CHAPTER FIVE

JASMIN

“Was that your boyfriend?” Ryan asked gently, his voice laced with concern as we sat on the curb near the parking lot.

The air was cold and the street still dark. Jack was fiddling with a little toy car beside us, completely oblivious to the tension still simmering beneath my skin.

“If he is your boyfriend, then I’m sorry for interfering,” Ryan continued, glancing down at Jack before returning his gaze to me. “But that’s not a way to treat a woman. I didn’t see the guy’s face, but from the way Jack was screaming for me, it probably didn’t look good.”

I sighed, long and heavy, the kind of sigh that carried years of silent suffering. “He’s not my boyfriend. And there is no way I’d ever be involved with a bastard—” I stopped mid-sentence, catching myself just as I remembered Jack was with us.

Ryan raised a brow but didn’t say anything about the slip. He waited.

“I mean, a man like him,” I added more carefully.

Ryan gave a slow nod. “Did you go to the police?”

“I did,” I answered quietly. “I had him arrested last year when he tried something similar. There’s even a restraining order against him.”

Ryan’s brows furrowed, confusion clear on his face. “Then how the hell did he get out?”

“Well… his dad happens to be a police officer. I don’t think I can ever keep him behind bars for long.” Bitterness crept into my voice.

Ryan shook his head. “Wow. Just… wow. This world is so full of shit.”

“Dad! That’s a bad word!” Jack piped up with a giggle, breaking the tension instantly.

Ryan chuckled and ruffled Jack’s curly hair. “Sorry, buddy. No more bad words. Pinky promise.”

I smiled, watching them. There was something soothing about Jack’s presence—like a balm on an open wound. “He’s adorable,” I said, leaning down to tweak Jack’s nose gently.

“That he is.” Ryan stood, brushing off the back of his jeans. “Anyway, it was nice to meet you, Jasmin. But we really should get going.”

I didn’t want them to go. A strange comfort settled in my chest being around them, even if I couldn’t quite explain it.

At least… what, Jasmin? He’s probably married, has a whole life somewhere else. Don’t go reading into things.

Ryan reached into his wallet and handed me a sleek, black business card. “This is my card. If you ever need anything, call me. Anytime. I mean that.”

“Thank you, Ryan.” I meant it with every fiber of my being. “I really appreciate your help today.” I leaned down and kissed Jack’s cheek. “Thank you, my little guardian angel.”

His eyes lit up with a shy grin.

“You’re very welcome, Jasmin,” Ryan said softly.

⸻

The moment their car disappeared down the street, I rushed upstairs like the building itself was on fire. I needed the sanctuary of my room. Safety. Solitude. Peace.

My fingers trembled slightly as I fumbled with my keys. I turned the lock and pushed the door open—only to be greeted by a sight that nearly gave me a stroke.

Lisa. Naked. Laughing. On top of a man who was equally naked, completely unfazed by his indecency.

“Holy moly! Lisa!” I shouted, immediately covering my face with both hands. “Oh God, no. I don’t want to see that!”

Lisa groaned. “Jas! What the hell? Can’t you knock?”

“In my own apartment?” I gawked at her, still shielding my eyes like a traumatized child. “Seriously, Lisa? You have a room. Use it!”

She shrugged, flopping back on the couch with a nonchalant smirk. “You’re such a joy-killer.”

I risked a glance—and instantly regretted it. The man, still stark naked, was now grinning at me. Unapologetically. Proudly.

“And you!” I pointed, disgusted. “Can you put on your damn clothes? For heaven’s sake!”

Lisa burst into laughter so intense she slid off the couch and landed on the floor, cackling like a maniac.

“This isn’t funny, Lisa!” I snapped, marching toward my room. “This is exactly why—”

“C’mon baby, there’s room for one more,” the guy slurred, clearly drunk. “God, I need to pound that ass, mamacita.”

My stomach churned.

“Fuck you!” Lisa shouted, hurling a pillow at him. “Get out! Now!”

I didn’t wait around to see what happened next. I stormed into my room and slammed the door shut, leaning against it with my eyes squeezed shut.

I inhaled. Exhaled. Again.

Jason’s offer came to mind then—like a whispered promise from the heavens. A way out. A lifeline. I needed to get out of this apartment before I lost my mind—or worse, before Lisa’s choices cost me more than peace of mind.

I loved her. God help me, I did. But her reckless lifestyle… it scared me. And it reminded me of how I met Max—right here, in this same damn living room, screwing my best friend. The moment he laid eyes on me, he shifted his obsession. And everything went downhill from there.

I moved to my closet and pulled out my suitcase. My hands were mechanical, movements rehearsed and desperate as I began tossing clothes in.

I wasn’t leaving for good—not yet. Lisa couldn’t cover rent alone. She didn’t work. She didn’t even pretend to look for work. I’d still help her… for now.

Just as I was reaching for a folded T-shirt, Lisa barged into the room—finally dressed.

“So much for knocking,” I muttered, eyes still on my suitcase.

She flopped on the bed and then froze. “Is that a bruise on your face?”

I turned to the mirror. My breath caught. Purple shadows had bloomed along my cheekbone, down my neck, and across my collarbone.

Damn it. Jason would see this. What would he think?

Why did I care what Jason Knight thought?

He’s your boss, Jasmin. Get a grip.

“Max happened,” I said flatly.

Lisa’s jaw dropped. “Close your mouth before flies get in,” I added dryly, turning back to my packing.

She stood, now wide awake and nosy. “Where did you meet him? What did he do?”

“He cornered me outside. Anne had just dropped me off and driven off before I even saw him.”

“Who’s Anne?” she asked, inspecting her nails like this was a casual chat over coffee.

Wow. Not even a single ‘Are you okay?’

“Mr. Knight’s secretary,” I replied.

Lisa perked up immediately. “Wait—you met Jason Knight? In person? Is he as hot as he looks in the magazines?”

I rolled my eyes, walked around her toward my drawer, but she blocked me.

Persistent.

“Okay, fine,” I said. “He’s more handsome in person. Satisfied?”

She grinned like a cat who’d found cream.

But then her eyes narrowed as she looked past me. “What are you doing?”

“Packing,” I answered simply.

“Well, I can see that, genius. Why?”

“My boss asked me to be a live-in maid,” I said, grabbing underwear from the drawer and tossing it in the suitcase.

“What?” she shrieked, grabbing my wrist. “What do you mean, live-in? What about me? Who’s going to pay rent now?”

Really? That’s your concern?

“I’ll still cover rent and groceries until you find a job.”

Lisa exhaled loudly, dramatically fanning her face. “Oh thank God. I thought I’d have to, you know, actually do something with my life.”

I frowned. “That’s something you need to start figuring out, Lisa. You need a job.”

She pouted. “I’ll get one. When I’m ready.”

“When has anyone ever been ready?” I sat beside her. “Lisa, this is life. You either work or build something. You’re waiting for some rich guy to save you—but what if he never comes?”

She stared at me with wide eyes.

“I love you. But you’re living dangerously. Look at the people you bring into our home. Max was one of them.”

She didn’t speak. So I kept going.

“Sometimes, money isn’t everything. And when it is—it should be earned. Built. With the right person.”

Lisa’s eyes shimmered, just slightly.

She whispered, “Jasmin… Can’t you see? A rich man is all I need. Fame. Riches. My life would change forever.”

I squeezed her hand. “Or… you could change it yourself. One step at a time.”

Silence stretched between us.

Finally, she leaned her head against my shoulder.

“You always make me feel like maybe I can.”

“You can,” I whispered. “But you have to want it.”

Lisa didn’t answer, but I could feel the shift in her. Just a little. Maybe not much. But it was a start.

And as I continued to pack, my mind drifted back to Jason Knight—his steel-gray eyes, the way they had traced every inch of me today, the tension in the air when we stood too close.

God help me, this man was dangerous in more ways than Max could ever be.

And I had just agreed to live under his roof.