Beautiful Beasts (Lovestruck Series #1)

Chapter 21

CHASE

Jasmine sagged on my arms from the force of trying to pull it together. Panic shot through me as I realized that she passed out! I renewed my hold on her, pulling her body closer to keep her from falling. Hanggang sa tuluyan ko na nga siyang binuhat. I hooked my arm behind her knees, and used the other to cradle her neck so I could support her head.

"Jasmine!" I heard Tita Belle shout.

"Dalhin mo muna sa loob." Utos ni Archer.

Nakaabang na ang mga kasambahay nang makapasok ako ng mansyon. Iginaya agad nila ako paakyat sa kwarto ni Jasmine. Even in distress, they all seem to know what to do.

"Chase pakisamahan mo na muna rito si Jasmine ha? Parating naman na si Doktora."

Kumunot ang noo ko. I barely had time to react or even ask questions when she left the room along with the others. But not mere seconds later, si Leon at Archer naman ang pumasok. Both looked equally troubled.

"Gising na ba siya?" Leon asked.

"Hindi pa. Pero nagpatawag na ng doktor." Sagot ko.

Leon nodded, while Archer began to rummage through Jasmine's things. Pumasok siya sa loob ng walk-in closet na parang may hinahanap. And when he couldn't find anything, sa mga lamesa naman siya naghanap.

Kumunot ang noo ko.

"What are you looking for?" I asked.

He opened his mouth to answer, pero nabitin 'yon nang buksan niya ang pang-huling drawer. He stilled.

"Leon, tell Ate Weng she needs to go to the Pharmacy." His voice was cold.

Leon turned to him.

"What? But I thought Jasmine has—"

"She has them all right here." Archer said, raising the bottle of pills stored inside Jasmine's drawer. "Untouched."

Sabay kaming lumapit ni Leon, pero nauna kong hablutin ang hawak ni Archer. My brows furrowed in confusion.

But this is... medication for heart conditions. Gulat akong nag-angat ng tingin sa magkapatid na abala ngayon sa pagtatalo.

"It's untouched. Walang bawas kahit isa." Archer said, clearly perplexed.

"That's impossible." Leon countered. "Baka bagong stock niya 'yan."

"It's expired."

Natigilan si Leon.

"But that would mean..."

"That she hasn't been taking her medications regularly." Archer finally concluded. "She hasn't been taking them at all."

"Ano bang nangyayari?" Nalilito ko nang tanong. "And why is she taking a medication for heart conditions?"

Leon sighed, "Because she has one."

"Leon." Pigil ni Archer.

"What? Malalaman niya rin naman 'yan." Leon shrugged.

I knew something was wrong with Jasmine. I've had my suspicions ever since that night at the foster house. And looking back now, I don't know why I never noticed. Or maybe I did, but I never thought much of it.

Until now.

All her food restrictions... All the times she was excused from physical activities. All of it makes sense now.