[JANE]

>> From Khali: No. I don’t need your money. I want something that money can't buy

I read her message which made me confused. What does she really want from me? Suddenly, I remembered what Reese told me earlier. My eyes widened with my realization.

"No! No! No! I'm not going to give my body to her. Never!" I whined, a little bit teary-eyed because I was already getting mad. I hate it when I'm mad because I really get too emotional.

I bit my lip, thinking what I should tell her. Honestly, I'm free this week but I just made an excuse. Yes, she's attractive and I don't think it's my loss if something will happen between us. But I don't even know her family background. What if she's a mafia boss? Or what if she's a part of syndicate? I have lots of thoughts in mind and it's not good, really not good. I’m not in a desperate state to just jump in those kind of situation. I ruffled my hair and rolled around my bed.

"But what can I do? I can't let my dad know what I did that night. He’ll just force me to date Nicholas", I sighed and just stared at the ceiling.

She's hot, she's pretty, she's rich, she's arrogant, she's bossy, she's attractive, and she’s wise. I chewed my lip, trying to weigh everything. I sat up and rubbed my face with my palm.

"Okay, Jane. This is just for a week. If she just wants sex, then so be it. After a week, you'll forget everything", I tried to convince myself.

"Yeah, that's right. Okay", I gulped before I took my phone and type in.

>> To Khali: Okay, fine

I'm still scared of what's going to happen but I'm holding on to the fact that she saved me and she covered me up from my dad. I'll just follow my instincts that she's a nice person. Fuck! But what if I'm wrong? Ugh! It doesn't matter, there's no other way out here, anyways. I just wish she won't torture me or chop me into pieces and process me into burger patties! I buried my face on the pillow and punched my bed.

"I don't want to be a processed meat!" I yelled but I stopped. I sat up and slightly slap my face.

"I should think positive thoughts. I think I’m going insane. I should stop watching thriller movies." I mumbled to myself.  I need to unwind for a bit. I decided to go out and go somewhere else. Actually, I don’t know where to go, but I'm hoping I can find a place where I can think properly. I dressed up, wearing my IRO Almo dress and Chanel tights. I drove around the city, finding a decent bar in the area. I made another turn and finally, I found the perfect one. I like its ambiance. It's cozy and the music just matches my liking. It's actually a restaurant and a bar at the same time. A guy in black and white suit welcomed me with a smile and led me to my table. I chose the spot where I can sit comfortably and then ordered some wine and steak. Some people might think I'm a loner for going here alone, because most people comes here with a date or with friends. But I really don't care, I just want to be alone, and to enjoy my wine before my judgement day tomorrow. The waiter served my wine while I'm still waiting for the main course. Then, someone caught my attention. She walked inside, then the waiter led her to the table across mine. She glanced at me and then she silently gasped when she finally recognized me.

"Jane?" She muttered.

"Jasmine", I simply smiled at her.

"It's good to see you here. How are you?" She asked. She decided to sit on the couch opposite to mine. She's wearing a woman's suit that fits perfectly on her. Her features were almost the same as far as I can remember, and she's still friendly and nice.

"I'm good. How are you? Wow, it's been like 10 years?" I chuckled and she nodded.

"Yeah, wow. You never changed, you're still…. beautiful", she complimented.

Funny, how I wanted to unwind yet, here I am meeting my past. Well, technically, she's my past because she tried to court me back then, but I turned her down many times.

"Thanks, you too. You look hotter than you were before", I decided to return the compliment because that would be awkward if I tell her that she's hot but still I don't feel anything about her.

"Would you mind if I share a table with you? Do you have someone with you?" She politely asked. Maybe a company won't hurt. Honestly, I want to be alone, but I guess I could lessen the weirdness if I have a company.

"No. I'm alone. It's fine", I told her.

My phone suddenly chimed and I checked it. I'm already expecting that it's Khali.

>> From Khali: Okay. Be here as early as 7. Don't be late

I groaned and rolled my eyes which caught Jasmine's attention.

"Having a bad day?" She smiled softly at me.

"Yeah kind of", I decided to change the topic and asked things about her instead, even if I'm not really interested at all.

"So, what are you doing these days?" I asked.

“I finally reached my dream, to be an international athlete and I just came back from the US." She grinned proudly. I remember she used to tell me that someday she will be a known athlete and she'll be travelling to different places and continents, representing the country. That's impressive that she’s finally living her dream.

"Congratulations! So, you really made it. Wow", I said and took a sip on my wine.

"Thanks, how about you?" She asked. I was going to answer but I was interrupted by the sound of my phone. I took a peek on it, but left it on read again.

>> From Khali: I have some rules. One of the rules is never leave me on read. You should always reply to me. Even if it's nonsense, I should be the one leaving you on read.

I scoffed and laughed sarcastically when I read it.

"What an asshole", I muttered.

"I'm sorry?" Jasmine blinked a few times staring at me, confused.

"Oh no. I’m sorry. It's not you. Someone was just pissing me off", I chortled ineptly and she just nodded in understanding.

"Your boyfriend?” She queried again. I raised my brows then knitted them, and shook my head.

"No, I don’t have a boyfriend and I don't have plans to have one. I don’t like guys", I told her, slightly scrunching my nose.

"Oh. So, girlfriend?" She asked again. I sucked in some air a bit. It's getting annoying already.

"No, I don't have one", I gave out a small smile but I can sense that she's thinking about something with the way her mouth forms into a smirk.

"I see. Do you want to go somewhere else?" She asked straightforwardly, and I can guess what's going to happen next.

"I'm sorry. I can't. I have to go somewhere. It's really nice to see you here", I stood up and said goodbye to her.

"Ah, yeah sure. No problem", she laughed awkwardly and stood up as well.

I left some cash on the table and went to the door, I can still sense her gaze from behind, but I just ignored her. I sighed when I finally got inside my car.

"Now where should I go?" I mumbled to myself, leaning my head on the steering wheel.  My phone chimed again, making me roll my eyes.

>> From Khali: You're really not going to reply?

"You're so fucking annoying!" I yelled. Eventually, I decided to reply.

>> To Khali: Where are you?

>> From Khali: At the casino. Why?

>> To Khali: I'll wait for you in your apartment

>> From Khali: What? Why?

I ignored her stupid question and just drove to her apartment. Let's just get this over with.