her in that way he always had, like she was the one person who understood him in this world. It was that way of looking at her that had convinced her to go out with him, because in the end their lives had always been entwined. She wondered what he had thought when he had transferred, how badly that huge pride of his had shattered and if he had cut himself on the glass pieces afterwards. It didn't matter though, because in the end she didn't care.

Before Alan and his father even moved she made her way to one of the three chairs in front of her father's desk, sitting down in the middle one without hesitation. She crossed her legs, leaning back against the soft fabric and smiling at her father. Only then did Alan's father start to move as well, seating himself to her left. Alan awkwardly glanced at the other chair, but his father glanced at him sharply, gesturing at him to stand still behind him, and he trained his gaze to the floor instead.

"President Lewis," Jasmina drawled, looking at the man," glad to see you again."

Though Yves Lewis was the president of several prominent companies and one of her father's most important business partners, she never had liked him all that much. Honestly, that didn't mean a lot coming from her, but there always had been something off about him. The man adored her though, always asking her for business advice or her opinion about things when she came over, to the point that Alan decided to only go to her house out of embarrassment for his father.

"I would say the same, Jasmina," Alan's father said, eyes carrying that same cold sheen as always," but this isn't the way I'd have liked to see you again."

He looked at his son again then, gaze so distasteful she could see Alan flinch slightly. Still, he stayed still and rigid behind his father, like a doll waiting to be ordered around. It was in a way weird to see him like this, but she knew he always had been the same around his father. Confidence was a mask he wore and she could see the heavy marks it had burned in him now he had taken it off.

"Get to the point, Yves."

All their eyes snapped to her father, his low voice so cool it had caused the temperature in the room to drop. His face was as devoid of emotion as always as he looked at them and she could feel Alan's father tense beside her. That only lasted a second though, words quickly tumbling down his lips when he spoke.

"Hakim," he said," you know how sweet our kids were together, the empire we were building. My foolish son messed up, but that doesn't mean that should be the end of it."

Her father looked at her for elaboration and Yves blinked, seeming surprised about him not knowing they were broken up. She just nodded in confirmation, not caring to say more. Annoyance at her lack of reply flashed in her father's eyes at that and he gestured at her.

"What happened, Jasmina?" he said," did you grow bored again?"

Alan paled visibly, but his gaze still remained on the Persian carpet underneath him, like tracing the intricate patterns would make him disappear. Even his father tensed, obviously regretting the fact that he had mentioned anything about Alan messing up now it seemed like Hakim didn't know. She didn't them any mind though, instead lacing her voice with sugar as she looked at her father.

"It's my business, daddy," she smiled sweetly," aren't there more important matters for you to focus on than high school drama?"

"This isn't just high school drama," Yves lashed out," this concerns things more important than that. I wouldn't want our partnership to fail because of this."

"Do tell me," Jasmina said," why would it?"

"Because you're both making too big of a deal out of a silly fight," he said with a shake of his head," I mean, Alan here was even caught on camera fighting. He needs your daughter's good influence or you know how bad this boy of mine will get. There's no self-control in him." He slammed his hand on the desk then, his pale skin reddening a bit with anger. "He even transferred out of Gaia without asking me permission! This is getting out of hand, Hakim."

"If you're addressing me," Jasmina suggested warmly," maybe look at me and use my name instead."

"Don't be rude, Jasmina," Yves said as he glanced at her," this was supposed to be a conversation between me and your father anyway."

"Regarding me?" Jasmina smiled," whatever made you think you can decide anything I do?"

"You're a child," he scoffed," you don't know what's best for you. Besides, what other candidate is as good for marriage as my son? Alan may screw up at times, but you have to think of the future."

She almost laughed at that, especially considering how she already had found a better candidate for marriage than Alan. It wasn't like marriage was a must, not at all, but she was also sure there was no one on Earth who could top the devil.

"Who said I had to put up with all the times your son messes up?" she said instead," It's not my job to be the good influence in his life, that's yours."

"Dad, let's go back," Alan said, voice quiet," I told you this wasn't a good idea. I was the one who messed up anyway."

"Shut up," his father snapped at him, before turning towards Jasmina," as should you if you know what's best for you. I have only tolerated your disrespect so far because you're Hakim's daughter, but I will not let it go any further."

"Or what?"

The silence hit the room immediately, Yves' gaze flicking to her father. Hakim had watched them all quietly until now, but there was no missing the sharpness in his eyes now. He had always been an imposing man when quiet, but when he was angry there were few who could escape his wrath. Her mother was one of the few people beside her, always soothing him with that pretty smile of hers and her soft voice, one made for lullabies and manipulation. If there ever was a couple truly made for each other, it was the two of them, if only because they both didn't have a heart.

"I said or what, Yves," her father said slowly, leaning forward," what are you going to do if my daughter disrespects you further?"

"Hakim," Yves began, looking genuinely panicked," you know that's not what I meant –"

"What did you mean then?" Hakim said coldly.

"Yeah," Jasmina smiled," what did you mean?"

"Come on, Hakim," Yves said, words rushed," there's no need to get angry about this. Our businesses are thriving together, I just misspoke."

"Last I checked my dear father's business was thriving alone as well," Jasmina said, tapping her lips as she tilted her head in thought," or am I wrong?"

Yves parted his lips, but closed them again quickly after, lost for words. Alan however almost looked glad, but when Jasmina noticed him staring he quickly avoided his gaze again. The tension in the room was so sharp you could cut it, but Hakim broke it easily, looking done with the conversation, voice cold as ice.

"Apologize and then leave, Yves," he said," I have no time for these childish matters."

"I –" Yves started.

Before he could protest though Alan dipped his head, speaking in his stead.

"I'm sorry, Jasmina," he said.

He didn't wait for her to accept the apology, turning around and leaving the room. Yves' gaze followed him in disbelief and he jumped to his feet. Only after a moment of standing there did he murmur an apology, quickly leaving after. When the doors slammed shut behind them Jasmina yawned, stretching out leisurely.

"Take care to keep him in line, daddy," she said," people forget loyalty when their ego gets chipped."

"He knows better than to antagonize our family by now," Hakim said as he flicked through a few papers," he's seen too many things not to."

He handed her a stack of papers and she took it. Every few months her father sent her some homework in the form of actual business deals he was closing and she had to work out the best plan in preparation for when she took over the companies. By the time she was graduated from high school she would be better than all of his employees already, she knew that. Now it was only a matter of establishing her own name in his world very soon and making it her own. It was when she stood up, ready to leave, that his voice stopped her in her tracks though.

"I have one more question though, Jasmina," he said.

"Ask away, daddy," she said, eyebrow raised.

"Why are there seven teenagers living in our house?"