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Chapter 25: Who Is Coming?

Penulis: Jay-Shine
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-01-18 02:34:28
Curiosity kills the cat. That was what Jasmine had heard since she was growing up, yet the need to know what Ava was talking about kept biting her.

She fiddled with her clothes, contemplating her next move, but then the room door suddenly opened, and Chad strolled to the wardrobe.

She watched as he searched through the walls of perfectly hung shirts until he finally pulled out a small briefcase that looked like it could also pass as a box.

Completely ignoring her presence, he unlocked it, and paper piles fell from it.

Chad searched for half a minute, his usually expressionless face filling with concern.

“Where is it?!” He said, his voice barely above a whisper as he swiped through it.

After another minute he slammed it shut causing Jasmine to flinch a little.

His frustration was clear and the usual calm and composed wall he wore was now replaced by raw unease.

“What are you looking for?” she finally asked.

Chad's mind was in his own business, completely oblivious to what Jasm
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  • Festive Deception: A Jasmine For Christmas    Fifty-seven Hours To Christmas

    Chad managed to keep calm just enough to avoid Jasmine asking any more questions that he wasn't in the mood to answer. Some part of him felt a disturbed feeling for the way he spoke to her but he shoved the feeling right back to where it came from. He couldn't afford to feel anything for anyone. Chad walked confidently through the halls, adjusting his suit as if to ready himself. He was going to speak to Ava, trying to find out what exactly what she was up to even when he had promised himself he'd never get involved with her again. It was still early evening, around 5pm but due to the cloud covering the sky it looked a few hours to midnight. Chad made his way to the other wing of the mansion–Ava’s wing. He pushed the elevator button and watched it close. He saw a staff member just outside the door looking like she wanted to protest against him stepping to this side of the mansion. Another staff member cut up to her before she opened her mouth and whispered something that made h

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-19
  • Festive Deception: A Jasmine For Christmas    Chapter 27: Who Was Her Father?

    Chad walked out of Ava suite taking a deep breath as the elevator door closed.He closed his eyes, his back pressing against the cold wall. It was his first one on one conversation with Ava since their breakup and he'd always avoided her cause he never knew how he'd cope with talking to her after all these years.His heart squeezed, the wall he'd built over it almost cracking.She was gone. The woman he'd love from all those years was gone and all he'd seen was just a selfish woman who just wanted something from him and was using tricks to get it. He could see right through her. The elevator door opened and so did his eyes. He was hurt but the feeling was slowly fading, being replaced with something ice-cold and frozen. He stepped out of the elevator and walked back to the guest wing. He'd been hoping to get something out of her but it was pointless, she wasn't going to tell him anything.It was already midnight when Chad arrived at his suite, he slowly opened his suite door walkin

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-22
  • Festive Deception: A Jasmine For Christmas    Chapter 28: I'm Not Taking Him From You

    Jasmine woke up the next morning on edge, she looked at the side of the mattress, the sheets were perfectly tucked making her wonder if it was all in her head or if someone had truly been with her the previous night.Shaking her head she sat up, there was no way in hell Chad would have stayed with her on the same bed, the man rather moped the sea than do that.She looked around the room, there were no signs of Chad at all. A shame. She'd wanted to use him as a little distraction to get over her lingering unease. She never remembered her dreams but she'd also had a bad feeling about them when she woke up and last night was one of those dreadful days. Jasmine showered in less than ten minutes, flipped on her red and white fur coat before stepping out of her room. It wasn't exactly the most interesting place to be.Once she walked out of her suite, the decorations in the hall overwhelmed her. Unlike the other days where it was just a simple Christmas tree and light, this time it was a

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-27
  • Festive Deception: A Jasmine For Christmas    Chapter 29: Was She Jealous?

    Jasmine looked back at Chad waiting for him to speak. “Are you done?” Chad sighed. She didn't understand what kind of question he was asking her and why it pissed her off. She shot him a glare. “Are you seriously asking me that?”Chad gave her a blank look she didn't even understand and crossed his arm, his cold blue eyes narrowing at her. “What?” She asked, still unable to understand the look he was giving her.Chad fingers found their way to the bridge of his nose, before his head fell forward. “So are you going to tell me why you felt the need to interrupt?”Jasmine let out a dry laugh. “Oh, I don’t know, maybe because I was tired of watching your ex-girlfriend grope my fiance in public?”His brow arched and though a part of him was glad that Jasmine had showed up before he let something stupid happen,he still wasn't going to show it. “I know what I’m doing, Jasmine.”She rolled her eyes at him. “Yeah right. You had everything completely under control. I'm guessing that was y

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-27
  • Festive Deception: A Jasmine For Christmas    Chapter 30: Christmas Eve I

    Evening came sooner than later. As expected, everyone was excited for the Christmas Eve party. It happened once every year except for the last three years when Ava was out of the country.Unlike most years, this one was different, even the air felt different.The grand hall had been transformed into something out of a winter fairytale. Jasmine stood at the far end of the hall observing. She couldn’t help but feel disappointed. With the way Georgia and the others spoke of the party, she had expected something extravagant, not the bore it was turning out to be.Jasmine never thought she would be here. Not after everything that had happened the night before. Yet, here she was, standing in a room full of people on Christmas Eve.With so many people in the room, it was much warmer, and for that, she was grateful, especially since she had chosen to wear the emerald dress that had miraculously been placed on her bed.She knew the dress was from Chad, even though she hadn’t seen him to confi

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-28
  • Festive Deception: A Jasmine For Christmas    Chapter 31: Christmas Eve II

    Jasmine's fingers tightened as she watched Ava walk away. Now, what was she supposed to do? She couldn't run, she should.Instead, she did the only thing she could do. She turned to the nearest server and grabbed another glass of wine. Then another.Jasmine and alcohol were the biggest enemies but she didn't care that it burned or the way people glanced at her. If anyone had a problem, they could take it up with someone else. She was pissed and confused all at the same time. A bitter laugh escaped her lips. What was the worst Ava could do? She had already humiliated her, exposed her, and made it clear that she wasn’t welcome here.Jasmine downed another sip of wine, her thoughts spinning. How else was she supposed to deal with emotions she didn't even understand?She took another glass ready to drown it down when a hand rested in her shoulder making her tense. “Slow down. You don't want to cause a scene. Rich or Classy men are still men.” Jasmine turned to see Jordan watching her w

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-28
  • Festive Deception: A Jasmine For Christmas    Chapter 32: Surprise

    Chad dragged a hand down his face as he stepped into the hallway. He had walked out on Jasmine, but it wasn't the end. He just needed a moment to understand what the hell was going on. Jasmine's words still rang in his head, repeating constantly.He couldn't help but think about the way she had said it, as if she hated admitting it, as though she was fighting whatever she felt. He couldn't blame her. He himself couldn't even say the words. Did he feel it, or did he not?And the worst part was, he felt something too. A flutter in his chest, one he had only ever felt for Ava.His steps quickened, his palm forming a fist. He didn’t know what pissed him off more. Was it the look on Jasmine’s face, how broken she had looked over something that wasn’t even real? Or was it the fact he actually felt something too?But it wasn’t him. He didn’t kiss Ava. So what the hell was going on?His jaw tensed as he pulled his phone from his pocket, the unread text staring back at him.Ava: Come to the

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-03
  • Festive Deception: A Jasmine For Christmas    Chapter 33: You're Alive?

    His mouth parted in disbelief. “Kol?” With a small smile he nodded. “In the flesh and blood.” Chad's eyes widened further as he looked at his brother who was supposed to be dead.“You're alive?” Whether he was seeing things or not he didn't know. He took a step back, shaking his head. “No, this—this isn’t real. You’re dead.”“Yeah, about that… I didn't actually die that day. I got lucky.” Kol grinned, his hands slipping into his pockets so casually as if he didn't just throw a bomb on everything Chad had believed up until now. “Lucky?” Chad snapped. “Is this some kind of joke?”Kol tilted his head, that same easy smirk playing on his lips—the same one Chad hadn't seen in decades or more. “I know it’s a lot to process. But trust me, I’m real. Flesh and blood.” He lifted a hand and tapped his chest. “See? Not a ghost.”Chad’s fists clenched at his sides. “That doesn’t answer a damn thing. You died! I saw the ashes left by the fire along with our parents too.”Kol twisted his head an

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-04

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  • Festive Deception: A Jasmine For Christmas    Chapter 47: You're Fired

    The week came in a blur, and Jasmine had to return to work. Though she dreaded the idea, it was either that or she would be eating the scraps off the street for breakfast, lunch and dinner.Her mind wandered back to the New year's event, she hadn't heard anything from her Dad since then and for some reason she'd stopped herself from actively trying to connect to him, though her curiosity was at its peak. Where had he been all these years? Why did she feel something different, strange being around him?However her thoughts were interrupted by a crashing noise. She looked over to see she'd bumped into another of her work colleagues. Both her food tray and the others scattered all over the place. Shit! Shit!!Had she spaced out? She had been completely unaware of her surroundings and worst of all, this was the third time this week. She quickly bent down to help with the cleaning but before she could touch anything, Mr Whitman's voice echoed from the back of the room.“Jasmine. To the

  • Festive Deception: A Jasmine For Christmas    Chapter 46: Destroy Him

    “Mina.” His voice cracked.Jasmine took two steps backwards shaking her head. “This can't be real. You're dead.”Her father, John, took a step into the light, a side smile on his face. “I am not, and I can explain everything. I just want you to believe me.”“How? Mom? Since when? Where have you been all this while?” Questions kept spilling out of her mouth uncontrollably.“I can explain, Mina. I just want this to be between us.”Her mind scrambled to make sense of his words. “What do you mean between us? We have to tell mom. Do you have any idea how hard this has been for her?”She shook her head as if trying to wake up from a terrible dream. “I must be hallucinating. You died! I went to your funeral.”John took two steps forward until he was just a few steps away from her. “I will explain everything, I just need you to promise me you won't tell your mom.” She didn't say a word and stared at him disoriented. He reached out, holding her palm in his. “You're all grown up now.”His han

  • Festive Deception: A Jasmine For Christmas    Chapter 45: New Year

    The Withers family were all gathered at her Aunt Chelsea’s house. It had become their tradition to spend the New Years and Christmas there ever since her father died.Chelsea was much younger than Jasmine's mother, Nimani. If anything, she was half her age. Chelsea was her step-aunt from her Dad’s—or at least, that was how she understood it from her mother's description. All she truly knew was that they were related, and her mother had a really close relationship with Chelsea even before her marriage to her father. Chelsea brought the last tray of her MasterChef recipe, placing it gently on the table, her face beaming with pride. “Voila..” She took the tray lid off dramatically. “This year's Christmas special! Or at least what we would have had if Jasmine had showed up and did not just magically disappear. “Jasmine rolled her eyes at her. She could tell from the false anger Chelsea played that she just wanted to dig into where Jasmine had actually gone.“Can we just have dinner f

  • Festive Deception: A Jasmine For Christmas    Chapter 44: Back Home

    Jasmine stared at Peter, dumbfounded. She couldn't formulate any words to fill the internal confusion she felt.Peter didn't wait for Jasmine to register an answer and instead gave a firm nod.“I'll be waiting.” With that, he turned away and left.Images of the previous night rushed back into her head. After all that, he'd just vanished the next morning. Was it something she did?Finally, dragging the life back into her dead, shocked body, she turned back into the room. But just a few steps away, a sinister chuckle stopped her cold.She didn't need to turn to know it was Ava—who else would be that jobless to pause their own life just to enjoy someone else's misery?“What's wrong, darling?” Ava mocked.When Jasmine didn't turn, she continued, “Do my ears hurt, or did I just hear that Chad abandoned you?”Jasmine's throat tightened.“Oh, please… don't act like you didn't see this coming. He's Chad Blackstone of course, do you really think he cares about you?” Jasmine stiffened as Ava c

  • Festive Deception: A Jasmine For Christmas    Chapter 43: The Contract Is Over

    Earlier….Kol strolled into the rooftop party, hands tucked into his pocket lazily as he walked through the crowd, he noticed the people dancing like college freshmen teens in their first-ever frat party.The first person he spotted was Ava, who was slumped over some guy practically swallowing his lip in hers. When she noticed his presence, she dismissed the guy with a simple wave. The guy hesitated, clearly wanting more but one stern look from her, and he scrammed.“What brings you here?” She asked as soon as Kol halted in front of her.A snowflake dropped on his suit and he withdrew his hands from his pocket brushing it away.He looked at the sky, the snow was starting all over again. Then finally looked at Ava. “The hotel is a bit suffocating and I'm not used to staying cooped up in one place.” He said with the most nonchalant facial expression he could pull on. He didn't really fancy Ava or the retreat but he was tired of staying in the hotel especially since neither Chad nor Jas

  • Festive Deception: A Jasmine For Christmas    Chapter 42: A Passionate Night

    By the time help finally arrived, Jasmine had long fallen asleep and Chad's mind was a whirlwind of emotions.Fortunately, Peter had arrived at the retreat the morning before Christmas and had come prepared for any kind of unexpected turn of events including an extra car.Peter moved to the passenger's seat ready to move Jasmine into the other car however Chad had other plans and would rather do it himself. Once both Jasmine and Chad were carefully settled in the vehicle, Peter started the engine and headed south to the hotel.Chad leaned back against the seat, the quiet hum of the car engine filling the space. His eyes drifted to Jasmine, still asleep against the window. Her face looked peaceful, her lips slightly parted, her breath fogging the glass faintly.He wasn’t sure how long he watched her, but then she stirred. Her brows knitted together, and she shifted, then a soft whimper escaped her lip. She was having a bad dream. Suddenly, her body tensed, her head turning slightly

  • Festive Deception: A Jasmine For Christmas    Chapter 41: Rooftop Party

    Chad strolled back into the hall, he headed straight for the hall where he'd last seen Jasmine.For some reason after the conversation with Ava, he was even more eager to see her now. Why did he behave so defensive when Ava had called her all those names? It didn't make sense. He barely knew Jasmine—at least, not in the way that should have made him care. And yet, something about the way Ava had spoken about her had unsettled him.He wondered how she'd even know about her mother's illness? and worse about their relationship being a fake? But that was the least on his mind. Right now, all he wanted to do was to see her.Just as Chad rounded another corner, he spotted Jasmine walking straight from the opposite direction. She hadn't noticed him yet but when their gaze finally crashed she looked a little taken aback. She blinked in surprise. "Didn’t you just—" she paused abruptly, her lips parting as if she wanted to say something more. Chad raised a brow waiting for her to continue

  • Festive Deception: A Jasmine For Christmas    Chapter 40: It's Done

    Earlier…Chad's face had shifted from its usual stone cold expression. It seemed to change anytime he was around her, he'd started to wonder whether if she had some certain control over him or if he was just overthinking it.He looked down at the paper in his hand, Jasmine's name was scribbled on it.A slight smile crept to the corner of his lips. It seemed he and Kol had similar ideas. Kol had asked him to put on an act, making Jasmine think she had him as her Secret Santa.He walked down the hall, his mind immersed in thoughts of what he would get her. He wasn’t a gift person, heck, the last time he got a gift for a woman was when he was with Ava, and even then, she was the one who basically handpicked the gift.The memory of their kiss kept replaying in his head. Why had he made such a move on her? It wasn’t part of the contract. She was just his fake fiancée, that was it.He shook his head, forcing the thoughts away. It had to be because he finally saw his brother after so long. T

  • Festive Deception: A Jasmine For Christmas    Chapter 39: Chad Or Kol

    Everyone in the retreat had gathered to witness the Christmas gift giving, there were a lot of shouts and giggles from the crowd as they handed one another the most expensive gifts. Jasmine on the other hand, had gotten a watch, it was the cheapest at the store yet it managed to run her account almost dry. She'd wrapped it carefully in a silver gift box, making it look more expensive than it actually was. It didn’t matter if it wasn’t fancy. It was the thought that counted. Right?She looked across the hall searching for Kol and Chad. Or at least one of them, if she managed to even tell them apart. She wondered if people weren't curious about how Kol had just shown up out of the blue.As she debated whether to keep searching or give up, a soft tap on her shoulder startled her.“Miss Jasmine?”She turned to find one of the retreat staff dressed in a black blazer, with her hair tied in a bun.“Yes?”“If you’d follow me, please.” The lady responded. She didn't wait for Jasmine to reply

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