At that point, they almost saw Jaden overload with panic and disapproval.

"Wh-wh-bu-th-wh-!?" he sputtered, causing Darryl to just shake his head.

"Really, Jordan?" he asked.

"Y'really had to just go full 6 feet under, didn't you?" he asked further.

"Was my statement incorrect?" Jordan asked in response.

"..." Darryl was silent, and then sighed.

"Well... well, no..." he admitted.

Darryl practically jumped a little when Jordan threw him under the bus like that, and quickly shook his head.

"Dad, it's not as bad as you think!" he told Jaden.

"Seriously, he's a cool guy and he's not trying to hurt Jordan or anything!" he insisted.

"...then HOW does she know he's a stripper!?" Jaden demanded.

".......maybe he just TOLD her, how about that?" Darryl asked in response.

Jaden was then silent for a moment, before just sighing heavily.

"I just... I don't want you running in potentially bad or unsavoury circles." he told Jordan.

This time, Jaden flinched, and Jordan and Darryl knew it was because she'd been right on the money about organising a small party for her birthday... despite her telling him to do the opposite, entirely.

He was silent for another moment, before crossing his arms over his chest.

"...you know what?" he asked.

"Fine." he said.

"Feel free to invite him over here." he told her.

"...and for the record, I was just planning something with us, as a family, and Samantha, if she wanted to show up." he added.

Jaden watched her go, and grumbled a little.

"Where does she get that attitude?" he asked Darryl.

"From grandma." Darryl responded.

This immediately made Jaden look guilty, causing Darryl to sigh.

"Don't." he said.

"You should know by now that's not necessary, and you're just punishing yourself." he muttered, leaving Jaden on his own in the room.

Sure enough, she'd gotten his attention. About 5 minutes later, he came 'online' on her contact list.

And as soon as he did, she received some messages.

A party, huh? he asked.

Sure, I'm in. he said.

Got the deets? the third one then asked her.

Or is this all surprise-surprise? he asked further, before the messages stopped, allowing her to respond.

She was met with silence for about a minute, before he responded.

Legit laughed out loud at the corrupting comment. he sent her.

But all right, let's see where this goes. he continued.

Just let me know things like where, when, and everything else. he told her further.

Which is to say, exact address and time. Unless I'm being picked up. the next message clarified.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the conversation, Bast just smirked.

"This should prove verrrrrry interesting." he told himself.

I've got a passport, and I can afford a round-trip ticket. he sent.

After all, I'm a hot commodity, and command a price as such. he reminded her, smirking to himself.

But yeah, lemme know more details when YOU know them. I'll book my flight and stuff. he told her further.

Sooner, rather than later, as flight booking can be hectic business.

Later. he sent her, before sighing and leaning back in his chair.

"Interesting." he said.

"Wonder how this'll go..." he mumbled.

She received no answer at first, but only the first few seconds were silence.

"Den." she heard from closeby.

She made her way to the room in question, to see Jaden sitting in front of the TV, rapidly flipping through the channels.

Jaden was silent, before sighing.

"Whatever works." he told her.

He was then silent again, before looking right at her.

"As for how long, ask your mother." he went on.

"We can convert the gym room to a guest room, but that would take a lot of work." he muttered further.

"So might as well be your room. It's clear you've already gotten close to him, in secret."

"...." Jaden was silent again, pondering her responses.

And thinking about what he had said recently.

And also thinking about what Darryl had commented not a few minutes ago.

He then sighed, and searched his memory for an answer to her question.

"Sunday." he told her.

"Kalin's club." he went on.

"Why?" he asked.