Chapter 17
Calvin reflected on the past and realized that he had never actually celebrated a single holiday with Jasmine. Well, that wasn’t entirely true–she had once tried to celebrate his birthday, but he’d thrown a tit and smashed the cake. From then on, she never bothered celebrating anything with him again
All of a sudden, apang of guilt struck him. He used to think that he had treated Jasmine fairly well, but the reality was that he hadn’t even spent one special
ccasion with her. “Make a reservation then,” he ondered.
“Understood, Mr. Food,” responded Vanessa.
Caban had planned to call Jasmine and ask her to join him for Christmas dinner, but he remembered how she’d just hung upon him. So, he figured that he’d just. pick her up after work
olivia walked into the office just as Vanessa was confirming the Chelsamas reservation Aware of excitement swept over her. She wondered if Calvin was planning
to spend Christmas with her
Feigning ignorance, she walked into his office. Calvin’s expression softened a little when he saw her. “What brings you here, Liv?–
Olivia settled beside him and responded sweetly, “Cal, can I go home with you tonight and have dinner with Madam Watson? It’s been a while since I’ve seen her, and I really miss her.”
Calvin remembered how his mother wasn’t too fond of Olivia, so he didn’t want them to meet. He brushed her off. “My mom’s actually abusad right now. Maybe
another time.”
olivia couldn’t help but bite her lip. She knew it was a lie as she’d seen Amelia at the mall earlier that day. Why was he lying to be?
Olivia had thought that once Calvin divorced Jasmine, they’d get married as soon as possible. But for some reason, he always avoided the topic of marriage. She wondered if he was still thinking about Jasmine,
́“But he loves me, doesn’t he?” she fretted inwardly. Grabbing his hand, she asked, “Do you still love me, Cal?”
Calvin cracked, lifting her hand to his lips. “silly girl, of course I love you. Why would you even ask that?”
Olivia couldn’t help but demand, “Then, why won’t you marry me?”
He looked at her, puzzled. “Liv, before you left for Elandra, you told me you wanted us to be soulmates for life and that it didn’t matter if we got married or lived together. Aren’t things fine the way they are right now?”
dalways
Back then, he had been devastated by her departure and heartbroken when she briefly fell for someone else. But now, he telt at peace. After all, Clivia would alwa come back to him, and he could sull be with Jasmine, too.
Alter heating that, Olivia was so furious that she gritted her teeth. Nevertheless, she couldn’t argue with him. Back then, she thought she had calvin wrapped around her finger, so much so that she had openly maintained “friendships” with a number of men while she was abroad. Calvin hadn’t liked it one bit, but he never gave up on her.
But now that she wanted marriage, he seemed content with this complicated, uncommitted arrangement. It didn’t matter to Olivia, though. She knew that he was only holding onto Jasmine pow
As long as she got rid of Jasmine, Calvin would be hers again.
Jasmine shed work early on Christmas Eve, intending to wait for Josh at Brightwell Law Firm. As soon as she stepped out of the company building, she was approached by Calvin, who was holding a bouquet of flowers. He said, “Have dinner with me, Jasmine.”
Calvin stood tall in a crisp suit, his handsome face softened by a gentle smile–a smile he rely, if ever, showed Jasmine. But now, to win her back, he was even
However, Jasmine wasn’t fooled. Three years of marriage had been enough to show her what kind of person Calvin truly was. “Mr. Ford, your gulfriend is Olivia You should be having duur with her, not me. I’m not interested in dining with you.”
instrad of getting upset when she tumed him down, be persisted, “Drop the art, Jasmine. 1 law you still love me. The contract might have required you to take care of me, but it never demanded that you love me.
“I could tell during those three years that you had feelings for me. I refuse to believe you’ve gotten over me in just over a month “Calvin was used to women throwing themselves at him, so he was confident in his charm.
This was the first te jasne realized how shameless he could be. “Do you think so little of me, Mr. Food?
Jasmine paused for a moment, her eyes narrowing in disdain as she sized him up. “Why would I ever want to take back a cheating piece of trash? Why would I put myself through the disgust of suring a meal with a scumbag like that?
Calvin was so angry that he felt a sharp pain in his side. “Iba’t push your back, Jasmine! I’m trying to make things right, so you should just play along and accept it. Keep this up, and I won’t give you another dance to remarry me. Don’t come crying to me then!”
Jasmine Sculled. “Don’t worry. I won’t regret it.”
Hur she walked away without sparing him another glance
Funous, he budded the flowers to the ground and got into his car with a handened expression.
Jauntine anved at Brightwell Law Fion. When the receptionist framed she was looking for joshua, she smiled and levited Jasmine to have a seat on the Jasmine Thankurd hand sat down to wait for Joshua
As the end of the workday approached, smartly dressed men and women began streaming out of the office Lena, passing by with a stack of documents, spotted Jasmine and smiled wamnly at her.
Jaune returned her smile. “Thank you for helping me out last night, Lena.”
“Oh, don’t mention it! We’re friends. I didn’t do much anyway, she responded
Jasmine handed her a gift box. “It’s just a little something to show my gratitude. I hope you like it.”
Teru accepted it, unboxed it, and found a pair of delicate butterfly brooches. She really liked the design, so, without a moment’s hesitation, she said, “Thank you! I’ll take you and Penny out for dinner sometime.”
“I’d love that
Lena considered Jasmine a friend and was well aware of who she was here to see. Hence, she smiled and whispered in her ear, “By the way, my boss is single. You should definitely go for it, Jasmine!”
Jasmine hadn’t expected Lena and Penny to misunderstand her relationship with Joshua. She couldn’t help but feel exasperated.
Not long after Lena left, Jasmine saw Joshua walk out with a young woman by his side. He was very polite to the stunning woman. “I’ll have my assistant contact You regarding the details later.”
The young woman was clearly interested in him. “Mr. Sutton, would you like to have dinner together?” she asked as she twirled a lock of her long, wavy hair. There
was a seductive gleam in her eyes, and it was obvious that she was tempting him.
However, Joshua kept things polite but distant. “I can’t I’m sorry. I already have plans with a friend.”
The woman looked disappointed, but she wasn’t one to cling. “That’s a shame.” She took one last, lingering look at his well–defined features before slipping on her sunglasses and walking away, sighing.
After seeing the woman oll, Joshua turned around and spotted Jasmine. His solemn expression immediately softened, and he flashed her a warm smile. “Sorry to keep you waiting. Give me just a moment, and 1’ll be right with
you.”
“Take your time. I’m in no rush,” Jasmine reassured him. He smiled at her and disappeared back into his office.
The receptionist brought Jasmine a fresh glass of lemonade and winked at her. “Our boss hardly ever smiles at women. You’re the first!”
Jasmine realized the receptionist had gotten the wrong idea as well. So, she simply smiled awlowardly. She didn’t bother to explain herself.
