“What is this? It has my name on it.” I demanded angrily.
“Nothing, it is business.” she said calmly.
“Oh, so I am business now?” I shouted.
She just stood there, she wasn’t embarrassed or anything. I flicked through the folder again and it didn’t help my anger.
“It is common knowledge, anyone can get a hold of this information. I thought I recognised you the other night so I had Henry see who you were. That is all, I am not explaining myself any further,” she said as if it were a normal thing to do.
“Your right, you’re not who I remember, the Jas I knew wouldn’t have gone all stalker on me.” I snapped.
Walking into the bathroom to find my clothes, my clothes that I came here in on Friday afternoon. I quickly got dressed. I couldn’t stand to be here any longer. She was still standing where I left her. I put my boots on and walked to the door. When my hand touched the handle I knew I probably wouldn’t see her again, a small part of me was telling me to stay and talk to her but my anger won and I left without saying a word.
I stormed out of the hotel and headed to the taxi rank around the corner, I couldn’t fathom why she had a folder on me? She said it was because she wanted to know who I was, not likely. It wasn’t normal, people met people all the time not knowing who they were but they never went and had information gathered on them. My phone began ringing, I answered it without looking to see who it was.
“What?” I answered curtly.
“Oh hello to you too.” It was Hayley.
“I am not in the mood, what do you want?” I asked her.
“First of all you leave a comment on one of the photos that didn’t make sense and then every photo I posted of you and Jasmine disappears. What is going on?” she asked.
I didn’t want to tell her the truth, it felt like I was betraying Jas even though I had every right too.
“I don’t know, maybe you done it by mistake.” I said feeling bad because I wasn’t telling her the truth.
“Hardly, someone else has done it.” She said not letting it go.
“I don’t know, look I will talk to you later, I just got home and I haven’t had much sleep.”
“Ah bless you, can you give me her number, I would like to meet up with her again,” she asked.
“I haven’t got it.” I told her truthfully.
“Just a weekend thing then?” she said laughing.
“Apparently so, look I have got to go.” I said hanging up on her.
I paid the taxi man and let myself into my house, back to reality. For the rest of the day I was too hyped up to concentrate on anything. I could only think about Jasmine and our weekend together, she is so different to any girl I know.
It took a couple of days for me to calm down, Jase had been asking questions about the weekend but I had no interest in telling him about it. When I finished work a couple of days later I had an idea forming in my mind to find out about her.
As soon as I got home I fired up my laptop and put her name into Google. I was not prepared for what came up. There were loads of pictures of her at events, looking as stunning as she did on Saturday night for the ball. Images of her make-up products, I clicked on wikipedia, and read the write up three times before it sunk in. She didn’t just own a cosmetics company, she was a global brand worth over a billion pounds. Fuck. I didn’t realise my hands were shaking, no wonder no one had seen her since she left the estate, she had been busy building an empire.
The doorbell rung snapping me back to the here and now. Hayley was standing on the doorstep when I opened the door, as soon as it was open she shoved me.
“What the hell?” I said moving out of the way as she invited herself in.
“That was for hanging up on me the other day.”
“Sorry.” I muttered.
“Jase tells me you haven’t been yourself the last few days so I have come round to make sure your okay.” she said sitting on the sofa.
“I am fine.” I told her.
“Well, you will never guess what I saw when I was reading my magazine at lunch today?” she said pulling said magazine out of her bag.
I took it of her and looked at the page she had marked. It was Jasmine and I at the ball. Bloody hell I was in a magazine.
“Explain.” she ordered taking the magazine back.
“I don’t know where to start.” I said.
I gave her the laptop so she could see for herself, she looked through pages and pages before looking up at me.
“This is crazy, I never thought for one second it was Jasmine Collins from school who owned Jasmine Enterprises.” she said sounding just as shocked as I was.
“You have heard of it then?” I asked.
“Err. Yes.” she said as if I had asked the most stupid question of all time.
She begun emptying the contents of her bag on my sofa until she found what she was looking for, she opened it and showed me little pieces of which I presumed was make-up.
“These are Jasmines products?”
“Yes,” she said laughing, “Looks like you have been shagging a celebrity.” she laughed again.
It felt wrong to hear it like that, to me she was Jasmine, just Jasmine. I picked up Hayleys make-up pieces, it was hard to imagine these were available because Jasmine designed them.
“Jesus, when was the last time you opened your post?” she asked holding a pile of it, she began sifting through it all, she could be so nosey sometimes, “This one was hand delivered.” she said throwing it at me. I wasn’t expecting anything, I opened it and found photos from the masquerade ball inside, Hayley snatched them out of my hands and looked through them. She was quickly becoming very annoying.
“This picture looks even better like this. She wasn’t wearing that dress in the club, similar but not the same,” she murmured.
How did girls remember crap like that?
“It was the same dress, she took a pair of scissors to it before we got to the club.” I told her.
“Oh my god, she cut up a couture dress?” she said as if Jasmine had committed murder, maybe she had in the fashion world.
“She probably has a whole wardrobe of them.”
“This belongs on the wall,” she said writing on the top of it and pinning it on the board, “Are you going to see her again?” she asked.
“I want to, I don’t know how to find her though.” I admitted.
For the next few hours we combed the Internet building my own folder on her although I didn’t tell Hayley that. There was everything about her career but nothing about her.
“Look, she has offices here in Cambridge, you could start there?” Hayley said yawning.
“I will, you should get home, it is late.” I said looking at the time.
“Time went fast. Let me know how you get on. She will be a fool if she doesn’t snap you up.” she said giving me a hug.
Nothing had ever happened between us, we were just good friends.
“I will, thank you for helping me Hayls. You won’t mention this to anyone?” I asked.
“My lips are sealed,” she said before leaving.
I slept much better that night forming another idea. I wasn’t prepared to let her walk out of my life again.
I had the day of work today, I ordered Jas a big bouquet of flowers, I didn’t know the names of them but they were all different colours, cost a small fortune too. It took ages to think of what to say on the card, I didn’t want to sound like a sap. I wanted her to see I was worth seeing again.
I just hope she is at her Cambridge offices today, for all I know she could be in New York. Sitting around the house was driving me crazy. I got dressed and went to the gym. Lifting some weights would pass the time quickly. I left the message on the card simple asking her to call me, no doubt she would have my mobile phone number in that folder, it didn’t make me angry thinking about it now, besides I had a folder of my own on her too.
The gym did nothing to keep my mind of her, if anything
it made it worse. I knew how much my body turned her on so everything I did to keep my physique up to scratch drove me wild with thoughts of her. We definitely had chemistry but it was more than that, there was passion and fire between us.
I kept checking my phone to see if she had called or even text, she probably had someone to do her messaging for her. Nothing. For the first time in my life I didn’t know what to do, all because of one women. I have never let myself be caught up like this, maybe this is my karma for the women I have hurt over the years.
I knew the flowers had been delivered, and I still hadn’t heard from her. I had to know one way or another if she did want to see me again or if she was ignoring me because of the way I acted the other day. I went home and got changed and called a taxi to take me to her offices now I knew where they were.
I made it just in time as I saw Henry, her driver, waiting out front. I wasn’t going to let her get the chance to walk past me so I leant against her car. Henry saw me but didn’t get out to move me on.
Ten minutes later she came walking out of the building, she faulted the moment she saw me and slowed down,
“You didn’t call.” I said, as she got closer.
“I haven’t got your number,” she said, I knew she was lying.
“What, it isn’t in your little folder?” I teased her.
“I got rid of the last week.” she said. I pulled away from the car moving closer towards her,
“That is a shame because I have me a folder of my own,” I said smiling pulling it out of my back pocket to show her, she was hard to read. If she was thinking about anything in particular I wouldn’t have guessed what.
“I am sorry about how I acted last week, will you come for a drink so we can talk?” I asked.
“I can’t.”
“Please, just one drink then you can have your Henry whisk you away.” I finished. I could see she was considering it.
“Just one drink.” she said getting into the car, I followed her.
We didn’t say anything in the car, her driver took us to the pub we bumped into each other again. I went to hold her hand but she pulled away from me, for some reason it hurt not being able to touch her.
I went to the bar while she went and sat at the table furthest away, when I looked around there wasn’t anyone sitting close enough to over hear us. She looked breath taking in her black designer dress, her hair perfect in place and shiny. Now I knew more about her I could tell the difference, her expensive clothes, the shoes, and her flawless image. She looked expensive.
I took the drinks over and sat opposite her, and apologised again.
I couldn’t take my eyes of her as she spoke, her explanation sounded like an apology although she didn’t say the words. She continued to push me away but I could see she did want to see me again, I just had to find the right words that would get through to her so she would agree to see me again. I wasn’t going to let her walk out of my life again without knowing I tried everything I could.
Eventually she did agree and for the first time in my life I was excited about going on a date with a women rather than thinking how long till I could get in her knickers and then disappear. I had until Thursday to think of somewhere I could take her so I sat quietly while she looked through the information I collected on her, maybe I could learn more about her that wasn’t on the internet?
We sat talking about why she lived in Cambridge, all the time she was speaking I could sense there was another reason behind her answers but I didn’t push her, if she wanted to tell me I would wait.
When she said she had to leave I felt my heart sink, this was crazy I had only known her again for a couple of weeks. I walked her to her car quizzing her about her driver, I couldn’t get over the fact he would sit there and wait for her.
“Thank you for agreeing to me tonight.” I said leaning closer to her.
I waited for a few seconds giving her the chance to pull back before I kissed her, it was over too quickly. I left her speechless so she got in the car without saying a word.
I realised she didn’t have my number or so she said, I knocked on the window and she opened it,
“You haven’t got my number.”
All she replied was, “it’s common knowledge.” she laughed before driving away.
Man, I needed another drink. The way she made me feel was electric and boy was I buzzing.
When I had a text message come through later that night I thought it would be from one of the lads, as soon as I didn’t recognise the number I knew it would be from Jas.
TOLD YOU IT WAS COMMON KNOWLEDGE. JAS.
I laughed and read the message again,
SO IT IS MISS COLLINS. MISS ME ALREADY? C. X
I knew she wouldn’t admit she was missing me; I wanted to make her smile even if I wasn’t there to see it myself.
HARDLY! JUST LETTING U KNOW I HAVE YOUR NUMBER SO U DON’T HARESS ME AT WORK AGAIN. JAS. X
Now I was smiling,
LOL. CAN’T WAIT TILL THURSDAY. C. X
SAME. ILL CALL YOU WHEN IM BACK. JAS. X
NIGHT. TRY NOT TO DREAM ABOUT ME. C. X
ILL TRY. NIGHT. JAS. X
Falling asleep excited at the many prospects of what Thursday had to offer was harder than trying to fall asleep angry with her.
CHAPTER FIVE
Part One…Jasmine
The next morning I was in a fantastic mood, I shocked the hell out of Rose when I went down for breakfast. She had packed my case for my London trip and they were ready in the car. Henry drove me to the office where we picked Jenna up, I had decided I would still let her handle the buyers on her own but I would oversee her work. She immediately deflated when she saw me, when I explained to her what the plan was she was full of excitement again. We arrived in London just before lunch, I was grateful for the slow moving traffic, I was content to sit in silence of the car thinking about what will happen on Thursday. I felt like I was fifteen years old all over again, full of schoolgirl giggles whenever I thought of him. My phone beeped alerting me I had a text message just as Jenna got out of the car, I motioned I would wait here. She looked worried for a moment then composed herself and walked into the building. I hope she wouldn’t fail the test she was about to take, a test that she had no clue about.
HI. HOWS YOUR DAY? C. X
NOT TOO BUSY. YOURS? JAS. X
He didn’t need to know I was sitting in the car keen for him to reply.
VERY BUSY. BOSS IN ON ONE TODAY. CANT STOP THINKING OF U. C. X
AND U STILL HAVE TIME TO TEXT? IM LUCKY. U SEEM TO BE IN MY HEAD TOO. JAS. X
IM ON LUNCH BREAK PLUS UR WORTH GETTING INTO TROUBLE FOR. C. X
YOUR BOSS CAN’T BE THAT BAD? IF U GOT IN TROUBLE OVER ME I WOULD MAKE IT UP TO U SOMEHOW! JAS. X
I AM ONCE AGAIN INTRIGUED MISS COLLINS. I MIGHT GET INTO TROUBLE ON PURPOSE NOW. C. X
THAT’S YOUR CHOICE. U WILL HAVE TO LET ME KNOW IF THERES ANY MAKING UP TO BE DONE. JAS. X
TRUST ME U WILL BE THE FIRST TO KNOW. GOT TO GO BOSS IS CALLING. UNTIL NEXT TIME. C. X
“There is that smile again Miss Collins.” Henry called back laughing.
“So it is, I have changed my mind, we will head back to Cambridge when Jenna has finished.”
“Certainly, you look like you have a plan.” he said.
“I have a few in motion at the moment Henry.” I replied smirking.
“Jenna?” He didn’t have to ask out right, he knew me well enough to assume what I was doing.
“We will have to see how it plays out.” I said.
Jenna arrived back at the car looking pleased with herself. On the drive back to Cambridge she updated me on what I had missed. She had passed her first test of many to come. She always pleased me with her work, her hunger for success and naturally her love for cosmetics.
“Where do you see yourself this time next year?” I asked her.
“Um, hopefully still working for you, unless there is something you need to tell me?” she said worri
ed that was about to lose her job.
“There is nothing for you to be worried about Jenna, you are not going to lose your job. I just wanted to know how you felt.”
“Oh, I don’t see it as a job, I love working with you.” she said.
Her second test successfully passed.
I couldn’t wait until Thursday to see Christopher again. I pulled my phone out to text him.
WHAT TIME DO YOU FINISH WORK? JAS. X
Very busy my ass his reply was too quick.
FOUR O’CLOCK. WHY? C. X
ILL PICK U UP. CANT WAIT TILL THURSDAY TO SEE U. WHERE ABOUTS ARE U WORKING? JAS. X
His next reply came quick again, and I was left in shock.
It was MY ADDRESS!
Did he know I lived there?
“Henry,” I said so loud it made him and Jenna both jump, “Did you know Christopher is working on my extension?” I blurted out.
He should have known this. He got Christopher’s information after all.
His face showed that he didn’t know. So much for not taking him back to my house so he wouldn’t know where I lived. What was I going to do? Pick him up and drive away pretending that wasn’t my house? I suppose I could. However I suppose I could tell him. I felt myself panicking again, what was this man doing to me? He was making me question everything. I wasn’t sure if I liked it either.
“What would you like to do Miss Collins?” He asked. I thought about it for a while. Fuck it time to live.
“Drop Jenna back at the office then drive me home.” I said.
“Yes Miss Collins.”
As the car rolled to a stop by the garages, I could see the work on the extension being done. It wasn’t yet four o’clock so he would still be here. I tried to see if I could still see him but I couldn’t.