Chapter 7

My mom dragged me out of my room, my mind in turmoil.

"Jasmine, I'm talking to you.

"Jasmine?"

Dad's voice jerked me out of my trance. Only then did I realize that I was already sitting at the dining table.

Next to me was my mom Barbara McCarthy, and across from me was my dad Hansen McCarthy.

Sebastian was sitting next to my dad.

My gaze swept over to Sebastian, who was staring at me casually.

What was going on exactly?

 

My dad asked warmly, "Latte or Americano?" Then he placed the coffee cup in front of Sebastian and poured him a cup of coffee.

Sebastian nodded at my dad and thanked him politely.

I wanted to get up, but my mom stopped me.

"Go get some toast," she whispered in my ear.

I looked at the bread in the basket on the table and asked, "Why? We've got toast here."

Barbara rolled her eyes and said, "They have cooled. Go get the freshly baked ones."

 

With reluctance, I did as my mom told me.

Barbara then put the aromatic toast on Sebastian's plate and filled mine with the cold one.

Staring at the two slices of toast, I thought, 'Are they my parents or Sebastian's?'

"C'mon, dig in. I heard you were exhausted last night," Sebastian's teasing tone came from across the table. I felt like he was implying something.

I kept my head down, ignoring him.

"Jasmine, this is rude." Hansen gave a dry cough and said, "Sebastian was talking to you. Why didn't you answer?"

 

When I looked up, I saw Hansen blink at me.

Then I shifted my gaze to Sebastian. The corner of his lips lifted into a curved smirk as if he was curious about my reply.

I forced an awkward smile.

"I'm fine. You were more exhausted than me."

The astonished looks on my parents' faces told me that I had said the wrong thing.

Dammit, why the hell would I say that?

I quickly picked up the toast and took a bite, trying to cover up my embarrassment.

 

"I forgot to introduce her to you. This is my daughter, Jasmine. She's five years older than you," said my dad.

"Hello, 'big sister'," Sebastian greeted with a grin.

After giving him a sullen glare, I was punished by Barbara with a kick under the table.

"Hi," I winced in pain and greeted perfunctorily in return.

Sebastian raised his brow and remained silent.

Instead of going on with the food, he sipped at the coffee.

 

"Did you sleep well last night? When I got home, I didn't see you in the guest room. I thought you had left." Hansen expressed his concern.

Sebastian gave no response and fixed his gaze on me.

I slowed down in an instant.

'Why is he looking at me?

Is the answer written on my face or something?

I was focusing on eating. I didn't provoke him.'

Flustered, I took a sip of coffee and frowned at its bitterness.

 

"Maybe I went to the bathroom at that time." Sebastian seemed to have lost his appetite. He put down the coffee cup and continued, "At first, I didn't sleep well. It happens when I'm in unfamiliar environments."

I complained inwardly, 'Yeah, right... I would've bought it if we hadn't had shared a bed last night. When you slept on my hair, I pushed you with all my might, and you didn't move a muscle.'

"Alas, yesterday, I was drunk too. Sorry for not taking good care of you," Hansen apologized, embarrassed. I guessed his boss should be blamed for his boozing.

"It's okay. I slept well after midnight." Sebastian smiled and then looked me in the eye.

My heart started to pound.

What a jerk! If he just told my parents about what had happened, my conscience wouldn't prick me.

What he did now was no other than torturing me.

 

I had never felt time pass so slowly.

His every conversation with Hansen got me on my nerves.

God, I just hated him.

Finally, everyone finished breakfast.

Hansen put down his cup and said, "Let me take you home. Mr. Munoz must be worried about you."

The thought of him and Sebastian chatting away in the same car made me jump to my seat.

Everyone turned to me.

I gave a little cough and said, "Dad, you should have some rest. I'll take him home."