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I reach over and squeeze her hand. "It's okay, cara mia. We're safe now." I can't meet her gaze. I am too consumed by my own thoughts. Pregnant? My Jasmine? A thousand thoughts race through my mind, each more overwhelming than the last.
My hands start to tremble, so I clasp them tightly together over the steering wheel in an attempt to maintain some semblance of control.
Jasmine, my beautiful angelic Jasmine has been keeping her pregnancy secret from me. And I? I gave her a day from hell. I scorned her, let out my rage, demanded explanations and apologies, sent her alone for a dangerous mission and put her in the way of gunfire - when what I should have done is taken care of her.
If only I knew.
"Go," the Ghost orders, his tone urgent yet calm, and I obey without question. I need to get Jasmine to safety. We speed off into the night, leaving a cloud of dust in our wake.
“Do you have someplace safe to go?” The Ghost commands. “Or would you like me to lead you to a safehouse?”
“My apartment. It’s safe. It’s in –”
“I know where it is,” he says, cutting me out. Of course he does. My mind goes back to when we saw his figure in the balcony, only for him to disappear when we stepped out. That was the second time Jasmine and I made love. I have so many questions running through my mind. I’m sure Jasmine does too. I look at her.
She sits quietly in the passenger seat, her hand resting gently on her stomach. This is not how I imagined finding out I’m about to be a father. I wonder why she hid it from me for so long.
But this time, instead of feeling angry like I did when I discovered she was a spy, I feel a deep, profound sense of peace wash over me.
I know that Jasmine, whatever decision she made, based it on what she believed was best for her baby.
She could have kept the pregnancy secret, but she revealed it to Frank to save my life.
She was eventually going to tell me, of that I am sure. I don’t blame her for waiting for the right time. Things have been so hectic lately.
I keep my eyes on the road, but can’t get her pregnant belly out of my head. I wish I could celebrate, take her into my arms, and congratulate her. I want to ask her if she’s okay, schedule a doctor’s appointment, and fill the fridge with her favorite things.
I want to tell her she’s not alone - that I will be there for her, and our child, every step of the way. I want to share my joy with her, to tell her how ecstatic I am about the life growing inside of her.
But I can’t. I’m deprived of creating this joyous moment because we’re not alone and I know better than to trust anyone right now. Not even The Ghost. Not until I understand his motive to help us.
My gaze drifts from Jasmine to the Ghost who is sitting behind me, and that's when I notice it – his watch. The intricate design and worn vintage leather strap are unmistakable. I've seen it somewhere, but it’s impossible, for this watch to be here, on his wrist.
"Where did you get that watch?" I demand, my voice sharper than intended.
The Ghost glances at his wrist and then back at me. "Why?"
"Just answer the question," I snap, my gut telling me there's more to this than meets the eye.
He hesitates for a moment before responding. "It was a gift. From someone important."
"Who?" I press, feeling the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
"Does it really matter, Dario?" he asks, clearly irritated by my line of questioning.
"Indulge me," I say coldly, my patience wearing thin.
"Fine." He sighs and grips the steering wheel tighter. "My mother gave it to me."
"Your mother?" I echo, struggling to hide the shock in my voice.
"Is that so hard to believe?" he retorts, a hint of anger seeping into his tone.
"Forgive me," I say, forcing myself to remain calm. "It's just that...the watch looks familiar."
As the car speeds through the streets, my mind refuses to let go of the Ghost's words. The watch... it belonged to my mother. The same delicate, gold timepiece that she used to wear every day without fail. I can't ignore it any longer.
"Your mother," I say, trying to keep my voice steady as I turn to face him. "You said your mother gave you that watch."
