Chapter 2

It was clear how a small child curled up in a dark and stuffy room, in a worrying condition. She could only cry, enduring the pain all over her body, which now appeared bruised in several parts.

The heartbreaking situation was something she often experienced; her agonizing cries were not from the blows and violence he received, but from the heartache of never receiving love like other children. Her childhood was only filled with fear and anxiety.

The small door in front of him slowly opened, increasing the child's fear. She widened her eyes as someone approached with a belt in hand.

"I beg you, I promise I'll never misbehave again, I'll be a good child," the child sobbed. However, it seemed like a futile plea as the person began to swing the belt in their hand.

Jasmine immediately opened her eyes wide, sweat dampening the side of her face, her heart pounding fast, and her body trembling. Once again, the nightmare plagued her sleep. Jasmine didn't know how long she had been experiencing this continuously, lately making her sometimes afraid to even close her eyes.

"Are you okay?" A deep voice beside her asked, making Jasmine immediately turn to look at Seth, who was staring at her with concern. Seth sat right beside her with a book in his hand, making Jasmine immediately shift her gaze to the clock, which showed midnight.

"Did you have a bad dream again?" Seth asked, then reached out his hand and gently stroked Jasmine's temple, making Jasmine immediately grab Seth's hand and hold it tightly. The cold touch of his hand made Jasmine feel comforted. Jasmine placed Seth's palm on the side of her face, realizing that someone was now beside her making her feel calmer, just like when she was a child, experiencing something bad.

"Should we meet with Cindy?" Seth asked, now moving closer to Jasmine and lying down, observing how Jasmine's face still looked fearful.

"I'm fine," Jasmine replied.

"Lately, you've been having frequent nightmares, is something bothering you?" Seth asked, moving his thumb on Jasmine's face, making Jasmine pause, looking at Seth's face that always made her feel calm.

"I don't know, maybe something is bothering me," Jasmine replied nonchalantly. However, before Seth could ask further, Jasmine diverted the conversation.

"Since when have you been in my room?" Jasmine asked.

"For the past two hours," Seth replied.

"You couldn't sleep?"

"No, I just miss you," Seth replied, making Jasmine sigh irritably. It was the same answer Seth always gave, but it always managed to make Jasmine's heart beat faster, even though Jasmine always denied it.

"Lately you've been staying at home more often and always coming into my room," Jasmine said, causing Seth's thumb movement to pause. Seth gazed deeply into Jasmine's eyes.

"I just want to enjoy the home atmosphere," he said, a lie that Jasmine could see through. Seth never felt comfortable at his own home. He would only come occasionally if his father asked. Yes, Seth did decide to leave home after graduating from school, and since then he kept his distance from his father, whom he was never close to in the first place. That was what Jasmine knew.

"Do you always take every question of mine as a joke? You never answer seriously," Jasmine complained, shifting her sleeping position. Jasmine turned her back to Seth and tried to close her eyes. Jasmine didn't know what was on Seth's mind. It was too difficult to guess. But Jasmine felt like Seth always treated her as trivial.

The next moment, Jasmine felt Seth's strong hand encircling her waist, his warm breath caressing the nape of her neck, making Jasmine only able to bite her lower lip to contain the sensations Seth was giving her.

"Go back to sleep, I'm sure a busy schedule awaits you tomorrow," Seth whispered, making Jasmine chuckle. However, the calming scent of Seth always managed to make Jasmine feel comfortable and slowly drift back to sleep.

From the beginning, Seth's presence was a blessing that Jasmine felt, but fate played with them. Jasmine didn't know whether becoming a family could make her feel grateful or the opposite.

Jasmine was startled when her phone rang loudly, making her immediately look to the side of her bed. Seth was no longer there, and the sun was already rising outside. Yes, and that was a common occurrence. Jasmine then reached for her phone where Patricia's name was displayed on the screen.

"Jess," she exclaimed, making Jasmine grimace.

"Patty, it's still early, do you want to ruin my mood?" Jasmine complained.

"Oh God, seriously. Jess, did you cancel our contract with Milo?" Patricia asked, sounding annoyed, making Jasmine pause for a moment as if remembering.

"Oh, yeah, I forgot to tell you," Jasmine answered casually.

"Why?"

"Because I don't feel like going to Hawaii right now. Why should we go all the way there for a photoshoot?" Jasmine replied, and she was sure Patricia was cursing her out by now.

"Come on, Jess, it's not just that we'll do in Hawaii, we_"

"Yeah, I know, and I don't want to do it. Just handle them and tell them I'll pay the fine," Jasmine replied, then decided to hang up the phone just like that. Jasmine then chose to get ready immediately because she didn't want to make her manager even more upset due to her carelessness with her schedule today.

Jasmine descended the stairs. She planned to go straight to her activities, but her steps halted when it seemed like people were waiting for her at the dining table.

"Jasmine, we're waiting for you," said a middle-aged man who had a face similar to Seth's, whom she had long called Daddy. This left Jasmine with no choice but to approach and pull a chair right next to Evelyn.

"How's work? Is everything going smoothly?" Lucas asked, making Jasmine nod.

"Yes, everything is going as usual," Jasmine replied shortly, hoping to end Lucas's further questions.

"Good then," Lucas replied. Jasmine was about to reach for some bread, but her hand stopped when Evelyn grabbed her wrist. Jasmine immediately looked at her mother who was now smiling at her. Understanding the meaning behind the smile, Jasmine abandoned her intention and opted to sip the juice nearby.

"Why?" Lucas asked.

"Not just_"

"Jasmine is on a diet, she has a photoshoot in Hawaii next Sunday," Evelyn interjected, making Jasmine look at her mother incredulously, but unable to refute.

"Ah, but still, you have to take care of your health, okay?" Lucas said, making Jasmine smile thinly. Seth didn't miss any of this.

"Oh yes, Seth, don't forget to have dinner with the Sanchez family tonight," Lucas said, making Jasmine immediately look at Seth, who was also looking at her.

"You'll have dinner outside?" Jasmine asked.

"Yes, and your mother said your schedule is very busy until later, so we don't want to disturb your activities. Besides, tonight's dinner is just a regular one for Seth and Monica," Lucas explained.

"Monica?" Jasmine asked, feeling unfamiliar with the name.

"Yes, Monica Sanchez. She's the daughter of Daddy's friend and also an old friend of Seth. Just consider it their reunion, right, Seth?" Lucas said, making Seth nod and smile faintly.