Chapter 528
Ava’s heart raced when she heard that. She didn’t overthink it and just took the invitation. ‘This is a huge chance,’ she thought to herself. She knew things like this didn’t just fall into her lap, but she also knew she’d regret it if she didn’t go. Even if she couldn’t win Damien over, meeting other rich people would be worth it.
The sun rose. After another day of rest, Jasmine was fully recovered. She stood on the balcony, stretching and taking a deep breath. What a beautiful day. The AI robot chimed and came over to tell her, “Miss, there’s a visitor.”
Shermaine had arranged for the robot after Jasmine got hurt. Claire couldn’t stay with Jasmine all night, after all. If she wanted a drink or something in the evening, getting up would be a hassle. Having the robot watch over her at night made things much easier. “Who is it?” Jasmine asked. “Mr. Hale,” the robot replied. ‘Damien? What’s he doing here? I haven’t accepted his apology,’ she wondered. Jasmine froze mid-stretch. She didn’t want to see him at all. “Tell him to leave and go cool off somewhere else.” Then she turned on some music right away, swaying her hips to the mellow tune. She’d been lying around for a week. If she didn’t move, her bones would get stiff. “Yes, miss,” the robot said and then went to pass on the message.
The cold, mechanical voice came through the door. Outside, Damien’s mood turned even gloomier, his presence growing heavier. With him was the tailor who’d made Jasmine’s dress. The dress was ready, so they’d come to check the fit and see if any adjustments were needed. But it seemed the conversation wasn’t going well. This cold man had been shut out. The tailor thought for a second. “Mr. Hale, should I contact Ms. Farrington instead?” Damien paused and said no. The next moment, he typed a code into the smart lock, and the door opened. The AI robot immediately started blaring. “Intruder alert. Intruder alert.” Damien shut it off quickly. The tailor went in and waited in the living room, while Damien headed off to find Jasmine. The room was large, decorated in a cozy, artsy style. Lots of photos hung on the walls, and the sofa was piled high with fluffy stuffed animals. Just then, Jasmine was on the balcony in a silky ivory camisole nightgown, humming along to music. Her hips swayed as she got lost in the tune, completely absorbed. The scene was lovely. In the sunlight, Jasmine had a shapely figure. Her nightgown fluttered up now and then with her movements, the white lace of her panties peeking through. Her waist-length golden hair flowed, as soft as silk. Damien stopped short, his gaze fixing on her, unblinking. His gray eyes looked like a predator’s, watching and waiting to pounce. He couldn’t explain the feeling, but he couldn’t look away. Every inch of her glowing skin seemed to hold a magic that made him want to devour her whole. Jasmine, though, had no idea Damien had come in. As the mellow music hit a peak, she lifted her hip and tossed her head, and then froze when she saw Damien inside. Her feet slipped, and she nearly stumbled forward, almost falling. Flustered, Jasmine steadied herself and turned off the music. “How’d you get in?” Damien answered slowly, “Just like this.” “What are you here for?” Jasmine asked. “To drop off the dress,” Damien said. “Huh?” Jasmine said. Damien kept it simple. “For the party.” ‘The party?’ Jasmine thought, looking confused. Then it hit her. ‘Is Shermaine really going to throw me a blind date party? ‘Shermaine sure acts fast. But since Shermaine has already started it, I might as well go.’ Just imagining all the cute guys she’d get to choose from at tonight’s party made her smile.
She thought, ‘Maybe I’ll meet someone who catches my eye, someone I click with right away. ‘Then I can get over Damien, this boring, grumpy guy who just scowls and snaps at me all the time.’ The thought made her feel really good. Jasmine straightened her face and walked in from outside. She passed Damien without even looking at him. Damien grabbed her hand. Jasmine looked up. “Anything else?” Damien said, “I didn’t mean to snap at you that night. I just don’t like people prying into my privacy. Don’t take it personally.” Jasmine said, “Oh.” Her tone sounded totally unconcerned. She thought, ‘What’s there to care about? It has been so long.’ Back then, if Damien had just run after her to explain and comfort her, she never would have stopped liking him. But now, she was still just like everyone else to him–someone with no right to ask even the smallest thing about his private life. She couldn’t get into his world. “Let me go now that you’ve said what you needed to,” Jasmine said. Damien didn’t let go. Instead, he held on a little more tightly.
He didn’t like her attitude. He thought, ‘I explained, so why is she still being so cold and distant?’ Jasmine, seeing that he wouldn’t let go, tried to pull free but couldn’t. She huffed, “What are you doing? Let me go.” Damien tugged, and Jasmine fell right into his arms. Her nightgown brushed against his clothes. He put his other hand on her waist, holding her tightly. “Why are you still mad?” Jasmine said, “I’m not mad.” “You’re lying,” Damien said. Jasmine’s face went red with anger, and her heart started thumping. She was nervous from being so close to him. Damien took her chin and lifted it up. “Look me in the eye and say that.” Jasmine’s lashes fluttered. She tried with all her might to break free, but it was no use. She panted. “Y–You’re crazy. Let me go.” Her strength was nothing compared to Damien’s. Jasmine bit him again. This time, she bit down on his wrist. The wet, soft feel of it made Damien’s Adam’s apple move. It was like an electric shock, and his grip loosened. Jasmine pulled free. But the next second, Damien pulled her back, lifting her up and tossing her onto the bed. She raised her hand, ready to pinch his face. She thought, ‘Jerk, picking on me again.’ Damien grabbed one of her hands, pinning it above her head, and used his leg to hold hers down. They were in an intimately tangled position, he on top and she underneath. Jasmine was trapped beneath him. Damien said, “Answer me.” The rush of his masculine scent hit her, and Jasmine’s heart raced. Her camisole had slipped off one shoulder from struggling. Her skin peeked through. Damien saw it all. Jasmine didn’t notice. She bit her lip. “Does it even matter to you if I’m mad?” Damien didn’t reply. He looked like he was thinking, yet not. Jasmine’s fragrance washed over him, and heat stirred low in his stomach, his thoughts drifting elsewhere. But Jasmine, annoyed by his silence, let out a bitter laugh. “You need that long to think? You want me to answer for you?” Her eyes were red and glossy like she might cry. Damien’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his breathing growing heavier. Something smoldered in his gray eyes, burning hot. Jasmine shouted, “If you don’t let me go, I’ll tell Shermaine on you.” Damien snapped back to his senses, releasing her abruptly. He steadied his breath and grunted in response.
‘What does that even mean? Who knows?’ she thought. Jasmine was furious, too worked up to care. She jumped up, kicked him, and ran out.