Chapter 3 The Unwelcome Surprise

• Jasmine’s P.o.v
• I heard my cell phone ring and I could tell it was probably Madam Silvia calling. Madam Silvia’s my boss and she had told me to come and work three days straight due to the shortage of employees at the moment. She had done that several times and I would usually overlook it, but never again. She only paid me for my job and two days out of the three for the extra work and would end up telling me my reward is with God for the assistance I had been told to offer like we didn’t have a deal in the first place. I was desperate, but that doesn’t mean she should use that against me- my weakness.
• “Sweetie, you have a call, " my mother said as I continued with my tea preparation in the kitchen, which wasn’t far from the diner she’d been sitting at.
• Yeah, just a minute mother.
• It’s been days since my mother’s heart surgery and she has been recuperating just fine. Thanks to the money from the auction, I was able to pay the rent and get the apartment refurbished, and continue her medications. I took the tea to the diner and added some biscuits and fruit.
• “Thank you, Jasmine.” My mother smiled as she tasted the tea I had prepared. “You seem better than me at it now.”
• We laughed at her words, and once again, I could hear my phone ring. “Maybe, you should pick that up.” My mom said.
• “No, mother. That wouldn’t be necessary.” I looked at my meal instead, stirring the tea slowly.
• “Why?” she asked and pause her meal and I opened up to her. “That’s bad.”
• We continued with our meal and then my mum asked me. “You still haven’t told me about how you got the surgery money, Jasmine.”
• Even though I almost choked on my tea at the thought of the question, I managed to speak. “It’s from my savings for Uni, mother.”
• My mother studied me for a moment. “I know you, Jasmine. I didn’t raise you to be a liar. So, don’t you lie to me!”
• Fine, I lied. I borrowed some money from a friend.
• “And which friend is that, Jasmine?” My mother frowned. “I am pretty sure it’s not Rachel because the last time you told me about her, you were owing her some money.”
• Mother, I promise I’m not lying this time. You don’t know her, but she’s been my friend since college.
• “Okay. But I do hope you are telling the truth, Jasmine. You don’t want what happened with Alejandro to repeat itself.” My mother's stern face warned as she continued her meal.
• After a period of silence, I heard my phone beep. I headed for my phone and was surprised to see a message from an unknown number that said: “Meet me at 148, Main Street by 9 tonight. I am a core fan of punctuality and I hope you know what that means if you do otherwise.”
• That tone, it’s definitely him- Mateo! My heart pounded and I began to sweat at the thought of the message.
• “Are you OK?” My mum asked me with a perplexed expression.
• “Yes, mum.” I managed to convince her.
• My hands trembled in fear throughout the dishwashing I almost broke a mug. “Damn it!”
• I headed to my room afterward and my phone was buried in the palm of my cold hands. I checked my missed call log and could see that he only called once before sending the message.
• “I am done for. I should have just let him have his way that night and all of these wouldn’t be happening.” I sob quietly at the weight of my own decision. “I shouldn’t have signed the agreement that night. It was a mistake, a very big one.”
• I checked the time and it said 5:30 p.m. I brought out some potatoes and began to prepare. At exactly dusk, I had finished with the chores and bid my good bye to my mum with the hope that I will be back home by tomorrow.
• “Where are you off too?” She asked.
• “Uhm... well, it’s my shift by dusk and I need to be on my way now.” I lied to my mum.
• “Very well, then. Be safe, Jasmine.” She smiled at me and I looked away instead. I couldn’t look at her in the eyes knowing I had lied twice in just one day to my mother, something I have never done before. I wasn’t brought up that way, but it’s the only way to prevent her from knowing the truth behind her surgery.
• The Main Street is pretty much in the urban area and far from the suburb where I live. It’d literally take hours to get there and less if the road was free from traffic. It is a very well-known street that belongs to the wealthiest clans in the country, and the only time you would find a commoner is if she works there.
• I got to the address location later. On arrival at the particular address sent to me, I met a car awaiting me already. The man inside called my name and gestured for me to come in.
• After about a ten minutes drive, we arrived at a mansion. I stared in awe as I catch a glimpse of the building in front of me. The mansion is so big, it’s unfathomable! The exteriors were painted gold and white and the lights outside of it illuminated the night. The gate flew open and as a black SUV drove out, I could see the man inside remove his shade.
• “Jason?” My mouth stood agape. “No, there’s no way that’s Jason.” I turn back to see if he had seen me, but the car vanished into thin air instead.
• “How can I help you, young lady?” A man asked me from inside the mansion. His physique, typical of a bodyguard and his voice woke me back to reality.
• “Uhm...yeah, I’m looking for Mr. Mateo. He asked me to come here.” I said to him.
• His reply got me pretty offended as he scanned me from head to toe. “I’m not a slut, you fool.” I said within me and turn my gaze up to give him an ugly scowl.
• “Are you Jasmine?” he asked me.
• Yes.
• He made a phone call and after several attempts to get through, he let me in instead. How odd?! He then directed me to the exact room where I’d be meeting Mateo, but didn’t follow me. Instead, he returned to his duty.
• I entered the mansion, and was mesmerized by the crystal chandeliers hanging down the ceiling and the interiors, very sleek and of very modern design. The high ceilings seemed to whisper tales of wealth and power.
• As I walked through the mansion and on my way up to the room as directed, I found myself drawn to the floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a stunning view of the surrounding gardens. I inhale deeply at the sight of it and even though the mansion was a beautiful sight to see, I couldn’t help, but wonder why it is devoid of maids or at least one.
• My thought got interrupted by a loud cry from one of the rooms upstairs and I didn’t hesitate to rush down to the place where it came from. I opened wide the door, but unfortunately was greeted by a scene so morally disgusting that it nearly made me puke on sight. I turned back to leave, but a baritone voice interrupted and I stood frozen.
• “9:01 p.m.” He said. The lady under him moaned satisfyingly and I could hear him intensify his thrust inside her before finally halting. “You may leave now, Jessica.”
• Jessica left in no time and he appeared before me covered in towel. God, that body!
• “What did I tell you about late coming, Jasmine.” He asked me, his eyes blazing fury and his voice dripped with venom as he spoke.
• And in that moment, I knew I was doomed. You are done for, Jasmine!