Jasmine, 10 Years Old, PT 3

Her friends convince her to leave the ballroom to give them a tour. Her friends want to explore her father's library/meeting room, which is strictly off limits. Jasmine tries to shoo them out of there without much success and then...

“Now that you two have thoroughly examined…” Her heart jumped into her throat when she saw movement at the door, but it wasn’t her father who advanced into the room. Weak with relief, she exclaimed, “Uncle Warren!”

Her dad’s grumpy best friend scowled at her. “I’m not related to you, girl. Why would you call me that?”

“It’s more respectful than calling you by your first name, don’t you think? And you’ve known me since I was born, so you’re like an uncle…?” She gave him a winning smile, but when his severe expression didn’t ease, she mumbled, “I guess not.”

Warren gave her a long look before he switched his attention to Penelope and Kira. “And who might you two be?”

Jasmine made the introductions. Penelope curtsied while Kira gave him a dignified nod.

“My friends just wanted a peek at where you and Dad do business, but I know Dad should be along any minute now, so we’ll just…”

She took a step forward, but Warren held up a hand.

“Your father won’t be along. We had our meeting before the party started.”

“Oh?” She gave him a slightly giddy smile. “That’s great news.”

“Indeed.” Warren focused on Penelope and Kira and said rather abruptly, “Did you tell your parents you left the ballroom?”

Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Penelope and Kira glance at each other before they shook their heads. A tense silence fell. Warren had always been odd and socially inept, but this was strange even for him. He was blocking the exit and not making any attempt at conversation. He was just looking standing there, looking at them like…

Penelope’s hand twisted in the back of her dress, letting her know she was uncomfortable. She wanted to reassure her friend that Warren was one of her father’s closest friends and odd, but otherwise harmless. But when Kira gripped her wrist, conveying her unease, Jasmine decided to take charge.

“I think it’s time we,” she began, but a flurry of movement in the doorway made her heart stutter. Had Warren been wrong and her father and some associates came here to convene? Her knees went weak with relief when her sisters advanced into the room.

“Warren,” Colette greeted with a gracious smile. “I apologize. Did my sister and her friends disrupt you?”

“No, not at all. They were keeping me company,” Warren said as he ran his fingers through his thinning hair.

“Jasmine knows better than to wander off during events. We’ll escort them back to the party where they belong,” Colette said.

**This is a raw draft of Bitter Sins. Please do not share or distribute.

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