Andre's POV One touch from this man, no matter how small, always manages to send me reeling. When he rests his forehead on mine, electricity shoots down my spine, making the rest of the world fade away and bringing tears to my eyes. I fucking miss him. I thought I was never going to see him again. I was worried he would be damn mad at me for running off. Now that I am seeing him even though I don't know how he managed to come here, the first thing I did was to slap him instead of hugging the hell out of him. Someone clears her throat and my gaze shifts to my look alike. She is the replica of me. Her eyes, face and body. The only difference is the hair and the way she is watching us. I don't look at people that way. Also, she seems smaller and timid. Just then, it hit me. Alex came here with her. How come? Did he mistake her for me too just like how Xavier did? I step away from Alex who is grinning from ear to ear. "What…" I trail off pointing from him to her. I can't re
Xavier's POV I feel sick as I circle the pool, the memory of how Jasmine fell into the pool the day we left for Italy rushing into my head.I've not been myself all morning. I've been so restless.At first, it felt as if something was going to happen but when I entered our bedroom this morning and saw Jasmine lying on her back and scrolling through her phone, relief washed through me.But the dreadful feeling is still there.I don't know how long I have to hope for this. Even though I know the reason for this feeling.Sebastian.The fact that he is out there and can strike at any more scares me. The fact that we can't trace him or any of his men.I just want Jasmine to be saved. When he is out of the way, I know I won't feel this way anymore. She will be safe. I would have fulfilled my promise of protecting her from Vicenzo or anyone relating to him.Realizing that she ought to be back, I check the wristwatch on my wrist.It is almost 2 pm already and they have been gone for two hour
Jasmine's POV The car won't budge even after several horns from the driver.It makes me lean forward to take a look but I can't see anyone from the car. The glass is tinted black.Grayson presses the horn again before throwing the door open. I know instantly that he wants to confront them.I would have stopped him but I know we might not get out of here if he doesn't confront whoever is in the car. I am supposed to be home already but I choose to go to a bookstore to get a book before asking Grayson to drive me home.If Alex gets home before me, there would be trouble. I know Xavier will be mad at me and I don't want that.I am the angry one and I want to continue being the one angry at him.I watch Grayson knock on the car door, waiting for the person in the driver's seat to open but there is no reply.I furrow my brows in confusion. Just then, Grayson touches the back of his jeans and I see a gun appear.What the hell! Why is he coming out with a gun? This person is not a threat.
Xavier's POV There is a missed call from Jasmine.While instructing the men on what to do, my phone rang but ignored it without knowing it was Jasmine.Without a second thought, I dialed her number back but it was unreachable. Just before I can try again, her call comes in again and I pick up.But I can't hear a word."Are you there?" I inquire in curiosity, wondering why she chose to keep quiet instead of saying something.Before I can disconnect the call and call back, a shot rings out followed by a scream. From a familiar female voice.My heart begins to thump wildly within my rib cage when the reality dawns on me. It's a trap.Or perhaps a plan. A well-structured plan.The spy is either meant to take note of who goes in and out of the mansion or to help divert my attention and that of the guards away so they could have access to the house."Jasmine!" I yell, grabbing my hair in frustration, the phone still glued tightly to my ears.What the hell is happening? Where is she?"Boss
Jasmine's POV With the darkness enveloping me, I don't know how long I passed out. When I try to move, I realize I have been tied.Of course, I would be tied, I say to myself inwardly. I have been kidnapped and being tied is inevitable.There is also a blindfold over my eyes and another thing over my mouth stopping me from making any sound.The only thing I can do is to try to move, which is completely futile.After a while, I give up, letting out a deep sigh of defeat. I might not escape this. Sebastian will make sure of that.Xavier might never be able to find me. Even though he promised to protect me from Sebastian, he might never be able to stick to his promise.I'm sure Alex is in trouble. Xavier will blame him for letting me go all by myself. To be honest, I didn't give this a thought. It didn't cross my mind for a second that Sebastian would get to me today of all days. I was uncomfortable in that damn place and I needed out.Knowing that the love sick Alex needed time with h
Xavier's POV Sebastian's phone location says otherwise.He isn't as smart as I am thinking. Sending me an address different from where he currently has Jasmine isn't smart enough.Why does he even think he could send me an address and have me rushing off there? I know he would never send me his real location.He sent me a different one so he could lay an ambush for my arrival. I know that right and I want to prove to him that I am no kid in this business.I am a boss.I am not surprised he wanted Vicenzo dead. Anyone would want him dead but I am sure Sebatian's reasons are for a selfish reason.I made it easy for him but I vow to make him pay by joining Vicenzo in hell.As I watch David work on the laptop, beeping as Sebastian's real location appears on the screen, a grin spreads across my face.The spy he sent is battered. I am still keeping him because of the information I want to get from him about Jasmine and Sebastian's location.This is not just about saving Jasmine. I need to
Jasmine's POV A small smile forms on his lips when I flutter my eyes open to meet his. He is rocking back and forth on the same chair from earlier.Wait!How long have I been here? Did I fall asleep or pass out again? Was I kidnapped yesterday or has it been days?Realizing Xavier clearly told him he wasn't going to come save me, uneasiness set in. I know I don't want him to come so he won't fall into Sebastian's trap but I was hoping something would happen.Something miraculous.Obviously, I am still stuck here and might be stuck here forever.But I know I don't want Xavier to come and end up being killed. I would rather have myself serve Sebastian than watch Xavier being punished for everything that has happened.He is a proud man. He won't come just like he said.I try so hard to remain calm and satisfied with the thought that he won't come even though my insides are in turmoil.Sebastian stops rocking the chair and stands up, strolling casually towards me, the smile still on his
Jasmine's POV When his body goes limp, my heart jumps into my chest. This is when I realize he is holding onto my left hand with his right.So tightly.But he isn't breathing."Xavier", I jerk his shirt, hoping he would open his eyes and smile at me and tell me this is over. But he isn't moving. He isn't breathing. His hands are becoming cold and finally, his grip on my hand slackens.With trembling hands, I continue to jerk him back and forth, tears rolling down my eyes and falling onto his pale face."Xavier, no. Don't do this to me", I let go of his shirt and hug his body to mine. "Please stay with me. I promise never to be out of your sight henceforth. I won't leave anymore. Just stay!"I know I am screaming with every ounce of energy in me, even though I have been battered and starved. But I don't care.What I care about right now is Xavier opening his eyes. I don't need him to say a word to me. I just want him to open his eyes and smile at me. When the realization dawns on me
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?