Even after some time Jasmine was still seated on the couch. She noticed Damian walking down the stairs, his hair wet, indicating he just took a shower. He casually walked straight to the kitchen, as if she wasn't even there.
From the opened door, she could clearly see his back. She sat back staring at his broad back as he swiftly cooked. Seeing him cook, her stomach grumbled. She wondered if she had gone hungry all day.
She withdrew her stare as she faced the window, listening to the soft spatters of the rain, wanting to wave off her all that was in her head. But she couldn't help it.
She turned back, facing the kitchen. Her gaze was once again at his back, following each of his steps and movements.
Maybe coming to New York wasn't her best decision. He was the last person she thought would ever find out about her. Now this man knew everything she wanted to hide. Every scar she wanted to cleanse. Every face she wanted to forget.
It could have been much better if he wasn't influential or even into business. It just had to be him. Damian Keno. Probably, she ran out of luck.
Damian turned back, walking out of the kitchen. She instinctively retreated her gaze, trying to look at anywhere but him.
She heard him say "Let's have dinner"
She sat still, pondering on whether to ignore him or not. Was she going to have dinner with a person that could stab her at the back at any moment? She looked up, only to meet his eyes. He leaned on the dining table, his head tilted to her direction.
His face held a bewildered expression "Are you seriously having second thoughts right now? " he scoffed "Fine. You can have your ego for dinner".
She looked away from him. Who does he think he is? She might have begged him to save her, but she definitely didn't beg him for dinner.
Suddenly, her stomach grumbled loudly. Jasmine felt the universe was definitely against her. The rain had stopped and the house was so quiet that every sound that was made echoed. She was definitely sure he had heard that. She closed her eyes tightly, her heart heavy with embarrassment.
The minute she opened her eyes. She was startled to see a figure standing just in front of her. She didn't even hear him walk up to her.
"Are you going to get up or should i take you there?" Damian stood tall, his head lowered as he spoke.
Jasmine quickly stood up "I've got legs" she said as she walked towards the dining table.
"I thought you didn't" He retorted.
Jasmine sat at the dining room. She looked at the dishes. The rice, the sauce and the potatoes. It smelt nice. But she hated potatoes. She picked up her fork and started taking out the potatoes. She noticed Damian was silent. She looked up at him just in time to meet his eyes. Was he going to threaten her to eat again? "What?"
He looked at her plate and looked back at her. "You savored that yesternight, that was why i made it again".
Jasmine didn't need an interpreter to understand what he was trying to say. She knew he was talking about Jaime. She swallowed and said "Well.. I hate potatoes".
Damian nodded and continued eating. Jasmine suddenly lost her appetite. She dropped the fork and picked up the glass of water on the table. She gulped down its contents and rested back on the chair. Could this day get any worse? "How long have i been here?"
"2 days" He replied, not looking at her.
2 days! So she had not been to work for 2 days? She sighed out of frustration. At this point, someone might have even filed a missing report.
"I put you on sick leave" Damian said, like he read her mind.
Jasmine looked up at Damian. She muttered an 'oh'. She saw him pick up her plate. He transferred all the potatoes to his plate leaving the rice and sauce.
This man wasn't that bad. She thought in her head.
Soon after, they were done with their meal. Damian immediately headed upstairs. Jasmine stood by the stairs wondering what she should do at that moment. She thought she could just go to sleep in order to get up early for work. She immediately made her way to the room.
*****
Jasmine woke up with a start, breathless. Her heart beating in her ears as she replayed the vivid horror that lingered in her mind. Her chest heaved up and down. Her body was drenched in sweat and tears. She scanned the room, the room was dark. The heavy wind blew the curtains cast eerie shadows on the walls, heightening the sense of unease. She quickly stood up from the bed. She ran out from the room, heading towards the stairs, not stopping for a moment till she reached the living room. She halted when she saw a figure standing by the dining room. His gaze stuck on her.
Damian stood with a glass of water, he looked around to ensure there wasn't any threat. "Are you alright?"
Jasmine let out a sigh of relief. She cleaned the tears that rolled down her cheek. She closed her eyes, trying to calm her racing heart.
Damian walked up to her and gave her a glass of water. She gulped it all not leaving a single drop. He took her hands into his, walked her to the couch and made her sit. He sat at the other end of the couch. He picked up the remote control and switched on the TV.