Chapter 37: Apologizing

Jasmine's POV

I had a terrible headache for the remainder of the weekend. I spent days in my bedroom wrapped up beneath my covers, concealing myself from the world. I had zero interest in speaking to anyone and zero appetite to eat daily meals.

On Monday, my mother let herself into my room, determined to get me on my feet.

"Jasmine, please get up and get yourself together," she advised.

"Nooo," my voice broke just like my heart already had.

"Jasmine. Your life isn't over. You hiding in your room won't fix your mistakes. What you need to do is go back to Hollen Tower and apologize to your boss. If he loves you, or had any feelings for you, he just might forgive you and take you back. But you can't hide here and expect him to come to you when you're the one who walked away. Get up now, Jasmine."

She literally pulled me off the bed. I had no choice but to gather myself together.

"What time is it?" I asked her.

"It's 8:00."

I showered, styled my hair and got dressed in one of my work suits.

I drank a cup of tea before heading out.

It was exactly 9:00 am when I arrived on Hollen Tower premises. My heart started racing as my feet inched closer and closer to the main entrance. Heading towards the elevator, I received awful stares and glances from the other employees on the ground floor. Their whispering was heard as I strolled on with my head held high.

I took the elevator up.

I stepped out the elevator and walked up to the secretary's desk. She was rather surprised when she saw me.

"Miss Blackman, I wasn't aware that you'd be back," she began.

"Good morning to you, too."

"Good morning."

"I'm here to see Mr. Hollen."

She nodded and picked up her phone. "Please have a seat in the waiting area. He's currently with someone right now," she said as she placed the receiver on the hook.

It was relief that he'd still see me. Maybe I stand a chance of getting back my job, and my man.

Five other people joined me as I waited. New faces. I began to feel uncomfortable as I wondered if they were here as my replacement.

One person stepped out from his office's direction. I assumed that was the person he was with before I arrived.

The secretary's phone rang.

He must be calling for me now.

I adjusted myself.

"Yes sir," I heard her said in the phone before hanging up again. I readied my feet in front of me to stand.

"Mr. Charles Barone, Mr. Hollen would see you now. Right this way please."

A gentleman sitting next to me stood up and followed the secretary towards Mr. Hollen's office.

Okay, maybe he urgently wanted to see that gentleman before me. No biggie.

Half an hour later, another person was called in. Then another. Then another. And another one after that. I gazed down at my wrist watch. It was now 11:30 am.

My butt began to ache in the chair and my stomach rumbled. I stood up and paced the waiting area slowly. The secretary's eyes glancing at me every second.

"He knows I'm here, right?" I asked.

"Yes he does," she answered.

I sat down again. Flipping through a magazine to let the time go by. A familiar scent hit my nostrils. I looked up and saw his figure walking towards his private elevator.

"He's off to lunch," the secretary said as she saw the pondering look on my face.

He knew I was here. He knew I was sitting out here and I requested to see him. He walked passed me without even acknowledging me.

I guess I deserve that.

I went down to the employees' cafeteria and bought myself a light snack and a soft drink. Hunger had gotten the best of me. My stomach was roaring way too loudly and I was certain the secretary had heard.

As I sat back down in the waiting area and nibbled on my snack, he walked passed me again, going towards his office.

The phone rang. She answered.

"He'll see you now Miss. Blackman."

I exhaled a breath I had been holding in for a long time. I stood up, feeling weak all of a sudden, like my energy was being sucked out of my body. I knew it was just my nerves.

I walked towards his office. My eyes fell on the desk I used to sit behind. No one occupied it just yet.

Thank God.

I knocked and entered his office. He was typing on his computer and didn't bother looking up at me. I stood, since he didn't offer me a seat. I remained silent too, waiting for him to acknowledge my presence in his office.

He typed. Silence from me. Only the sound of a pressing keyboard could be heard throughout the room.

"Evan," I began. It was clear he wouldn't start talking unless I did.

He typed.

"Evan. I'm really sorry for what I did back at the gala," I said again, hoping that would get his attention.

He typed.

"Can you at least look at me?" I asked.

He typed.

My mind was yelling to leave but my heart was saying to stay. He closed the computer and, finally, his eyes locked onto me. The grayness in them was frightening now. The one thing I adored most about him had become a factor of fear. He laid back in his chair, folded his arms on his chest, and had an expressionless look on his face.

"I'm sorry," I spoke again. My voice came out patched.

"Why are you here?" His tone of voice carried annoyance in it.

"I'm here to tell you how sorry I am, and I...." I paused. I didn't know how to tell him I wanted my job back, and how much I wanted him back in my life too.

"Evan, I made a mistake."

"A mistake?" he asked and shot up from his seat.

I became even more nervous.

"A mistake Jasmine?" he repeated.

The only time he repeated himself was when he couldn't wrap his head around something someone had said.

"You didn't make a mistake! You made a choice! There's a difference between them. You ought to learn that."

I swallowed hard.

"I really am surprised that you're actually here. What? Things didn't work out between you and Pittsburg?"

"I'm... I'm not here to... talk about Bradley," I stuttered.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT?" he shouted, which made me leap with greater fear.

I never heard that tone before. I had heard when he was angry, but this gauge was new.

"I want my job back and I want you back as well," I dug deep to find the courage in order to say those words.

Evan laughed, cynically. He shook his head and went back to his chair.

"Your job position had already been filled. And as for me," he pointed to himself. "I'm nobody's second choice."

He pulled out one of his cabinets and tossed something over at my feet.

I looked down and saw a bouquet of white roses.

"I'm done with you. Get out of my office."