"I can't wait to decorate!"

We all rolled our eyes at the gleeful voice that my mother had. Decorating is something that she takes seriously and we all had to participate.

I finished eating my eggs and bacons, bringing my plate to the sink before making my way upstairs.

Shaking my head at the side of grumpy passed out in the hallway. I'm not even surprise, its like 90% of the time he's asleep.

I quickly took a shower and changed into a grey rib croptop, leather jacket, black high-waisted jeans, and some ankle boots.

Letting my hair in it's loose state, I applied a little bit of concealer and dabbed a red lipstick on my lips and cheeks before grinning.

Really not hygienic but eh, it works for me.

"Mom? Where's Neo?" I asked, glancing around the living room.

She raised a brow at this."He's in his bedroom darling. Stealing his car keys?" She asks, making my cheekily grin.

I nodded, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear."You're indeed my mother, mom. Tell him I'll be back later in the evening. I love you, bye!"

Taking the car keys on the hook, I made my way outside. I felt like an evil sister stealing his car and I couldn't help but wear my sunglasses as if to bask in the smugness.

I backed away from the driveway, turning the radio on and listening to some Taylor Swift songs.

It's currently ten in the morning and I'll be seeing Casper later at one in the afternoon. I thought of buying him a gift hence why I'm currently on my way to the mall.

The drive there wasn't far and I was walking towards the entrance before I knew it. I've been thinking all night of what I'll get him and even thinking of buying a gift for Tyrone and Aron.

I can't buy gifts for my family yet since we haven't done the pick the name where we basically pick a piece of paper that had their names on it and will be the one we'll be giving a gift.

I hope I pick Neo, he's the most undemanding person when it comes to gifts. The rest of them always makes an effort to state their wants.

The mall was packed and it was probably because Christmas is fast approaching. I walked in a random toy store and glanced at the rows of different toys.

What should I get him? I remembered Aron mentioning me that he already had a set of animal teddy bears in their house.

"What are you doing here?" I ripped my gaze away from the frog teddy bear and turned to the voice.

"What are you doing here?" My eyes taking in denim jeans and simple tee of a smirking Jett.

He shrugged."I'm picking a gift for my son." Jett casually replied, glancing at the teddy bear I've been staring at.

"What? You're a dad?" I gasped, before quickly clearing my throat."I'm not judging you or anything. Dads are cool, I mean from what I can remember but that's not the point. Who's the mother? She's not from school? Oh my gosh! Don't tell me you're a single da-"

Jett quickly walked up to me, placing a hand on his mouth making me stop my rambling. His eyes were amused and soft laughter escaped his lips.

"I don't have a son cherry, I was just playing with you and no, I'm only single without the dad in it." He cheekily said, earning a swift punch from me.

"You fucker." I grumbled, making him chuckle.

"I'm here to buy a gift to my niece. I was passing on this aisle when I've caught a glimpse of you." Jett replied, making me roll my eyes.

"Okay, I can see we're both struggling here. I'll help you choose a gift for your niece and you'll help me with mine, its for a boy." I said, tilting my head slightly.

Jett pushed his hand into one of his pockets."Fine, can you add lunch to that? I don't have any lunch buddy with me and I'm scared women will be flocking on my single ass."

I let out a small laugh at this before nodding my head."Deal, now how old is your niece?"

"She's five and she hates dolls and teddy bears." Jett answered, scratching the back of his head.

That earned a surprise look from me. That's kinda tough but I guess the easy options would be like clothes or a fake cooking sets.

"Does she loves to dress up? or loves to play pretend like cooking?" I ask, making him pause.

"Well, she does likes to dress up. Anika gets pissed off when you don't compliment her attire." He slowly answered, nodding his head.

I snapped my fingers."We'll then, let's go. I know just the place." I grinned, looping my arm on his and dragged him.

"Wow, this avocado toast is the bomb!" I exclaimed, chewing slowly whilst nodding my head at the flavors that exploded in my mouth.

Jett grinned, taking a bite of his."I told you. This is like my favorite restaurant." He told me.

Jett brought me to one of his favorite spot to eat here at the mall. Our designated gifts were wrapped and ready to be given.

Fingers crossed that Casper loves them.

I was still full from what I ate earlier so I decided to order something light. Occasionally checking my phone to see if there were any texts.

Aron told me he'd text me when they're on their way to the station. He gave me a spare key last night and told me use it and knock three times to let Casper know that it was indeed me.

"Thank you for helping me Jett." I said, taking another bite of it.

Jett waved a hand off."It's no problem cherry. Everything was reciprocated so, all is well." He said.

"That was smart of you to think of animal themed board games. I haven't thought of that one." I pointed out, glancing briefly at the woman who passed by us.

He shrugged."My dad owns a dog pound and he loves filling the house with anything themed animal. Board games are one of those." He shared making me pause.

"Your dad's name doesn't happen to be Ansel, right?" I asked, remembering the guy from the dog pound.

Jett rolled his eyes."Yep, took you long enough. We have the same eyes." He said, making me gasp.

"No way! How could I know? Indeed you have the same eyes but everything else is completely different." I defended, leaning back in my seat.

"Yeah, the rest of my features were from my mom. She's a veterinarian by the way," Jett said, taking a sip of his coke.

I hummed."I remembered your dad telling me that both of them were complete opposites on everything but still ended up together."

Jett snorted, letting out a small laugh."Indeed. They both got paired up in a project and dad fell in love with my mom and developed his love for dogs too." He said, his blue eyes twinkling.

I smiled."That's a cute love story they have there. So, you how many siblings do you have?" I asked, wiping the side of my mouth with a tissue.

"There's only two of us. My elder sister and me, although I act more mature than her sometimes." He grumbled, biting harshly on the toast.

I nodded."Yeah, I have a twin and a younger sister. Most of the time, I'm stuck in between them because of their childish taunting to each other." I sighed, making him smile.

"Yeah, Neo right? I've seen him a couple times. Shouldn't you have the same hair color though?" He commented, making me nod.

"Yeah, he dyed his hair. People bullied him for being a ginger and got fed up." I shrugged.

Neo and I had our fair share of experiences in being bullied. Neo did his best to defend me from them but how could he when he's battling his own bullies and struggling with his insecurities?

He beats himself up for my hypoglycemia but I don't blame him, Neo tries to be there for me as much as possible and vice versa.

I'm not ashamed of who I looked like before because I wouldn't be where I am now if it weren't for that.

Besides, I love myself more than anything. I know I'm beautiful and that's what matters for me.

"I'm not surprised. So many motherfuckers in this world loves bullying others for their own satisfaction and ego." Jett said, his annoyance lacing in.

I pushed a hair behind my ear."Never mind them, a day will come that it'll bite their asses back." I shrugged, his agreement voicing out.

We finished our food after that, walking out of the restaurant when my phone finally rang. A smile gracing my features at the sight of Tyrone on the caller ID.

"On the way to the station? I hope everything will go smoothly." I said, excitement bubbling in me.

"Sadly, it had to be postponed Ms. Smith." The smile dropped on my lips at the voice of Aron's dad.

My feet came up to a halt, the ugly spike of anxiety came rushing and my heart did a lurch. The bad feeling from yesterday was slamming unto me hard.

Jett noticed I wasn't following and stopped, his brows knitting and a frown settled on his lips at the expression on my face.

"Mr. Thompson." I greeted coldly."Where's Tyrone and Aron? What have you done to them? I swear if yo-" The sound of pained grunts met my ears that made me stop.

"Ah, I don't think you should be the one spewing threats Ms. Smith." He said, his voice amused.

My hand tightened on the phone, fury entering my system.

"What do you want? A son of a bitch like you wouldn't be doing this unless its for your own benefit." I spat, ignoring the odd look that people threw me.

I let Jett pull me to a secluded frame, his blue orbs worried but tension was forming on his body from my tone.

Aron's Dad laughed, sending chills down my spine at how evil it sounded."You're smart, I somehow understand why this two fuckers befriended you." He coldly said.

"Listen sir," I hissed."Excuse my language but the only fucker in that room is you and you fucking goons. Now, tell me what the fuck you want?" I sneered, anger evident in my voice.

He cackled even louder, my irritation spiking up."Ahh, feisty indeed. Well, it's quite simple Ms. Smith. I want my son, give Casper to me and I'll give you back Tyrone." He said, his voice serious.

I felt my heart drop at his words. Casper? There's no fucking way I'd give it to him and I knew why he called, both of them weren't willing to spill where his location was.

Taking a deep breath, I knew I had to play this smart. He's a business man after all and negotiating is something that he will be interested in.

"Okay but in one condition. Let me talk to the both of them." I said, my voice firm and cold.

"Fine but only for two minutes and that's it." He snapped before a weak grunt was heard.

I turned to my watch, glancing at the minutes that I had with them.

"Radish, don't listen to this fucker. We can handle their shit, don't fucking come." Tyrone's pained yet firm voice met my ear.

I felt tears well up but I reeled it in, I had to be strong and showing them weakness wouldn't help their situation.

"Just hang in there carrot." I said."Now where's Aron? Aron? Are you there?" I asked, my eyes watching the my watch.

"Zoe," Aron coughed out, my heart clenching painfully."Don't give Casper to him. Hide and tell Casper for me that I'll be away for a while and so he can sleep in your house with Mr. Lion. He's gonna kill us Zoe, he wou-" Another grunt can be heard and I knew he was punched once again.

"Time's fucking up Ms. Smith. Now, I'll text you the location and you'll bring him there. We'll be exchanging at the same time." Aron's Dad said, his tone gleeful.

I narrowed my eyes, bring my hand down."How do I know you'll stick with your word?"

"I am a business man Ms. Smith, I stick to what I say. Now, you'll probably know what would happen if you so much as tell the cops about this right?" The threat on his voice was strong.

"I know Mr. Thompson." I gritted out."I'll wait for the text." I ended the call, my facade immediately dropping.

Jett pulled me to him, my tears springing out."J-Jett, it was, they-Tyrone-"

"Shh. I heard enough to know what it was about Zoe. Now, calm down. Crying would do no good." He softly said, rubbing a hand on my back.

Jett was right. This is not the time to cry, I have to secure Casper before they could. Shit, I have to go to him.

I pulled away, quickly wiping the stray tears."I-I have to go Jett. I have to get Casper." I said, opening my bag and trying to find my car keys.

Jett placed a hand on mine, my teary ones meeting his worried orbs."You're not in the state to drive Cherry. Let's go, I'll drive."

I sniffled, wiping another tear away and taking a deep breath. Calm down Zoe, reel it in. Be the bad bitch that Peggy says you are.

The keys made a little sound as I took it from my bag, handing it to him."Let's go."

Throughout the whole drive, I did my best to calm myself down and think of a plan. I need to be on step ahead of that bitch.

I'm sure the location they're in would probably be in a warehouse, Aron mentioned a few times about it and my gut feeling was strong.

Jett was glancing worriedly at me but I ignored it, biting the inside of my cheek so hard that I could taste blood.

My thoughts were all over the place but when their small rental house came into view. I didn't give Jett a chance to turn the ignition off before I was unstrapping the seat belt and out of the car.

I walked towards the door and inserted the key before knocking three times, my feet was tapping worriedly as Jett quickly walked up to me.

The door opened and Casper's beaming face greeted me. I couldn't help but tear up in relief and before I knew it, I pulled him tightly to me.

He hugged me back."H-Hi Zoe! I m-missed you!" Casper greeted me, his voice making me cry softly.

I placed a hand on the back of his head and back, pulling him tighter to me."Thank God, you're okay." I mumbled, before ushering him inside gently with Jett.

He closed the door and Casper's shyly hid behind me, glancing at Jett."I-Is he your f-friend Zoe?" He asks, his voice soft.

I nodded, placing a reassuring hand on his head."He is Casp, his name is Jett." I said, glancing at Jett.

Jett casted a friendly smile at him before offering his hand."Nice to meet you Casper." He said, Casper returning his shake.

"Likewise." Casper smiled shyly before turning to me."You didn't bring Grumpy with you?" His disappointed face greeting me.

"Tyrone and A-bear had to go away for a while." I kneeled down before offering him a small smile."A-bear says that you can sleep in my house with Mr. Lion while he's away."

I expected him to squeal in happiness but instead, his eyes widened before he started to pull me hastily towards the direction of his room.

Letting him pull me, Jeff and I exchanged confused looks before making our towards his room.

Casper then made his way to his bed, Jett and I stood at the door as he picked Mr. Lion up before walking back to me.

"A-bear is in trouble, isn't he?" Casper's saddened pout met my gaze.

"Why would you say that Casp? They just went away for a while." I told him, kneeling at his frame.

Casper shook his head before turning Mr. Lion down. My brows rose up when I took in the small zipper on the lion's feet.

He zipped it down before squeezing his little fingers in and taking something out."A-bear told me that if someone told me that then it means that I have to give this to them."

I opened my palm, feeling the cold metal of the USB. Jett and I glanced at one another before I gasped, an idea coming in my head.

Turning to Casper's worried eyes, I placed a soft kiss on his forehead."Don't worry Casper, A-bear will be back before you know it." I assured him before standing up.

Casper's face lightened up before he nodded."O-Okay Zoe, C-Can I bring s-some of my toys at your h-house?"

I ruffled his hair before nodding."Of course, place them on your bed and we'll pack them in a bag. I just have to do a phone call, okay?"

Casper smile and it was enough to give me strength."O-Okay Zoe." He said before rushing to his toys.

Jett and I walked out of the room."What's your plan Cherry?" He asks, running a hand through his hair.

"I'm going to give that son of a bitch a taste of his own medicine." I promised, his eyes widening slightly at my tone.

I tightened my hold on the USB, quickly taking my phone out and scrolling through my contacts before dialing the number.

It rang a few times before the caller finally pick up, I didn't even say hello and went straight to the point.

"I need your help."

ANOTHER UPDATE CARDISHES!

OMG THERE'S ONLY ONE MORE CHAPTER LEFT BEFORE THE EPILOGUE AAHHHHHH

Did you like the chapter? Damn, it's about to go down and we are off to see the prick, excuse my language, Aron's dad who is the cause of his hatred towards Tyrone before.

Please don't be sad, I know it sucks that TPP is going to an end but you could reread again or just visit my other books if you want hehe You could also check out my reading lists, they're filled with different book genre☺️

Just a little secret, I'm working on a book right and it's a werewolf type. I KNOW, completely different from my teen fiction/ teen romance ones but I wanted to explore and I've been working on the plot like crazy😅

I don't know when it'll be up though but would you read it? hehe Anyways, The whole month of September is filled with the remaining updates of my other story which is The Bad and My Cookie so I want finish that first.

For me its pinterest hahaha, I always get carried away when using that app and when I'm suffering with an author's block, I just open it search some random prompts that gets my mind working and comes up with ideas🤣

Thank you so much for reading, voting, and commenting! You all stay safe and sleep well okay? Don't forget to drink water before you do🥰

I love you guys!💚

Remember that you are beautiful, you are loved, and you are you💚