◊ (29: Return and Recompense) ◊
∆ (Alexis's Place) ∆ - ¤ (3 Days Later) ¤
I took Kate back to my house. Jaden seemed to be hurt the most, from his lack of eating, and talking. Kate was worried about him. She made meals for him. This cheered her up but he wouldn't eat them, just pick at them.
I sat in her room and took her suitcase out. I began to pack up her things. She'd unpack them as soon as I did. "I'm not leaving." She said.
I smiled at her consistency to deny a fact. It reminded me of myself, she reminded me of me. I was the only true family she had. Her mom didn't seem to care much for her, more about herself. I understood with the horribly way her husband treated her. I picked up Kate and walked to Jaden's room.
Jaden's room was clean because I took it upon myself to not make the maid have to clean it. I walked in and set Kate on Jaden's lap. "Watch her, alright?" He nodded faintly. I frowned and walked off.
I finished packing up Kate's things into her suitcase. Her parents would be coming today, to take her away. Jaden hadn't left his room all day. I hoped that he would be all right.
It was now noon; they would be arriving any minute now. I carried her suitcase down the stairs and set it next to the door. "Jaden, bring her down now." I called.
There was no answer. "Daddy's gone." She cried out sitting at the top of the stairs.
"Huh?" I said running up the stairs, scooping her off her feet and bursting into Jaden's room. I looked around; the window was open. I walked over to it, it was a good 4-story fall, and even though it was the second story, the floors had extremely high ceilings.
Kate and I searched the house for any signs of Jaden just tricking us. He was good at these sorts of things. However, he had, indeed, gone through his window. "Kate, I thought you were with him."
"I'm sorry; I needed to go to the bathroom." She said crying. I patted her back.
"I'm not yelling at you. I was just wondering how long you were apart from him." I said.
"Okay, it was like 4 minutes." I nodded.
"Stay in my room, okay?" I said. She nodded and went to my room. She then locked the door, fearing something, though I just couldn't run around the whole area with her.
I ran out the front door and ran around our estate just to find no signs of Jaden. I thought of where he'd go. The boat maybe? I thought and ran to the boat. There were also no signs of Jaden anywhere.
I sat down, where would he be? I collapsed back in the mini-couch. "Jaden, where are you?!" I yelled.
"Alexis?" A voice asked. I sat up and looked over the boat to find Lisa.
"Hey Lisa," I said frowning, trying to force a smile.
"Where's Jaden?" She asked.
"I don't know. He ran off."
"How?"
"I was packing Kate's suitcase because her parents showed up and are taking her back? I left her with him to keep each other company. However, she needed to use the bathroom and he jumped from the second floor window and went somewhere." I summarized.
"Why don't we get Zane and Syrus to help?" I nodded and sighed.
We arrived at The Truesdales' and I knocked on the door. Zane was the one to answer. "Alexis, what a pleasant surprise. What's going on?"
"Can I come in? It's a long story." He nodded and opened the door. Lisa just followed.
We sat down, "Zane, can you call down Syrus too, he'll need to hear this too." Lisa suggested.
"No, I'll do it." I said. I walked up the stairs which when you were tired and sad seemed extremely hard. I knocked on his door.
"Zane is that you come on in."
"No, it's me Syrus." I said.
He opened the door. "Hey Alexis, Jaden here too?" I looked down and shook my head sadly.
"Where is he?" Syrus asked scared.
"I don't know. I'll explain it. Come on down." Syrus nodded and we went downstairs.
I told them the story and I started crying. "It's alright Alexis. Jaden can take care of himself, sort of. I'm sure he'll be fine."
"I'm not sure he is. Kate reminds him of Hailey. Kate leaving us is the recompense for Hailey."
"Eh?" Syrus asked.
"That doesn't make sense why would Hailey be the trade off for Kate now? You aren't pregnant are you Alexis?" Lisa asked worried.
"No, of course not, let me explain better." I said. "On July 9th of this year, Jaden and I disappeared for a week right?"
"Yeah, and you returned without Hailey, so how come you'd pay the recompense for her now?" Zane asked.
"When we left we met a woman named Ladle. She was a trade-off for her parents' lives. Every generation there is a trade-off child in Jaden's family. You get two choices; you can sacrifice the parents for the child or the child for the parents' lives."
"That's horrible Alexis." Syrus said.
"Yes, it is. However, I realized a fluke in the trade-off in Hailey's generation. Since I'm the second child in my family, a girl, my brother automatically inherits the company. The trade-off is done through and explosion at the factory which would kill one or the other."
"That's interesting, and…" Zane asked.
"We both all get to live." Everyone was smiling.
"However, Fate didn't wish to be tricked. We had to trade a child and equivalent factors to them. The factors were taken without our choice unlike the trade-off factors. Kate is taken alive from us, and her grandparents, were killed. It seemed fair to fate. Jaden and I both figured not."
"That's sad." Lisa said.
"Yeah, so Jaden feels that he brought everything upon Kate and me because of his family. He's blaming himself, and he feels horrible about it." I finished.
"Where would he go?" Syrus asked.
"I'm not sure."
"The docks?" Zane questioned.
"No, I tried and I think that's more of yours and my thing." I said. I jumped up. "I know where, bye." I said running off.
I realized that Jaden, when needing space ran to a cliff near the estate. I saw him and I quietly sat down next to him. "Lex, she gone."
"No, I was looking for you this whole time." I answered.
"You left her alone?"
"She's fine. I'm worried about you."
"Oh." He answered.
"Don't act like I don't care Jaden." I said taking his hands.
"I know you care about her Lex." He responded sadly.
"No, don't act like I don't care about you, Jaden." I stressed.
"Eh?" He questioned.
"That's how you're acting. You're acting as if no one can understand you. This is only hurting you. Moreover, especially that nothing cares about you."
"Lex…" I placed my hand on the ground in the space between us.
"I love you, you know that. I understand you, because it's not only hurting you, I know that. I care about you; I'm not going to lighten up about this because… you're important to me. You seem to be spacing yourself from me Jaden."
"Lex… I know all this. It's just…" He couldn't say more.
"You don't think I haven't figured it out, thought it all through. Trust me; from the minute that you ran away, I saw this on a different level. If your thoughts were about how you didn't want them to take Kate away, you would have taken Kate. When you left her here, it meant that something was plaguing you. You know what it is… It's…"
Jaden pushed me back and got on top of me. "You… don't… need… to… say… anymore." He said trying not to cry. He wasn't on me; he was supporting himself above me.
"I'm sorry Jaden, but I must."
"Please, don't."
"Let me please, you have to understand that what you're saying, thinking and doing, it's all too…"
"Too what Alexis? Too selfish, too mean, too rude."
"No, too simple." He was confused. I sat up and hugged him. Tears were now falling from his eyes without having a single sign of sadness. "Jaden, I love you. You think I'd leave you. That's what's plaguing your heart isn't it? You're thinking 'I keep hurting her so much, she's going to leave me'."
"No, you're wrong?"
"What then?"
"I'm tired of you being hurt." I said. "If I left, then maybe, you'd be alright. I don't care about myself getting hurt; I just don't want you hurt." He said hugging me tighter.
"Jaden, I don't care about being hurt, you're the one who's taking it too hard on yourself. I love you; I'm not going to lead your side, never." I smiled at him. I hoped that reassurance was good enough.
"You alright?"
"Huh?" I asked.
"You took a 4-story fall."
"I jumped into a tree and climbed down, then ran off." I smiled.
"Of course you did," I said smacking my head mentally.
"Did you think I jumped? Do you think I'm crazy?"
"You ran away didn't you?"
He smiled and pulled me closer to him. He then placed his hands on my face and kissed me. It was just like every other time, perfect, gently and full of love. After a little time, Jaden and I got up and returned to the house.
I turned the corner to see they were waiting impatiently. "Go through the back, I'll take care of them." He nodded.
"Hi," I said walking around the house.
"You're late, Miss." He said annoyed.
"Sorry, I had to take care of all Kate's things around the yard, house, and play area and such."
"Oh, of course, this is a quite large estate, isn't it?"
"Yep, you can't even see its end from here." I said smiling. I opened the door after unlocking it and walked in. "Come on in." I said. I went up to my room and Jaden was saying something to Kate who was still extremely sad.
"Bye." He said quietly. Kate hugged him; he picked her up and carried her downstairs following me.
"Ah, Kate, my daughter." He said.
Jaden set Kate down on the ground. "Behave you," He whispered quietly.
"Yes daddy," She said bowing her head and walking toward her true father as if he was going to kill her, which he might but not here.
"The adoption forms say in order for us to return her to you, you must return her to us for 3 days every month to check on her, got it." I said putting my arms on my waist and staring him down.
"Whatever, talk to my wife about that."
"My office," I said pretending I had one. She followed me up to my room and we sat down in my bed.
"I'm most likely pregnant." She said as if it was disgraceful. I grabbed her hands and looked at her.
"It'll be alright." I said smiling trying to reassure her.
"I'm not sure but I figure I will be soon." I nodded. I hugged her.
"It's alright, the form says that we're supposed to also spend 4 days with you observing all house conditions, cameras are set up to observe his treatment of you."
"Law says he can treat me however he wants. I am his after all."
"Yeah but he can't do that to Kate." I said.
"Yeah, but our next child won't be under that restrictions."
"Child abuse is illegal."
"It is?" She asked.
"Of course, if the camera checks it but make sure that you get all the chances you can to learn how to duel so you can free yourself." She nodded.
"Wait a minute, Alexis; once you're married can another man challenge you to take a woman back?"
"No, sorry. Aquarelle (duel-centered) Marriages are permanent to that woman once the marriage is done. However, the woman can free herself by beating him in a duel." She smiled.
"I'm glad. So I can marry the man I love after I free myself?" I nodded.
"Good, but I want to return Kate to you then."
"No, keep her. I'm pretty sure after I graduate from college Jaden and I will start our own family, you keep yours but feel free to visit, okay?" I said smiling.
"Yeah," She frowned and walked out as if this conversation was unpleasant.
"Come on." He said to her angrily.
"Bye." She said to me.
"See you in 3 weeks," I said.
"Of course," She said.
"Bye Daddy, Mommy." Kate said.
"We! Are your parents!" He scolded. Jaden frowned at this angrily. I rested my hand on him.
"Bye." I said quietly to Kate. Jaden waved which Kate waved back. After they left, Jaden collapsed to his knees.
"He hates her, and he's going to abuse her."
"Nope, he's not. The adoption agency to return a child to their rightful parents says that they have to be supervised for the first 6 months by cameras without their knowledge and we spend a week with them checking on how she'd doing." Jaden smiled.
"Good."
"Kate's also going to teach her mom to duel, so she can free herself from him." Jaden smiled wider.
"That's one duel I want to see."
"Me too, but the bad news is she's pregnant?" Jaden was confused.
"During pregnancy, your immune system is weakened by half so the abuse he gives to her, while legal…"
"What?"
"You didn't know. It's perfectly legal under Aquarelle Marriage to do anything to you wife, even kill her because she is yours."
"That's insanity, and horrible."
"I live under the same confines Jaden." I reminded him.
"What?" He asked confused and angry.
"You know the rules my mom told you last year, about how you beat me in a duel, you have my rights. That is Aquarelle Marriage. Once I turn 16, I'm supposed to me married, however it can be longer by the husband's choice but then, you can do anything you want to me then. I have no say in it." I said sadly.
"No way, that's horrible Alexis. Who would agree to that?"
"The society that I live in, my parents and you."
"What?"
"By agreeing to marry me Jaden, you know that these rules are the ones that I in guidance under."
"But… I don't want to do that to you." He said worried and scared.
"Jaden, of course you don't have to do those things to me. Nevertheless, I am under these laws. When you marry me, whatever you tell me to do, I have to do. No choice or the law will kill me." Jaden seemed scared.
"Alexis…" He said. I laid my hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry Jaden, I can handle it."
"What if I can't and I mess up."
"You won't." I said. "Plus, I love you so I'm fine living under your orders."
"I'm not." I shrugged.
"In this marriage that cares what I think Jaden. You're the boss of me."
"Is there any way to free you of this?" He asked.
"You could after we're married free me of the laws." I said. He nodded.
"Alright then, I'm going to." I smiled.
I kissed him. "Thanks ahead of time," I said.
"So she might die?"
"Yeah, it's possible." I said sadly.
"Then again, there's a chance that he won't hurt her because she's carrying the baby since he wants… I can't remember how many, I remember it was a lot though. He needs her to have children, and pretty much no other reason."
"That's sickening."
"Yeah, but for Aquarelle Girls, its normal life."
"I don't want you to end up like that."
"As long as you don't lose a duel to anyone, I'm fine." He smiled.
"That all?"
"Yeah." I said. We collapsed on the couch.
Someone was knocking on the door. I opened it. "Hey Lex, we're here for the party!" Atticus said.
"The Party?" Jaden elbowed me. "The Party. Of course." I said opening the door. I then ran to the kitchen to get out a lot of the food ready which I had bought for the party, and Jaden grabbed the other stuff.
"Hey Lex," Jaden called.
"Yeah?" I said.
"You had enough of everything for a while." I nodded.
"Why?" I asked.
"I'm taking you on a vacation to the United States, California." He said smiling.
"How?"
"It's just a surprise using the Recompense I have left." I smiled.
"That sounds great." I said.
"It sounds great to me to." The party was soon over when everyone realized it was 2 am. It seemed like a normal teenage party rather than our civilized party with the crazy dancing and talking and such. It was enjoyable but tiring.
"Bye Alexis, Bye Jaden." Syrus said. "See you soon."
"When school's back in." Jaden corrected.
"Huh?" He asked.
"I'm taking Alexis to California for the rest of the summer." Syrus smiled and nodded understanding.
"Alright then, see you in a few months." Syrus corrected himself.
"Yeah, bye." Jaden said waving. It would be an extremely interesting flight.
"It seems like I'm never going to get to spend time at home, but ow well."
"Yeah." He said.
"Wait a minute? What about taking care of Kate?" I asked.
"We can fly in once a month to check on her for a week." He answered. "I mean, we're not that far from California." (Their island is near Hawaii, if that helps you understand. They go to school in Japan, though.)
"Alright then, let's go pack." I packed my stuff and left a note for anyone who wants to know where we're off.
Dear Mom and Dad,
Jaden and I are off to California to relax for the rest of the summer. We are staying until school starts which is when we'll fly in. We'll be fine. Jaden and I are going to take care of everything and we'll be sure to take care of ourselves. I hope you had a good summer yourselves. I'm sure I will too. Don't worry too much because I've got Jaden here.
Love, Your Daughter - Alexis
Dear Atticus,
Jaden and I headed of to California for some sand and sun before school starts. Don't blow up the house, the maids have the month off until mom and dad come home so they won't do anything for you, sorry. I'll be sure to have fun with Jaden though.
Love, Your Sis - Lexy
"You sure that's everything we need?" I asked.
"If it's not we'll just buy it when we get there. I want to get on the plane before it leaves." He complained.
"Alright, let's go." I said grabbing my bags and we walked to the dock and took a boat to the airport nearby. I had ordered an air flight attendant and pilot to be ready at an airport in California on the days we'd leave to take care of Kate.
We boarded and Jaden and I took a seat; surprisingly there were a lot of people in the area going to California too, most were actors and actresses. I didn't expect a lot of famous people to live so nearby.
"How are you doing Lex?" Jaden asked 2 hours into the flight.
"I'm doing fine. I usually don't get airsick. You?"
"A little less than perfect, but otherwise, pretty good." I figured he wasn't sick from airsickness but the food they gave him which he ate in access until he made himself sick. I'm sure he's missing Kate's cooking. I'd have to ask her for her recipes when we visited and checked in on her.
We arrived at the airport and Jaden was asleep. I couldn't manage to fall asleep on the plane though, I really would have liked to. However, when we got to the hotel, we'd sleep.
We good two rooms, and went in for the night. The hotel reminded me of my room, it was surprisingly expensive but nothing Jaden and I couldn't afford with all the money we had recovered in all the work we did in dueling. It was pretty much next to nothing.
"I'm sure there is no one we know here TK." A girl yelled.
I opened my door. "Hello, can you keep it down?" I asked.
"Alexis!" The girl said hugging me.
"Kari?"
"Yeah, it's me. TK and I are here vacationing."
"Or something to that extent." TK said. Jaden came out.
"Hey TK, you guys here too." He nodded.
"I'm so glad to see you, how did things work out with your parents?" I asked. Kari sighed.
"Later K?" I nodded. "Let's sleep and talk tomorrow." She said. I nodded and we all went to bed, it was great to see them.
