Hey guys! My finals are over and I'm finally back with a new chapter. I usually don't leave author's notes at the beginning but this one's important.
First, a big thank you to all my readers for reading my book, voting for it and leaving comments. It feels awesome whenever someone tells me that they loved my book. Thank you so much peeps! I would also like to request everyone reading this to kindly recommend my book to people you know and your friends so we can reach more reads and votes.
Second, I know it has been a long gap so if anyone has forgotten the development of the story I'm giving a brief rundown of the past events here: After Jasmine and Chris start their relationship, Hunter comes back and takes her with him. But she gets saved by Chris and his friends and Hunter's ex Bailey. But Jasmine gets shot by Hunter and was rushed to the hospital. Jasmine's parents find out about their relationship and her father asked Chris to leave her. He agrees and leaves. Jasmine tried calling him but he had already left. Fast forward to 4 years and Jasmine now owns a publishing company and is doing well. That's when Chris returns.
So ready to know what's going to happen next? Then start reading!
And also don't forget to vote🤭
Jasmine's POV
I'm weak.
Two things define this particular fact.
One, I couldn't say all the hurtful words I had locked inside my heart when I saw Chris again. I wanted to, but the part of me that wasn't angry but glad to see him fine, couldn't lash out at him. I felt like the worrisome part of my heart was finally at rest.
Two, Chris texted me this morning.
CHRIS: Can we meet for dinner tonight?
And like a fool, I said yes.
There's no denying the fact that I'm still very much in love with him. And that makes me weak when it comes to him. And also I'm curious to know about his whereabouts these past 4 years. There are so many questions I need answers to. And there's only one way of doing that.
Meet him.
It has been 2 weeks since I last saw him and I was currently in my office. I wasn't concentrating much on the files I had to work on since my mind was filled with thoughts of what was going to happen once I meet him again. Would he give me satisfactory answers? Would I be able to forgive him? And most importantly, would we be able to go back to what we were?
Probably no. He hurt me. And that too after he said he would never. And things like that just can't be forgotten so easily. I need time to come in terms with the fact that Chris was finally back home.
Back where he is supposed to be.
I was brought out of my thoughts by a knock on my door. I frowned. Who could it be?
I had asked my employees not to disturb me today and Alex hadn't come to work.
I said a 'come in' and the door opened to reveal Jasper. A smile automatically found my face.
"Jasper! I missed you." I lunged at him and he caught me in his arms. His chest vibrated with chuckles and he hugged me back.
"I missed you too Jas. Two months were disastrous without you." He said.
I backed out of his arms and swatted his arm. "Oh please. Who could ever complain about 2 months in Paris? Apparently you."
He smiled smugly. "Of course. Paris was nothing without you. I wish you could've come with me."
I sighed. "I know but I can't just leave work for 2 months. And you yourself were on a business trip. It wasn't a vacation."
"Yeah yeah. Glad it's finally over and I'm back home." He plopped himself on the couch and relaxed.
"Make yourself at home." I said sarcastically as I sat besides him.
He grinned and said, "Thank you honey."
We talked for a while and caught up. Jasper was working in the foreign relations department of some company. So he had to constantly move around. There were definitely perks but it was tiring as well.
"Okay what's wrong with you?" He asked suddenly.
I frowned. "Nothing's wrong with me. I'm fine."
"You're not Jasmine. I know you well enough to know when you're fine and when you're not. And right now something's bothering you. So come on, tell me."
I looked down at my lap and contemplated telling him. Finally I decided to tell.
"Chris's back."
Jasper sat up abruptly and held my shoulders. "What?"
I sighed. "Chris's back. He came back 2 weeks ago. I told him some things and asked him to leave me alone and let this fact sink in. He kept his distance but texted me today asking me to go on a dinner with him."
"You're not going." Jasper stated.
I frowned. "I'm going. I already said yes."
Jasper ran his hands through his hair in exasperation. "But why? Why do you want to go back to him? After everything he did?"
I sighed. "I'm not going back to him Jasper." Yet, my subconscious stated. I shushed it before continuing, "I just need some answers. And he's not dangerous or something. Yeah he left me and we have some differences, but I want to hear things from him. I need answers."
Jasper looked at me with mixed emotions. Then his face turned blank abruptly and he stood up. He buttoned up his jacket.
"Well then, since you've already made up your mind who am I to tell you anything, right?" He sneered at me. My eyes widened and I was taken aback by the sudden change in his behaviour.
"Jasper lis-"
"No you listen Jasmine. I have seen you cry and break down these last few years. I have seen you at your weakest and it has broken my heart. And it took you so long to be okay and now suddenly that Mr.McHottie, as Violet says, is back, you forgot everything? You want to run back into his arms? That's pathetic even for you."
His words stabbed me right through my heart. Tears threatened to fall from my eyes but I blinked them back. Jasper and I had grown so close as friends it hurt to hear him say something like this. That too, so vehemently.
"Jasper please. You of all people should understand that I need to do this. I can't go on not knowing what happened with him and how he has been. And why he left. I have to do this."
Jasper let out a hollow laugh that made my heart stop. He looked at me with cold eyes and said, "You're still in love with him, aren't you?"
I looked at him without knowing what to say.
"Jasper I-"
"Answer me!" He nearly shouted.
"Yes." I whispered, still confused at what has gotten into him.
He nodded to himself and turned to go. "Then there's nothing more I have to say. You laid your bed so now you've to lie on it. But know that I'm not going to stand around and see him destroy you again. You're on your own this time."
He rushed towards the door and left, slamming the door behind him loudly. I sat back on the couch and let the tears fall down my face.
Would he really not return? Is this the end of our friendship? Can I really lose one of my bestfriends over the guy who left me, yet I'm still so much in love with him?
I was still asking myself these questions in the evening as I stood in front of the mirror looking at my reflection. I had dressed into a blue summer dress and tied my hair into a low chignon bun, with a few strands left out adorning my face. My face had minimal makeup and I would say I looked pretty decent.
And then I waited for the clock to strike 7. Maybe I shouldn't go. Maybe I should listen to Jasper and stay home. Maybe he's right. And would I really lose a friend over an ex-boyfriend?
But I know Chris wasn't just anyone. Only we know the dynamics of our relationship and what we've been through together. And apart from leaving me abruptly because he thought 'it was for the best', he had not hurt me in any way. When I was shot by Hunter, I had promised myself I wouldn't let what others say affect my decisions on life anymore. I would live the way I want and follow my heart.
But what about Jasper?
My mind was brought out from the thoughts of Jasper by the doorbell. I knew who it was and after taking a long, deep breath, I left my room to go out.
I opened my door with bated breath and there stood the man of my dreams, in a crisp white button down and dark blue jeans. He looked as handsome as the first time I laid my eyes on him. His own eyes roamed my figure before settling on my eyes. He smiled and extended the flowers in his hands towards me.
"Hello Jasmine. You look beautiful."
I blushed as I took the flowers from his hands and quietly thanked him, saying I will just put the flowers in a vase and come back. Once I did that, I came back to find him looking around my living room with curious eyes.
I cleared my throat to get his attention. He looked at me and smiled. "You've got a nice little place here. Warm and cosy."
"Thank you."
"So are you ready for our date?" He winked at the end but even a blind man could feel how hesitant and nervous he was of my reaction.
I took a minute to think back to everything that happened this afternoon. Was it really worth it?
I looked into Chris's eyes, that were still filled with warmth and love, but were guarded now with secrets. Secrets I needed to know somehow. And I abruptly made my mind.
"Yes I'm ready."
I need answers and answers I will get. But that doesn't mean I would make it easy for him.
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So what do you think? Did she make the right decision? And was Jasper right with his behaviour? Should Jasmine forgive Chris so soon?
Let me know in the comment section what you think might happen in the next chapter. Hint: it would either break or make their future.