Chapter 57
KASMINE
“By the gods, Kasmine!” Claire shrieked the moment I stepped onto the premises, “You look absolutely mouthwatering!”
I rolled my eyes. She was always too dramatic – or so I thought – but when I walked into the ground reception, I felt all eyes on me.
“Claire, keep it down,” I muttered, tugging at the hem of my dress as I quickened my pace. “You’re drawing attention.”
“No, sweetheart, you’re the one commanding attention.” She laughed with a teasing lilt in her voice. “And, my dear, you deserve every second of it.”
I looked around, and thankfully, Kester had stopped outside to speak with Mr. Edward about Sylvia’s replacement. I didn’t wait to pay attention to it because a part of me still feels guilty for Sylvia’s displacement.
I had tried to talk to Kester about it, but he was adamant, saying there was no place for her at Zamford anymore.
I turned to Claire as we strode toward the elevators. “I’m so sorry again for canceling our weekend,” I apologized, and guilt wore me a fine robe at how innocently she took the apology.
She waved it off with a grin, “It’s fine. I am relieved to see you are okay,” she replied, and I wondered why fate would connect me with people who are absolutely amazing like Claire, June, and Jake, who I continuously hurt without even thinking.
I forced a smile, desperate to feel like less of a terrible person. “We could reschedule. This weekend, maybe?” I suggested, just to make myself feel better.
Claire let out an awkward little chuckle, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. “Uh… actually, I have a date this weekend.”
I blinked. “A date?”
The elevator doors slid open, and we stepped inside.
“Yeah, finally, right?” she giggled, a light blush creeping up her cheeks.
A rush of relief washed over me, so sudden and overwhelming I nearly stumbled in my heels.
It was a good thing she was gradually getting over Kester. Maybe I’d feel less guilty about our forbidden affair. “Who is he?” I asked, and for the first time all morning, I felt the corners of my lips lift into something genuine. “You’ll get to know in due time, baby,” she couldn’t hide her excitement. One would think she could only be this excited if Kester had been the one to ask her on a date. But here she was, giggling like a teenager over another man’s proposal.
I was happy either way.
As Claire disappeared down the hall to her office, I made my way toward mine, my heart pounding so loudly it drowned out the sound of my heels clicking against the polished floors. I hoped I’d see Jake so I didn’t have to
confront Kester about him.
The moment I pushed open the door, a crushing wave of relief nearly stole my breath.
“Jake! By the gods!”
Chapter 57
#25 BONUS
I hurried toward him, barely noticing where I tossed my purse as I reached his desk. My fingers trembled, but I forced myself to steady them, desperate to get this over with before Kester arrived, “What happened? I was worried sick,” I blurted, my words rushing out before I could catch my breath.
I was so consumed by my own relief that I didn’t even register the storm cloud hanging over him–the rigid line of his shoulders and his hands clenched into fists.
“Jake?” I frowned, reaching for him. “Talk to me. I tried-
“I also tried, Kasmine!”
The manner in which he cut me off abruptly was new… Too new that it was confusing
“Do you have any idea how worried I was?” His voice trembled with frustration, his eyes burning into mine. “I didn’t know if you got home safely after you outrightly refused to let me take you home. I didn’t know if your brother-“he spat the word like it was poison, “-had killed you for leaving the house. I was just there, worrying like a goddamn fool while you were perfectly fine all along
For the first time ever, Jake raised his voice at me.
His anger was justified. Every word cut deep because he wasn’t wrong. And I felt sorry about that.
“I… I am sorry, Jake. A lot happened and –“What was I going to say? That I and my brother fucked all night while I spent the rest of the next day hurting over the things I had said to him that I didn’t even have the strength to call Jake after I tried the first few times that morning and once more at night?
I swallowed the truth like bile, letting it fester in the pit of my stomach.
“It’s okay, Kasmine. Maybe I am just not as important as I thought I was,” He said, and his words broke me.
“No.” I crouched beside him, grasping his arm. “Don’t say that, Jake. Please.”
“This will soon pass. Just… just until I turn twenty–one. I promise.”
I didn’t know if I was trying to convince him or myself.
I knew I was making a promise that was already seeming like an impossibility, but I had to make him feel better. “What does it matter?” He spat out a bitter scoff, “By the time you turn twenty–one, you’d return to the pack house while I’d remain here… Stuck with your brother for another three months.”
I swear I was confused. “What are you talking about? Who says you must stay here?” I searched his eyes, and for the first time since I walked in, he looked right into my eyes.
And gods, the hurt in his eyes–raw, unfiltered, gut–wrenching–made my heart squeeze so tightly it ached. Wordlessly, he reached into his bag and pulled out an envelope, holding it out to me with a stiff hand.
“I got a report from school this morning,” he said, his voice trembling slightly. “My performance here at Zamford Technologies has been deemed ‘below standard.”
What. The. Hell?
I took the envelope, my fingers unsteady as I pulled out the better. The words blurred for a moment as my heart pounded against my ribs.
I have to repeat my internship here for another three months.” He added.
My blood ran cold immediately as I recognized the hands ofthe puppeteer here, the one pulling the strings.
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+25 BONUS
Chapter 57
Jake let out a shaky breath, running a hand through his hale “I worked my ass off, Kasmine. I gave everything, Late nights, extra hours, every goddamn thing they asked for. And yet…” He breathe out a sad laugh before he shook his head, forcing himself to keep it together. “Just when I thought I’d get the best review from Zamford, which would have boosted my grades–this happens.”
His eyes were moist, but he didn’t let the tears fall. I could see the way he struggled to keep himself together. Jake was one of the best students in our class, and I didn’t need anyone to tell me about the damage this would do to his grades.
“L” My throat was dry, my heart hammering as I reached up, cupping his check with my palm. My thumb brushed over his skin, “I’m sorry, Jake. But…” I took a steadying breath. “I swear, I’ll get to the bottom of this. I promise.”
He let out a small, humorless laugh and pulled away, shrugging like it didn’t matter. But I knew it did.
It mattered more than he’d ever admit.
