Chapter Four

Maxwell’s POV

It's been weeks, and I can't believe Jasmine filed for divorce. I didn't see this coming. The thoughts of everything she said before leaving keep ringing in my head. I know I haven't been the best husband to her, but I can't explain why I find myself constantly hurting her.

I want a child, and in the three years of our marriage, she has never been pregnant. I wonder at times what could be wrong. I can't just sit and watch while my brother has children and I have none. I can't let go of the claim to the wealth that has been prepared for our children. 

My father, a multi-billionaire business tycoon, made sure the wealth stayed in our family. He prepared trust funds for his grandchildren. Who will claim the trust fund if Jasmine can't give me children? Seeing her walk out the door made me realize I shouldn't have treated her badly. 

There was a time when the only woman I thought of was Jasmine. She made me feel whole, but I can't explain when it dwindled. "She can't leave me, could there be another man in the picture?”

I had been so consumed with hurting her that I didn't realize it would turn out like this. She can't leave me alone to be with another man. I need to do something fast. I took my phone and dialed the one person I knew could help me: Ethan.

Ethan had been my trusted friend since diapers. He never ceases to tell me the truth when I'm wrong. I know he is the only one who can give it to me straight.

"Yo, my man, quite an age," Ethan's voice comes through the phone, bringing a smile to my face.

"Ethan, I never took you for the clingy type. We saw each other yesterday after I closed the business deal with the Arab company."

"Seriously?" he says. I know he is feigning surprise. "So what's up, Max?"

I sigh loudly, a clue that something is wrong. "Spill now," he says, leaving no time for protest. "Jasmine left me."

He is silent for a while, and I nervously urge him to say something. "You pushed her, Maxwell, so you have to face the consequences."

"I know you'll say that, but don't you think there is a man in the picture that might have triggered her decision?"

"But you and I both know that Jasmine has been faithful and loyal to you. You know she had given up her happiness for you. But what you have done always makes her doubt her commitment to you."

"But if you still feel there is a man in the picture, I'll look into that. I have a private investigator that can help you."

"I'd appreciate that, Ethan. I'm worried about her. Her number has been unreachable. I just want to know that she is fine. She left without taking anything from the house.”

"Now you're worried, but don't worry, I'll swing into action by talking to the PI."

"Catch you later, Max."

"Thanks, Ethan," I say as we end the call. I can't imagine her leaving me because of another man. The thought makes me cringe.

Jasmine’s POV

How could I have been so careless that night, having sex with a stranger? How will I tell him I'm pregnant when I eventually see him? What will he think of me? Will he accept, believe, and take responsibility for the child?

I try as much as possible to stay focused at work. I move through tables, taking orders and ensuring that clients are satisfied. Then I notice someone sitting at the corner table. He looks so familiar. I move closer to have a better look, and then it strikes me—it is him, the stranger I had a one-night stand with.

When our eyes lock, I find him staring at me with his piercing gaze. My heart skips a beat, and my back hairs stand up as the blood drains from my hand. His eyes have a knowing light in them as if he had been anticipating this moment. The fact that he is in my workplace adds to the air of unease that surrounds him.

The tray I am holding comes crashing down, and all eyes are fixed on me. We lock eyes for a few seconds, and I try to wipe up the mess, but one of the cleaners is already on the ground to assist. I return to the kitchen quickly, my hand on my chest, panting. "Take a deep breath," I say to myself, trying to compose myself. I try to formulate a plan on how to approach the mysterious stranger.

I steady myself and approach his table, my head racing with questions. "Good evening."

"Jasmine," he says, his voice smooth and deep, sending shivers down my spine. "It's good to see you again."

I am a total wreck on the inside, but I know I have to keep a professional demeanor. "What can I get you for dinner tonight?" I ask, taking out my notes.

He smiles. "Surprise me."

I nod and return to the kitchen, my mind racing. What brought this stranger into the restaurant? Was it purely coincidental, or did he have an ulterior purpose?

"Someone seems nervous," Lily, my partner, says with concern. "Nothing, I'm perfectly fine."

"Why are you staring at Gabriel?" Lily inquires, a grin on her face. My interest is piqued as I look at her, expecting she would tell me more about this stranger. "You know him?"

"Of course, who doesn't know Gabriel Jones? He's a wealthy billionaire in his early thirties. He owns chains of hotels and nightclubs in town and across the country. He was recently voted the most gorgeous man, and I heard he's still single," she continues in a sing-song voice.

I smile and shake my head, knowing that I am carrying his child. This is quite difficult for me. Finally, with a platter of wonderfully cooked foods in hand, I return to his table and place the platter in front of him. I know I have to confront this issue head-on. "You seem to have a mastery for surprises."

He chuckles, his eyes gleaming. "Life is full of surprises, Jasmine. Sometimes we just have to accept them."

His comment piques my interest even more. But I have other customers to attend to, and more so, I don't want to be in my supervisor's wrong book. I look at him for the last time, thoughts of our hot, steaming sex flooding my mind. He has a look that I can't quite place into words. I shake my head, dispelling the thought, and walk away from his table. I can tell his eyes are drilling holes in my back as I walk. To confirm my suspicions, I turn back, and indeed, he is staring at me, just as I suspected.

Whatever mystery this Gabriel holds, I don't think I want to get tangled with him. I know we had a connection that night, something I've never experienced, not even with Maxwell. But I'm not ready to explore. Yet, my clit betrays my resolve as I feel wet all over in my panties. "What the fuck," I mutter, only audible to myself.

I attend to my other customers throughout the evening, but my gaze is fixed on Gabriel. There is a sense of unease as if something major is about to happen. As the night draws to a close and the restaurant begins to empty, Gabriel motions for me to join him. As I approach his table, my heart races.

"What exactly do you want? What are you doing here?" I ask all at once.

"Jasmine," he whispers, his voice desperate and broken. "I've been looking for you. I need to talk to you. There are things I think you should know."

I am overcome with confusion. "Why? Are you stalking me?"

He sighs, a look of remorse in his eyes. He shakes his head. "I am sorry for showing up in your workplace. Our bond that night was clear. I need to find you again to check if the spark between us is genuine."

I shudder as my heart is ripped open by an inflow of emotions. Memories of our intense encounter flood my head, reminding me of the longing and freedom I had felt in his arms. But his voice brings me out of my thoughts.

"And I understand your hesitation. But I can't deny that we share something deep."

"Gabriel, if you want to pursue something with me, you must be truthful."

"Wow! Someone did her homework," he interrupts. "I know it's because I called him by his name."

I give him a stern look, and he raises his hands in surrender and mutters, "Sorry."

"Tell me everything, the truth about who you are and why you left the following day," I ask, curious to know.

He looks down, not meeting my eyes, and I catch a flash of vulnerability in his gaze. "I... I apologize."

"Alright, Gabriel. However, keep in mind that trust must be earned. Show me that you're worthy of my time and trust."

Relief flows across his face; he cracks a tiny smile. "I'll do it, Jasmine. I promise you won't regret it."

"Good." Then the thought of being pregnant strikes me. I don't know when I will be seeing him again, so I need to let him know about the pregnancy. Suddenly, I blurted out, "I'm pregnant.”