All Chapters of Festive Deception: A Jasmine For Christmas : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Evening came sooner than later. As expected, everyone was excited for the Christmas Eve party. It happened once every year except for the last three years when Ava was out of the country.Unlike most years, this one was different, even the air felt different.The grand hall had been transformed into something out of a winter fairytale. Jasmine stood at the far end of the hall observing. She couldn’t help but feel disappointed. With the way Georgia and the others spoke of the party, she had expected something extravagant, not the bore it was turning out to be.Jasmine never thought she would be here. Not after everything that had happened the night before. Yet, here she was, standing in a room full of people on Christmas Eve.With so many people in the room, it was much warmer, and for that, she was grateful, especially since she had chosen to wear the emerald dress that had miraculously been placed on her bed.She knew the dress was from Chad, even though she hadn’t seen him to confi

Chad dragged a hand down his face as he stepped into the hallway. He had walked out on Jasmine, but it wasn't the end. He just needed a moment to understand what the hell was going on. Jasmine's words still rang in his head, repeating constantly.He couldn't help but think about the way she had said it, as if she hated admitting it, as though she was fighting whatever she felt. He couldn't blame her. He himself couldn't even say the words. Did he feel it, or did he not?And the worst part was, he felt something too. A flutter in his chest, one he had only ever felt for Ava.His steps quickened, his palm forming a fist. He didn’t know what pissed him off more. Was it the look on Jasmine’s face, how broken she had looked over something that wasn’t even real? Or was it the fact he actually felt something too?But it wasn’t him. He didn’t kiss Ava. So what the hell was going on?His jaw tensed as he pulled his phone from his pocket, the unread text staring back at him.Ava: Come to the

"Get a hold of yourself," I said finally, watching Ava wipe away the last trace of her fake tears. “He bought the act. That’s what we needed.”She let out an exaggerated sigh, stretching like she had just wrapped up a performance. “Still, you could have wrecked us all. Gladly you didn't and we're solid now.”I let out a dry chuckle, shoving my hands into my pockets. “Don’t get your hopes up. Whatever we had today? I did it for my own gain. Don’t mistake it for something it’s not.”Ava narrowed her eyes, arms crossing over her chest.This had never been about her, or Jordan, or whatever revenge scheme they had planned for Chad. The only reason I’d agreed to play along was because I needed something to keep Chad from asking too many questions about my disappearance."Since my Ava here has a habit of taking matters into her own hands," Jordan spoke up, he seemed a little uneasy as if he was trying to mask something, then added. “We all might as well play along.”My gaze flicked lazily be

She stared at him dumbfounded, not having any idea on how to feel about having him as her secret Santa. “Your jaw is still hanging” He laughed, throwing his head back.Rushing to close her mouth, she glared at him “Can you pick again?”“I don’t think I want to” he responded, clearly having his fun out of this.She looked like the mere thought of being around him way longer shook her. The striking resemblance between him and Chad was alarming, it made Jasmine want to lose her bananas.“Is this fun for you?” She asked.“You should be comfortable. I don’t think there is much difference between me and my brother’s face” He smiled. His smile crooked in a way that reminded Jasmine of Chad when he was being mischievous.“That’s the problem. The resemblance between you both makes me uncomfortable” She sighed.“What?”He laughed “Don’t tell me I am the ugly twin?”Jasmine stared at him, like really stared at him and noticed the little difference along with the easy going facade he was putti

“Jasmine.” Her voice came out strained.“Mom “ Jasmine quickly responded.”How are you doing?” Is everything alright?” There was a pause on the other end, then she heard her mother cough. When she spoke again she sounded even weaker. “I'm alright sweetheart. It's just…when I woke up the doctor said you were in Switzerland?”Jasmine swallowed, she totally forgot to inform her. “I’ll be back soon, Mom. Just work but I'm so glad you’re awake. You scared me.”Her mom gave a faint chuckle, though it sounded tired. She said she was fine, she suspected there was something else on her mind.“Didn’t mean to. Where are you? Weren’t we supposed to spend Christmas together at Greta’s?”Jasmine lips pressed into a thin line. She hadn't forgotten about their Christmas plans. It was what they did every Christmas since her dad died. She'd spent the Christmas and new year with her aunt.“I'm sorry, mom. I had to do something else with…” she paused, she wasn't sure if she wanted to bring up Chad yet o