Chapter 07: Poisoned Card.

Elara sat frozen on the edge of the couch, the business card trembling slightly between her fingers.

She stared at the elegant black lettering for what felt like an eternity. Rage boiled deep in her chest, hot and suffocating.

This same man who nearly kissed her is chasing best friend, now?! Her jaw clenched so hard it ached.

Her breathing became sharp and uneven as fury mixed with disbelief. 'How dare he play both of them like this?' She thought.

“Elara?” Jasmine’s voice broke through her storm, soft and worried. “Are you okay?”

Elara startled, quickly hiding the card under her thigh.

She blinked rapidly and forced a weak, shaky smile onto her face. “Oh… yes. Yes, I’m fine.” Her voice came out strained. “It’s just that I remembered what happened earlier and got a little sad.”

Jasmine narrowed her eyes and moved closer, sitting on the couch beside her.

She searched Elara’s face carefully, her brows furrowed with concern. “Tell me the truth....What’s really going on?”

Elara looked at her best friend, the one person who had always been her safe place, and felt a sharp twist of guilt. She couldn’t tell her everything....Not yet.

She let out a heavy sigh and chose a half-truth. “No… I lied earlier. I did call Jordan tonight and he was with another woman.”

Jasmine’s eyes widened in shock. Her mouth fell open slightly as disappointment washed over her features.

“Oh my God, Elara…” she whispered, voice full of sympathy. “I’m so sorry, my love. I didn’t realize it was that bad tonight.”

Elara shrugged weakly, trying to appear stronger than she felt. “It’s not your fault. I hid it because I didn’t want to spoil your night. I thought I could handle it alone.”

Without hesitation, Jasmine pulled her into a tight, warm hug, rubbing soothing circles on her back.

“That bastard will never change. I knew it. What do you want us to do? Should we plan something dangerous like we used to in college?”

Elara let out a tired but genuine laugh, pulling back slightly. “Come on, Jasmine. This isn’t college anymore. We’re bigger than that now and l'm fine, I promise you.”

Jasmine kept consoling her for several minutes, stroking her hair and whispering words of encouragement.

Eventually, Elara gently pulled away. “I think I need to rest my head a little. I need to clear my mind.”

“Okay, sure,” Jasmine said softly, squeezing her hand. “Do you want to sleep in my room?”

“No, no,” Elara replied quickly. “I want to be alone. I need to do my yoga and breathe properly.”

Jasmine nodded understandingly. “Alright. Let’s go upstairs properly then.”

They stood up together and Elara discreetly slipped the card into her bag before following Jasmine out.

As they climbed the stairs, Elara forced a small smile. “Thank you, Jasmine… for always looking out for me.”

“It’s nothing,” Jasmine replied with a warm smile. “That’s what best friends do.”

They hugged goodnight at the guest room door.

The moment Jasmine disappeared down the hallway, Elara closed the door behind her, dropped her bag, and pulled the card out again.

Her expression hardened with fresh determination. “Okay,” she whispered fiercely to herself. “You can do this.”

She grabbed her phone and dialed the number on the card. It rang several times with no answer. Frustrated, she called again.

This time, a deep, authoritative voice answered.

“Kael on the line. May I help you?”

Elara’s heart pounded violently. “Hello...uh...You might not remember me, but I need you to understand something. Coming after both my friend and me is a very crazy thing to do.”

There was a heavy, dangerous pause on the other end. “Who is this?” Kael asked, his tone cold and commanding.

“It’s the lady who was supposed to handle your clothing measurements,” Elara said, her voice shaking with anger. “The one who slapped you earlier today.”

Silence stretched again. Then, without another word, the line went dead.

Elara stared at her phone in disbelief, her blood boiling. “What the fuck? Who the hell does he think he is?”

Furious, she immediately redialed.

This time, a different male voice answered politely.

“Excuse me, ma’am, but my boss is not in the position to take any more calls tonight.”

“Who is this?” Elara snapped.

The voice sighed. “This is Lucas, his personal assistant.”

“Lucas,” she said through gritted teeth, “I need to speak to your boss right now.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am. You can leave a message and we’ll get back to you in the morning.” Lucas ordered.

“Fuck you,” Elara hissed, about to hang up when the bedroom door suddenly creaked open.

Jasmine stepped inside, looking concerned. “I heard voices. Are you okay?”

Elara quickly dropped the phone onto the bed and tried to compose herself. “Yeah, yeah. I’m fine, Jasmine. You don’t have to stress yourself.”

Jasmine walked further into the room and sat on the edge of the bed, studying her closely. “Don’t tell me you called Jordan again.”

“No! Why would I do that?” Elara said a little too quickly. “I told you I wanted to do yoga. I was just… preparing myself mentally.”

Jasmine nodded slowly, though she still looked doubtful. “Okay. Just be fine, alright?”

As Jasmine stood up to leave, the business card slipped from under Elara’s thigh and fluttered to the floor.

Jasmine stopped mid-step. Her eyes locked onto the card.

She bent down, picked it up, and stared at it for a long moment before looking at Elara, then back at the card again. Shock and suspicion flashed across her face.

“What? Why do you have this card?” Jasmine asked, her voice sharp.

Elara’s heart raced. “Um… I was just going through it. You know… to keep you safe. Check if he’s legit.”

Jasmine stared at her for several heavy seconds, her expression hardening with hurt and betrayal. “Elara, I’ve known you for years. I can tell when you’re hiding something from me.”

“Jasmine, I’m not....”

Before Elara could finish, Jasmine snatched her phone from the bed and checked the call logs.

Her eyes widened in disbelief and anger.

“You called him??!” Jasmine’s voice rose. “You actually called the man that was meant for me???”

“Jasmine, wait. You don’t understand,” Elara pleaded desperately, standing up. “I know this man. He’s not right for you....He’s dangerous.....He’s...uh...the same guy from earlier tonight… the one who tried to kiss me at Orella’s place.”

Jasmine pushed her hand away, eyes blazing with pain and rage. “So let me guess. You’re the only one allowed to get the rich, handsome client? The only one allowed to have something good? You want to snatch him from me too? What more do you need from me, Elara? Do I need to wear your skin before you let me breathe?”

“Jasmine, please listen to me...." Elara pleaded.

“No!” Jasmine cut her off, voice shaking. “You made me believe that you weren't in the right headspace after what Jordan did to you. Elara, playing the victim card while making decisions that concerns me behind my back is so fucking wild! I was stupid to even show you the card. Get out of my house right now.”

“Jasmine, you have to understand....”

“Elara, leave my house. Right now. Get out.”

Elara stood there in complete shock, staring at her best friend.

The same Jasmine who had comforted her with hugs and pancakes just minutes ago was now looking at her with pure betrayal, all because of a man they had both met on the same chaotic night.