Chapter Twenty Four

Chapter 24

"Oh, Jem!" Vanessa's voice resonated with a tinge of sadness as she drew Jemima into a comforting embrace. Jemima's revelation about her feelings for Alan had caught Vanessa off guard, the weight of the moment palpable in the bustling airport.

"Does he know?" Vanessa inquired, her fingers gently caressing Jemima's hair, her eyes reflecting a mix of concern and understanding.

"No! I only just realized it myself," Jemima confessed softly, her words barely audible amidst the chatter of the people in the airport.

"Okay, why don't we go get some ice cream and just talk about it, just us girls," Vanessa suggested, the distant roar of a departing plane momentarily drowning out her words.

Jemima nodded in agreement, and they exited the airport, heading towards the ice cream shop. The drive was filled with a contemplative silence, each lost in their own thoughts as the world outside whizzed by.

"We're here!" Vanessa announced, parking the car outside the ice cream shop. Jemima stepped out, the soft exhale escaping her lips as she closed the car door gently behind her.

Entering the shop, the gentle chime of the bell greeted them, signaling their arrival. Vanessa pointed to a secluded corner table, and they settled in. A waitress approached, ready to take their orders.

"What can I get for you ladies today?" the waitress inquired, her poised demeanor inviting their selections.

Glancing at the menu, Jemima's gaze settled on the chocolate-flavored ice cream. "I'll have a chocolate flavored ice cream, thank you," she requested, a hint of anticipation in her voice.

"And I'll have a minty flavored ice cream with some waffles," Vanessa declared, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

The waitress swiftly noted down their orders, and Jemima couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at Vanessa's choice.

“Mint ice cream? Really?” Jemima asked, scrunching up her nose in bewilderment at Vanessa’s choice

"What's wrong with mint ice cream?" Vanessa defended her selection, her tone slightly defensive.

Jemima couldn't resist a smirk, "It's basically toothpaste!" She exclaimed, throwing up her hands into the air for dramatic effect.

Vanessa stood her ground, "No, it's not. Y'all that don't like mint ice cream should be checked, seriously."

Jemima playfully rolled her eyes, "Delusional much!"

As the waitress approached with their treats, Vanessa thanked her warmly a cheerful smile lighting up her face, “thank you,” eliciting a gentle nod from the waitress as they were excused.

"So Jemima, talk to me," Vanessa probed gently, her eyes filled with concern as she cast a careful glance at Jemima, waiting to hear what she had to say.

“What do you want to know?” Jemima inquired, looking at Vanessa pointedly.

“Why don’t we start with you and Alan?” Vanessa suggested, providing the prompt for which Jemima could start her story.

Jemima took a moment, savoring a spoonful of ice cream before responding, "Alan has been my fortress from the beginning, providing comfort and solitude. I knew I had always loved him but I thought it was just the normal affection siblings shared until today when I watched his retreating figure, I knew deep in my heart that it was more than that,” Vanessa’s eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and contemplation dancing in her gaze as Vanessa's words sank in. The air around them seemed to thicken with unspoken thoughts and untold emotions.

"Have you ever considered that maybe it's more than just sibling love?" Vanessa's voice carried a hint of uncertainty, her eyes searching Jemima's for a reaction.

Jemima's spoon paused midway to her mouth, a flicker of realization crossing her features. "What do you mean?" Her voice held a touch of vulnerability, a glimmer of hidden feelings surfacing.

Vanessa leaned in, her words laced with a subtle intensity, "Think about it. With him gone and Ava's distant behavior, maybe you've never truly experienced genuine affection. Alan has always been there for you, a constant presence in a sea of uncertainty so falling in love with Alan could be convenient because it’s easy and you’ve not been around a lot of other people."

A moment of quiet reflection enveloped them, the soft hum of the ice cream machine providing a backdrop to their thoughts.

Jemima's mind raced, torn between acknowledging her emotions and rationalizing them. "It's a lot to process," she murmured, her gaze distant yet focused on an internal dilemma.

Vanessa's response was gentle yet probing, "I'm not discounting your feelings, just suggesting you explore all angles."

Jemima shifted uneasily, attempting to change the subject, "Speaking of relationships, what's going on with you and Dimitri?" Her words carried a hint of distraction, a shield against her own inner turmoil as thoughts of Jay lingered in the shadows of her mind and how he had treated her these past few days. Jemima's heart raced, a mix of fear and determination swirling within her as Vanessa's words echoed in her mind. The air around them crackled with unspoken tension, the weight of unspoken truths hanging heavy between them.

"What about us?" Vanessa's voice held a hint of uncertainty, her gaze searching for answers in the depths of Jemima's eyes.

Jemima's mind raced, torn between vulnerability and defiance, her own emotions a tumultuous storm. "How long have you guys been engaged?" Her voice carried a mix of curiosity and hidden intentions, a thread of intrigue weaving through her words.

Vanessa's response was measured, a facade of calm masking hidden turmoil. "About a year," she replied, a flicker of unease crossing her features as she wiped her mouth with a napkin, a subtle signal of closure.

"A year! When are you guys going to eventually get married then?" Jemima's words held a touch of bewilderment, a veil of surprise shrouding her thoughts at the prolonged engagement.

"When we're ready," Vanessa's reply was guarded, a shield against further probing as she shifted uncomfortably in her chair, a silent plea for the conversation to veer elsewhere.

The shrill ring of Vanessa's phone shattered the fragile peace, drawing their attention like a magnet. Vanessa's abrupt departure left Jemima alone with her thoughts, a storm of emotions brewing within her.

"Who was that?" Jemima's voice was laced with curiosity, her eyes meeting Vanessa's with a mix of concern and intrigue.

"It's Jay, he needs us back in the house," Vanessa's words hung in the air like a dark cloud, igniting a fire within Jemima's core. Anger simmered beneath the surface, a silent promise of retribution flickering in her gaze as she braced herself for the storm that was about to unfold. She still planned to take out Jay but now she had to be extra careful to avoid getting caught.