when I heard someone clear their throat. When I looked up, there he was, looking angry. Theodore Jefferson.

“Dad!” Thea jumped up. “Look at what we made!”

Thea grabbed a snowman and brought it to Theodore, placing it in the palm of his hand. He flashed a restrained smile before passing it back to her. She ran back to me and passed me the

snowman.

“Are you going to join us?” I asked Theodore. “We’re about halfway through, but I’m sure we can catch you up.”

“Yes,” Thea exclaimed, loving my suggestion. “There is Anna and Elsa. Anna is the younger one. The one with red hair, like Jasmine-”

Theodore started edging closer to us. Thea continued excitedly explaining the plot.

“Elsa found out she has powers and is stuck in an ice palace. Anna is about to go save her,” she finished, almost out of breath.

“I couldn’t have explained it better myself,” I said.

“Are you going to sit down, Dad?” Then asked. “You could sit right there next to

to Jasmine.”

I could tell Theodore was in a state of shock. He had clearly never heard Then be that chatty or enthusiastic. He seemed baffled by how open she was being. In this state of surprise, he seemed to just follow along with her instructions. Maybe he was curious to see how this would go.

“Get closer, Dad!” Then yelled. “So you can use this blanket too.”

Hascooted closer to me mukwardly Loot goosebumns when his b*dy touched mine. Thea Chapter 4 of 30 Chapter 4

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12:52 Wed, 24 Jan GB

He scooted closer to me awkwardly. I got goosebumps when his b*dy touched mine. Thea swung the blanket on top of him. Now all three of us were underneath it.

As the movie progressed, I could feel his arm slightly brush against mine. It sent shivers down. my spine, and I couldn’t ignore the electricity that sparked between us. I shifted in my seat, trying to ignore the heat building in my chest.

Every time our arms brushed against each other, it sent a jolt of electricity through my b*dy.

I could feel the warmth of his b*dy seeping through his shirt and into my skin. I wanted to reach out and touch him, to feel the hard muscles beneath his clothing. But I had to resist.

He’s your boss, I reminded myself.

My leg brushed against his, sending a spark through my b*dy. I tried to steady my racing heart. as he shifted closer.

drifting back to him. The way the light from the screen danced off his sharp jawline and highlighted the muscles in his arms. It made my b*dy ache with desire.

I tried to focus on the movie in front of us, but my gaze keptted the muscles in his

I could see the tension in his b*dy as he gripped the couch cus hion and bit his l*p.

Could he be trying to contain his urges?

Suddenly, he jumped up from his seat.

“Alright, Thea,” he said. “Time for bed.”

“But the movie isn’t even done yet,” she complained.

“No arguing with me,” he replied. “You have school in the morning.”

“Fine,” Thea pouted.

“I’ll tuck her in,” I said, my eyes dropping from his. There was an intensity in his gaze. Almost like he had felt exactly the way I was a moment ago.

I held Thea’s hand as we walked upstairs. We hummed Frozen songs as she brushed her teeth and climbed into bed:

“I’m really glad you’re here, Jasmine,” she said as her eyes grew heavy with sleep.

“Goodnight, sweetheart,” I said as I k*ssed on the forehead before she fell asleep.

I tried to fall asleep but couldn’t. My tummy grumbled angrily. I guess candy for dinner wasn’t qnough.

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I considered putting pants on before I went downstairs but decided against it. No one would be up and about by now. Wearing nothing but my oversized t-shirt I head to the kitchen for a midnight snack. My favorite meal of the day only made better by the fact that, as a chef, I could get creative with the most limited ingredients.

The kitchen was dark when I got there.

When I swung the fridge door open, its cool light flooded the empty kitchen. Everything was silent but the subtle humming of the refrigerator.

Living in the country would take some getting used to. It was nothing like the hustle and bustle of London. I had nearly forgotten about my old life and all the misery it brought me.

Being at the mansion was like a fairytale.

I scanned each shelf taking note of each ingredient.

I definitely needed to go grocery shopping tomorrow. There was hardly anything to work with. I

would have to be inventive.

As I reached for the strawberries and whipping cream, a shiver ran down my spine. I could feel a pair of eyes on my half-n*ked b*dy.

I screamed when I saw him, covering my b*dy with my arms.

There in the doorway, looking right at me, was Theodore Jefferson.

And he looked furious.