Chapter 2: When The Lion Met Jasmine

Leonardo, the lion, symbolizes power, strength, and courage. The king rules the jungle with brave and cruel behavior. You can be his friends and become his servants or die horribly and become prey. ~ JUST MINE

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Leonardo Aldebaran, Leon means lion. And Aldebaran is the brightest star in the Taurus constellation. Leonardo is the eldest son of the Aldebaran lineage, the city's oldest and wealthiest family. One of the richest in his country. Their long lineage has become a role model for the clans of other wealthy families.

ALDE Group is a large company that moves in almost every human aspect. Several hospitals, coal mines, large factories, property, and event trading companies. They even acquire a lot of small companies. And Leonardo is the crown prince of this business kingdom.

"Where are we going?" A handsome 8-year-old boy asks curiously because this is not the way to the piano course.

"I'm sorry, Young Master. I have to go back to my house for a bit to get the files." A middle-aged man looks so nervous. He is Michael Aston, the personal assistant that Mr. Louise Aldebaran chooses to take care of his son's needs during Leonardo's first personal assistant leave for giving birth.

"Uncle Mike. I don't like being late, you know!" Little Leonardo stares sharply at Michael. His words make cold sweat drops down from Michael's forehead even more.

"I'm sorry, Young Master. These mistaken will not happen again." Michael lowers his head, guilty; he continues to turn his body facing backward to speak to his master. Leonardo's driver becomes nervous because he can feel the cold atmosphere from Leonardo's gaze too.

"Sigh ... Okay, I'm not in the mood to play the piano either." Leonardo sighs. He stares out the car window.

"Thank you, young master." Michael's face turns back cheerful.

It does not need a long time before the car turns towards a luxury residence. Michael is the director of a company under ALDE Group. He was too happy when he was selected to be Leonardo's assistant for several weeks. He was too excited. The handover file for his assistants -who will replace him- was left on the table this morning. Michael has to go home and take it to the office.

"Please come in, young master. Sorry, my house is small. "

"Hurry up and go!" Leonardo expells. He is lazy to make small talk.

Leonardo sits in Michael's living room. He pulls his cell phone from his trouser pocket. Observe what news has happened lately. Unlike children his age who prefer to play or be nosy, Leonardo tends to enrich his mind with information and sharpen his general knowledge. His father emphasizes Leonardo as a young master of a large group since he was a tiny child. No wonder Leonardo also grows up to be a cold and quiet child.

— JUST MINE —

Rosie has been released from the bond of her past for two years and raises Jasmine alone. Now they live happily in very mediocre conditions. Rosie works as a housekeeper at the Aston residence. She leaves early in the morning and comes home at noon, then Rosie works at an Asian restaurant as a waiter until night. Rosie always leaves Jasmine in the school daycare. After work, Rosie will pick up Jasmine.

Just a moment ago ...

"Why did you bring a child ?!" Sandra grumbles when she finds out that Rosie has come to her house with Jasmine. The little girl is scared and hides behind her mother's skirt.

"I'm sorry, Madame. I had to take Jasmine with me because school was off today. Nobody's taking care of her." Rosie begs for Sandra's understanding.

"Huh ... tsk, alright! Get her outside !! Don't get into the house and tarnish my house! I don't want her hand to touch all my expensive furniture." Sandra snaps, annoyed, then walks away, leaving the pair of child and mother.

"Why is Mama's boss so fierce??" Jasmine asks innocently.

"Well, that's how rich people are. You can play in the garden, Jas. And After Mama finishes Mama's work. We will go home and eat ice cream to celebrate your birthday. " Rosie smiles at her daughter.

"Is it true? Okay, Jasmin will be a good girl and wait patiently for Mama in the garden. " Jasmine high five with Rosie. She obeys and goes outside.

Today is Jasmine's birthday, six years old. Jasmine also will be entering elementary school this year. Jasmine is not smart, but she is very diligent like Rosie, so with her hard work, Jasmine can read before entering elementary school.

Jasmine looks up, narrowing her eyes so they aren't too dazzled by the sun. She was looking around the luxurious Aston family house. Jasmine's heart is pounding. The house is vast and elegant, different from her tiny house, only 12 square meters and built in a slum area.

"Wow, can I be this rich in the future?!" Jasmine mutters. She wishes to have a big house and invites her mother to live there.

Can a child fantasize so highly? Even though it might be impossible? Of course, They can. Without dreams and fantasies, they will not know their goals and motives in life.

Leonardo studies every inch of the Aston family's living room. Nothing special. His house is much bigger and more magnificent than Michael's. But suddenly, the focus of his sight catches up with an image of a little girl with her emerald eyes. She is running cheerfully chasing butterflies in the garden. Leonardo's instinct as a child tickles. He gets out and walks over to the girl. Her thick little lips and bright eyes attract Leonardo.

"Hi!" Leonardo greets Jasmine.

"Hi!" Jasmine greets Leon back, and her cheeks blush. Even though she is a kid, Jasmine recognizes that Leonardo is a handsome boy.

"What are you doing? Why are you look so happy?" Leon does not understand. What is so special about running in the garden?

"Chasing butterflies."

"Haha, LOL ... how can you catch them with your bare hands? You have to catch them with a net." Leonardo laughs at Jasmine's innocence.

"Huh? So I can't have them. Oh... Even though I want one, their wings are lovely. " Jasmine purses her lips, disappointing. She is so adorable, Leon blushing.

"I'll catch one for you." Leonardo stops Jasmine's steps. He creeps, waiting for the butterfly to settle on the flower petals.

TAP !! Leonardo catches it, making Jasmine jumps for joy. She keeps praising Leonardo, a reddish tinge appearing on his cheeks.

"What is your name?" Leonardo asks his new friend curiously.

"Jasmine. And you?"

"Leonardo. Leonardo Aldebaran."

"Wow, your name is like a lion." Jasmine giggles.

"That's right, you can call me Leon," Leon says.

"Nice to meet you, Leon. Are you Mr. Aston's son?" Jasmine asks another question.

"No, I'm not his son. I thought it was you who was his daughter." Leonardo's eyebrows furrow.

"No, I am Mama Rosie's daughter, a woman who works in this house as a maid." Jasmine points at her mother, who is drying clothes.

Realizing that Jasmine is not as equal as him makes the corners of Leon's lips droop. No more smiles, only disappointments. Even though he likes Jasmine's tiny lips and the bright emerald color of her eyes.

"Hey!! What did you do to Young Master, Naughty Girl?! " Suddenly, Michael comes and immediately pushes Jasmine until the little girl falls backward.

"Sob ... sob ... sob ...!" Jasmine's eyes burst into tears with fear.

"Jasmine, Jasmine, Oh, God, what's wrong?" Rosie rushes over and helps Jasmine to her arm, calming down the kid.

"Your child is bothering Young Master Leonardo! Do you know who he is?! How dare you touch him!! A dirty kid like you doesn't even deserve to see looking at his face!" Michael yells at Jasmine. The girl cries louder.

Leonardo looks at Michael's face with disgust. He does not say much and immediately walks away from the garden, avoiding the noise.

"Young Master, where are you going?" Michael asks nervously; he immediately follows Leon, leaving Rosie and Jasmine.

TAP!

Leonardo stops his footsteps. He plucks a jasmine flower from the garden. Leonardo turns around and glances at Jasmine, then smiles.

[Wait for me to grow up, Jasmine, I'll have you.] Leonardo keeps the jasmine buds in his trouser pockets.

That was the day when the lion met jasmine.

— JUST MINE —