Secret Lives (Closed)

[Asa]

Mason... you have to understand that I don't want him to ever have any reason to kill you like he did Steve alright... I can endure him better than I can deal with him killing someone else because of me.

She fell silent after that straightening herself up and fixing her makeup she cared but what she said was the only way she could bring herself to even remotely admit those feelings in any out loud way.

 

[tinwoodsman]

"I understand." he nodded, still driving with purpose but not legally speeding. "But I also want you to know that I'm not-" he picked new words, "This isn't the first man I've worked that killed people. If he kills me, it won't be by my actions. At the same time... I'm not quitting, and I'll do what it takes to avoid getting fired so you can't stop trying to scare me off."

 

[Asa]

Fine... stay but...

It was pointless to talk to him... though she was glad to hear him say he would not leave. Strangely it was a comfort and she actually smiled faintly all be it briefly as she sat there awaiting to arrive at the banquet. Once there she scanned quickly for Derrick before heading in so she would know to expect trouble or not by the look on his face.

 

[tinwoodsman]

Mason seemed more relaxed, now that there was a defined understanding. He said nothing, allowing them to fall back into the say rhythm of cold detachment that they made sure people saw. For Mason it was an effort to keep anyone from thinking he cared about Jasleena as more than just another trophy wife he had to cart around on a whim.

He opened her door, not offering a hand, and scanning the area. His eyes always alert and moving but never on her. "Have a good evening, Ma'am." Even his voice was void of emotion.

A concierge took over where Mason left off, escorting Jasleena into the banquet while Mason got back in the car to park and avoid being seen until needed. Derrick was, so far, nowhere to be seen so it was possible Tony would either show up late or not at all.

 

[Asa]

The banquet was another comfort for her a chance to have her own positive affect on this city that her husband both helped and hurt with his double worlds. Fairly uneventful she smiled greeting people talking with the Mayor's wife telling everyone as far as she knew Tony said he would meet up with her here later. The evening droning on and on as she kept a calm but uneasy lookout for Tony.

 

[tinwoodsman]

When Tony did show up he was all smiles, but she knew her husband well enough to see past his eyes. There was darkness in them, but it wasn't quite the full blown Villain he often became. After greeting a few people he came up to find Jasleena and wrapped his arm around her.

"Sorry, I'm late my love." He kissed her on the cheek and whispered, "We need to talk."

When he could steal a moment, Tony pulled Jasleena aside. "I need you to work on the Mayor's wife. There is a zoning issue he's dragging his feet on. Play up the new development in the City Center. Offer to take her to a great store there, I don't give a fuck. Just work you magic. Okay?" He managed a smile and then kissed her on the lips.

Then his expression went cold, "I know you won't let me down. Will you." I was more of a command than a question.

 

[Asa]

You know I will do what I can. Marlene and I get along should not be too much of a problem.

She was almost expecting some sort of assault but hid it well. She could always read him better than he could read her... perhaps that spoke volumes in and of itself but she was not sure. Right now she just needed to go talk to Marlene. Slipping away from him she told he she would love to talk to her after the banquet and they set up a time to meet the next day.

 

[tinwoodsman]

Tony moved off to focus on one of the leaders of the zoning comity. This was clearly a divide a conquer approach. At one point Seth Anderson, who owned a company that developed alternative energy systems, approached Jasleena with a smile. "You look ravishing, Mrs. Cyndell. I'll have to send my wife to you for fashion tips." He kept his smile but scanned the room.

"Have you heard Tony speak of proposition 23? I'm having a hard time trying to decide where I should stack my support."

 

[Asa]

Well thank you Mr Anderson I would love to go shopping again with Denise.

Hearing his question she rattled off Tony's expected speech from her on that issue with a convincing act and smile. She detested getting dragged into the political mumbo jumbo but if it helped Tony and kept him in better moods then its yet again something she would endure as well.

 

[tinwoodsman]

Anderson narrowed his eyes, not sure if he wanted to accept the pre-written speech but he nodded. "Interesting. Thank you." He thought for a moment and smiled, nodding a bow, and saluting with his drink.

Just moments after he'd left Tony arrived, "What did Anderson say to you?" he didn't even wait for her to respond, "Hang on, I have to talk to them." And just like that he was gone.

On the upside he was clearly too distracted playing his politicical games to find fault with anything Jasleena was doing. As the night rolled on Mason appeared, approaching Jasleena with an emotionless face.

"Ma'am. I've been told Derrick will drive you and your husband home. Is there anything you need from the car? Otherwise I'm going to take it back to the estate."

 

[Asa]

No there is nothing I need from the car thank you Mason.

She simply nodded to him not risking even a smile to him never knowing where Tony was or if things were going his way or not much less the mood he would be in once they left. She hoped for the best and that things would go his way tonight with his political ventures during the banquet.

 

[tinwoodsman]

Mason nodded once and turned on his heels to leave. While he might have been glad to get away from doing nothing all night, he rather hated the idea of leaving Jasleena. A spark of something akin to jealousy lit up but he ignored it and left for the estate.

Moments later, Tony approached his wife. "Hanging in there?" Sipped his drink and scanned the room, "It's winding down. Soon the only people left will be those still trying to make a name for themselves. We should leave soon so that people think we have more important things to do." He smiled at someone past Jasleena and wrapped an arm around her shoulders to pull her into a short kiss.

"Go make some final rounds." he told her, still focused on people nearby. Whatever dark cloud he'd shown up with, was gone for now.

 

[Asa]

I will and be sure to take time to speak with Giselle One of our guests of honor and the oldest member of this little charity... She has been asking me about that Sweet young man she caught me dating so long ago and if he had gotten to be too big of a big shot to give an old woman a hug.

She laughed a little and softly kissed him in return before going to find Denise and Marlene.

 

[tinwoodsman]

When Jasleena spoke of Giselle, Tony actually rolled his eyes as if he'd regressed 20 years. "You want me to spend time socializing at a social function?" He smiled and gave her a kiss on the temple. "I'll make an effort."

Tony would, eventually, get around to doing some socializing, but only after his work efforts for the night were met. As the night grew longer and the gathering thinner, did he find time to talk to people for the sheer act of it.

This, of course, meant they would be at the event for much later than originally anticipated.

 

[Asa]

It taking a little longer gave her more time to talk with Marlene just as he had wanted. As everything wound down she made her way over to Giselle seeing Tony there and sat down beside them smiling softly as she draped a hand over his shoulder wanting to give the sweet old woman the Illusion that they were still that fairytale happy couple. A soft smile gracing her lips as she listened to them talk.

 

[tinwoodsman]

"Oh we were just talking about children." Tony lied, turning to his wife to confirmation, "Weren't we sweetie." he moved on not really giving her the chance to answer. "We agreed that once things with the new expansions are settled in the next few years we'd take an extended vacation first and then plan accordingly from there. I know I'd certainly like to be there when my child is born."

If the words Tony had spoken were true, this was the first he'd ever mentioned them. Tony really wasn't very good with kids, much like animals they had their own unpredictable moments and didn't respond well to normal negotiation. He much preferred controlled environments, or at least environments that he could control.

"Is it about that time?" He asked, trying to signal to Jasleena he was ready to get out of her and needed her to be his excuse for leaving.

 

[Asa]

She listened surprised at his words but she didn't show it. She would not want a child to endure his shifting tempers. She simply listened seeing the old woman smile at his words knowing that he at least was making her happy and not like she would really live to see the day that kids would grace their lives.

Yes love it is you have to be up early tomorrow for that meeting...

standing she kissed the old lady's cheek and thanked her for coming out to the banquet and that she would see her soon then waiting for Tony.

 

[tinwoodsman]

"Ah, yes. My meeting. What I would I ever do without you."

Tony smiled to Giselle, gave the woman a hung and air kiss, then wished the woman a good evening. Leaving with Jasleena he waited for them to be in the car before speaking his mind.

Visibly relaxing he sighed, "Thank you. 10 more minutes in there and I would have lost my mind." He loosened his tie, then the first to buttons of his shirt, "How are you feeling?"

 

[Asa]

She smiled glad to be heading home it had been a long event even without his political and business rounds. Nodding to Derrick as he held the door for her. Once in the car she leaned back a little with a soft "glad that's over" type of sigh.

Honestly a little tired and a little full Bernard's crew out did themselves on dinner this year for the banquet.

Looking.g to him she smiled.

How are you feeling dear?

 

[tinwoodsman]

Tony was in right after his wife, also settling quickly. Derrick got in the car and acknowledged the command to go straight to the compound. Taking Jasleena's hand he kissed it and smiled, "I'm think I'm the perfect ratio of tired and drunk. I can't wait to take a shower and get some sleep."

He looked Jasleena over, thoughts clearly forming in his mind. As if just noticing her he smiled, "Did I mention out gorgeous you looked this evening?" His words has the kind of genuineness only found in men with an alternative agenda.

 

[Asa]

She smiled watching his face. She could see the gears turning... the compliment... the alcohol laden breath. She reached a hand to his cheek.

Thank you darling. Love the new suit.

 

[tinwoodsman]

Tony looked as his suite, almost wondering which one he was wearing. He looked back to her and smiled, "Thank you." He took her hand, cradling it and kissing her fingers. "What do you plan to do when we get home?"

 

[Asa]

Really... sink into a nice hot lavender laced bath and relax for a bit after that... I agree with you... sleep sounds wonderful. Though I could be persuaded to snuggle up with popcorn and watch a comedy or something light like that. The way we used to... remember.

Smiling watching his eyes she sighed softly remembering when it used to be only like this before his double life made him change so much.

 

[tinwoodsman]

Tony rolled his eyes and throw away her hand with a flip of his wrist. "Movie. Do you even know what time it is now? If we stayed up watch a movie I'd be exhausted." He shook his head, "Just forget it."

 

[Asa]

I simply made a suggestion Tony. Was there something you had in mind love?

She sighed and sat back once more not wanting an argument or anything like that she fell silent. Staring out the window she briefly wondered what Mason was doing. Her mind quickly halting that thought as she closed her eyes feeling far more tired that she realized.