"Hey, everything good," Stefen came from behind and kept his arm around Jasmine's shoulder as if they'd been buddy their whole life, not letting the girl complete her words. Jasmine immediately looked up to see his face searching for anything that she could see in those drowning eyes of his that could define his behaviour. These past few days Stefen had been very close to her. She'd found him to be a genuine guy. But there were few activities that he did that always left her stunned like this one for instance.
"Stefen, it's so good to see you after so long." The girl whose name was Alison and had seriously a lot of make-up spoke as she moved forward and hugged him. This sudden move took him by surprise so he removed his hand from Jasmine's shoulder but still didn't hug her back.
Couldn't he hug her without moving? What was so important for him to remove his hands so fast? Jasmine stared on her shoulder where Stefen left his warmth behind.
"Hey Alison, good to see you too." He hugged back.
"Of course," she removed her hands from around Stefen and kissed his cheeks before stepping back.
It took all of them by surprise. Especially Stefen but Jasmine... was left frozen.
That freaking sheep. What is she even thinking of? Oh wait, she doesn't have a brain to start with. But how dare she kiss Stefen. The farthest we've done is a handshake and a short hug and this bi*** kissed him so casually. Jazz was filled with rage that took over her without her realizing it.
"Excuse me guys. I need to go greet other guests as well," Jack interruputed and left with a straight face.
Jasmine saw the red lipstick mark on the Stefen's cheek that Alison had left... for her it looked like a big red poop on a white marble floor. But she couldn't react.
The party was going well. Jasmine was standing alone watching people interact; Jack was flirting with a brunette; she was short and cute and Alice was catching up with her friends. As her eyeballs were moving watching the activities around her, it stuck to a position and widened as she narrowed her eyebrows when she saw the next view. Alison was keeping both her hands around Stefen's neck and was laughing every now and then. Stefen on the other hand was looking least interested in her yet he did not shut her.
Did she see her own face in the mirror to laugh so much? And is he serious? If he's not interested in her then why is he even with her. Can't he just move away from her and come and stand beside me?... I mean stand with anyone but her.
Jasmine was feeling uncomfortable seeing their closeness level. She kept on watching them when Stefen's eyes met hers. She quickly moved her head in the other direction not wanting him to think anything weird.
You're really an idiot Jazz. Why did you have to stare? What if he takes out a negative meaning of it? When will this party be over? I miss my warm, soft bed. She cursed herself and regretted coming to the party.
"You want something? A drink maybe?" Stefen spoke as he stood beside her bringing her back to reality.
When did he come here? Wasn't he standing there? Jasmine thought looking at the spot where he was standing with Alison just few minutes ago. She saw that Alison was now standing alone staring at the two. If looks could kill, Jasmine and Stefen would have been six feet under the ground.
"Would you like to have a drink?" Stefen asked.
Jasmine looked back at Stefen. "Yeah sure, a coke would be fine."
"That's it. You'll be okay with soft drink?" Stefen said wanting to reassure Jasmine's choice.
"YES I don't drink alcohol." She was already in bad mood after watching Alison's behavior towards Stefen but she tried maintaining her calm.
"You what?" Stefen said in disbelief.
"Why is it a crime?" Jazz replied questioning his thoughts. That's when she saw the red lipstick mark that his dearest friend Alison had gifted him. She was more annoyed as she got the flashback of how he got that stain on his face. "You know what Stefen, I'll get the drink myself, thank you and you need not waste your time with me. I don't want anyone cursing me," she said moving her eyeballs to where Alison was, she was still standing on the same spot where she and Stefen were before and was constantly glaring towards Jasmine.
Stefen looked towards Alison and understood what Jasmine meant. "Listen it's not what you think. We're just friends." He said moving his hands towards Alison then himself.
"You guys are just friends in YOUR eyes Stefen... Whatever, you don't own me any explanation. I get it, she's your friend but you're something else for her. That's totally understandable and simple than any math equation in the world." Understandable my foot.
With that Jasmine moved walked towards the bar leaving Stefen speechless and got herself a drink. It pinched Stefen see her walk away. She was taking out a negative meaning of his friendship with Alison.
"She's not someone you should be wasting your time on Stefen." Alison came near Stefen and took a hold of his hand. "Come let's go and sit there."
Jasmine was not feeling any better. She was infuriated. Why? She herself did not have any answer to that.
Ever since I started my internship, Stefen has been nothing but a good and caring man. He is so down to earth... and I am sure Alison is not his type and will never be his type. But seeing him not speak up for himself and be with a girl like her seriously makes me furious. I don't want anyone to take advantage of Stefen. Jasmine was somewhere disheartened as she was sipping her drink. She thought she felt that way because she cared for Stefen or was it something else... something more?
"Hi beautiful. Is this seat empty?" A tall man in his mid-twenties came and pointed towards a seat beside Jazz. He had dirty brown hair and brown eyes that matched perfectly with his hair color. He had a glowing tan skin and a normal muscular body. In other words, he was impeccable and hot.
Hey Jack, You are reading this letter, meaning I am not around you anymore. It’s funny when you come to think of it, we have been living under the same roof for so long but when it came to leaving, I don’t have the guts to face you and say my final goodbye. So I am writing you a letter, a letter that represents my cowardice. Thank you for giving me your friendship and the care that came along. I never realized that I had grown used to your care until now. You remember that night on the balcony you asked me ‘How you were portrayed in my eyes.’ I would like to answer that again, You Jack, you are the most annoying and stubborn person I have ever seen in my entire life. You seriously tore all our hard works into pieces without thinking deep just because you did not want me to leave. You bunk working hours and somehow always catch Sandra’s attention. You ranked 1st when it came to getting on my nerves in the initial days at the office. But… you were also the one who stood with a handke
“It feels weird to be in this room and not see Alice,” all the memories with Alice flushed back the minute they stepped in the bedroom. “I miss her too,” Stefen said. “Come,” he pulled her in and closed the door behind. Jasmine’s sadness turned into nervousness the moment she heard their bedroom door shut. She was starting to have second thoughts on letting Stefen stay with her for the night. Stefen left the hold of her hand and went to lay on the bed. He stretched his one arm on the other side of the bed, a bit lower from the pillow and titled his head, asking her to come and sleep beside him. She was happy to see him not in rush for anything and the respect he gave her and their relationship. She walked on the other side of the bed and laid on top of his hand as he caressed her hair and then embraced her back. She also hugged him tight as she rested her head near his chest, feeling his heart beat. He kissed her forehead and pulled her closer to him, “good night my princess, swee
“Are you sure about this?” Stefen said as he kept both his hands on both side of his pants pocket… helpless. “Yeah,” Alice said as she was almost done packing. She had reached Jack's apartment before anyone else and she had changed into her comfortable clothes as she started packing all her things up. “When will you be back? You will be right?” Jasmine asked standing beside Stefen, equally helpless. “I don’t know,” Alice gave a false smile. “Can we do anything to make you stay?” Stefen asked. “I HAVE TO GO. The plane ticket is expensive you know…” Alice laughed, completely failing to prove that she was fine with all this. “But I thought you were staying. you said you’d throw away the ticket,” Jasmine asked befuddled. “Well then, it’s good I didn’t, right?” She forced smile again. “Can I ask you for a last favor? Can you drop me to the airport?” Alice asked Stefen. “That's not gonna be a problem but... let’s just wait for some time. Jack must be on his way. Let me call him-” S
Jack looked at Alice hearing her as he narrowed his eyebrows, questioning her what she meant. “You don’t have anything to worry about,” Alice looked back at Jack with tears threating to fall down anytime. “Because we are not together… and we will never be together,” tears rolled down her cheek as she said those words. But she immediately wiped her tears and smiled. She gave one last glance to Jack and she walked away without another word. “Alice?” Jasmine followed her. Jack stood still, processing what Alice said. Just few hours back Alice promised to be by his side despite any hurdles and now she was contradicting her own words. Realizing that he can’t let her go he walked forward to go after her but he was held back by Alison. “Where are you going?” she questioned him. “Don’t tell me you are going after her after hearing all the things I’ve just said,” she was exasperated. Seeing that he was being the extra in the conversation Stefen approached Jack and tapped his back, “I’ll g
Alice reached the top floor and when she went to the roof no one was there. “Ha,” she gave a short sarcastic laugh. “Another prank-” But before she could say anything more, she was pushed from behind and she fell on her knees and hands. The slit dress contributed in bruising her knees. She turned around to see the person and was out of words at the sight. Alison stood tall in front of her with a cunning smile. “Hello there! Are you hurt?” sarcasm was evident in her voice. “What the- it was you all along?” Alice said slowly getting back on her feet, dusting her hands, suppressing the pain her new bruises gave her. She was shocked. “Surprise,” Alison moved her hands from her head to toe presenting herself. “Do you like my surprise?” “There,” Stefen pointed at a TV. “There’s Alice.” “She's on the rooftop," Jasmine exclaimed. "Let's go." "Okay, I will call Jack and tell him to be there," Jasmine picked her phone and dialed his number. They rushed towards the elevator and pressed o
“Okay everyone,” the host stood with a mic and grabbed all the attention with his voice audible from all the speakers from all the directions. “The most awaited time has finally arrived. Grab your partner and be ready, because today the sun will set only after witnessing 'A Beautiful Couple Dance'. So hurry up and ask for the permission to dance… LIGHTS,” the lights in the hall all went off and in the center blue and white lights glowed, making the air more calm and peaceful. Couples started coming forward and dancing along the music, under the blue and white light in a slow and romantic tune. The lights gave a winter vibe and the dance between two hearts warmth the place. “Can I have the honor?” Stefen opened his hand. “It would be mine,” Jasmine placed her hand on top and they walked towards the dancing area. “Will you dance with me?” Jack asked… unsure. “I don’t know, I am a terrible dancer,” she wasn’t lying. “Then that makes the two of us.” Alice chuckled and accepted his h