Chapter Seven

JASMIN£

“Ace Jewellers wants to work with you.”  She repeated and gasped in surprise.

“This is huge bae” Her eyes twinkled with delight, as she shook my shoulder.

I was still in shock as I turned to stare blankly at the computer once more.

I read the contract email once again.

“We, the management at Ace Jewellers offer you a deal collaboration and wish to endorse you as the model for the prelaunch of our upcoming next piece. With your influence, we strongly believe you are in the best position to work this out with us. Looking forward to hearing from you”

My mouth almost dropped as my eyes widened.

Signed, The president.

I felt my heart skip at that.

He wants to work with me. 

He is inviting me back into his life…

That too with a golden ticket.

I was speechless….

This was not how I expected my morning to turn out.

Chloe and I had just returned from our morning exercise routine and branched at my home office to chill off, that's when Henry greeted me with this very shocking email from Ace Jewellers.

Now I don't know how to react.

“So what do you say Jas?” Henry hunched over the laptop from my side, tore his gaze away from it, glancing at me.

“Oh I say you click that accept button right there…” Chloe said ever so confidently from behind me as she nodded her head to the screen.

“I..wait..” Chloe frowned at me, but I needed to think this through.

Did I really want this?

Did I really want Michael back in my life after all I went through because of him?

Resentment settled in my stomach as the bitter taste of betrayal formed in my throat.

I lost everything because of him, every joy, every opportunity, every happiness…

I lost father….

I hate him. I want nothing to do with him.

I glared at the screen once more, “Reject it.”

“What?” I heard Chloe's protests, just as I got up and turned to leave the office.

“No wait….Henry, don't you dare push that reject button…Jasmine wtf?” I could feel scolding me as she tried catching up to me from behind.

I stopped walking and turned to her and found her watching me like I was crazy.

“Explanations? Why would you turn down the offer?” She gave me a questioning look as I rubbed my head in exhaustion.

“I….” I didn't even know how to complete that sentence.

Truth is I don't really want to talk about it. Him specifically, but Chloe was not having it.

“You what? Bitch you're about to make one of the biggest mistakes of your life if you turn down that offer. Do you know how many popular figures would kill to be in your place?” she gestured towards the office we had come out from.

I gave her a bored look in reply, before sighing.

“Chloe, I'm simply not interested that's that…”

I breathed out as I strolled to the home bar in my luxury penthouse, my second home precisely.

I helped myself with champagne, also pouring in some for her, as I felt her huffing and puffing behind me.

“Won't change my mind anyways….”

“Why? Tell me why?”

When I turned to slide her question off, I saw her watching me with a deep frown.

“You always dream big, talk about achieving big and here you have a lulxurious opportunity to boost your influence and you're throwing it away? Tell me why?”

“Chloe it's just…” I paused once my eyes caught hers again.

She was waiting for an answer but I got hooked again. I don't think I was ready to tell her yet.

To tell her that the person we both dreaded the most was back in my life, and that too offering me this luxury opportunity.

“There's something you're not telling me.

Guilt filled me, yet I replied, “Chloe you're my best friend, I won't hide anything from you.”.

I'll tell her soon, but not now.

I haven't even figured out what I wanted to do with the discover.

She sighed, “Fine. I believe you. But you still need to think about this. 

In that silent moment I swiped up the picture of him and Veronica I had been staring at for days now.

Stalking him had become a habit.

In the picture, he was pressing a kiss to her cheek with his hand snakes around her waist as she was looking like a supermodel by his side.

The picture was a follow up of an article of their upcoming engagement.

His engagement.

He is happy.

Life is great for him, and he has completely moved on.

He is living his best life effortlessly while I had to struggle to get to where I am today, after he actively helped in ruining my life.

Resentment settled in my chest.

The other day I read that he had won the best graduating student of his set.

I would have been in that position had it not been the scandal….

And he took my spot.

He stole joy from me.

I forced another gulp of alcohol down my throat and its taste burned my throat as the pain intensified in my chest,making me drop the glass to the counter harshly.

He told me to get the fuck out if his life and never return.

Now he wants my help.

The irony of it all!

Now only one thought resounded in my head.

I want to grant him pain. That's all I can think of.

Maybe this was my chance.

A shot at revenge. This endorsement might be the way.

The tool I would need to exact my revenge.

But I would need a plan.

A plan to destroy him.

But first things first. 

I looked to my side, and grasped my cellphone again, going straight to dialing up my assistant. He should still be down in the office where we left him. 

He picked up on one ring.

“Henry?”

“Boss?”

I waited for a moment, glancing at Chloe in between. She gave me an urging look, as she walked towards me in anticipation.

“Accept it.” I breathed out.

I heard the clinking of keyboard keys, and after a brief moment,he offered me a swift reply, 

“Done boss” 

“Now we're talking. Congratulations sweetie, I knew you'd make the right choice.” Chloe gave me a high-five once the call was ended.

I couldn't help the smirk that broke out on my features.

Oh how will I tell my sweet best friend that I'm far from making the right choice by accepting this deal.

I'm only out for one thing. 

Payback!

Ace Linton does not know what is coming his way.

“Now this calls for a real celebration.” She said handing me a tall glass of Champagne.

“Absolutely.” I replied in a sick sweet voice as we clinked glasses.

Oh, I can't wait to work with you, my dear ex boyfriend.

I'm looking forward to it.

*******************************

The day had finally come when I'd sign away my piece of mind on those contract sheets.

I was on a luxury ride in my Lambourgine, with my escorts following behind in their vehicle. We were on our way to their grand head quarters and I intend to arrive in style.

 I turned my face from the view of the passing city, and just then I received a call.

Pulling out my phone from my clutch, I swiped up to answer and a cute face popped up on the screen.

“Jasmine!!!” She screamed excitedly.

Beautiful eyes that matched cute pouty lips

Curly brown hair with adorable tender feminine features and the warmest smile.

My sweet little sister was a beauty.

She was adopted, and even though I still haven't gotten used to her being my junior sister, for quite some years now, I still loved her.

She was like my cute little trouble.

“I'm mad at you.” Her voice turned grupy, a cute kind of grumpy.

I racked my head in thoughts for why and oh

Gosh! I almost forgot today was her birthday.

“Hey Princess Blue.” I cooed, silently bracing myself for her childish whines.

And oh, I loved them.

She, my mother and Chloe were the only people that made love an existing phenomenal in my broken life.

“You haven't called to wish me” she whined,frowning.

I knew this was coming.

Now I felt terrible.

“Oh I'm really sorry sweetie. There's just been work and I know that's not an excuse, so here you go, happy sweet birthday and lots of love and oh when you return you can give me any punishment you deem fit. Fair now?” 

“Oh trust me she has been whining about how she'll make you pay once she returns.” Mum added, popping her head into the video call.

The two of them were away on Blue's all expenses covered birthday trip.

Courtesy of me.

“Can you guys come back sooner? I miss you both so much and I feel so lonely”

It was true, I had moved out of our huge mansion to my smaller penthouse for the time being, all because of the loneliness.

I would have been there with them, but I had a ton of work and shows to attend, hence why I missed out.

“Uh uh…Blue loves the Maldives, and now she wants an extra month, so I had to extend the pay and stay.” She laughed off at the ending as I watched Blue press kisses to her cheek.

I frowned, “uh,nice way to torture me. And how's is the trip going for you, princess?”

“Supercool. I'm having the best birthday ever.” She replied, now jumping up and down in the soft bed.

“I love you mummy.” She said and mum patted her smooth hair, kissing her forehead, before I watched her run off to play, leaving just me and mum on the call.

“You should have been here with us too today……it's also your big day..” her voice softened and I sucked in a breath as I shut my eyes.

“Mum please…..” I don't like to talk about my birthday, neither do I like to celebrate it.

Today was that day.

It brought back once sweet memories I spent with him, that had now turned sour and it absolutely made me despise my birthday.

Somehow, I had managed to shift all the attention of today to Blues birthday. 

She was my birthday mate, but I don't think she knows.

Only my mum and Chloe know my birthday, not even my fans,because I decided to keep it under wraps.

She sighed, “fine….”

I'm glad she was letting it go.

“Anyways someone told be you secured a big deal.” She teased.

Great topic change!

I'm sure it's Chloe. Sure she would have told her….

I smiled, “yep, and oh.” I glanced out the window.

We had arrived the grand Ace Jewellers  store.

“Can we talk about it later? Gotta head to the meeting?” I showed her my environment on the video call.

“Sure honey pie. Go have a nice day and don't forget to save me the first gist. Tomato.”

“Ughhh mum..” I cringed at the nickname she had given me that had stuck.

She chuckled and blew me a kiss “Love you” 

“Love you more” and with that, I ended the call.

I heaved a sigh and braced myself for the meeting ahead. I stepped down with my right leg and the paparazzi clustered my security as they attempted to shield me from them.

The ushers handed me a bouquet of roses, which I passed to my assistant.

My eyes took in the extravagant glass tower before me.

So this was his empire?

He owned this place now.

Adjusting my sun shades, my eyes travelled to the double glass doors of the entrance that were sliding open as a ton of men in suit, stepped out of it.

Chief was among them. I gave him a warm smile as he held me closer to place a kiss on my forehead with a grin.

“Welcome dear…”

“Come..”

I was led to the large conference room, where our official agreement would take place.

The minute I stepped in, my eyes fell on the man of the hour.

There, sat my arrogant ex, in all his glory at the head of the conference table exuding a domineering presence that took up the entire room.

What a powerful man he had become.

His eyes fell on me as I approached him and he stood up to give me a handshake. 

“We meet again Miss Parklane.” He spoke, enveloping my hand in his.

I forced a smile, “yes..” 

He must still be thinking I am the same woman he met at the awards show.

If only he knew….

“Have a seat…” he offered me the seat beside him.

We settled down and soon the process began.

A man I assumed was his assistant, took orders from Ace all along and gave out handouts that held the policy for the business partnership we were to embark on.

Mid way the meeting, I couldn't help but fix my eyes on my one time lover.

He had really grown from the guy I used to know back in the day.

He was clad in sophistication from head to toe and his rich manly fragrance enveloped my breathing. His muscles that flexed against his shirt sleeve were evidence of years of abs workout.

Light firm stubble grazed his jaw area, and gave him the more mature polished look. His honey eyes, which I once found solace and true love i n were currently fixated on the man giving the speech and his perfect skin glowed in the daylight.  

It annoyed me how good looking he had become over the years.

What the fuck is his genes made of?

He had a sharp beauty now but his gorgeous exterior was a huge contrast to his inside behaviour.

I wish all the women swooning over him now can see that.

I hate to even think that I was once one of the girls.

He got rich and hotter now, and after Tiffany was probably Veronica?

Or not. How many women has he been with?

There were probably many other of them after me, and before Veronica…..

He even loves Veronica enough to marry her?

Maybe he still hates me? Still thinks I betrayed him….

His eyes shifted a bit, before he caught me staring at him.

I tried to glance away but it was too late. 

I gulped uncomfortably as he raised a questioning brow my way.

I shook my head.

He doesn't seem to recognize me, and I cannot let him know.

Review of the contract policy went well, and we altered the contract terms where we weren't comfortable.

It was just a typical business meeting.

That was until he started questioning my abilities.

He wanted to know my work experience. I gave honest replies, even surprising myself at how many big brands I'd worked with since I blasted to fame.

“Do you have a college degree, if so in what?” He asked out of the blue and it made my blood boil.

Asshole.

“No I don't.” I stated bluntly.

The guts he had to ask me that, after he made me lose the chance…..

Maybe I'm being too nice to him.

A little knack to his ego won't hurt….

With that in mind, I caught sight of the server delicately serving tea around and the perfect ploy registered. 

The minute he was about to serve Ace his tea, I expertly used my leg to make the server topple over  a bit so that his tray crashed and hot steaming coffee poured out over Ace's crotch, definitely scarring his manhood.

It all happened so fast that I nearly missed the way, he hissed, “fuck..” as he palmed his burning crotch, with his face turning beet red.

Everyone turned in alarm,

”Ace..”

“Boss..”

“Mr Linton…”

“Son..”

Taking in a bruised CEO, with the server looking like he would pass out any minute from now, as he kept on muttering apologies.

Serves him right!

I fought back a smirk, while faking remorse, and care along with the others, asking if he was fine.

The coffee was steaming hot, sorry poor crotch.

He hissed once more, “I'm fucking fine…”

I noticed how hard he was trying to keep it in.

A smirk broke out on my face and it was then he glanced at me and gave me a glare that clearly spoke “I know you did it.” 

I played it innocent in my expression.

This was just the beginning.

Your crotch isn't the only thing I'd be burning dear ex.

Chief Linton spoke up, “It was a mistake son.”

He excused himself out of there after that.

Finally, we got to the phase of signing the contract. and Gael placed it in my front as Chief settled into his seat and requested I went through it.

I felt more relaxed now in his absence, that I took my time to go through with it.

When I finally got to the page of description, my entire brain stopped when I read the name of the neck piece.

“THE LAYDE DIAMOND NECKPIECE”

I felt a chill run down my spine.

My world felt like it had stopped.

Layde was my first name….

He named the neck piece after me.

But why?

A certain feeling of nervousness crept into my insides and I found myself feeling hot over and tensed up even though the air conditioner was on.

I started feeling uncomfortable as my heart raced in my chest.

He remembers me….

He remembers my first name.

And it was fucking scary.

“I…um…Chief, why did he pick such a name for his  neckpiece.” I couldn't help my enthusiasm, even though my heart was racing.

He cackled a bit, “You see dear, my son isn't a very expressive man. He refused to say so…”

“I refuse to say what?” A deep voice resonated around the entire board room, and I turned to find Ace re-entering the room, in a new clean suit. 

“Miss Parklane here was wondering why you took to such a unique name for your design.”

His feral eyes settled on me, as he stalked to his seat and claimed it once more, “I don't think it's anybody's business here, whatever I chose to call my design. Besides, Layde is just a name, I don't see anything that makes it special, to be discussed about.”

“Am I wrong miss Jasmine?” He gave me a pointed look that clearly spoke mind your business.

I sucked in a breath. “Yes…” 

Nothing special….. 

That was always what I was to him.

He tucked his suit in order, once more as he relaxed into his seat, with an irritable demeanor. 

“Sign the document Miss Parklane, let's get this meeting over with.” He stated in a Curt manner.

I gulped. My mind was in disarray now but I can't back down now. Everyone was watching me expectantly……

The contract was brought before me, and suddenly all thoughts about fear and uncertainty left me.

I glared at the contract and the pain of the past sank in again.

I suddenly remembered why I was taking this deal in the first place.

For revenge.

To ruin him, to bring him pain.

And the guts he had to use my name after what he did to me. 

I was handed a pen to sign it.

This was it.

The moment I have been waiting for.

The moment when he hands me all he has built, for destruction. 

“You ruined me Ace, now watch me bring down your empire to crumbles.” 

 I determinedly signed the contract.

I felt a self satisfaction when the contract was passed to him and he also penned down his signature, thus sealing the agreement.

It was done, now. 

It was official and sealed.

The entire board members erupted in joyful ovation at the successful deal. 

We shared a glance once more during the whole rejoicing and his glare almost knocked me off as he sipped out of his wine tumbler.

His entire demeanor had changed after the whole coffee pot, he was definitely pissed at me with his savage eyes solely on me.

I could only smirk.

You don't know what you have gotten yourself into, Ace.

It doesn't matter whether you used my name.

I'll never let you succeed.

Signing me was a big mistake. You chose the wrong person.

I breathed out in content.

Now the fate of your business is in my hands.