Xavier's POV With Elaine's help, she was revived ten minutes later. As soon as Elaine spotted the red blood on her dress, she told me it was her period and nothing serious so there was no need to take her to the hospital.But I was still worried.The moment her eyes slid open, relief washed through me."Are you ok?" I ask her as she nods slowly, closing her eyes and opening them back immediately.She continues to stare at me before shifting her attention to our enjoined hands. I was holding her just to be sure she was still breathing. I was literally counting the minutes with the hope that if she doesn't wake up after thirty minutes, then we will go to the hospital.What sort of menstrual symptom is that?Quickly, I let go of her hand and shoot to my feet in embarrassment. Anytime something happens to her, I am always not at ease, probably because I feel responsible for her and I know the guilt will kill me if something happens to her in my care when she isn't even the person I thou
Jasmine's POV A part of me misses Xavier whom I haven't seen in three days.I'm sure he is purposely avoiding me because of that question I threw at him that night when I was having menstrual discomforts.I know he is busy too but I can feel it whenever he is avoiding me.It makes me miss him more and sends my mind into a tumbling confusion of emotions on why I feel this way.This is someone I claim to despise for all he has done, yet I miss his presence. I miss the safety and assurance that comes with his presence.Does this mean I trust him? Does it mean I want him? Does it mean I am willing to take the place of Andre without giving a care in the world if she is found or not? Does it mean I never want to leave here?What exactly do I want?This is what I don't know.And it scares me. It annoys me. It makes me feel pathetic.I guess the fact that he left me without answering my question that night after being so sweet and calm which was to my greatest surprise has me hooked on what
Xavier's POV Jealousy and anger flares in my stomach when she agrees to go with Sophia to the club again.When Sophia told me Grandmother asked her to come take Jasmine with her, I knew they were up to something.Not wanting to leave Jasmine all by herself, I decided to follow but now that their chatter seems to have no end, I am regretting my decision already."He left me behind", Sophia says, glaring at me from the passenger's seat. Jasmine and I are seated behind her. She was chatting about how I ruined the whole thing for her when I came to the party to whisk Jasmine away and Jasmine also agreed with her, making me wonder how they became so close within a few hours of meeting.Sophia is like that. She is crazy, reckless and disrespectful. I wonder why Grandmother always allow her to have it all. She is a party goer and nothing or no one can stop her from doing what she wants.Jasmine does not say anything. She only smile and stare at me."What?!" I find myself asking when she con
Xavier's POV He plasters a fake smile on his face to hide whatever he came here to do but I know what it is already.This is about Andre.First, it was his wife and now him. I believed strongly that his wife knew about Andre's disappearance and whereabouts all along but I can't believe he also deceived me.We made this agreement together. Why then will he support her disappearance?"Believe me, Xavier, it's not what you are thinking", the smile vanishes from his face immediately as he speaks. He must have figured that out already. I know that Andre is here and also his wife.Staring at Jasmine's face to be sure she is truly asleep, I close the door, signaling to the driver to stay put while I walk back into the club.I can't risk talking to him in the car with Jasmine. I don't want her to hear our conversation and even hear about the fact that Andre is indeed here in Italy like she told me and about how I know that she isn't Andre.I don't turn to see if he is following because I kn
Xavier's POV Fear consumes me when I get to the car to see Jasmine and the driver missing.Without hesitation, I whirl around, glancing around to see if I can catch sight of one of them with my thoughts running wild.What the hell happened here?I left Nicholas inside after he told me Andre was on her way to Paris. There is no need to stay back in Italy since I am done with the other business and I see no need to have Andrew and Mathew running after her either.Nicholas will do that job or his wife will take the fall for it.Racing back into the club, I feel a twinge of regret for the second time for coming to this club with Sophia in the first place even though it is a blessing bumping into Moore here. Who knows, he might never have told me anything if I hadn't bumped into him.Even though it is almost midnight, the club is still rowing with music and dance and the crowd isn't even reducing at all. I force my way back to where Sophia and Jasmine were dancing earlier but can't find a
Jasmine's POV Blinking my eyes open to the sunlight, I stretch with a loud yawn before realizing something is holding me back.Slowly, I look down, still lying on the bed, to see an arm snaked around my waist.I almost let out a scream as I jerk upright in fright only for me to see a man right next to me, deeply asleep.It is no other man than Xavier.A loud gasp leaves my mouth and then a banging headache follows.What the hell happened? Did he sleep here all night? Did I do anything funny?The headache is enough evidence that I must have had a lot of alcohol last night at the club. I wonder why I even allowed Barbie to convince me or why I had to convince Xavier to follow us so he could let me go. If I hadn't done that, he would have stood his ground and said no.Finally, I drop my hands staring at the handsome man sleeping next to me. I can't remember waking up next to him since we got married. I can count the number of times we slept on the same bed. Most times, whenever I woke
Jasmine's POV Now, I remember it all.Everything about last night. The alcohol. The urine. The kiss and finally the puking.I shut my eyes in embarrassment, his scent intoxicating because of the nearness of his body to me which is serving as a reminder that he is here.How will I look him in the face now after all that drama?I was too preoccupied with my plan of stealing Mr. Moore's number from him to even try to remember how we got home last night or what happened.I only assumed I was drunk because of the banging headache which is done now after he gave me a pill and coffee to take."Are you ok?" His voice jerks me back to life, making me slide my eyes open to meet his amused expression.He is still mocking me.It is apparent that he is enjoying himself doing that.Feigning annoyance, I shift my gaze from his face before looking out of the window. We are on our way home. Back to New York.Funnily, I don't feel sad about leaving Italy or overwhelmed about going back to New York. I
Xavier's POV Pulling up in front of Frank Costello's mansion, I snap my head to scan Jasmine in her beautiful black armless peplum dress, showing a lot of her cleavage and making me conscious of it.When she notices I am not getting out of the car even though the driver has pulled the door open for me, she turns to me with a questioning gaze.Then she smiles but it doesn't reach her beautiful brown eyes and it makes me wonder what is wrong with her.Since noon when we arrived and after that kiss, we haven't seen much of each other. I had some things to attend to but I made sure she was safely back home and ready for the party before rounding up and going home for a quick shower.I am wearing a black suit, matching it with leather Italian shoes and also a black rolex wristwatch.I barely attend parties unless necessary. But coming to Frank's party is one of my duties.I don't smile back. I just turned back and stepped down from the car before going to the other side to help her out.M
Xavier's POV If there is anything I regret, it is inviting Alex to witness this and also asking him for advice on how to propose. The asshole clearly told me to use G****e which I did. Jasmine's kiss stops me from minding the silly jerk. I was ready to punch him in the face for spilling the beans and embarrassing me like that. Dragging me behind her with Alex acting all childish makes me wonder how Andre fell in love with the idiot. When we get inside, they all begin to chatter away leaving me to watch in awe. A lot has changed about me. Jasmine has changed me. Aside from Grandmother, I hate having family time like this. I don't know if it's because I barely have time for such or it's because it reminds me so much of my parents. I just hated it. But now, I have a new family. Aside from my Grandmother. Alex and Sophia are now part of that family despite my effort to push them away forever. Jasmine's gaze meets mine and she signals to come to take a seat while Alex pops the c
Jasmine's POV With a blindfold over my face and after several attempts to get him to spill the beans about where we are going, the car comes to an abrupt stop.From the screeching sound, I can tell it is on sandy ground. It pricks my hibernating curiosity and I turn around unable to see anything.Finally, I felt his touch after hearing the sound of the car door opening. He places his hand on my back and another on my lap. Then he helps me out of the car without a word.Where are we? What is happening? What surprise awaits me here?I can't help but wonder, managing to hide away the fear gnawing at my heart as I push down the choking tide of panic building.Unable to hold it back any longer, I voice out barely in a whisper. "Where are we, Xavier?"He hushes me up as he helps me take slow steps on the sandy ground towards somewhere. The cool air hits my face as soon as we come to a stop. I am tempted to pull off the tight blindfold and look around. As if hearing my thought, he holds my
Xavier's POV Throbbing with a wild, raw, and primal feeling inside me, my tongue slides deep between her parted lips.From the moment she stepped into the restaurant, all I could see was her and all I could feel was pure admiration. She looked so beautiful and elegant in that black long dress that I could barely hold myself back from touching her.The sparkle in her eyes and the smile on her face didn't help in quenching my desire. The thought of being more intimate with each other intensified the heated lust already raging inside of me, filling me with wild and crazy imaginations of what I would do to her.The car comes to a stop and I flutter my eyes open, my hands on her back and my lips still on her.I couldn't resist not touching her as soon as we got into the car. She responded with the same energy and I almost lost it.Lifting my head, I brush back a stray piece of hair with my fingers. We local gazes for a second, breathless from the kiss before I say. "Let's get out of here.
Jasmine's POV Stepping out of the white limo with an INGOO sleeveless backless black dress and cross strappy heels, saying I am anxious is an understatement.My heart is thumping wildly within my ribcage.My hands are trembling slightly despite my firm hold on my tiny purse.My lips are quivering in excitement mixed with nervousness as I glance around to see Mathew appear in front of me.He is wearing a black official suit.Before I can ask him where Xavier is, he presents a bouquet to me. I gasps slowly before taking it from him without any question.I'm sure this is from Xavier.With that in mind, I begin to feel teary. Bowing down, he sways his right hand towards a direction which I assume is where Xavier is. There is a door at the entrance and staring up at the high building, I see it is a diner.It is so beautiful from outside.Flashing him a smile, I walk along graciously, feeling tingles of excitement as I perceive the scent of the flowers in my hands.The transparent door sw
Xavier's POV It took everything in me to say those words.Finally, I breathed out when it came out.I had to breathe in and out, unlocking my heart to say the one thing I have never said to any woman.Desire floods through me as I caress her entire body, deepening the kiss. Her body trembles with passion as she whispers against my lips. "I love you too, Xavier."It is taking everything in me not to scoop her up and throw her to the bed, to show her just how I want and love her and just how much I want to worship her beautiful milky body.She brings out a different part of me. That part I don't want to show anyone. She has managed to pull down that strong high wall I built around myself which makes me think I can never feel the emotion called love again.She holds onto me strongly, as though she is scared I will disappear. I hold her back with the same firmness, letting her melt into me with pleasure.Before I know it, I'm kissing her like she is the last air I need to breathe. I neve
Jasmine's POV I can feel his fear. His fear of confessing his love for me and also the fear of not confessing so he wouldn't lose me.It makes me want to feel glad that my feelings are being reciprocated though not vocally. I have never been in a relationship before just like how he has never been in a serious relationship either.We are both new to this but I am willing to do all it takes for it to work, including confessing my love for him over and over again. But from what just happened, I realize Xavier isn't ready to do what I want. What I feel right now is anger. Pure anger coursed through me for his show of jealousy when he hasn't even admitted his feelings for me.If it wasn't Alex and it was just a casual friend of mine, is this how he would have embarrassed me publicly?So much for causing a scene.Ignoring the chuckle from Alex who is bleeding, I storm towards the exit, murmurs rising from others in the restaurant.I didn't slap Catherine when she introduced herself as
Xavier's POV Jasmine isn't home.She has been ignoring me since we got back from Chicago. Our plan to go on an official date is ruined again.And I fucking miss her.I miss kissing and cuddling with her on our matrimonial bed. I know she needs some space and I gave her space. We haven't slept in the same bed for two days now.After deciding to put an end to all of this and inviting Nicholas and his wife to the mansion so we can clear the air, she isn't home.I tried her number but it is unreachable.Sebastian, who is a threat, is gone already but I still don't feel ok having gone without prior notice or any bodyguard with her.Anything can happen.Being my wife makes her an easy target.Restlessly, I pace the extent of our bedroom, trying her number again and again until it starts to ring.After ringing for almost a minute, it goes into voicemail.Goddammit!Impatiently, I stroll out heading towards the control room. I hope she hasn't done anything silly.I know she is sad about kno
Jasmine's POV My Aunt's flat is the third one. Seeing that he is at the first flat, I nod at him in appreciation. He must be a local for him to have known the description so well.I tap Xavier and we both get down. The driver is going to wait till we are done so we can take us back to the airport.Xavier wanted us to come with his helicopter but I told him not to. I have my reasons.Dropping out of college was not intended. I wanted to go to school but I had to drop out when I could not afford my fees.Despite the years of working my ass off, I still don't have any savings. But I intend to still go back to school which was why I was in search of another job in Chicago before I crossed paths with Xavier.I don't mind going part time but I intend to start working again so I can afford my fees and go back.When we get close to the flat, I knock on the door and Xavier holds my hand, making me flash him a smile.I can hear rustles from inside and a few seconds later, the door is thrown op
Jasmine's POV My aunt lives in the slum part of Chicago and I feel uncomfortable having Xavier with me on our way to see her.Even though I feel safer with him beside me. I snuggle closer to him in the back seat of the car we hired. We have been silent since we got to the airport.He keeps pressing kisses to my forehead and hair and it amazes me.Even though Xavier still has not said the love word, I know I mean a lot to him. It just saddens me that he doesn't know how to express his feelings vocally.This should be enough. His actions ought to be enough but I am not satisfied. I want assurance. I want him to say the word. I want us to be free with each other. To be able to tell each other anything and everything. To be able to share secrets. To understand each other's silence too.I don't regret loving him. I don't regret telling him I loved him anymore too. I just want him to say it back to me."We should go out to a nice restaurant after you meet with your Aunt, what do you think?