Secret Lives (Closed)

[tinwoodsman]

Mason drifted further into the darkness, turning to watch the silhouette of Jasleena glide towards the house. He knew in his mind he should be making a report, but his body was still charged with electricity and he wanted to focus on that feeling and the memories for just a bit longer so he ignored the phone, and closed his eyes to focused on what he felt.

***​

When Tony came home it was almost morning and he looked tired. Anyone with a keen eye would noticed spots, or almost misting, on the sleeve of his jacket. If that wasn't enough he hung it on the side of the closet to indicate he was never going to wear it again. Lorenzo would tend to that soon enough and everyone could move on in blissful deniability.

As if he didn't care, Tony changed and went into the shower without even checking on his wife. By now she was awake or not, but he needed a shower regardless. It would be nearly an hour before he'd finally climb into bed wearing nothing but silk lounge pants.

"Are you awake?" He finally asked, in a quite tone as if not wanting to wake his wife as if she could have slept through all the noise. "Sorry, I was out so late." He explained softly.

 

[Asa]

She was still mostly asleep her mind only wakened little by the noise as she rolled over towards him a soft smile on her lips as she reached a hand to snuggle close to him. She had dealt with any sign of the scotch or anything else before going to bed hours before Tony got home. Her dreams prior to Tony returning home kept dragging her back to that kiss though with or without her desire to dwell on what she knew was not possible.

 

[tinwoodsman]

"I'm staying in today and will probably sleep for a while. Let everyone know? Make up a story - it will be as good as the truth." He smiled and kissed her cheek, then roll back to go to sleep.

 

[Asa]

She nodded rolling away to get up. A sad reminder of what she rarely felt from him... her husband. Passion... something she no longer had half the time.

That's fine I will tell them something.

She sat up for a moment before standing and getting ready as quietly as possible before slipping from the room passing along that he was not feeling well and was not to be disturbed. And that she would be out for part of the day and for the Butler to inform Mason to have the car ready by 11.

With that she was out the door and back to her gardens and the stables so that no one would disturb her.

 

[tinwoodsman]

Lorenzo assured her he would see to it that nothing would disturb Antonio as he slept. He would start by informing the house staff to simply avoid he stairs even leading to the second floor. "I'll make sure you have your driver available. I don't know what your schedule looks like today, but please keep in mind that Mr. Cyndell will probably wake by..." He pulled the antique pocket watch he always carried, making him seem like a man who had to status to be more than just a butler and quickly did some math. "No earlier than 4:30." He was, in no specific way, suggesting she be home before Tony had the chance to even wonder where she was. While Lorenzo might cover for her should his estimation be off Tony's patients was rice paper thin. From there she was free to go about as she wished.

 

[Asa]

Leaning up and kissed the old mans cheek with a smile.

I should not be longer than perhaps one or two old friend.

With that she continued to collect her things and tended to a few matters she had to do so for some upcoming charities and other events and then made her way to the front drive to see which car and driver Lorenzo had chosen.

 

[tinwoodsman]

While Lorenzo would have just told the first drive he saw, by habit or otherwise she'd mentioned Mason so that's what he did. Since Tony was asleep there had been an offer by the older Italian man to defer to Derrick, a Mason was torn for just a moment. His job demanded that he let Derrick drive Jasleena around in the off chance he could drive Tony around. But his heart sank at the idea of Derrick spending precious time with the lady of the house.

"Whatever. I don't care." Mason finally said, more out of the desire not to make the call. Ironically the butler smiled and nodded as if that was he answer he was hoping for and Mason couldn't help but feel as if he'd dodge a bullet somehow.

The young man was waiting, by the car, as he always did. Watching her from the edges of his vision. While it was his normal routine he tried not to over think it. In the past he'd avoided looking at Jasleena, not wanting to telegraph that he'd like nothing more than to look at her. Now, he didn't want to telegraph that anything had changed - and in many ways it hadn't. In in many ways it had.

"Mornin', ma'am, you look nice today." He said, in the clipped automated tone that seemed more like a canned phrase than a heartfelt one. Not unlike a fast food employee saying 'Thank you, drive through.'

 

[Asa]

She was as emotionless as stone as she walked to the car. Nodding to him as he options Ned the door.

Thank you Mason. We will going to the Japanese gardens for lunch today. You are welcome to join me or return home and I will call when I am ready to go.

 

[tinwoodsman]

Mason just nodded and closed the door after her. He began by driving normally, but at the point where he would have normally become talkative he remained quite with hesitation. There was so much he wanted to, but feared, discussing.

"I've been crazing sushi." Mason finally said with a smile.

 

[Asa]

Then I gather you will be joining me?

She was not sure to take his prior silence as the car had Ben rewired for recording or if he were just scared of what had happened hours before. She glanced to the mirror and nodded. A couple more times of glancing at the mirror as well revealed that they may have someone following them.

Did you see that before... nodding her face towards the rearview mirror. Tony always had special island mirrors in the cars so he could see too what was behind them or all around them.

 

[tinwoodsman]

Mason visibly relaxed, "I would like that."

Seeing her eyes he glanced back and nodded. "I do now. Let's keep going. They might not know that they've been spotted and we can use that to our advantage." His tone indicated he'd done this a lot.

The drive now grew quiet for a new reason and the restaurant was still distance away so he passed the time making small talk. "Sorry about earlier. I didn't want to assume anything... actually I try not to take anything at face value, ever."

--------

When the did finally arrive at the resturant, Mason drove up to the valet. The young man probably had not idea Mason was using him for cover, and he almost felt bad about doing so but if anyone did intend to do anything they'd minimize damages. It was one thing to shoot your enemy and go to jail, but it was another thing to miss your enemy, kill people needlessly, and go to jail anyway.

He moved around to let Jasleena out of the car, from the door that put her between the car and the doors to the restaurant. "Just try to relax." He said, quietly.

 

[Asa]

Earlier... last night... no not at all. Everything is perfectly fine Mason.

She smiled knowing now that his words were hopefully a signal the bug was still gone. A happy sigh slipped from her at the restaurant while she waited for him to get the.door for her. Slipping from the carshe nodded to him and to the valet and turned to walk into the restaurant smiling softly. Her thoughts dancing over having this time with Mason.

 

[tinwoodsman]

Mason couldn't allow himself to enjoy Jasleena too much, his attention being pulled to the car that had been following and now doing a slow drive by. He wanted to get a good look at the people in the car, but worry that they were sent by Tony keep him from giving away that he'd spotted anyone at all. The car left without incident and he risked a glance at the make and model when turning to take the ticket offered. He wasn't sure but the car was an odd shade of grey, yet he could do nothing about that right now. While he knew no good could come of this, he also knew that they clearly wouldn't force a confrontation in the restaurant - so that was good news, at least and the last thing he needed to do was to worry Jasleena.

Opening the door for her, not quite out of servitude, he smiled. "Hope your hungry." He said with a smile that didn't reach his eye. A curious gaze was cast off in the direction the car had left, making sure it was really gone.

 

[Asa]

She noted his actions and tone and simply nodded at his question.

Lets just get some lunch and relax.

She was wary yet she felt safer with him there than she would have with Derrick or any of the other drivers she has dealt with. She smiled slightly to him to convey her trust and comfort with his presence.

 

[tinwoodsman]

Her confidence in him was calming and Mason returned a subtle nod and slight smile of promise. Everything would be fine. He quietly followed as the hostess showed them a table and moved to pull and fix her chair as more of a gesture than anything else.

"You look amazing." He blurted while taking his seat. "I mean, now that I feel I can speak more freely I thought I might as well tell you what I was really thinking when you stepped out of the mansion." His eyes didn't linger, but his faint smile did, as he looked over the menu between stolen glances. The odds were low that anyone who could report back to Tony would be here, but discretion was probably still best.

 

[Asa]

Relax Mason there is no one here who would tell Tony anything and its not exactly a place Tony or his associates really like... that's why I come here... its peaceful.

She smiled at his words and that little smile turning as the chef himself walked over to her.

Sushi and Seared Tuna Tataki for my old friend... and what for her latest bodyguard?

The older man nodded to Mason an almost knowing nod. He had spent his youth within the confines of a uniquely connected family before he made his own way out and made his life what he wanted to the point that there were none still living that would dare try to drag him back or use him as retaliation against anyone.

 

[tinwoodsman]

Having not looked at a menu Mason smiled and nodded, thinking for a just a moment. "You know what? You only live once, right?" He mentally practiced his pronunciation then finally said "Omakase." and gestured to chef with a smile. I leave it up to you. The traditional invitation for the chef to wow the customer as he saw fit. Knowing this could get expensive he waited for the man to go begin the meal then told Jasleena, "We should go dutch as I may have just ordered the most expensive things on the menu."

 

[Asa]

She raised a brow for a moment.

So how did you know that little request?

She laughed and nodded at his comment about what he may have just ordered.

He will try to surprise you

 

[tinwoodsman]

"I spent 6 months in Japan on the Military dime. It was actually kind of boring as we were just there as part of a security detail for some project they won't tell me about. Anyway, we had to learn basic Japanese and the rest I picked up on my 1 day off a week."

 

[Asa]

Entertaining Our landlord where I grew up his mother in law was Japanese so she taught me.

She smiled relaxing forgetting the people following them and all of that just letting herself get lost in even innocent time eating lunch with Mason.

 

[tinwoodsman]

"Was this in Italy?" He asked, truly interested in getting to know more about this woman. Work, both his real job and the job he was doing for Tony, just fell to the back of his mind.

"I think one of the reasons I joined the Marines was just to get out of Texas. I don't think it would have happened any other way. When I was 14 we went to Disney World and that was the first, and only time I'd leave the state until I graduated high school."

 

[Asa]

Yeah and they helped us get the place in Old town that I pointed out to you.

She smiled thinking about it. Spending most of her life there in Italy and the time in Old town as a young woman as well. Why had they returned to Italy... only to return again. She had never really thought about it till now.

 

[tinwoodsman]

"Where are you?" Mason asked, after a moment's pause. Having been watching Jasleena she seemed to be thinking about something important or distant. "I mean, in your mind. I have to admit, not really traveling much makes me wonder waht all these other places are like. Perhaps I'll have to see them one day."

"So far, the only two good things that came out of being in the military were trips over seas and the experience to do this type of work." He smiled, then let his eyes flick around the room. No one was looking so he kept smiling.

 

[Asa]

I actually am hoping to talk Tony into a trip to Italy and Greece soon... Hoping being the key word. Will probably end up like the last vacation I wanted us to take to London... Me alone with 3 guards for a buy whatever you want love even if I have to pay to ship it back. Sorry I can't join you this time maybe next time.

She sighed. That's how I got the complete remodel to the second floor... I shipped back an English Interior designer on Tony's dime and got to keep him and his team for a whole month. Luckily Tony realized that it was the price for backing out of the trip at the last days before take off.

 

[tinwoodsman]

In Mason's mind he imagined being one of these bodyguards. Then he imagined being the only bodyguard. "I have to admit, I'm glad you don't wander around with an entourage. Not only would it make the vehicle seem smaller, but I wouldn't be able to talk to you like this. You know, like normal people."

So much of this seemed to be abnormal that Mason enjoyed the small moments, when things looked like the could make sense.