“Really, like who?” Lisa questioned in a hushed voice.
Jaz shrugged as she said, “I don't know. Politicians, actors, singers. They don't say who, because it would drive clients away.”
“How long are you planning on staying there?” Ellie asked, her voice thick with concern and sadness.
Jaz feared this one question. “I'm not sure. As long as it takes I guess.”
“An estimate?” Lisa pushed.
“It will be longer than a few weeks.” That was true at least. She didn't want to lie or make a promise she couldn't keep. But she didn't want to hurt them or worry them either. “I can still keep in touch every now and again, but the signal here is bad, even on their land line. And they have this stupid thing about calling relatives and friends, because it might have a negative effect on the healing process.”
“Did you memorize that or something?” Lisa joked.
Jaz laughed awkwardly. “Just heard it enough times.”
“Well, at least we know you're alive and breathing,” Lisa responded.
“Yeah, well, they kinda go hand in hand,” Jaz replied.
Ellie giggled and Lisa flicked her in the shoulder. Ellie crowed “Ow!” and Lisa guffawed. Jaz could tell all this just by the sounds she heard.
“Please get well soon. I hope they'll let you call again real soon.”
“Me too, Elle.”
“Try not to bang anyone while you're in there! No matter how desperate you get!” Lisa teased.
“I'll try,” Jaz muttered.
“At least until you are able to tell us about it!” Lisa giggled, and Jaz rolled her eyes. “Speaking of, what happened with the creepy but hot driver? He try anything?”
This caught Jaz off guard. The strange thing was, her reasons for being suspicious of him that day had been justified. He did kidnap and drug her after all. Well, her aunt played a huge part in it too. And yet, even after everything, she'd got him all wrong.
She smiled and said, “He turned out to be safe. No axe murderer or rapist.”
“That's good to hear. So maybe when you make a break from that place you can get him to reward you for your efforts on the drive back,” Lisa joshed.
Jaz blushed and let out a short embarrassed giggle. “You're so... lovely, Lis,” she snorted.
“Love you too, babes.”
They all said their goodbyes and Jaz hung up.
The tension that had been building up in her overworked muscles was released out in a long, heavy breath. She didn't touch the phone again for over ten minutes before she was ready to dial her parents' number.
What was once her home number.
*
Sunday June 5th, 5:31 p.m.
Nik's office
Driver listened intently to the conversation on his line, especially when he was mentioned.
He heard the shyness in Jaz's voice. Her friend Lisa's teasing ruffled her. He liked Lisa, simply because she brought out sides of Jaz that he hadn't, or rarely got the chance to meet.
And Jaz stuck to her word. Edda told her what he expected of her and she didn't disappoint. She was very convincing. He knew how difficult it must be for her to lie to her best friends.
He was surprised that she didn't call her parents first. Then halfway through her conversation to Lisa and Ellie, he understood her reasons. She was preparing herself for them, because it would be a much harder conversation to have. She knew they weren't her real parents. And she had to face that.
At least, in some pathetic kind of way, he could get through it with her by listening to the conversation. He hoped she could feel the reassurance and encouragement he was mentally propelling through the phone. Though probably not.
*
“Mum?”
“Oh, Jasmine! Darling, are you okay? John! It's Jaz!”
Jaz squinted at her mother's shrill voice as it shrieked across the room to her father, and in her ear hole. “I'm fine, Mum,” she breathed.
“Jaz?” her dad said. He must have picked up the phone on the other line, in their bedroom.
“Dad.” She held back the tears and steadied her voice. She'd always been a daddy's girl at heart.
“Oh, thank God, you're okay.”
“I'm-”
“Where are you?” he demanded.
She hesitated. “You know where I am.” There was a confused, strained silence. “At the spa?”
“Oh, Jaz, come on-”
“I'm doing well. I'm feeling much better, but I need to stay here for a little while longer.”
“Jaz, when are you coming home?” her mother pleaded.
“I don't know. Not for a while. But they're taking care of me. I'm okay.”
“What have they done to y-?”
“My aunt is here. She's great. So is my grandmother.” Another pause. “I know about Thorpe and Eliza.”
There was a sharp intake of breath from both parents on the line, followed by a long, uncomfortable hush.
“And I just want you to know that it changes nothing. I love you both, very much.”
“I-I-,” her mum stuttered.
“We love you too, Jazzybaby,” her dad said.