Chapter one

Jazmine's POV

"I hate to be the bearer of this unfortunate news," The doctor paused, watching my facial features closely.

I swallowed hard in my throat as my hands trembled slightly on my laps. I kept a straight face, and struggled to remain calm but a knot had already formed in my stomach. I could already guess that I wouldn't like whatever the doctor had to say and it made me feel sick in my stomach.

"What's wrong with my sister, Doctor Rodney!?" Even as I tried to keep my voice cool, the dread I felt on my guts had managed to slice in.

"Layla's condition has worsened and I'm afraid you might have to transfer her. And also, your bills are due and the management have decided that no one would administer any treatment or medications to your sister if you don't pay up. So, it's either you pay up or transfer her! According to them, you have just today to decide which action you're taking." I could tell that he was trying to make it as painless as he could. 

"I'm really sorry." He muttered quietly.

I knew there was no way I could raise a bill of five hundred thousand dollars in a day. In fact, I couldn't even raise that in a week. What would I do? I didn't even have friends or family who I would turn to for help. I could hear my heart beating rapidly in my chest at the thought of losing Layla. No! I can't let that happen. She was the only thing I had on earth.

I have to decide fast. But there isn't even more of an option. I can't possibly transfer her, that would mean an automatic death. It would mean an automatic death. I had to look for a means to pay up the bills and also get the money for her surgery. The only problem was how? 

"Doctor Rodney, can you just give me a week. I would try my best to---- I would pay up the bills. Please, just help me out this once. I can't-----" I trailed off.

"I'm really sorry, but I don't have much of a say in this. The order came from above. I'm so sorry I can't help."

"Oh God!----" I leaned back against the chair and squeezed my eyes shut. What would I do, now? Who would I turn to? I couldn't even cry. Her mind and her body hurt to much to even produce tears.

"Thank you, doctor Rodney. I'll go source for the money now."

I had already promised her. I had to keep my promise. I had to find a way out. I racked my brain for who I could turn to, buy nothing came up in my head. Why must my life be so miserable? I had no friend or family that I could turn to and the little job I managed, paid so little that I could barely even feed and pay my house rent at the same time.

But since Layla had fallen sick, I had been starving myself just to pay the hospital bills. I would go two days, three at times without eating anything, and now after everything, the worst had come to an even worse worst. The painful part was I had no idea how to go about it.

I felt like ending it all. Maybe I should just die then everything would all end. "You'll come back for me, right?" Layla's voice rang in my head and I broke down into tears again. 

I sprinted down the busy city street, my heart pounding and my breath coming in short gasps. I suddenly felt like I was being followed. I glanced over my shoulder, half-expecting to see someone in hot pursuit. But the sidewalk was empty. 

Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was following me. Haven't I had enough already for someone to stalk mẹ now? I looked back again and scanned the street, still no one was following. Something was off, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

I rounded the corner, and the bustling street became a little more secluded. I could clearly hear the footsteps approaching closely behind me. The person was walking in fast strides. I could tell. Were the trying to kidnap me or something? I wonderd.

I quickened my pace and I could hear the footsteps sounding more quicker. That was when I spotted it, a small, cozy cafe with the words "Greenlight Cafe" in cheerful green lettering. It looked something like where wealthy people would normally frequent. I couldn't care less though, I had to get away from this stalker.

I darted towards the cafe, my breath coming out in ragged gasps. I pushed the door, and luckily it opened swiftly. I quickly entered and collided against a muscled chest. A man! I could immediately tell even without looking.

Clang! Something fell on the ground. 

I looked down. It was a cup and the content spilled on the marbled floor, close to my feet. The man's cologne was so strong that it was overriding my senses. Slowly, I trailed my gaze up to look at his face. He was tall with dark hair and a strong jawline. And his lips were firmly drawn into a thin line that spoke of brutality. 

He looked far more dangerous than handsome. But even as dangerous as he looked, he looked almost as if his face had been sculpted by the world's best sculpter. I could have sworn I had never seen anyone as handsome as that.

In spite of the heat, which could be especially brutal in Chicago, he wore a finely tailored suit, leaving two buttons in his starched white shirt open to give anyone a slight peak at his chest. I swallowed hard in my throat as my gaze raked over his cloth and that was when I saw it. The drink had spilled on his white shirt.

I quickly took a step backwards but then missed and toppled, arms flailing in the air. Suddenly, I felt strong arms wrap around my waist, pulling me close. I looked up, and my eyes met the coldest eyes I had ever seen. His eyes were gray and they seemed to be sucking me in slowly. A slight chill rippled through me as he stared down at me with---- what? Disdain? Anger? I couldn't place it.

I quickly wriggled out of his arms, bowing slightly. "I'm so sorry. I wasn't looking at where I was going. I'm really sorry once again."

There was something unsettling about his gaze that I wanted to leave his presence as quickly as I could. I bowed for the last time and turned to leave.

"So, what do I do about my ruined shirt!?" His voice sounded so cold behind me and I halted in my steps.