“By the way, Alison wanted me to convince you to take her to the ball after the program.” Jack said wanting to divert the limelight towards Stefen. “And what did you say?” Stefen asked with a smile knowing well what Jack must have replied. “The obvious.” Stefen gave a short laughter. He never even tried to make Jack erase his execrate for Alison since he was a witness to everything that happened between them in the past. He knew that this behavior of Jack towards Alison was not right but he also knew that it was not unfair. “So you said she wanted to go to the BALL with me right? Then who is going to be with her during the whole program before that?” Stefen sarcastically asked. “She is not the one to attend those programs. I am sure she’ll arrive late only to catch up with the after party and since you are in no way going with her, I doubt if she will even show up.” Stefen nodded as it sounded exactly how Alison would do. Jack lifted his hand to see the watch and inhaled slowly
Her sealed lips opened a bit hearing that as his words came out as a shock for her. She did not know what to say. “You shouldn’t take too much time thinking about stuffs like this Alice. Just agree and go," Stefen said as he lethargically walked towards the drawer to get a cup. "Jack here had to do a fifteen minutes long morning meditation before finding the courage to ask you out.” Alice was already apple-red hearing that. “How long were you standing there eavesdropping our conversation?” Jack asked being disrelished with a frowned look. “3 seconds maybe... but that was enough," Stefen casually replied. He poured the coffee and was making his way out when Alice spoke. “Won’t you sit with us today?” She was just wanting to be formal to hide her blush, but internally she wanted him gone because if he stayed with them, then he will bring up topics that might embarrass her further. “Nah, I better leave you two alone. I don’t want Jack cursing me,” he blinked his eyes and smirked.
They both went inside a shop that looked extremely elegant and sky-high. A very attractive and neatly dressed lady approached them as they entered, “how can we help you ma’am?” she had a very sweet and soft voice. “We have a program to attend in few days so we were looking for some dress, some gowns maybe… like a ball gown type.” Jasmine explained in installments and the whole time the lady was listening meticulously nodding her head in between indicating that she understood what they wanted. “I see, please follow me,” the lady walked ahead and Jasmine and Alice followed. The lady stopped in an aisle, “I think all these gowns will suit you both since you have a good body and nice curves. The changing room is right around that corner. Please take you time selecting the one you like and you can call me if you need me.” With those words she left the two alone. The gowns were hung on a white long clothesline pole in a very proper and well organized manner. The gowns were made of rich fi
After a very long day of shopping they finally were walking back home. It wasn’t a long walk. It only took around 20 minutes to reach Jack’s apartment from the mall. As the two were walking back Alice’s phone buzzed indicating that she had received a message. Alice took her phone out to see who it was. “Hmm, it must me Jack huh…” Jasmine teased but Alice ignored. ‘So, you are the new protector of Jasmine. Remember the chances of supporting character dying before the main protagonist is always high in the battle field. So who would that person be in this case? Stefen/ you or JACK? It's not over.’ A cold shiver ran down Alice’s spine. It was clearly a menacing message and only Jack’s name was written in bold letters. ‘Does this mean that Jack is the next target? The message must be from that same anonymous person’ Alice thought. “Are you fine Alice?” Jasmine asked with a concerned tone seeing her friend turn blue. “Is there a problem?” Alice could not hear anything Jasmine was say
But there was no reply from the other side, only silence. She knocked again but the result was the same. She took another deep breath before opening the door. The room was dark, not even a lamp was on in the room. “I am turning on the lights okay?” Jasmine asked and after hearing no reply again she turned on the light. The room looked untouched. Everything was on its right spot: not even a crease on the bedsheet indicating that no one has sat there for a very long time. Her eyes examined the room when she saw Alice crawling on the floor in one corner. She had fallen asleep on the floor itself. She looked so vulnerable. Jasmine did not want to wake Alice up but she could not just leave her on the floor the whole night, so she went back to the kitchen. “Jack?” she called. “I might be needing your help, please come,” she left after saying those words not waiting for Jack to say anything. Jack stood up from his chair and followed Jasmine as Stefen stood still witnessing everything tha
“But what should we do? And why aren’t we involving the police till now?” Jasmine said. “I don’t know why we never thought of involving police into this matter in the first place, what I do know is that now I don’t want them to be a part of this in any way,” Jack did not emit a positive vibe. “What do you mean?” asked Stefen, he doubted Jack’s thoughts. “Whoever this maniac is, I will be the one to find it and hunt it down until…” “Until what?” Jasmine asked. “Even I don’t know what I will do, all I know is I can't let this person threathen us one by one, and who knows when this simple threat could turn into an action we can't avoid,” Jack said with an evil smirk. “No matter what Jack, you must think about Alice before taking any wrong move,” Stefen warned. “But what should we do now? How are we going to find this person? And what do you think he or she or whoever this psychopath is will do next? ” Jasmine raised pyramids of questions. “Actually, I did not want to tell this to
Alice knew that she couldn’t run away forever, this was a topic that had to come to light, but she was not ready for it yet. Yet somehow she was assured and happy because no matter what she knew, she knew she had Jack by her side. Even if it was for few seconds, Jack’s hug gave her that ease. “Let’s try and finish our work as soon as possible and submit the reports to Sandra,” Alice said out of blue, the inner her didn’t want to be in rush because of the deadline or because she feared Sandra, but the sole reason was she didn’t want to drag them in this mess that she fell into. Staying close to them meant, risking their lives as well, and Alice couldn’t afford that at any cost. She treasured them and the mere thought that their life could be in danger petrified her. “Okay,” he nodded. “Do you want to tell me about yesterday? Like what happened?” Jack wanted Alice to trust him and believe in him. “Oh that? Nothing much, I was not feeling very well, that’s it,” she forced a smile. “I g
Jack opened his apartment door and walked in silently. He saw no one in the living room so he went to the kitchen only to find it empty. He walked upstairs and saw the guest room door half open. Walking towards the room he saw the person he was wanting to see seating on a chair facing her back and writing something. “Alice?” he called her still standing outside the room. Alice was startled hearing the voice in the midst of the silence that was there. She turned around and saw Jack outside the room. “Jack?” she was contented to see him but she broke her smile immediately remembering that she had hurt him. “Did you forget something? You can come in,” she spoke maintaining her calm composure. “I just wanted to speak to you about what happened this morning…” Jack spoke softly unlike in the morning as he entered the room. “It’s not your fault.” Alice stood up from her chair and walked towards Jack but Jack walked pass her seeing the documents on the table that Alice was working on. He
Hey Jack, You are reading this letter, meaning I am not around you anymore. It’s funny when you come to think of it, we have been living under the same roof for so long but when it came to leaving, I don’t have the guts to face you and say my final goodbye. So I am writing you a letter, a letter that represents my cowardice. Thank you for giving me your friendship and the care that came along. I never realized that I had grown used to your care until now. You remember that night on the balcony you asked me ‘How you were portrayed in my eyes.’ I would like to answer that again, You Jack, you are the most annoying and stubborn person I have ever seen in my entire life. You seriously tore all our hard works into pieces without thinking deep just because you did not want me to leave. You bunk working hours and somehow always catch Sandra’s attention. You ranked 1st when it came to getting on my nerves in the initial days at the office. But… you were also the one who stood with a handke
“It feels weird to be in this room and not see Alice,” all the memories with Alice flushed back the minute they stepped in the bedroom. “I miss her too,” Stefen said. “Come,” he pulled her in and closed the door behind. Jasmine’s sadness turned into nervousness the moment she heard their bedroom door shut. She was starting to have second thoughts on letting Stefen stay with her for the night. Stefen left the hold of her hand and went to lay on the bed. He stretched his one arm on the other side of the bed, a bit lower from the pillow and titled his head, asking her to come and sleep beside him. She was happy to see him not in rush for anything and the respect he gave her and their relationship. She walked on the other side of the bed and laid on top of his hand as he caressed her hair and then embraced her back. She also hugged him tight as she rested her head near his chest, feeling his heart beat. He kissed her forehead and pulled her closer to him, “good night my princess, swee
“Are you sure about this?” Stefen said as he kept both his hands on both side of his pants pocket… helpless. “Yeah,” Alice said as she was almost done packing. She had reached Jack's apartment before anyone else and she had changed into her comfortable clothes as she started packing all her things up. “When will you be back? You will be right?” Jasmine asked standing beside Stefen, equally helpless. “I don’t know,” Alice gave a false smile. “Can we do anything to make you stay?” Stefen asked. “I HAVE TO GO. The plane ticket is expensive you know…” Alice laughed, completely failing to prove that she was fine with all this. “But I thought you were staying. you said you’d throw away the ticket,” Jasmine asked befuddled. “Well then, it’s good I didn’t, right?” She forced smile again. “Can I ask you for a last favor? Can you drop me to the airport?” Alice asked Stefen. “That's not gonna be a problem but... let’s just wait for some time. Jack must be on his way. Let me call him-” S
Jack looked at Alice hearing her as he narrowed his eyebrows, questioning her what she meant. “You don’t have anything to worry about,” Alice looked back at Jack with tears threating to fall down anytime. “Because we are not together… and we will never be together,” tears rolled down her cheek as she said those words. But she immediately wiped her tears and smiled. She gave one last glance to Jack and she walked away without another word. “Alice?” Jasmine followed her. Jack stood still, processing what Alice said. Just few hours back Alice promised to be by his side despite any hurdles and now she was contradicting her own words. Realizing that he can’t let her go he walked forward to go after her but he was held back by Alison. “Where are you going?” she questioned him. “Don’t tell me you are going after her after hearing all the things I’ve just said,” she was exasperated. Seeing that he was being the extra in the conversation Stefen approached Jack and tapped his back, “I’ll g
Alice reached the top floor and when she went to the roof no one was there. “Ha,” she gave a short sarcastic laugh. “Another prank-” But before she could say anything more, she was pushed from behind and she fell on her knees and hands. The slit dress contributed in bruising her knees. She turned around to see the person and was out of words at the sight. Alison stood tall in front of her with a cunning smile. “Hello there! Are you hurt?” sarcasm was evident in her voice. “What the- it was you all along?” Alice said slowly getting back on her feet, dusting her hands, suppressing the pain her new bruises gave her. She was shocked. “Surprise,” Alison moved her hands from her head to toe presenting herself. “Do you like my surprise?” “There,” Stefen pointed at a TV. “There’s Alice.” “She's on the rooftop," Jasmine exclaimed. "Let's go." "Okay, I will call Jack and tell him to be there," Jasmine picked her phone and dialed his number. They rushed towards the elevator and pressed o
“Okay everyone,” the host stood with a mic and grabbed all the attention with his voice audible from all the speakers from all the directions. “The most awaited time has finally arrived. Grab your partner and be ready, because today the sun will set only after witnessing 'A Beautiful Couple Dance'. So hurry up and ask for the permission to dance… LIGHTS,” the lights in the hall all went off and in the center blue and white lights glowed, making the air more calm and peaceful. Couples started coming forward and dancing along the music, under the blue and white light in a slow and romantic tune. The lights gave a winter vibe and the dance between two hearts warmth the place. “Can I have the honor?” Stefen opened his hand. “It would be mine,” Jasmine placed her hand on top and they walked towards the dancing area. “Will you dance with me?” Jack asked… unsure. “I don’t know, I am a terrible dancer,” she wasn’t lying. “Then that makes the two of us.” Alice chuckled and accepted his h
Stefen looked at the person and chuckled. “Yeah, we are where we should be,” he made her sit down and he himself took a chair beside her. “Hello Mr. Wills!” Jasmine said in a low voice and the man diverted his focus from his PA to Jasmine. “Oh, didn’t see you two arrive,” he smiled. “And please Jazz, call me Uncle, end the formalities,” he raised his eyebrows and nodded wanting Jasmine to approve. Jasmine just smiled and Mr. Wills went back to talking to his PA. Jasmine pulled Stefen by his coat and whispered in his ears. “Why is Mr. Wills talking this sweet and how does he know my nickname?” Stefen laughed hearing her. “Hey, what’s so funny?” “Why don’t you ask these questions directly to him?” “What?” Jasmine’s eyes widened knowing his intention. “No Stefen, no no-” “Dad?” “Hmm?” Mr. Wills looked back at Stefen. “Dad?” Jasmine was addled as she looked at Mr. Wills. “My girlfriend here wanted to know why you asked her to call you Uncle and how do you know her nickname.” “
As they were walking down the stairs the boys were waiting for them with their hands in their pant pockets and legs slightly parted. Jack had worn white shirt whereas Stefen had worn a black shirt. However it did not do a good job when it came to hiding their well-built body. Both had worn black coat on top and black pants. Both the boys and their cool pose flew along the thin air when they saw the girls. Jasmine walked down with a shy smile as she saw Stefen and his intent gaze. She looked down on her steps to avoid his eyes to which Stefen smiled. He was swooned. On the other hand, Jack was frozen. He had seen her after so long though they were living under the same roof and after all the distance he suffered, this view blew him away. Alice was walking beside Jasmine, her eyes only focused on his. She noticed how her heartbeat rose seeing Jack and she was happy feeling that loud pump inside her. She knew that her decision to be fearless was the best one because she could never let
It was a hectic hour in the hall. People were rushing around, frowning and screaming at each other. “Are you freaking deaf? I said only white lilies will be put on the stage. What the heck are you doing you freak. Are you colorblind?” the manager shouted at a staff. “Sorry sir, I will do it correctly this time,” the staff said pitifully. “You better…” the man said. “And you fool…” he shouted at another staff. “Are you going to finish that next month? Are you preparing all these for your own wedding or what?” “Sorry sir!” “Hurry up.” The staff nodded. “Mr. Gill?” a man in a blue suit called out the manager. “Yes, yes sir,” the manager responded. “Is everything ready?” “Yes sir the staffs are doing their work. Just an hour at most and we will be ready.” “All the top businessmen in the country will be here this evening, make sure everything is arranged perfectly. From the décor to the meals, I want everything to be PER-FECT.” “Yes sir, I’m at it,” the manager nodded. “Good,”