Chapter 9 (Stefen's childhood friend)

The next morning Jasmine got up earlier than she usually did. She wanted to get ready before Stefen came to pick her up. He was already helping her go to office, she did not want to trouble him by making him wait for her too. 

She did a very light make-up and got neatly dressed. It's not that she does not know how to do make-up and all but she preferred to look natural on regular working days.

She took her phone, her hand bag and the door keys and left the room. She locked the door and checked it again before leaving. She was very meticulous in these kinds of thing. As they say 'Precaution is better than cure.'

She came out of the building and went and stood on the opposite side of the café he dropped her the day before, since it would be easier for her to get inside the car.

Just after few minutes of waiting, she saw his car coming from a bit far from where she was standing. He had put on shades. 

;Guys with shades is a scene worth every penny in the world and gosh that handsome face.' Her inner self was drooling at the sight.

The car stopped right in front of her and as she was walking to open the car door he gestured her to stop. She halted and was left addled. 

'Has he changed his mind of dropping me to the office? Was he hurt because yesterday I doubted that he was a gay?' All the 'Could it be...' reasons were roaming in her head. 

But what he did next astonished her.

He walked out of the car and opened the passenger's side of the door and gestured her to get in... he was being a perfect gentleman. She smiled at him and got inside the car, she was overwhelmed. He also helped her close the door as returned back to his driver's seat.

"Oh... Good morning," she spoke first.

"Good Morning."

"So you slept well?... I mean you didn't work too late, did you?"

"My work was over too soon. What about you? Did you rest well? It was your first day at work so you must have been tired"

"Yeah, I was a bit exhausted and now I have to be used to it."

"Do you want to listen to some music?"

He said just what she was thinking in her mind. She loved music though she wasn't blessed with the voice. The radio started playing 'Love Story' by Taylor Swift.

We were both young

When I first saw you

I close my eyes and the flashback starts

I'm standing there..... 

On the balcony of summer air

I see the light I see the party the ball-gown

I see you make your way through the crowd and say Hello

"This is one of my favorite songs you know. I just love Taylor," she said humming along the song.

"I remember someone from my past every time I listen to this song," Stefen said looking straight towards the road.

"Can I know who?"

"She was my childhood friend. Though we didn't get to spend a lot of time together I loved every moment spent with her."

"Hmm someone seems to be in love huh... How long has it been since you loved her?"

"Love is a very strong word for me. But yes I liked her a lot. She was just so innocent and caring back then."

"Liked? Why, what happened?"

"My mom passed away and then we shifted to another city. I did go back once to see her but then I got the news that even they moved to another place. After that I had no idea of her whereabouts."

Jasmine could feel the pain in his voice.

"Why don't you tell me about your childhood? How was it?" he asked trying to change the subject.

"Well my childhood was just like every other kid. Don't expect too much of suspense and thriller from my story. And I was definitely not blessed with any close male friend like you." She winked at him. "But I had couple of girl friends with whom I used to play, you know girl's games like barbie and hop scotch," she said it all in a normal tone. 

"Oh, it sounds good." Stefen did not elongate the topic. "Did you have your breakfast?" he asked.

"Yes, did you?"

"No and I'm hungry right now. There's an awesome place nearby that sells the best sandwich. I'll just go and buy some."

She nodded.

After covering a short distance he parked the car carefully and went to buy the sandwich.

"Why did I have my breakfast today? I've got to do something of this 'luck' idiot. Sandwich..." she spoke well aware that no one could hear her.

She loved food. She wanted to have the 'best sandwich' as described by Stefen, but she could not because she already had her breakfast for the day.

After around 10 minutes, Stefen arrived and entered the car with a brown bag that had foods in it, "I hope you didn't have too wait long," 

"No." She smiled.

"Here, this is for you," he took out a box from the bag and gave it to her. 

She opened it and saw... there were sandwiches inside.