Chapter 13
JASMINE
FOUR YEARS LATER
The memories return as soon as I step out of the plane, making my chest flutter like a hummingbird’s wings against a strong wind.
*Finished
A shaky breath exhales from my nostrils as I attempt to calm my nerves which have skyrocketed seeing the familiar environment.
I’m not a weak, helpless woman anymore; I’ve worked so hard in these past few years to ensure
that.
I quickly adjust my plaid skirt and brush my fingers through my slightly curly hair, which is gathered in a loose ponytail.
With another deep breath, I walk out of the airport, grabbing my small suitcase in tow and entering the bustling metropolis.
It feels like only yesterday since I left this large country that didn’t have a place for me.
It’s deeply amazing how quickly four years can pass and yet the bitter memories remain like a scar, never healing. Never forgetting.
My hate for this city, for that man who ruined me, never abated. I curse him every single day, but Karma is partial; nothing evil ever happened to him. I know this because I constantly monitor the news, hoping that the heavens will punish that cruel monster. Instead, Romano stands at the top of the hierarchy and has even expanded his businesses beyond the underworld and even the government is essentially under his thumb.
“Miss Jasmine, over here!” Someone calls out to me vivaciously, and I quickly locate Yvonne. A huge smile spreads across my face as she rushes towards me.
“I really missed you,” She cries, her arms engulfing me.
The force of her embrace completely knocks the breath out of me.
“Oh Yvonne, you don’t know how much I missed you too,”
She receives my suitcase and leads me to where the car is already waiting.
“You came back at the right moment, today is Mr. Bruno’s birthday, it will be amazing if you can both have dinner together, he has been anxiously awaiting your return.”
Bruno Zamora.
Four years ago after the tragic incident, I had roamed the streets aimlessly like a crazy person hoping for death. I had nowhere to go and no one to depend on
Chapter 13
It was Bruno who found me. Again.
Finished
It turned out that he had been actively searching for me ever since that day Romano took me away from his home.
I stayed with him for a while, and during that time, Bruno had been striving hard to expand his business into perfume and cosmetics.
At first, I had simply wanted to find a way to repay his kindness in any way I could, so I showed interest when he offered me employment in his newly found perfume industry.
It was only later that I found out that I actually enjoy creating fragrances. It became my passion, and when I focused on working, it distracted me from the painful memories and the traumatic experiences I had with Romano.
Bruno discovered my interest and became my mentor. I didn’t expect my project, Love Pearl No. 1. to make a major splash worldwide and chart a record in sales number.
Now, Bruno is starting a branch company right here, this place which has given me so many sorrowful memories and he has invited me to research and develop a new product.
Initially, I had refused.
I simply wanted to forget this place forever. However, it’s thanks to Bruno that I managed to gain so much success, he had even sponsored me abroad for further studies.
I owe him so much, and this is the first time he has made a request from me. How can I turn him down?
I stare through the window of the car as houses and trees blur by; the panic is starting to build within me again. I clench my eyes, feeling as though the car is closing in on me; I can’t breathe.
This unknown fear is so intense and it doesn’t dissipate even when I constantly remind myself that my ex–husband doesn’t have any power over me anymore.
“Are you okay? If you’re sick, I can tell Mr. Bruno that you cannot make it,” Yvonne says worriedly.
“No, it’s his birthday. I can’t afford to miss it,” I quickly order the driver to stop at the mall, it will not be nice if I go to see Bruno without a present at least.
“You can go back home with my suitcase. I will return shortly,” I tell Yvonne, who nods reluctantly, still looking worried.
I enter the grand mall, and after getting a present for Bruno, I glance at my wristwatch. There is still a lot of time before the dinner, maybe I should take a stroll…?
My eyes land on the babies section of the mall, and the hammering of my heart returns, an intense grief that snatches the breath from me. The unwilling burn of tears forms in my eyes and I race towards the bathroom.
2:26 PM c d
Chapter 13
My child is already long dead, why does it still hurt so much each time I remember?
Finished
As I step out of the bathroom after splashing cool water on my face, I suddenly hear the sound of a child shouting.
“Let me go! Who are you? Let me go!”
My eyes widen with apprehension as I slowly move towards the direction of the sound as quietly as I can.
“Shut it, brat!”
On the balcony around the corner, I see a muscular terrifying man with his back facing me pinning a boy down aggressively while sealing his mouth shut with tape.
My frantic gaze lands on the sack beside him, Obviously, that is for the boy.
Am I about to watch a kidnap take place? Anxiety and adrenaline shoot through my muscles as I quickly look around for a weapon. There is none, but there is a pepper spray in my purse.
I slowly grab it and tip–toe towards the kidnapper.
“Hey! Let him go!”
The man turns at me instantly, and without wasting time, I deliver a swiftly threatening quantity of the spray into his eyes, causing him to scream loudly in agony, letting go of the child and scratching his eyes that have rapidly turned red.
“Bitch, who the fuck are you?!”
My jaw drops in shock when he suddenly produces a gun, but he aims it in the wrong direction.
“Come with me!” I mouth to the young boy, pulling him out of the corridor, and then I run as fast as I can. Still holding the young boy, I don’t stop until we are outside the mall.
My heart is pounding wildly in my chest cavity as my brain scrambles on what to do next, should I contact the police?
I gently put the boy down, hugging him tightly. “Poor baby, you must be so terrified, where are your parents?”
“I wasn’t afraid; I’m a brave boy,” I pull away in astonishment when the boy scoffs at me, and then a giggle bursts from my mouth seeing his adoring pout.
“Indeed you were so brave, I pat his soft curls.
“You shouldn’t have saved me just now,” He says, leaving me confused.
“What why?”
Chapter 13
Finished
A fist tightens in my chest when I realize that he is just worried about him. How can such a small boy be so wise beyond his age?
I’m even more flustered when he tears the tapes binding his feet, it looks so painful but he doesn’t even flinch.
I look up at the sky, it’s already getting late. I still have an appointment with Bruno.
“So how did you get yourself kidnapped?” I ask curiously.
“I got lost, and then that jerk grabbed me all of a sudden,” The anger in the little boy’s eyes shock the hell out of me. His emotions are too distinct considering his age.
“It’s all right now. I’ll take you back home, I promise. Who are your parents, tell me so I can take you to them.”
“I only have a father, I have no mother…”
His words make a thick lump gather in my throat, and I swallow difficulty.
“Do you pity me?” He peers up at me curiously.
“I–1…”
“Then marry my
father!”
I blink rapidly in astonishment; whose kid is this? The boy sighs, I notice the seriousness in his eyes as he studies me.
“Even though you’re not very smart, you still h mother, so I will get one myself, or are you already married?”
a kind heart. My daddy refused to get me a
“No, but I…
“Do you have children?”
My heart clenches painfully at his question, unable to speak, I just shake my head negatively.
The boy sighs in relief, suddenly grabbing my arms, a wide smile playing across his lips.
“Then, it’s decided. Give me your number, Iwill contact you,”
Another round of laughter bursts from my mouth as I pull his cheeks until he yelps. This little tyrant. Does he think that he is a boss or something?
Still, my heart skips as I look at him; something familiar tugs at my heart string; I’m certain that I have never seen this child before, yet… Which is why I produce a piece of paper from my purse and scribble my number and give it to him.
I doubt he will be able to call, he looks too young to even open a phone.
Chapter 18
reason, the sight of them spreads a deep unnerving chill sweeping through me
“Those are my father’s bodyguards, I’ll go now. See you soon, my soon–to–be mother,
Finished
I let him go reluctantly: I stare at my empty hands, deeply overwhelmed by a sensation of loss.
I watch the boy enter the black car, which the scary–looking men in black suits hold open for him, and regret laces in my chest.
He is such an intelligent boy; I should have at least asked him for his name.
Of what use will it be? It’s unlikely that I will ever see him again.
A lone sigh escapes my parted lips, if only my baby didn’t die, he would be the same age as this boy.
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