Chapter 36

"Even rapists are born into families where their mother's sexual rights are not valued by their father, and slowly ingrained in their minds that women are just a man's sexual outlet. A person will treat their life according to how life treats them. Those who receive plenty of blessings, more often share happiness through charity. Because they think life is full of happiness and they want to repay the world by giving happiness to others. Those whose lives are full of suffering, will also repay the world with suffering. By tormenting others. As the environment has taught them that this is how to navigate the real world."

"If you encounter someone whose behavior is so far from normal, in a bad way, remember Dad's words. That person is the one who needs the most help in their life,"her father, explained this so seriously. "And not someone who needs more insults or trials, let alone ridicule. Understand?"

At that time, Carlie didn't fully understand her father's words. But over time, Carlie began to understand. She met many people, some good, many petty, and the more petty, the more evil, the more cunning someone was, Carlie found these people had more complex pasts. More painful. More sad. But so far Carlie only knew enough, there was never any other feeling that arose in her chest every time she remembered her father's words.

'Until Jona.'

Until the man who caught her excessive attention. Until this man who was cruel and heartless, truly had no mercy in his life dictionary and this made Carlie wonder more, was he also like what Dad once said, one of the most hurt people in his life until he behaved like this? After all, the last time she destroyed a room because she was stressed. Wasn't that a solid sign that he wasn't okay?

"You're ignoring me,"Carlie grumbled as she stared at Jona sitting in his private jet seat, gripping his iPad, and had been silent since forever.

"I didn't know Heston's daughter needed attention as much as a poodle dog,"Jona replied, without taking his eyes off his work.

Carlie rolled her eyes in annoyance,"you're the one who dragged me on this 11-hour trip, don't you think you have an obligation to entertain, even just a little, your forced guest?"Carlie looked straight at Jona. But the man openly ignored her. Treating Carlie like a mere buzzing fly making invalid protests. And that made Carlie angry. "Hey! Listen to me!"

Jona looked up when his iPad was grabbed by Carlie,"give it back."

"No, until you stop ignoring me,"Carlie threatened. "Just so you know, i really dislike being ignored by anyone."

Jona grabbed Carlie's hand, then forcefully took back his iPad,"and i don't like being disturbed while i'm working."

Carlie grumbled even louder. Suddenly, a flight attendant's footsteps approached, bringing a trolley containing their lunch. She placed it on Jona's table, then another one on Carlie's spot. The clock showed it was already 3 in the afternoon, and they hadn't tasted a spoonful of their meal. From the mere appearance, Carlie could see that Jona was starving and she seized the opportunity, to assert her will.

Jona widened his eyes. "Give back my food plate."

"No, i won't,"Carlie said. Then, she smiled slyly.

"You know what can make you get this plate back, right? Stop. Ignoring me."

Jona grumbled in annoyance. "Don't test my patience, or else i will-"

"What?"Carlie interrupted. "I can flip this plate anytime and spill all its contents if you insist. Of course, you can ask the chef back there to cook it again for you, but i don't think you're patient enough to wait another 20 minutes, right?"

This time Jona was truly annoyed,"what do you want, Eloise!? You're acting like a spoiled child."

Carlie licked her lips. "I've always been a spoiled child to my father. Don't get angry if i force this behavior on you, demon,"she threatened. "My condition if you want to eat is one. Play a game with me."

Jona furrowed his brow,"what game?"

"Twenty Questions."

Jona immediately rolled his eyes in annoyance. "That American teenage game where you take turns asking each other questions and you can't ask before answering your opponent's question? Very childish. Give me back my plate."

"Give it back to you. Or back to the floor and spill everything?"

"Of course, to me, Eloise!"

"Then play this childish game with me,"and before Jona could say anything, Carlie approached, then whispered in Jona's ear.

"Every time you successfully answer a question, i will let you eat one spoonful. Every time i answer a question, you feed me one spoonful too, how about that?"and before Jona could reply, Carlie continued. "No refusal accepted, Sir,"Jona let out a long sigh.

"I didn't know you had this childish side,"Carlie's smile widened as Jona shifted his seat, this time facing her, bringing them face to face. Carlie offered her plate to Jona, and he reluctantly accepted it. "Who goes first?"

"You. Ask the question."

Jona sighed deeply,"what's your name?"

"Carlie Eloise Heston,"Carlie grumbled. "Don't you have a more interesting question?"Jona scooped up a spoonful and offered it to Carlie, feeding her with an excessive amount of rice on the spoon. "And that spoonful is too big for my mouth!"Carlie snapped at Jona after struggling to swallow her food.

Jona chuckled mockingly,"you started it, don't regret it now. Your turn."

"How old are you?"

"Twenty-seven,"Jona answered. Carlie fed him a spoonful, this time deliberately very little into Jona's mouth. Then she giggled with satisfaction as she heard Jona's muttered complaint.

"We're only 2 years apart, it seems,"Carlie replied.

"Your turn."

"Do you have any siblings?"Jona asked, preparing the second spoonful.

"A twin. But he's a boy."

Jona frowned. "Is his behavior just like yours?"

"Hey,"Carlie glared, "My turn,"Jona grumbled irritably. "Since when do you do your job?"

Jona shrugged,"idon't know, i don't remember exactly, all i know is since birth i've been tasked with continuing my father's arms smuggling business. Nothing more,"Jona answered, accepting a spoonful. "Is your twin's personality similar to yours?"

Carlie smiled broadly. "He's much more annoying than me. His name is Carl Heston. I've never gotten along with him."

Jona furrowed his brow. "Carl Heston... remind me not to meet a man like that,"Carlie chuckled hearing that.

Question after question Carlie threw. Like wise, Jona did the same in return.

Carlie kept a safe distance. Just throwing basic questions without touching on anything too personal. She was afraid it would make Jona uncomfortable and end the game sooner than she wanted. The questions rolled on and the longer it went, the more Carlie began to learn a few things.

First, Jona wasn't too far in age from Carlie. Second, Jona was forced by his family to engage in this mafia business. Third, Jona didn't like excessive sweetness. Instead, he liked bitter things, like bitter coffee or Chinese liquor. Fourth, Jona had Latin blood in him. Not surprising, considering many mafia members originated from Mexico, or other Latin American regions. And finally, Carlie knew that Jona recruited one by one alliance members to be his, at a very young age like now. Carlie secretly admired his prosperity.

"Your turn,"Carlie said after feeding Jona another spoonful of food.

"What kind of family is the Heston family? You can explain it briefly, in one or two words,"Jona spoke.

Instantly, Carlie's heart rate increased. She began to see a new opportunity. Jona began to open up about the 'family topic' that had long plagued Carlie's own mind. She wanted to know about Jona's family life and she hoped she would get bait for it as soon as possible.

"Warm. Also noisy. My ideal family,"Carlie squinted as she saw Jona lost in thought, albeit briefly, not even more than 2 seconds. But in those 2 seconds, Carlie caught a glance of an expression that caught her attention.

An expression longing for something.

"I'll turn the same question around. What's the Austin family like?"

"Cold,"Briefly, Jona answered. "Your favorite bag brand?"

"Gucci,"Carlie answered. "What are the characteristics of your family? Your father, your mother and your late brother. Just briefly."

Thud. Carlie finally hit her main goal. Jona remained silent, unable to speak. He was lost in thought for a moment, longer than before. And for a moment, Carlie saw emptiness in his eyes. Just for a moment. But it was very apparent.

Jona reached for his drink, then finished it in one gulp.

"I'm not hungry anymore. You can finish it if you want. If not, just throw it away. I don't want it anymore."

Bingo. Carlie successfully confirmed one thing. The man had complicated issues with his family. And that family of his, it was the charcoal and tear in his white paper.