Secret Lives (Closed)

[tinwoodsman]

"Perfect." Mason said, commenting on Jasleena's appearance as she smoothed out any flaws in the material. He nodded to her question, "It's ready." He held up a hand as if to take her own pausing barely long enough for the intent to register, then he turned into a casual stretch as if to cover up his motive with the gesture. "Yep, right this way." he said, finishing the fake yawn and turning lead the way.

 

[Asa]

She seemed to almost smile at the veiled gesture as she began to walk along following him to the car. She said little as they rode along to meet Tony she did not want anything to distract her from what she had to be prepared for. Arriving at the country club she waited for Mason and once the door was open stepping from the car she quickly scanned the area.

 

[tinwoodsman]

Mason let Jasleena out and sat in the car, waiting. Less than ten minutes later, Tony arrived to look Jasleena over and nod "Yes, that will work. Where's Mason?" he seemed to expect to her driver near by, but Mason had parked the car and watched long ago.

 

[Asa]

I guess he did not wish to block the driveway from the other cars behind him and went to park the car or didn't you tell him to return to the house after dropping me off here?

Smiling to Tony she reached a hand to his cheek to begin this show for the clients.

 

[tinwoodsman]

"Oh, well if Mason's parked out of the way I'll just send Derrick back." He pulled his phone and sent a quick text, "Better than Derrick finding a place to park." Tony put his phone away and produced his best fake smile.

"Okay." He offered his arm and escorted Jasleena to the club's dinning area.

To call the room ostentatious would be an understatement. Everywhere one looked there was something ornate to find. Even the molding on the floors and ceiling were carved scroll work and what few tables that were being recovered by staff had etched detailing on table legs that were about to be covered up. No flower in the room was fake and any reflective surface was polished to mirror like clarity.

At a table, probably set with real silver and crystal dinning ware, were three couples of varying ages. Tony made quick introductions, "Jasleena, this is Reverend Carter, his Son Ryan and daughter Diane." The spouses introduced their better half in kind being Mrs. Sylvia Carter, Haley and Bradly, respectively.

 

[Asa]

Smiling she slipped her hand in his offered arm walking in with him glancing around till they found the families that he was meeting with. Nodding and shaking hands at all the introductions and the ever excruciating small talk till everyone was comfortable with each other.

Looking at the young couple and how happy they at least appeared to be she thought ever briefly about Mason. Keeping her true attention with Tony and the others though the back of her mind kept slipping that smile into her thoughts making the soft smile that rested as expected on her lips to be even slightly real.

 

[tinwoodsman]

There was no real discussion of business, this was just a ground work event. Tony was establishing himself with these people so the pressure was off and Tony was clearly not as tense as he could have been. He might even be accused of enjoying the lunch. When Jasleena was invited to spend time with the ladies of the group, however, he quickly interjected an excuse for why she couldn't go before Jasleena could have the chance to respond on her own.

When everything was done, they waited for Mason to come around with the car. Tony took a relaxing breath, "I think that went well."

 

[Asa]

Yes Very well.

Jasleena smiled standing there with him watching for Mason to pull the car around. She took a deep cleansing breath as well then noticing the Mayors wife walking in and nodded to her seeing that understanding nod from her seeing why she had to cancel on her for Tony.

 

[tinwoodsman]

If Tony had seen the Mayor and his wife, he didn't show any recognition. Once Mason pulled up the car Tony opened the door for Jasleena and waited. Once she was in he climbed in next to her.

"Hang on a moment, Mason." Tony said with a fake smile. He eyes moved towards the country club but his head remained straight ahead. More than keeping up appearances he was now putting on a show. "Jasleena. Give me a kiss so it looks like it was your idea." He smiled and nodded to Mason as if that was the person he was talking to.

***

From behind the wheel of the car Mason could see the entire back seat. His expression was as cold as the stone of his namesake even though his insides burned with envy. It's who she married. He reminded himself, trying to use logic and reason to combat the feelings he was having for Jasleena.

 

[Asa]

She knew the Mayors wife would know better she knew the song and dance well too. Jasleena leaned over kissing his cheek with a soft smile and a sigh resting her head on his shoulder with that smile still on her lips till they were free from anyone's eyes except the ones that she caught a glimpse of in the rear view mirror as she just as quickly looked away and moved to sit back and relax. Her eyes falling closed as she took a deep breath and rubbed at the back of her neck a little knowing she would need one of the mild muscle relaxers the Dr gave her for what he called stress pain.

 

[tinwoodsman]

Tony said nothing, and didn't even seemed phased by her distance. "I'm going to be out tonight. You should stay home, so if you had evening plans now's a good time to make some calls."

He pulled his own phone and started going through messages, "And don't wait for me to eat."

__________

When the got back to the house Tony was out first, but unlike the display he put on at the country club he simply headed into the house and left her at the car.

Mason jumped out and got Jasleena's door but saying nothing. His eyes looked to the open door of the mansion and then to her. An almost desperate, powerless, look was in those eyes.

With a clenched jaw he just let her out of the car and closed the doors before taking the car back to - wherever they were kept.

 

[Asa]

No no plans for tonight beyond relaxing at home.

She barely acknowledged him beyond that. It was getting back to normal for the most part two people simply together for the sheer familiarity and image it gave. She caught herself before she said I never do but the words boomed in her mind which did bring one unfortunate tear to her eyes as she stepped from the car nodding to Mason and walking into the house.

 

[tinwoodsman]

Tony had immediately started putting the house on notice that Jasleena was to be kept home for the night. While there were times that he treated her like the wife he’d fallen in love with there were also times when he treated her more like a prized pet. Without even asking her opinion he’d told the staff what she might like to eat or what type of movie she might be in the mood for. His instructions were clear that she should be allowed to request food and rent a movie but dinner was at 7:30. After that he was gone for the night.

****

When Mason had learned that Jasleena wasn’t going to be allowed to go out for the night, he’d hope he’d be allowed to drive Tony to his meeting. It was starting to become clear that Tony’s current drive was going to keep Mason from finding out anything about the organization. As much as he enjoyed being around Mrs. Cyndell, this was getting him nowhere and he’d decided he’d put that in his report. If the Captain was going to bust his balls for taking too long with this assignment he was going to be sure they knew why.

Late that night, when he knew Tony would still be out for a while, Mason left the main house and walked past the pool. With his unmarked phone in one hand and this decoy bottle in the other Mason headed out to the barn again. By accident or design it was the only place he could send messages without raising suspicion.

 

[Asa]

Jasleena wandered the house as she often did and then out to the grounds. Many of the guards that always lurked around the house tended to give her her space in moments like these. Understanding Tony's decisions but also far more afraid of incurring her wrath or the Butlers as he was always present with a watchful eye over her. She dismissed all of them to leave her alone as she curled up out in her rose garden near the waterfall designed fountain that Tony had built for her in an "I'm Sorry" moment on his part... so much of this house garden wardrobe jewelry was normally an I'm sorry or some sort of making up for something... She was not sure if in the past several years she had gotten one gift at all that was not Tony making up for or apologizing for something.

She reached her fingertips out to the water as a tear slipped from her eyes. A soft sigh as the wind picked up a little blowing her hair into her face a little. Brushing her hair back she looked around to see if any of them were hovering or wandering around to check on her.

 

[tinwoodsman]

"Oh!" Mason's voice was louder than he'd expected. He hadn't expected to see Jasleena tonight, at all, and feared having to lie about what he was doing. The last thing he needed was to blow his cover and quickly turned, instinctively wanting to avoid being seen but suddenly realizing he'd made noise and gave himself away.

Turning back around he smiled and remembered he was holding his prop, the bottle of Scotch. This would be the time to pretend he was drunk, but he wasn't about to lead her to believe he was a drunk. For some reason he didn't like the idea of her thinking less of him, so he had to think on his feet.

"Sorry. I didn't expect to run into anyone." A pause. "I came out here to, think. And then use this to stop thinking." He added with a mischievous grin.

"Uhm. I'll just leave you to... your... thing."

 

[Asa]

No... its quite alright Mason... you can sit here with me if you like... No need to worry about any of the others I think in times like this I scare them more than Tony does.

She laughed a little.

He would just outright kill them I will make the rest of their lives hell. So what would you have to worry and think about that would require scotch to stop thinking about hmmm... some girlfriend troubles or too many girlfriends?

 

[tinwoodsman]

"You don't scare me." Mason's words teased but he still glanced around, as if unsure, before nodding. It was quiet here and few people were around. There weren't many parts of the house where eyes didn't exist but eyes cost money so Tony, like any good efficiency expert, had paid to keep his eyes on the perimeter of the grounds. If people could get past his walls and the edges of the garden, not much would stop that kind of person anyway.

It had always been Mason's only saving grace. But here in the middle of nowhere, anyone watching could be watched right back. Seeing no one, Mason decided to relax.

"I guess you could say girl trouble." He explained with his own laugh. "Lack there of to be honest. This job doesn't really allow for... much free time. And, oddly enough, your husband doesn't employ attractive women to fraternizer with." Mason sank down on some smooth, fake, rocks near Jasleena and examined his bottle.

He hadn't really intended on drinking this, but he was here now and he'd have to come up with something to do with it. "Drink?" He offered, his tone and grin suggesting he anticipated rejection.

 

[Asa]

Not usually much for scotch but sure.

She was relaxed around him why she had no idea but she knew she was safe with him and that caused her to relax more sitting there with a soft smile.

What about... never mind forget that thought I keep forgetting that Marla is engaged. Though I am sure she could introduce you to someone... she is marrying into a family of 6 sisters and her husband to be. Beyond that there are the clubs Tony is partial owner in lots of waitresses. Maybe I could talk to Tony about you getting some time off to have a life beyond wandering around this mausoleum.

Sighing she glanced at waterfall again with a sigh as she took a sip of the scotch.

 

[tinwoodsman]

Mason was a bit shocked but tried to cover it. The fact that Jasleena was even willing to drink with him was, in itself, hot. As if he wasn't conflicted enough, add on that he hadn't intended on actually drinking anything as he hated filing reports when he wasn't at full mental faculties.

Handing her the bottle he just said, "I'm impressed. Most women wouldn't know what to do with hard liquor."

To her second statement he shook his head, "Nah, I hate being set up. I feel like there's more pressure than normal. I mean, not only are you putting on a good impression but you don't want people to think bad of the person who set you up in the first place. Then there are expectations, and if things go bad it can end- Yeah, not for me. I just want to see a woman, find her attractive, walk up, smile and say 'Hi.' What happens from there is out of anyone's hands."

 

[Asa]

She smiled listening to him. It was relaxing to just sit and really talk with someone. No ulterior motive no plotting business no orders just... talking. It was a nice change of pace from her time with Tony. It was also relaxing to not have to worry what was going to set someone off and cause a fight. She really began to relax as she held the bottle back out to him.

Its easy to develop a taste for just about any kind of drinks when it is all thats around freely. Scotch is alright though I do tend to prefer bourbon.

 

[tinwoodsman]

"Bourbon. I'll have to remember that for next time." Mason took the drink, his smile faltering as he wondered why he'd said that. Why did he say it? It seemed silly to point it out as a slip of the tongue and make it out to be more, but it was truly meaningless banter he wouldn't be so conflicted over it.

"Is bourbon French or just popular in Louisiana?" He was desperate to get a discussion going. "I've never been to France but I've been to New Orleans more times than I should have." He smiled and took his first drink of the night.

 

[Asa]

Okay next trip out we educate my driver in Tennessee and Kentucky bourbon whiskey. And that wonderful creation that they eat around Derby times of Bourbon chocolate pecan pie.

She actually laughed a little smiling to him. It was happening she was relaxing around him and growing accustomed and almost fond of her new driver. She would have to be double careful now to make sure nothing happened that would make Tony remove him like he did the previous. Brushing her hair back behind her ear she glanced around not seeing any of the guards or anyone and smiled seems they trusted her driver as well which was a good thing especially for moments where she could just relax like this.

 

[tinwoodsman]

"I am, if nothing else, teachable." Mason smiled, eyes tracking the movements of her hand brushing away a stray strand of hair. Just moments before he would have had Tony's driver arrested just to be in the man's front seat, but now he could care less about building his case. "Where are you from? If you don't mind me asking. You just have such an exotic name that I'm wondering how you and Mr. Cyndell met." Would that be relevant to the case? Did he care if it was? Mason dismissed his internal dialogue as nothing more than his conditioning and training as a cop.

 

[Asa]

I was born in Italy but spent quite a bit of time traveling between Greece Brazil and the US. I know about Tennessee and Kentucky Bourbon due to my paternal grandfather. I met Tony on a trip to the States. My family all came to visit some friends of grandfathers and while we were attending a banquet with them for some reason or another I can't really remember right off hand I was introduced to Tony and then we met again when I began university here where he was attending.

 

[tinwoodsman]

"Ah, college girl. I should have gone to college, but I joined the army right out of high school. I had a football scholarship but I wanted to get away from my family." Mason drank and handed back the bottle. This was dangerous, since the story he was telling Jasleena was true but he had a had time lying to. "What was your major? I'd guess but I'd probably embarrass myself one or the other."