“I was fine before you showed up, I am sure I will be fine without you. I only promised you one night and now you have had it.” I said spitefully.
Jeez, I couldn’t stop the words coming out of my mouth. I wanted him to get the message but I didn’t want to hurt him like I was doing now. He shook his head looking at me like I was crazy.
“I have a thirty thousand pound bonus to work for, it has been…eventful. Give me a call if you ever decide you want to live a little.” He said before walking out.
“IT WAS YOU WHO CHASED ME, I NEVER ASKED YOU TO COME INTO MY LIFE!” I screamed to an empty room hoping he heard on his way out.
I had so many emotions running through my body, I didn’t know whether I was angry or happy that he eventually got the message and left. Before I could dwell on what had just happened my world fell into darkness.
Part Two…Christopher
Jase picked me up for work the next morning earlier than normal, the boss man had us working hard, it was plain to see we were falling behind schedule and the owner of the house had given us two weeks to catch up or we were out of a job.
“So what did you get up to last night?” Jase asked.
“Nothing.” I lied.
“Really, because if that smile gets any bigger you will look like the cat from that children’s film,” he said, “What was her name?” he urged.
“Okay, I saw Jasmine but it wasn’t like that, I am taking her out on Thursday. We will see what happens.” I said hoping he would drop it.
Joe came over and began moaning about the women we are working for.
“She thinks just because she has all this money she can order people around like slaves.” He scoffed.
“What does she look like?” Jase asked thinking with his dick as normal. Joe let out a heavy sigh before answering.
“Her body is cracking, if she didn’t open her mouth I would bang her. Um…she is younger than you two, set aside that I can’t stand the queen bitch she is fucking fit.”
“That puts an end to your cougar fantasies.” I laughed at Jase who looked like he was foaming at the mouth after a woman he had not met.
“Are you talking about the bird that lives here?” one of the lads chipped in,
“Yeah.” Jase said eager to hear fresh information about her.
“I saw her this morning getting into a car, oh man she has the tightest ass I have ever seen,” He said.
“Are you up for getting here even earlier tomorrow? I have to see her, maybe I can get in with her?” Jase said seriously, his womanising ways knew no bounds.
“Sure.” I replied pulling out my phone. I knew for a fact that no matter how beautiful the women who lived here was she wouldn’t be as stunning as Jas.
HI. HOWS YOUR DAY? C. X
Her reply took a while to come through but running an empire I let it slide, she was probably busy.
NOT TOO BUSY. YOURS? JAS. X
VERY BUSY. BOSS IS ON ONE TODAY. CANT STOP THINKING OF U. C. X
AND YOU STILL FIND THE TIME TO TEXT? IM LUCKY. U SEEM TO BE IN MYHEAD TOO. JAS. X
IM ON LUNCH BREAK PLUS UR WORTH GETTING INTO TROUBLE FOR. C. X
YOUR BOSS CANT BE THAT BAD? IF U GOT IN TROUBLE FOR ME I WOULD MAKE IT UP TO YOU SOMEHOW! JAS. X
I AM ONCE AGAIN INTRIGUED MISS COLLINS. I MIGHT GET IN TROUBLE ON PURPOSE NOW. C. X
THAT’S YOUR CHOICE. YOU WILL HAVE TO LET ME KNOW IF THERES ANY MAKING UP TO BE DONE. JAS. X
TRUST ME YOU WILL BE THE FIRST TO KNOW. GOT TO GO BOSS IS CALLING. UNTIL NEXT TIME. C. X
She would be the first one to know too, I might just lie to see how she will make it up to me. I put my phone on vibrate instead of silent so I would know when she text again, hoping she would anyway. I put my phone away and headed back to work. It felt like hours before she text again.
WHAT TIME DO YOU FINISH WORK? JAS. X
4PM. WHY? C.X
ILL PICK YOU UP. CANT WAIT TILL THURS TO SEE U. WHERE ABOUTS ARE U WORKING? JAS. X
I didn’t hesitate in replying the sooner I saw her the better, maybe I could relieve some of the frustrations I was feeling. I text her this address, she didn’t reply after that so I gathered she would be here at four o’clock.
I returned to work before Joe started docking wages, some of the lads and Jase were still chatting about the women who lived here, I blocked their voices out knowing no one could be more beautiful than Jasmine.
Joe called my name from the other end of the extension, when I walked over to see what he wanted he was standing with a woman who had her back to me but standing beside her was Henry. What was going on here? The woman turned around; when I saw her my legs wouldn’t move for a few seconds. I quickly composed myself and joined them by the stacks of tiles. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her, if I had longer to process her being here I would have realised she was the one who lived here.
“Miss Collins this is CJ – one of my best workers, CJ this is the lady we are building the extension for. The time frame has changed drastically, we have a month to complete, and the incentive is…” Joe said introducing us although he shouldn’t have bothered I knew exactly who she was.
Oh fuck, it dawned on me I had been listening all day to the lads wanting her and her tight ass. Well, I would have to put a stop to that.
I couldn’t believe how cool and clam she looked but then again she probably knew I worked here from her folder on me. The way she spoke was very professional and to the point, when she said she was going to pay bonuses I nearly fell to the floor, was she for real? Who hands out bonuses that large? But then in a matter of seconds her mood changed yet again and she was threatening to ruin Joe if the work wasn’t completed, the look in her eyes had me believing every word she said.
When Joe called the lads to inform them of the changes, they were not happy until they heard about the incentive. Jase saw Jas and immediately looked at me to ask what she was doing here but I couldn’t think of what to reply. The scene in front of me only lasted a few minutes before Joe left to find more workers. After Henry left Jase came over which gave me a couple of more minutes to get myself together, he spoke to Jas before she dismissed him too, it was the same tone she used with the owner of the club. She was worried Jase would tell others this was her house and I couldn’t understand it, if I lived in a house like this with enough money to throw away on extensions and big bonuses I would let everyone know about it, maybe. But I told her I would have a word with him and ask him not to say anything, as it seemed that was the way she wanted it. As Joe had dismissed us for the day Jas offered to take me on a tour of her house, I hadn’t been bothered about what inside of the house looked like before like some of the guys but now I knew it was Jasmines house I was eager to see how she lived.
She even has a live in cook, maybe I can learn more about her being here? Her house was amazing; everything had an expensive finish to it. Her television was ridiculously huge and when she said she hadn’t even turned it on, well I was stunned. The thing that stunned me the most was the games room, she didn’t look the type to play pool but then again what we ended up doing on top of the pool table I was glad she did have it.
It was becoming a habit of waking up before Jas; she was lying beside me half wrapped up in the blankets. Even her back turned me on, the way it slightly dipped at her lower back, I traced my fingers slowly across the area, it didn’t take long for her to wake up, her smile was sunshine on a cloudy winters day.
“Morning.” She said enjoying my touch.
“I am glad you woke up, I have to go, the women I am working for is a right slave driver.” I chuckled.
“I think she would make an exception for you,” She said.
I knew what she was doing but it wasn’t going to work this morning, if she wanted me now she could wait and have me tonight.
Instead of persuading me to stay she screamed pushing her head into the pillow.
“What is wrong Jas?” I asked sitting up ready to help her, she didn’t answer
me, just carried on burying her head taking deep breaths as if it helped her. It took a few minutes before she spoke again.
“It was just a headache, it has gone now,” she said slowly getting out of bed.
“That didn’t look like a normal headache Jas.” I said getting dressed.
“Well it was,” Why was she lying to me? “I can’t do this, you should leave,” She added.
“I am leaving, I have work.” I said.
“That is not what I meant Christopher, I meant…I can’t do this.”
“This?” I asked confused.
“Us, I told you I am complicated. I don’t have the time to know you,” She shouted. Where the hell had this mood swing come from?
“You know what Jas, I am gone. I hope you enjoy yourself in your ivory tower on your own.” I said backing away.
“I was fine before you showed up, I am sure I will fine without you. I only promised you one night and now you have had it.” She sounded so spiteful.
“I have a thirty thousand pound bonus to work for, it has been…eventful. Give me a call if you ever decide you want to live a little.” I said before walking out.
“IT WAS YOU WHO CHASED ME, I NEVER ASKED YOU TO COME INTO MY LIFE!” She screamed as I headed for the stairs.
She was crazy. I knew she was too good to be true. At this point I very much regretted chasing her. Her cook passed me as I stormed through the kitchen, she watched me leave but didn’t say anything. I wondered what she had seen working for Jas over the years. I was walking to Joe’s office to see what I had to do today when I heard screams coming from the house. Henry came running out of the smaller house on the phone and disappeared into the house. I tried getting back in but the door was locked.
“What is going on?” Jase asked joining me while I was looking up at the house.
“I don’t know, everything was fine, I just left.” I told him trying to figure out what could have happened.
I hung around waiting to see Henry or her cook but they never came out. Shortly after we all heard the ambulance sirens, what the fuck had happened? I went round to the front of the house; I missed Rose by a second as she just closed the door. I stayed where I was so I could find out what was going on when they came back out.
It didn’t take long before the door opened again and Jasmine was laid on a stretcher, she looked like she was sleeping with Henry and Rose beside her.
I rushed over to her to see what was wrong, the paramedics were talking in their own language, Henry told Rose to accompany her and he would drive behind them. The doors closed in front of me.
“Henry, what is going on? What is the matter with her?” I demanded following him around to the garages.
“It doesn’t concern you. If I find out you caused this you will be sorry.” He said.
Was he tripping? How would I have caused this?
“She was fine when I left?”
“And now she is not. I have to go, get back to work or you will be out of a job when I get back.” he said getting in the car and driving off at top speed.
Fucking prick, who the hell does he think he is?
“Did you find out what happened?” Jase asked.
“No, that prick wouldn’t tell me anything.” I said kicking the skip that was next to us.
CHAPTER SIX
Part One…Jasmine
When the light returned I was lying in a hospital bed with Henry and Rose by my side.
“I will get the doctor.” Henry said quietly to Rose.
“You scared me to death Miss Collins.” She said when she stood up to see me better. I could see she had been crying.
“What happened?” I asked.
I couldn’t remember anything after Christopher left.
“I should let the doctor explain, oh Miss Jasmine Collins, why didn’t you tell me what is going on?” She scolded me but in a mothering kind of way.
“The less people that knew the more it felt like it wasn’t real,” I replied letting a single tear fall, “I don’t want you feeling sorry for me Rose.” I said.
“Like hell, it is time you done as you are told for a change and let us look after you.” She said pouring me a glass of water.
“You couldn’t pay me enough to let you do that.” I said disgusted at the idea of having people’s pity laid at my feet.
“It is a good job you are rich then isn’t it,” she wasn’t going to let this go.
Henry returned with the doctor and Rose sat back in her chair.
“Welcome back Miss Collins, how are you feeling?” the doctor asked looking me over.
“I feel dizzy but I feel okay,” I answered, “What happened?”
I could remember shouting at Christopher but nothing after that.
“You suffered from a seizure, a mild one.” She replied.
“Is it because of the tumour?” Henry asked from the other side of the room.
“Yes.” She answered him before turning her attention back to me.
“Miss Collins, you should really consider Radiotherapy,” The good doctor said again.
“I have told you I don’t want to do that.”
“Miss Collins…” I wasn’t going to let her waste her breath so I cut her off.
“No. You have already told me it won’t cure me so I don’t see the point.” I said making it final.
She left shortly after leaving Henry and Rose looking at me like they could take the decision out of my hands.
I had Jenna bring me updates while I was in the hospital. I was going stir crazy with boredom.
“So the new design is in print and will be ready for dispatch in two weeks.” She finished explaining.
She had done well, the test I had set her – she had well and truly passed.
“You have done good Jenna, thank you.” I smiled.
“Is there anything else I can do for you Miss Collins?” She asked.
I took a deep breath before answering.
“I would like you to run the company for me while I am away. I have decided to take a break.”
“No problem.” She replied taking notes of my instructions.
“I will still want daily reports of progress apart from that you are now the temporary CEO of Jasmine Enterprises.” I said.
“I won’t let you down, will you want the employees to know about the changes?” She asked.
“Yes, don’t tell them the whys, just that you are running the show while I am away.”
“Are you sure you are okay?” Her genuine concern for me made me feel awkward.
I had told her that I hadn’t eaten properly and passed out from exhaustion. And while I was here I was having a full medical check up.
“I am sure. I just realised I want some time to myself and you have showed me you can handle yourself with the company. You know what needs to be done so you should be able to cope, if not I am only a phone call away.” I reminded her.
“I won’t let you down,” she said packing her notes away, “I hope you enjoy your time away from the office Miss Collins.” She smiled.
Rose came in with fresh clothes for me to go home in when Jenna was getting ready to leave, it occurred to me that the reason she stayed so long was so I wasn’t left on my own.
“I will expect your first report tomorrow evening.” I said.
“Yes Miss Collins, feel better soon.” She said and left.
I was being discharged this afternoon and I was looking forward to sleeping in my own bed, I had Henry go and buy loads of movies for me to watch while I rested. I wondered if Christopher was still working on the extension and if he was, would I see him?
“I have made your favourite, homemade chicken pie for your dinner,” She informed me while helping me out of bed, even though I insisted I didn’t need it.
“Thank you Rose.”
I felt more myself when I arrived home, Rose was trying to help me out of the car – I was going to have a little chat with her about boundaries if she kept this up much longer –
r /> “I am capable of getting out of the car Rose.” I said.
She muttered something about me being stubborn as ever and walked off to the house saying she would make me some tea. I had a feeling she would be making enough tea to keep the whole city hydrated for a week. I never took the time to see how simple things were, like how green the lawn was or the brightness of the flowers were before today. It was like everything had been magnified. Pulling me out of my trance I saw Christopher carrying building materials across the drive, he saw me standing there and jogged over quickly.
“Hey, are you okay? Henry wouldn’t tell me anything, I don’t understand what happened?” He said in a rush.
His worry for me only made me feel worse.
“I am fine, it was exhaustion.” I kept to the same story I had told Jenna.
“You scared the shit out of me after I left, we heard Rose screaming for help and Henry went running. The next thing I knew you were being taken to hospital.” So he did know then.
“They over exaggerate.” I said simply.
I wanted to invite him in but I knew I couldn’t. It made me feel sick knowing I was this close to him but couldn’t be with him.
“I should go in, the doctor’s orders are to rest.”
Standing there in his tight t-shirt was making me think of things I really couldn’t afford to let myself think of without hurting him even more and myself.
“Wait, I want to see you Jas, you have got in my head and I can’t stop thinking about you,” he said gripping my hand. This was harder than I wanted it to be.
“That is why I can’t see you anymore.” I pulled my hand back and walked into the house before he could change my mind.
“Go on upstairs and I will bring your tea up.” Rose said faffin’ around the kitchen. When I got to my room I inwardly sighed when I saw the tray of fruit piled high, this was a healthy diet all right.