Chapter 36: The Truth And Nothing But

Jasmine's POV

"Jasmine. JASMINE!" I heard my mother's voice calling me. The covers were yanked off from over me and I felt the coldness of the room.

"Uuugghh!" I growled like a tiger.

"Jasmine. Get up, baby. You have to go to work. It's Monday and it's already 7:30 am."

"I'm not going into work today Mamma," I said, sitting up and rubbing my eyes from the sleep still in them.

"Why? Do you have another day off?"

I hadn't told my mom nor my sister about the stupid shit I did at the gala yet.

"Mom, I quit my job," I cut to the chase. She was bound to find out sooner or later, since I was now a person of interest to the press.

"You did WHAT?" The last word rung out like a loud bell in my head.

I shielded myself with one of my bed pillows. "I quit my job."

"And why the hell would you do something so damn stupid?"

She was mad. "Hell" and "damn" were her way of cussing out someone.

"Mom, I'm really not in a mood for this discussion. It's too early."

"I don't give a damn what time it is. You better tell me right now what has gotten into you to make you do such a stupid thing!"

"Mom!"

"Don't 'Mom' me!"

"He was getting on my nerves and he was lying to me all along."

"Who?"

"My boss."

"I don't understand."

"She was involved with her boss," Zenia butted in as she walked into my bedroom.

Mom opened her mouth to say something else but nothing came out. She turned her gaze between Zenia and me then she left the room.

"You actually quit?" Zenia asked, picking up where mom left off.

"Yes! I was heated. I saw him and Jessica together and I just tripped. He punched Bradley, I took Bradley's side, and I quit." I summarized. I wasn't in the mood for going into all the details. I was feeling sick because I knew I regretted what I did.

"Jasmine, that was something really stupid you did. You shouldn't've let your emotions get the best of you like that. You should've just talked to Evan."

"Why? He was already busy with Jessica; and the fact he hadn't called me for the entire weekend, just makes me happier about my decision. He's a shell. I'd rather Bradley. At least I know what to expect from him."

"You're going to let that fraction determine your choice?"

"Zenia! This is my life and not yours, and this isn't some fairy tale, princess bullshit we used to read when we were kids! There's no happily ever after! You just have to go with the flow and that's exactly what I'm doing." I laid my head back down on the pillows.

My phone rang. Bradley's name flashed on the screen.

"Hey sweetie," Bradley spoke.

"Hey. What's up?"

"Can we hang out today?"

"Sure."

"I'll be by at 2:00 p.m."

"I'll be ready."

I hadn't received a call, private message, Whatsapp nor a video call from Evan that entire week and I couldn't be bothered. I felt happy with my decision and Bradley and I spent all week together. He took me shopping, dinner dates, to the movies and even to the beach.

I was seeing a side to him that I never saw before. A side that was more loving, caring, sweet and genuine. People could change. All you have to do is give them a chance to do so.

It was already the weekend. Time goes by so quickly when you're enjoying life. I was lying in my bedroom when my phone rang. Bradley's name popped up and I smiled almost immediately. I was slowly, but surely, falling back into his arms.

"Hey baby," I answered.

"Who's this?" I heard a sharp female voice asking from the other end.

I removed the phone from my ear and looked at the screen. It was, indeed, Bradley's number.

"This is Jasmine. Who's this?" I asked back, matching her tone.

"This is Bradley's fiancee and his baby mamma!"

"Mommy, Mommy! Is that Daddy?" a child's voice asked in the background.

"No baby. Your father is in the bathroom," she said to the child. "Now, you listen to me. I don't know who you are or what you want, but I'll be damned if you attempt to wreck my future wedding and my home. I've seen enough text messages between you and him, so I know I'm not mistaken. Leave my fiance and my happy home alone! Find your own man you stupid bitch!"

Before I could say a response, she hung up.

I felt something in me fade away. The phone bounced off the bed and fell onto the floor.

What the hell have I done?

I cussed and slapped myself mentally. I brought myself to believe in Bradley and allowed him back into my life, just to know if he was worthy of another chance, but he was playing me all along.

Just wait until I see that clown!

A knock came on the front door. I walked out the bedroom and peered through the window. I noticed an expensive car parked on the pavement below. My heart skipped several beats.

Evan is back. I knew he wouldn't of let me go so easily.

I opened the door slowly.

"Hello Jasmine. Get dressed. We need to talk."

"What are you doing here? And how did you know where I live?"

"I'm a Hollen. Is there anything we don't know?" she raised her eyebrow, just like her brother.

Why is Emily here and what does she want?

Obeying her commands, I got dressed then followed her outside.


"Why did you quit the job as his assistant?" she asked once we arrived and were seated at the restaurant of her choice.

"Do I really need to answer that?" I asked her. I wasn't about to be intimidated by another Hollen.

"Yes," she answered, shortly, sipping on a glass of wine.

"Did he put you up to this?"

"He doesn't even know I'm here. I heard what happened so I decided to pay you a visit myself. I'm not here to play Cupid, and I don't enjoy beating around the bush. My brother cares about you, Jasmine. I've never seen him act that way with other women."

"Oh, really? Not even Jessica?"

"Why are you threatened by her so much? From what I understand, you walked away because of her."

"Because he's still involved with her and he lied to me about it. He lied to my face, Emily. I saw her posting pictures in his bedroom with almost nothing on and I saw them together at the gala."

"Evan would never do that to you. I know my brother."

I scoffed.

"You know how ungrateful you're being right now?" she asked, staring at me. Her eyes were getting darker too.

Who the fu** are these people?! Vampires?!

"I worked my tail off at Hollen Tower to make life easier for him. At one point, I had to be his secretary and his personal assistant! I don't owe Evan Hollen nothing so I don't see how I'm being ungrateful," I snapped.

"I really thought you were different than the others Jasmine. I wasn't expecting you to embarrass him at his very own gala for another man."

I remained silent. I remembered that phone call I received from Bradley's fiancee earlier and how it made me felt.

"Well that other man pulled through for me in a time of need. When I had no one and nothing. He was there. He saved my mom's life," I defended Bradley, for only that one reason.

"How?"

"He paid for my mother's lung transplant. My mom was dying. She needed lungs transplant but I didn't have the money to do--" I was explaining before she cut me off.

"Evan didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"He was the one who made the contribution to your mother's lung transplants at the hospital. He was the one who paid and cleared up all the other outstanding medical bills. Not Bradley Pittsburg!"

"WHAT?!"

A few other people in the restaurant turned towards us for a second or so. A smile came on Emily's face.

"You heard me. I don't like repeating myself," she said, having another sip of her wine before craving into her rib eye steak.

I couldn't eat. I lost my appetite suddenly. I felt sick and sicker. My chest heaved in and out as I tried to fight the tears away. I didn't want to cry in front of her. I just sat there, watching her finish her food.

"He was the one who made the contribution to your mother's lung transplants at the hospital. He was the one who paid and cleared up all the other outstanding medical bills. Not Bradley Pittsburg!"

Her words echoed all over in my head again.

Not Bradley Pittsburg.