Chapter Twenty Five

Chapter 25

"Let's just go see what he wants," Vanessa urged, referring to Jay, which prompted Jemima to stand up as they exited the building.

"I didn't mean to upset you back there," Jemima muttered, stealing a glance at Vanessa as she drove. Jemima wasn't one to easily apologize. Vanessa responded with a nonchalant shrug, maintaining silence, her focus fixed on the road ahead.

The rest of the drive back home was enveloped in silence, the honking of passing cars providing a familiar urban soundtrack. Rome's tranquility contrasted with the hustle of New York, offering a serene journey.

As the car halted at a traffic light, Jemima's gaze wandered to a touching scene outside. A little boy sobbed in his mother's arms, her comforting gestures easing his distress. Witnessing this brought a soft smile to Jemima's face, stirring memories within her.

Across the road, a young boy guided an even younger girl, their tender interaction unfolding. The girl dropped her plushie, and the boy kindly retrieved it, returning it to her with a gentle pat on her head.

Unexpectedly, tears welled in Jemima's eyes at the sight, evoking a flood of emotions from the past. The green light signaled their onward journey, offering a brief respite from Jemima's poignant reflections.

Arriving at the house, Jemima closed her eyes briefly, inhaling deeply. Jay's summons held an air of uncertainty, already stirring apprehension within her.

"Uh, Jem?" Vanessa's voice interrupted, snapping Jemima back to the present. Jemima gazed at Vanessa, her lips pursed in anticipation, bracing herself for the impending conversation.

"Have you been able to reach out to Marcus?" Vanessa's question hit Jemima like a thunderbolt, her eyes widening in shock. This topic cut deeper than any wound, more profound than the pain of being raped by her own father.

"Never mention his name to me again!" Jemima's voice quivered with raw emotion as she declared, her words laced with a mix of defiance and vulnerability, before storming off towards the house. Vanessa stood, stunned by the intensity of Jemima's reaction, unaware of the hidden turmoil within her friend.

Inside the house, a young girl caught Jemima's attention, her presence stirring curiosity and suspicion in Jemima's mind. The girl, seemingly around fourteen, stood before them, a puzzle waiting to be unraveled.

"Lilith?" Vanessa's warm tone broke the silence, drawing the girl into a comforting embrace. Jemima's eyes darted between them, a silent observer piecing together the unfolding mystery.

“How are you?” Vanessa's gentle inquiry filled the room, her affectionate touch soothing Lilith's demeanor.

“I’m alright,” Lilith's nonchalant response carried a hint of guardedness, adding to the intrigue surrounding her presence.

As Vanessa guided Lilith further into the living room, Jemima followed closely, her mind racing with questions and suspicions, her gaze fixed on the enigmatic girl.

“Hey babe, you're back,” Dimitri's voice resonated in the room, his loving embrace towards Vanessa stirring a mix of emotions within Jemima, adding another layer to the complex web of relationships. Jemima stood her ground, arms folded across her chest, a mix of curiosity and suspicion swirling within her. She observed the child with intense scrutiny, noting the depth of her dark eyes and the silky black strands of hair that framed her face.

"Where's Jay?" Jemima's inquiry cut through the tension, her weariness evident as she brushed her fingers through her hair, a subtle sign of her exhaustion.

"Who's asking?" Jay's voice rang out, a sly smirk dancing on his lips, igniting a spark of defiance in Jemima. She resisted the urge to wipe that smirk off his face, her gaze unwavering.

"What's so urgent that you needed us back?" Jemima's question was laced with a hint of impatience, her hands poised delicately on her hips as she locked eyes with Jay, a silent challenge in her stare.

“Technically, I wanted Vanessa back. I thought you’d have gone back to New York with Alan but you stayed back. Why is that Jem? Can’t bear to be apart from me?” Jay's response was laced with a mischievous glint, his words hinting at hidden motives that left Jemima puzzled. She took a deliberate step towards him, a subtle threat in her slow approach, her determination palpable.

“Well I’m here Jay? Do you have a problem with that or do you want to throw me into the streets?”

The tension in the room escalated, Dimitri and Vanessa watching the exchange with bated breath, Lilith's gaze darting between the adults, sensing the underlying currents of emotion.

“Considering your palpable animosity towards me, one would think you’d want to scramble out of hair as soon as possible,” Jay's taunts struck a nerve, his words pushing Jemima to the brink of fury. Her clenched fist betrayed the rising anger within her, the desire to kill him against his arrogance growing stronger by the moment.

"In your wildest dreams, Jay Black!" Jemima's sharp retort sliced through the air, her unwavering gaze locking onto his, a silent challenge that made Jay falter imperceptibly.

The room crackled with unspoken tension, emotions simmering beneath the surface, as the confrontation between Jemima and Jay reached a boiling point.

"Enough of this back-and-forth!" Dimitri's voice boomed, causing a momentary pause in the tension-filled room as all eyes turned towards him.

"You two never tire of your arguments, do you? Especially now, with a child in our midst," Dimitri reasoned, his gaze shifting between Jemima and Jay, probing for hidden truths.

"Is Lilith the reason for all this drama, Jay?" Vanessa interjected, breaking the building tension with her pointed question.

Jay's response was tinged with a hint of mischief, "Yes, she just returned from boarding school today and wanted to visit here first. I couldn't resist the opportunity."

Jemima, still puzzled, furrowed her brows in confusion, her gaze lingering on Lilith. "Who is Lilith?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued by the child's presence.

As Lilith smiled and waved at Jemima, the tension in the room shifted, a moment of connection between the two women. Jemima's nod was curt, acknowledging Lilith's gesture.

Jay's introduction brought a wave of surprise to the room, "My apologies. Jemima, meet Lilith, my younger sister." The impudent tone in Jay's voice drew an indignant scoff from Jemima.

Lilith's voice was soft as she approached Jemima, "Nice to meet you, Jemima," she murmured, enveloping Jemima in a warm hug.

The revelation left me stunned, "You have a sister?" I questioned, struggling to process this new information.

Jay's response was simple yet profound, "Yes," as he approached Jemima with a gentle gaze, a silent plea for understanding in his eyes.

Jemima's admission revealed a layer of vulnerability, "I didn't know," her gaze drifting to the floor, a mix of emotions playing on her features.

Jay's voice softened as he spoke, "I didn't get the chance to tell you before you left," brushing a loose strand of hair from Jemima's face, a gesture laden with unspoken word and a subtle hint at mission London

Fazed by the day's events, Jemima excused herself and retreated to her room. Her exasperation was evident as she grappled with the unexpected presence of Lilith.

The realization that her plan to confront Jay had become more complicated weighed heavily on her mind.