264 Dinner for Sabrina and her date 3 (1/2)
The dinner started in a stiff atmosphere.
Nathan was asking questions related to Jackson and his current situation, and Sabrina told them how Jackson came to her apartment and they had an argument after which he had a seizure. Liz took over the story from there, explaining how Jackson took a drug to fake a seizure and that due to the nature of the drug, he ended up staying at the Franciscan Medical Center as an addict.
”How are you going to deal with him?” Nathan asked while his eyes swept over his three children. In his opinion, Sabrina's story with Jackson will not end here.
”We are watching them with a goal to see who else is involved.” Max said.
Nathan was obviously displeased. ”That's it? Just watching?” His gaze moved from Max to Sabrina.
Sabrina fidgeted nervously. She didn't plan beyond breaking up with Jackson and staying away from him. ”Do you think that we should do more?”
Nathan gave Sabrina a knowing look. ”Based on what you told me, Jackson is faking a disease for eight years. No one is going to such lengths without a big goal ahead of him. Do you think that he will give up just because you said that it's over?” Nathan made a dramatic pause and continued: ”Jackson is a wounded dog and he will come to bite the person who wounded him. The fact that his family is involved, is only making the situation more serious. If it's just him, maybe he can try to hide his current situation, but the more people know about this, the more he is under pressure to not admit a defeat.”
Max agreed with Nathan. ”I will handle them.”
”I had no intention of meddling.” Nathan said. ”All three of you are big enough to take care of yourselves and each other. I am just giving you advice. You want to watch and see who else will be exposed, and I am telling you don't wait for too long, because Jackson is not going to sit idle. The fact that he is in the hospital does not mean that he is harmless.”
Sabrina was uncomfortable with the thought that Max needs to clean up her mess. But she does not have a plan at this point. ”Max, don't do anything before talking to me first. OK?”
Max nodded and they agreed that they will talk about it later.
”Let's move onto more cheerful topics.” Madeline almost pleaded. The current mood is not good for digestion.
Madeline saw that Max, Liz, and Sabrina are talking about Jackson, Hunter and Mia are focused on the food, and that leaves Ashton.
”Ashton, what are you up to lately?” Madeline asked.
Ashton was caught off guard by this and he said the first thing that came to his mind. ”On Monday I'm starting my new job. As Rina's employee.”
Madeline's eyes darted to Sabrina before returning to Ashton. ”Oh… Are you an interior designer?”
”No, ma'am. I will be a physical worker.”
”I see.” Madeline nodded in understanding. ”That does not sound like a very promising career.”
”No, ma'am. It's temporary to keep me busy until September.” Ashton explained that he will work with a full-time professor at the University as his teaching assistant and a researcher.
Sabrina looked at Ashton with curiosity. He told her about starting Ph.D. studies in mathematics, but he didn't mention working at the University. Does that mean that he will work at her studio for no longer than a month and a half?
Sabrina noticed how Ashton was polite when talking with her parents. His demeanor, choice of words, tone of voice... everything made him appear like a harmless boy next door. She wondered if that is the same Ashton who can't wait to get handsy with her.
”You are a student?” Madeline continued probing Ashton.
”He is applying for a Ph.D. program in math.” Sabrina responded instead of Ashton.
Ashton confirmed. ”I already got positive feedback, and it's a matter of paperwork. It should not take more than a month before it's official.”
”What will you do with that Ph.D.? Will you be a University professor? Or work at some company?”
”My field of interest is developing computer algorithms which are based on chaos theory. There is a number of companies investing in this area, and I might join them or maybe convince them to invest in my independent research.”
”Do you think that you will find investors for something so niche? It all sounds... complicated.” Madeline admitted that she didn't understand what his studies are about.
Ashton smiled and his eyes lit up, showing how excited he is to talk about the topic. ”It's a fascinating area which stirs people's imagination. It can be explained as an attempt to find patterns between seemingly random events. If successful, it's applicable to every area of life. It can even allow us to predict the future.”
Madeline was impressed. She understands that predicting the future is a big deal.
Madeline's gaze moved to Sabrina whose chin was propped on her palm and she was dreamily looking at Ashton.
Madeline's sixth sense was tingling. What's with that gaze? Sure… computers, algorithms, future, it all sounds impressive, but it's not THAT impressive. And since when is Sabrina so easily dazed?
Madeline's thoughts were interrupted by Nathan's questions directed at Sabrina: ”How did Jackson take the drug without you noticing?”
Madeline did her best to stir the topic of conversation away from Jackson, but Nathan was still thinking about it.
Sabrina peeled her eyes from handsome Ashton and turned to her father. ”What?”