jordana-velasquez

[jordana-velasquez]

[jordana-velasquez]

where: her office who: @benjaminvox when: 16th of december, 2024

It was an odd message to receive a message requesting that she deal with a matter for Melissa Lin, and more so, with the assistance of Benjamin Vox. She knew of the male, not usually in a position where they conversed, but giving what was being asked, she would not refuse help, not when it came to her boss.

"Come in," a knock placed at her door, her assistant opening it.

"There is a Mr. Vox here for you."

"Send him in." Jordana closed what she was working on, pushing down the laptop screen when her guest walked in. "Benjamin, have a seat." A hand gestures to the seat across from her. "I thought we could debrief a little before we head out." She was not one that left anywhere without a plan. Her promise to come home every night to Mateo.

[jordana-velasquez]

Jordana respected the man standing in front of her and the extent he went to keep from being in the family business. Perhaps if she had the opportunities he did growing up, she might not be standing where she was, and had the privilege of following her passions like dance.

Those dreams were for silly girls.

There was no holding back the receptive laugh that slipped her parted lips at Gideon's words. At least she was still able to appreciate being able to weather a hangover. "I try my best not to judge others music tastes." Which was a lie, she did judge. "What are siblings if they are not giving each other a hard time. Family is everything."

All hope is lost when another song breaks through the cheering crowd, still subject to the torment ringing through the room. Delightful.

"Mateo Herra." Jordana can't help but smile thinking about him. "He owns Puerto Escondido. You should come by some time." There was no need to hide the truth from Gideon, he may be inclined to be on the outside of the business his father ran, but he was well aware of what it was. "He works for your father. We couldn't stand each other at first, but over time, it changed. I couldn't imagine him not in my life."

'There are many things you don't know about me.'

Gideon throws her a noncommittal smile, but doesn't otherwise reply. It's true. Part of it is circumstance; they don't work in jobs that often intersect. Part of it is choice; he's already unwillingly associated with his father's mob through the loved ones he has in it — as much as possible, Gideon resists further bonds, lest he one day find he's chained to that against which he's fought all his life to be free.

"Seems I've crossed many marks that come with age. I don't weather a hangover nearly as well as I used to, and I cannot, for the life of me, appreciate this music." He chuckles. "I'm able to live with those consequences, though ask my siblings and they'll probably class this as a medical emergency. Damon, especially."

A cheer erupts through the crowd as the music transitions into a new beat. Yet another piece that's apparently familiar to everyone but him.

... And Jordana. He throws her another glance. "So who's the lucky guy?"

[jordana-velasquez]

Outside of her business with the Rutherfords, her job, there was another side of Jordana. Family was important to the woman. Not family by blood, but one by those she chose to have around her. That at the end of the day, they would come together to share a meal, laughs and at times, dancing.

"There are many things you don't know about me." She teased with a smirk painted on her lips.

From what she gathered about Gideon, he wished not to be part of the family business and she could respect that. It made interactions with them few, but he was still one she would watch over.

A laugh escapes, a real one, at the notion of being called grandma. "We are, but see, I haven't hit the marker that you so happen to have crossed." Another jest in his direction. "You will have all the seniors fawning over you. When you are ready, I'll help you find the perfect care home." Hues glance around the room before finding his. "I'm waiting for him to make the move to put a ring on it."

He listens to her description of a worthwhile genre in music, initially with only passing interest, but admittedly hooked by the time she's done. The surgeon turns to give her a glance, taking in the rhythmic sway of her hips and the smile curving on her mouth.

"Look at you, Lieutenant... A real artiste. Who would've thought?"

He wouldn't have, surely. Granted, they've had few opportunities to interact like this, but whenever he's seen Jordana, it's always been at a distance, and usually in settings where she looks quite stern. Gideon supposes it's part of the job.

"Hold your horses, grandma. You just admitted we're close in age. Pot meet kettle and all that." The Rutherford laughs, not offended in the slightest. Of all the matters he has to be sensitive about, age sure as hell isn't one of them. Still, it's easy entertainment to have a new nickname for her. "Besides. I'm not interested in dating. Maybe I'm saving it for when I make my move to the care home. What's your excuse?"

[jordana-velasquez]

A slight cant of her head with an amused contortion etched into her features at the very sight of Gideon's face elicits a soft chuckle. Perhaps this type of music was not either of their taste.

"It would have more life to it." Jordana takes a moment to gather her thoughts when it comes to her music. "An electric pull of the beat that embraces rhythm and calls to your body." A slight sway hits at her hips, imagining a beat in her head. "You want to tell a story, feel it, and when you have the right partner." A beat. "It leaves you breathless at the end." Part of her was missing Mateo.

Jordana laughs. "I'll take the compliment." Age didn't bother her, she was surprised that she had lived this long in all honesty. "Don't worry, I think they're are some who still like to date grandpa's." She teases lightheartedly.

He tries to give it a shot. Really scrunches up his face in concentration to hear some of the muffled words (no dice) and closes his eyes to better appreciate the beat booming from the sound system. After all of that, it's... Alright.

But only just alright.

Gideon opens his eyes again. "So what would you be playing for us, if you were up there DJ'ing right now?" He asks the Lieutenant, curious as to her taste in music.

"Take the compliment, Jordana. You don't look like you're anywhere close to kissing your thirties goodbye. Meanwhile, I'm starting to get back pain if I sit in the wrong chair for too long. Next thing you know, I'll be collecting my pension."

Not with the current costs associated with his custody trial, he wouldn't.

[jordana-velasquez]

All expression drained from the woman's face, watching the man in front of her, it took a minute to place the voice. "Hasan?" From the stories she had heard from Ayaz, she found it hard to believe that it was one in the same. At least her friend was right to consider him an idiot.

"There is always one that has to play the fool at these events." The leader of the Haringey Resistance, that surprised her.

Honestly Happy Camper Hasan was surprised she was the first one to try and have him escorted out or at least mention it. "Oh no Jordana, there seems to be some confusion, I'm not entertainment though I think some find me entertaining I'm a guest. Yes for better or worse. Though I've taken it upon myself to safeguard camp morale." Happy Camper Hasan tilted his head at the woman. "Do you really think I would have made it this far if I wasn't supposed to be here? Perhaps I should take that as a compliment?"

[jordana-velasquez]

"It appears to be appealing..." Her words trail off when her head turns towards where the voice was and she is met with an odd sight. Her brows knit together, slanting her head at the strange man with a mask.

"I think you are at the wrong function." If the Rutherfords were going to hire entertainment, it would not come in the form of what appeared in front of her. "It happens." It did not. "Security will escort you out."

"I've heard they're good. Don't know much more than that. I'm not the biggest fixture of the club scene despite my appearance. Won't it be a bit sparse or do you know if they're letting other people in? Everyone seems to be excited though. Happy Camper Hasan was acting nonchalant for someone with a mask on his head, but he imagined the drink would make his appearance easier to take, he knew that worked for him when he had a reason to look into the mirror.

[jordana-velasquez]

where & who: @ayaz--ates' tent when: first night of the camping event

"Do you think we could pack up Doughboy and send him over to my tent with Escargot." She knew it wasn't possible, but at least that sentence made her feel better. "Or have you already dealt with him and he's tied up in the bathroom?"

[jordana-velasquez]

"At least that makes two of us."

The fact it was Gideon at her side, she could appreciate, knowing that she his company would be welcomed. Jordana tried to get into the music, but the beat her body ached for, could not be found in this noise.

"Ten years?" She gives a small snort. "I don't know if you are trying to flatter me, Gideon, but I'm only a couple years younger than you." A beat. "This really isn't my taste. I like a beat where you feel the music."

"No bloody clue."

It's not the worst thing he's heard, but apart from a repetitive beat that's becoming a bit of an ear worm, the wonder is slightly lost on him... He wonders if it's the drugs.

"What's your excuse, Jordana? You're at least ten years younger than me."

[jordana-velasquez]

It was going to be one of those weekends. Jordana came because it was the Rutherfords hosting, and that was who employed her, and she did give a damn about the charity. The last thing she was going to do was let a holier than thou French ruin it for her.

"Notice how I leave." A tight smile pulled on her lips, turning to make her way out of the tent. At least the free alcohol would make up for her insufferable tent-mate.

End

"That wasn't a question." Elaina noted, taking out some of her stuff from her bag. It wasn't that she had anything against the woman personally. She just had no interest. And maybe her fingers ever so slightly wanted to choke her out of breath.

Just slightly.

"Notice how my voice didn't raise at the end? Notice how now it did? Simple intonation."

[jordana-velasquez]

Her tent partner could have been worse, but being paired with Elaina Halevy should provide for an interesting weekend. Jordana was stepping into the tent to drop her things off before going to search for Ayaz, at least offer him some company after seeing who he was paired with. Eyes fixated on the woman already inside. "Fine." She knew to be cordial and this was for the children. "You?" A moment used to glance around to see what she would be working with, grateful for a restroom inside.

@jordana-velasquez

No, she wasn't going to spend a lot of time in the tent. Absolutely fucking not. Not unless people wanted to clean up after her and the even supporting children was going to become more like a crime documentary. Still, Elaina got to the tent to drop off her things. "How do you do." She said, once she saw the other woman.

[jordana-velasquez]

where: the bar when: 26th of October, nigh two, camping charity event who: @mobscene-starters

The first night went by, Jordana enjoying the privileges of being in one of the rich tents, not too opposed to who her tent mate was. She did her own thing, like normal.

She started her night at the bar, grabbing herself a drink, turning around to look at the crowd. Most seemed to be keen on who was performing in a few hours.

"I have to admit. I don't know who this Fred person is?" She glances to the person beside her. "Do you?"

[jordana-velasquez]

Jordana Velasquez attends the 2024 Camping Charity Event

[jordana-velasquez]

where: a pub in haringey who: @aviv-kasyanenko

It had taken some time, but she was able to locate Aviv, an individual who may have the information they were looking for. Jordana left the men that came with her outside, wanting to go in with the notion of a mere conversation on friendly grounds.

The woman stepped inside, hues glancing around the room until they lay on him sitting in the corner. Strides in his direction closed the distance, halting in front of his table.

"Do you have a moment to talk?" There were measures Jordana would find herself in to protect her family and keep them together.

[jordana-velasquez]

Jordana stood in the back, giving Vidal the space to allow his frustration and hurt out, in agreeance that the men set out to find information for them were incompetent fools. The job was simple, at least to her, and there should be some information that could be found to lead them in her direction.

She waited until he left, moving from her spot, coming to stand where her friend was moments ago. "Get out there and don't come back until you've found something. Go knocking on all doors in Haringey. I don't care what mess you leave." Her orders stern, watching heads nod at her before she followed after Vidal.

"I know you will." A pause. "We will find her. Even if we have to go do it ourselves." Jordana came to stand beside him. "But, we need to do it with a clear head and a plan that will go completely out the window." That is what usually happened with them, plans not working how they should. She would burn the city down if anything happened to Mateo.

@jordana-velasquez

"That's not good enough!" They called these things plans? No, Vidal knew what plans looked like and these were a bunch of shitty little children's games. "Do I look like a bloody fool?" His voice was raised, and the people around him took a step back. They hadn't really seen him like that, not ever. But Vidal was losing his patience. Kathleen had been missing, and he was no closer to finding her than the day she'd gone missing. How was that an answer to any of his questions?

There were none, not until he could lay his eyes on her.

"Fucking do it." He shouted again, this time kicking the door though as he stormed out of the room.

"What is the fucking use of them if they can't do shit?" He asked Jordana, knowing that she followed him out. "I swear to fucking God, I will do anything to get her back." And he meant it.

[jordana-velasquez]

where: coffee shop in central london who: @mobscene-starters

Work had more demanding over the last several weeks. Jordana may have been keeping busy to keep her mind of what transpired with her best friend, keeping from wanting to take actions into her own hands, thus from ceasing from creating more of a scene, she focused on what she could control.

She sat alone at one of the tables in the small shop, a latte in front of her, along with a pastry, letting her eyes rake over the writing on the page resting on a folder opened in her lap. It was the overcast of a shadow that caught her attention, letting her eyes drift up to the person, a look of indifference written on her features.

"Can I help you?"

[jordana-velasquez]

ׂ╰┈➤ Nathalie Kelley at the 2024 Annabel’s For The Amazon Gala.