Chapter 10: Game in Progress

I’m surprised. Not by Paulo’s words, but by my own behaviour. For some reason I’m not being my normal shy and easily embarrassed self. Not that I mind. This whole conversation makes me feel so alive. I lean forward and look into Paulo’s eyes, daring him to respond. He matches my movement and we are sitting face to face, only centimetres apart.

Then everything turns into chaos. Just as I am contemplating sharing a kiss with Paulo, Ellen arrives. She’s not alone. Sylvie and three security guards are with her.

“What on earth do you think you are doing, Jasmine?” growls Sylvie. “I raised the alarm when I realised you had left Ellen’s room. Don’t you remember any of the personal safety instructions you were given?”

I glare at Sylvie, trying my best to restrain my anger. I’m about to let fly with a tirade, when Paulo places his hand on my arm.

“Jasmine and I came out here while you two had a sisterly reunion,” says Paulo. “Jasmine told Ellen where we were going. It’s hardly Jasmine’s fault if Ellen didn’t listen.”

“Hmmph ... Well ... OK ... I suppose,” blusters Sylvie, unable to find anything wrong with what Paulo has just said. “But you two should not be together without supervision. Come on Paulo. We shall return to your dormitory.”

“We were hardly unsupervised,” Paulo replies. “The café proprietor was here.”

Paulo seems to have quietened Sylvie’s thunder. I’m still angry with her, but I will hold my wrath in check until we are somewhere more private.

“Thank you for a pleasant interlude, professor,” I say as I stand up. “As you can see, we are summoned back to reality. Such are the trials of a Argonaut contestant.”

“And thank you, princess, for bestowing a humble scholar with the honour of your regal company,” replies Paulo in a mischievous tone.

I can’t help but laugh, despite my anger with Sylvie. On impulse I lean over and kiss Paulo on the lips. I don’t know whether I do it simply to annoy Sylvie, or to fuel Paulo’s interest in me. Either way, my action succeeds on both counts.

“We must do this again sometime,” I reply.

I don’t get to hear Paulo’s response. Ellen takes my arm and guides me back to my dormitory. Neither of us says anything on the journey back along the corridors. Only when we arrive at my dormitory does Ellen show her relief and delight at finding me safe.

“Well? Are you going to explain yourself?” asks Ellen firmly, but without the venom Sylvie added to her same question when I was with Paulo.

“Paulo told you what happened. You and Sylvie got into a row, so Paulo and I stepped out while you sorted out your differences. End of story.”

“Not ‘end of story’, Jasmine. What were you and Paulo discussing?” persists Ellen.

“Ellen!” I say, barely holding my anger in check. “I appreciate your help and advice, but you are not my mother. I don’t have to explain to you what I say and do with a man.”

“Yes you do,” replies Ellen, unmoved by my reply. “While you are here in the Argonaut complex, I am responsible for your safety. Your battle for victory doesn’t start with this afternoon’s television show. The Argonaut has already begun. Until you are either eliminated or declared a victor, I need to know about your every move so that I can protect you. Now, I repeat my question; what were you and Paulo discussing?”

I look at Ellen. As soon as I do, I realise that this isn’t an argument I’m going to win.

“Fine! Have it your way,” I sigh. “We were just talking about a make believe life and family.”

“And what was the meaning of the kiss?” asks Ellen, still not willing to let the matter drop.

“It’s what a man and woman do when they like each other,” I reply.

“You like him!?” splutters Ellen. “In case you’ve forgotten, he’s going to be trying to eliminate you from the Argonaut!”

“And I him,” I reply. “That doesn’t mean that we don’t like each other. The officials can put us through all the tests their warped minds can devise, but they can’t tell us who to love or hate.”

“I can’t believe this,” sighs Ellen. “Is there anyone who can make you see sense.”