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Jasmine's POV
I ate Kyle's food. I used his room. I wore clothes brought by him from his money for me. He went out of the way to make me feel home, which is something not even blood-related people will do for you these days.
But Kyle did it. For me.
So how can I leave without one last talk with him?
"Mari, can I get a pen and paper?"
Much to my dismay, Mari pulled out a medium-sized diary and a pen from under the pocket on her apron and waved it at me with a sad smile.
"I thought you'd never ask for this." She said as I took it from her.
"I thought I'll leave quietly. But that would be unfair to Kyle. He deserves to know that I'm not going because of him... And that... I'll miss him too." I sat down in a chair near a table that I used as a desk to write my fin
75Jasmine's POVI ate Kyle's food. I used his room. I wore clothes brought by him from his money for me. He went out of the way to make me feel home, which is something not even blood-related people will do for you these days.But Kyle did it. For me.So how can I leave without one last talk with him?"Mari, can I get a pen and paper?"Much to my dismay, Mari pulled out a medium-sized diary and a pen from under the pocket on her apron and waved it at me with a sad smile."I thought you'd never ask for this." She said as I took it from her."I thought I'll leave quietly. But that would be unfair to Kyle. He deserves to know that I'm not going because of him... And that... I'll miss him too." I sat down in a chair near a table that I used as a desk to write my fin
74Jasmine's POVI would sleep under a bridge, or behind trash cans, or in dark and creepy alleys— But I won't stay here.I was about to lie to Mari about a friend I just made in my mind when she interjected, "Sky can help you!""Sky?""Yes, Sky. She's a childhood friend of mine. Super intelligent and extremely beautiful. She comes from my hometown but her hard work paid off, and now she's a successful Air Hostess." Mari shared about her friend.It was a good proposal and I could use Mari's help. But taking her help meant staying in connection with her— which is something I don't want with anyone from this house. It's not because I'm being ungrateful, but because I'm too ashamed and heartbroken to see anyone from my past."Mari, I don't—"
73Jasmine's POV Thanks so much God. If anything had happened to her then I would have never been able to forgive myself.My relief, nevertheless, was short lived as now I was supposed to make a difficult decision in my life. "Mari," I took her hand and squeezed it. "You all have been very nice to me. You, Jojo, and... Kyle." My voice cracked over his name. I forced my lips to smile between twinkling eyes. "I don't think I was ever welcomed this way by someone who was a stranger. I didn't feel like I was a stranger here! You kept me company like you always knew me. But..." A tear escaped my eyes and considering how Mari's hand was twitching in mine, I could bet that she interpreted what I was about to say. "Miss, sir won't appreciate it. I mean... Yeah he was very rude and angry but... You can't just leave." "You saw us yesterday?" Mari lowered her head as she apologetically nodded, "I heard him calling your name and couldn't stop myself from following after him. I... Saw him s
72Jasmine's POV Mari came back to me and held my hand. Her red face was turning white as she stared at me as if creepy blisters were forming on my once beautiful face. "Should I call doctor Jayson for you? You don't look well to me, Miss Jessica. You... Look utterly pale. It doesn't look healthy to me." I smiled sadly at her as I sat up straight. My attempt was smooth and I didn't wince either. That's because I felt no pain. Well, honestly, I had no idea whether I was in pain or my entire body was drowning in pain. Every inch of my body was numb. I didn't understand where the pain started or ended. Kyle's words didn't leave my mind. Every word echoed and struck me like a bolt of lightning, increasing my pain. I was thinking about our confrontation and tears formed in my eyes again. But before another tear spilled, Mari's soft touch landed on my hand. When I saw her face, she looked genuinely sorry for me."I know you feel miserable, Miss Jessica. I would feel too if someone was
71 Jasmine's POVI've been told many heart-shattering things over the past few days. I've been held captive and immobile by my husband. Received slave-like treatment from his mistress and her friends. But none of that hurt the way Kyle's words hurt.Tears carved glistening trails down my face as I clutched my mouth to contain my sobs. Kyle's pull was hard and strong. It sent a painful current through my midriff but I didn't scream back then.I was afraid that he might take my crying as fake, and hurt me. Although I know his actions were led by anger and his protectiveness towards Lila, I swear on my dead child that I didn't do anything on purpose.I didn't add anything extra... Or to cause any kind of pain to anyone. I didn’t know Lila had a cinnamon allergy, let alone how so much of it made its way into the soup. The last time I tasted it, it was delicious and fine. Every spice was in balance.Aah, spasms ran through my belly. I felt like a thousand knives were stabbed in my stomach.
70Kyle's POV All I was trying to do was help, yet what did I get in return? My compassion almost killed my best friend.I was a fool to think Jessica is a victim, that she's a pure hearted person. Damn it, she's no less than my mother. She's far worse and cruel.My brain was spinning with crazy, angry thoughts. Somehow I drove home without crashing my car. I stormed in like a raging hurricane and looked around for HER glimpse. She was not in here and my head snapped up to the first floor. My eyes climbed up each step as I took deep, uncontainable breath. Before I knew, I was on the staircase, going three at a time. My heart was throbbing in my throat. A part of me asked me to stay calm and not let my anger take control of me. But the part that survived and was alive today because of Lila's attempts and persistence took control of my body. I barged into my bedroom, my eyes scanning every corner for Jessica. The noise of running water coming from the washroom caught my attention. Kn
69Kyle's POVThe last time I was this scared was when I was in school— when a group of big boys locked me in the janitor's closet after bullying me severely.It was after school hours. I had a detention because I was not going through a very good time, and my homework was never completed. I've gotten several second chances but that day was unlucky for me.I recall that day clearly— my day had started off with me falling off my bicycle that I took from my hostel room to school. I had a scraped knee, looking red like a ruby. Then I was pushed by some bullies in the school premises who have taken a liking towards me— I was their new toy.The fact that I never fought back made me an easy target. It was hard to get a reaction out of me. Thus, they grew excited and targeted me. All of them... All of them had a go at me. But I wouldn't respond to it. I had far worse trauma to deal with— I was abandoned by the two most important people in my life... My parents.While one left me, the other on
68"Oh, since I made the soup for the ones who were on the table yesterday, I thought it's best to have them join us." Jasmine said. "Jojo has told me that this soup doesn't taste that good when it's cold." Jasmine turned to Kyle, her eyes blinking at him hesitantly, "I hope you don't mind it." Kyle didn't answer. He just nodded his head, avoiding to meet Jasmine's gaze. Unfortunately, he was a man with very little trust left. Kyle had lost faith in people and trusting everyone was difficult for him. Hence, he was easily swayed by Lila's words. He glared at Jasmine with blood in his eyes. 'I've grown to like you, Jessica. Didn't know you'd go around asking about my money. You must have believed you could replace your husband with me— another wealthy man— since I feel guilty over your child's death. You assumed my remorse towards your loss would make me yours.'He felt a bitter taste in his mouth for even liking her. What's more, all Kyle wanted to do was slap her food off the table
67"I have no other way to pay you back and I don't have access to my accounts either. Not that I was going to pay back in money. That would be an insult to your kindness. So—" "What's for breakfast?" Kyle asked, changing the topic. He smiled at her as if saying: You don't have to explain anything to me. I understood, and moved closer towards her. "For the record, I want you to know that I don't expect a pay back from you. I've told you why I'm doing it.""And I've told you why I'm doing this too." She raised an eyebrow.Once again, Kyle found himself staring at her, that strange feeling back again. He stared at her lips not out of desire but out of amusement. She did have a fierce mouth, and he liked very few women with a big mouth.They were lost in the moment, staring at each other in admiration. Lila had been, once again, hiding behind a pillar to overhear them. A fire of jealousy set in her heart. She seethed before coming out of the shadows to break their stare with her inter