[SL in Marvel] Ch: 5 [Wanda's Astral Form]

Words: 2.2k

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[Morning]

Jason woke up to the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains. He blinked, momentarily disoriented by the unfamiliar warmth against his side. Linda was still nestled against him, her breathing steady and deep. He glanced down and couldn't help but smile at the look of peace on her face. For a moment, he thought that she looked kinda beautiful in that black nightdress, hugging her curves, then realized what he was thinking and gave his head a shake.

'What the heck am I thinking? She's my stepmom...' His mind was thinking one thing, but his heart was thinking differently, which resulted in the moral debate he was having right now. Carefully, he extricated himself from her embrace, mindful not to wake her. He glanced at the clock—7:30 AM. 'Haaa... I overslept!' This never happened to Jason. He had never slept this late. He was a morning bird. But today, he felt surprisingly energetic and refreshed.

He went to his private gym, did his usual routine workout and shower, and dressed up for the day.

Jason made his way to the kitchen, where the smell of fresh coffee and sizzling bacon greeted him. Luna was already bustling about, preparing breakfast.

"Good morning, Mr. Jason," Luna greeted him with a warm smile. "I hope you slept well."

Jason returned her smile, though it felt a bit strained. "Morning, Luna. I slept like a log and I overslept. Can you believe it? Me? Oversleeping?" He said with a chuckle.

Luna laughed softly. "Well, Mr. Jason, you did have a long day yesterday. I'm sure you were exhausted."

Jason shrugged. "Yeah, maybe. Anyway, what's for breakfast? It smells delicious!" He commented as he poured himself a cup of steaming hot coffee.

Luna grinned proudly. "Your favorite, Mr. Jason. Eggs Benedict with spinach and bacon, plus freshly squeezed orange juice. Oh, and I baked some chocolate chip muffins, too."

Jason's mouth watered at the mention of his favorites. As he took the glass of juice, Linda walked in, looking a bit bleary-eyed but more composed than he had seen her last night. She gave him a small, tentative smile, and he nodded in acknowledgment.

"Morning, Linda," he said softly.

"Morning, Jason," she replied, her voice low as well.

Luna glanced between them, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Good morning, Mrs. Linda. Breakfast is ready. Please have a seat at the table and I'll bring it out shortly."

Emma soon joined them, looking bright and cheerful as usual. "Morning, everyone! Wow! That looks amazing, Luna! You spoil us rotten." She hugged her mother briefly before sitting down at the table.

Luna smiled proudly. "Thank you, Miss Emma. Enjoy your meal."

As they ate, there was a slightly awkward silence. Finally, Jason cleared his throat, "So, what are your plans for the day?" He asked Linda.

"I've to go to the studio. There should be a couple of new arts coming in today, and a new model, so I need to get there early to prepare."

Jason nodded. "I see. Emma, what about you?"

"Today, I'm gonna be very busy. Guess why?" She teased.

Jason furrowed his brows in thought. "Hmm... no idea. Why?"

"Because today is Monday, silly!" She giggled.

"And?"

"Today's the day they are releasing the Black Box Album. Limited edition, only 100 boxes. Rumors have it that it contains the rarest albums from all the artists, signed by them personally. I want to get my hands on one of those special albums of Blood Demon Inside. Dex signed only ten of them before his death and those ten records with signatures are said to be among the 100 boxes. If I'm somewhat lucky enough to get one of them, then heheheh..." An evil smile appeared on her face as she imagined selling it for thousands of bucks at an auction.

Jason chuckled. "You believe those rumors?" He raised an eyebrow, shaking his head.

"Wait! You are in Hollywood, right?" Her eyes lit up as she made cute puppy-like eyes at Jason. "Pleaseee, help meeee, pleassseee..." Emma clasped her palms together and pleaded.

"Argh! Fine! Just stop making that expression," Jason couldn't help but relent to his stepsister's adorable act.

.

After breakfast, Jason excused himself and headed to his study. He had made up his mind to take some time off to be with his family. The weight of his father's death and the emotional toll it had taken on Linda and Emma required his presence more than his work did at the moment.

He picked up his phone and dialed his secretary, Marissa.

"Good morning, boss," Marissa answered.

"Morning, Marissa. Listen, I need you to handle things at the office for the week. I'll be working from home. Can you send over any files that need my immediate attention?"

"Of course. I'll make sure everything is taken care of. Do you need anything else?"

"Yes, I signed the documents last night. Could you come by and pick them up?"

"Certainly. I'll be there within the hour."

"If I'm not there, Luna will give them to you. Thanks, Marissa."

Jason hung up and leaned back in his chair, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling that had settled over him since waking up. He couldn't pinpoint what was bothering him, but it felt like a shadow lurking at the edge of his consciousness.

'Maybe it's just stress.' He thought to himself with a sigh. 'I need a break from work anyway.'

He closed his eyes and tried to clear his mind, letting the darkness wash over him. After ten minutes he stood up and went to the living room. Linda was already ready to go to work and Emma was ready to go to buy some albums.

"You girls ready?" He asked them.

"Yep. Let's go!" Emma replied.

Jason informed Luna about the files and told her to hand them over to Marissa when she arrived before the three of them got into the car and drove off.

.

After dropping Linda to her art studio. Jason drove to the store where Emma wanted to buy the Black Box album. There was a huge line outside the store. Jason knew the owner of this store, Brad. He often helps Brad's daughter with minor roles in movies and ads.

"Ah! That's a big line! I knew it!" Emma groaned.

"Not to worry when I'm here," Jason took his phone and texted Brad. "But, what am I gonna get out of it?" He smirked.

"You already have everything. What can a poor girl like me give you? God! What a cruel world this is!" Emma put on a sad, pitiful look, pretending to be crying. "Although we aren't blood-related, I'm still your step-sister! How could you blackmail me for a measly album?! Oh, my weak heart." She clutched her chest dramatically.

Jason rolled his eyes. "Seriously? That's how you are gonna play?"

Emma continued her act, "Ah! My weak heart can't take it. Please... have mercy... oh, my poor soul..." She slumped forward, her head hanging low as if she had fainted.

He sighed. "Fine, fine! What am I gonna do with you? You are already 18 years old. Stop behaving like a child." He shook his head but his lips curved upwards in amusement.

She sat up and grinned broadly. "Love me, praise my acting, and spoil me rotten like a loving big bro you are with a big heart." She batted her eyelashes at him.

Jason got out of his car, "Wait here. Don't even think of leaving the car."

Emma saluted him with a big grin. "Aye, aye, captain!"

He slammed the door shut and put on his hoodie, sunglasses, and mask before walking toward the store.

As Jason neared the store, he felt someone's eyes on him. He quickly glanced toward his right, but there was no one there. But his senses told him otherwise. Shaking off that uneasy feeling, he walked inside the store from the back door. Brad came running towards him with a big smile.

"Jason, my friend! Long time no see!" Brad greeted him, shaking his hand excitedly.

"Hi, Brad. How are things going?" Jason returned the greeting with a smile.

Brad laughed. "Busy as always. Listen, I heard about your father from Marissa. I'm really sorry for your loss." Marissa is his cousin. So, he must have heard it from her.

Jason nodded. "Thank you for your condolences."

Brad patted him on the shoulder. "Anything I can do for you, just let me know."

Jason smiled. "Actually, there is something you can help me with."

"Sure, what is it? Just name it."

"How many Black Boxes have you got today?" He asked casually.

Brad grinned mischievously. "This is between you and me. I kinda pulled some strings and got all 100 boxes for my store. You seen that line outside? People are gonna pay double the price for these limited-edition boxes. And I'm gonna make a freaking fortune today."

"You know, Brad..." Jason leaned on the wall and smirked under his mask, "I've got a nice script, just sitting in my office and I've been thinking of bringing in new stars, ya know. Just pull out those talented people out of those minor roles and give them a chance to shine on the big screen. Oh, it's a female-led story, by the way. I was wondering..."

Brad's mind instantly switched to his boot licker mode as soon as he heard Jason's words. If his daughter got a role in Jason's movie, then who knows how much fame and fortune she'll gain? It might even propel her career to new heights. Straight stairs from insignificant minor roles and ads to Hollywood superstardom! A lead role at that.

"Of course, Jason! Of course! Whatever you want. Take them all," Bran opened the door on his left and gestured inside.

Jason shook his head with a chuckle. "Nah, Brad. I'm not gonna take them all. I'm sure your other customers also want these albums. I'm not the kind of person to kick my friend's business down."

"Then what do you want me to do?" Brad asked, confused.

"I'll take 50 boxes. I'm sure you can make up an excuse like it was sold online or already booked by a VIP customer. That way, your regular customers won't be disappointed. And," He took out a card, "I'll pay for 30 boxes, as for 20 boxes, you owe me from last time." Jason handed him the card.

Brad took the card with a broad smile and nodded eagerly. "Done! Anything else I can help you with?"

Jason thought for a moment, "Since you got an insider, you should know which ones got Dex's records with sign, right? I want three with 1, 2, 3, serial number."

"Alright, done."

"Great."

"So, that role...?" Brad asked.

"Next Monday, tell Amelia to meet me at my office."

"Thanks, Jason!"

"Don't thank me, yet. Wait for your daughter to shine in that movie first."

"You bet she will shine!" Brad assured him.

"Well, I'm bringing my car here, prepare those boxes."

...

As Jason made his way toward the parking, he noticed a familiar figure looking at him from the other side of the road. It was a face from his long-forgotten past that he wished he never remembered again.

'Wanda?!'

"We need your help, Jason. Please, lend us your strength. We cannot do this alone!" Wanda's voice echoed in his mind as his memories of the past flashed through his mind.

"No! We had a deal. I helped you deal with your messes and in return, you people were never to mess with my life in this reality! I don't ever want to go back to that freaking danger-filled universe. Hell no! Go back before I kill you," Jason yelled at her through telepathy.

"It's different this time, Jason! Mephisto reincarnated again and is slowly regaining his power!"

"Damn it! Didn't I kill that bastard already?! You people promised me that you would take care of that damn demon after I killed his host. But what did you do? I even had to cross paths with that Lady Death," Jason shivered, remembering that encounter with that creepy goddess. "You have no idea how it feels when she tries to get into your pants. Fuck! I don't even want to remember that day. Nope. You can fuck off and deal with your own problems. I ain't interested."

"You are afraid that Sif might beat you up to a pulp, right? Or, maybe Jennifer might lose control, seeing your face and smashing you up for good, or maybe Odin might come for your head, considering you emptied his treasury, or maybe Thor might smash you up to dust for stealing his hammer, and many more? Or, maybe... Are you the one to blow up that forge's star?"

"SHUT UP! I was a kid back then. What do you expect? And for your information, it wasn't me. Ask, that dwarf. Anyway, blackmailing me won't help. We had a deal. I kept my end of the bargain. Now, go away!" Jason cut her off through telepathy and flicked his fingers. A wisp of golden energy, invisible to mortal eyes, flew toward Wanda, dissipating her astral form.

'Fuck! I can't let them end my peaceful life. If I go back there, shit gonna blow up. Nope. Never...'