When Jasmine asked that question, she hadn’t actually expected Damien to answer anything. It had just slipped out.
Tonight’s party was for mingling. It was for her to find a nice guy to date.
As for why Damien was handing her roses, Jasmine didn’t dare think too hard about it. She’d never be so conceited as to think he was doing it because he liked her. She was more worried he’d come to mess things up and stop her from meeting cute guys.
‘After all, he’s always been cold and mean to me,’ she thought.
But she hesitated. She found herself thinking Damien was such a cold person, yet the other day, he’d been coming to her, apologizing, and trying to make up. His attitude had been a bit forceful, but he’d come in person at least.
Today, he’d even tried to take her away from this party. ‘If he doesn’t care about me, why would he do all that?’ she thought.
But Jasmine quickly brushed the thought off. It was impossible. She thought, ‘Damien couldn’t possibly like me. He already has that red-haired woman with him. That red-haired woman even came here, looking for him. She called his name so softly and affectionately earlier.’
And there had been hostility in that red-haired woman’s eyes. Jasmine had felt it. That red-haired woman had treated her like a homewrecker, keeping her at bay.
She thought, ‘Really, if he already has a beautiful woman with him, why is he hanging around me?’
Jasmine felt sad and angry. It was like there was a stone stuck in her chest, making her feel terrible. She was also disgusted by the idea. She’d never be a homewrecker. She hated homewreckers most of all.
Damien really wasn’t good at expressing his feelings. When Jasmine asked that question, he blurted out “Yes” almost without thinking.
Once he’d realized his own feelings, he’d accepted them without a second thought, no hesitation at all. That was exactly what he thought: Jasmine is mine. I won’t let anyone take her away. She can only be mine. Anyone who tries to take her from me will regret it.
His desire for Jasmine was like spotting a mirage in the desert. Even knowing it was fake, he’d still run toward it as fast as he could, desperate to grab hold and keep it.
When Jasmine heard it, her soul seemed to jolt. She froze, completely dumbfounded. ‘What had Damien just said?’ she thought, staring blankly and stammering after a moment, “What did you say?”
She thought she must have misheard. She wondered, ‘Damien said “yes”? He wants to be my man?’
Damien spoke slowly, each word clear. “I said yes.”
When Jasmine heard that, her heart surged with wild joy for a split second. But the feeling was quickly suppressed. She snapped, “In your dreams. I’d never let you be my man, you two-timing jerk.”
She added, “Get away from me. Stop interrupting others when they’re giving me flowers.”
“She and I…” Damien started to say.
“I don’t want to hear it. I don’t care.” In her agitation, Jasmine pushed the rose back into his hand. “Here, take it back, you jerk.”
Chapter 532
Damien knew full well he was being misunderstood. His face showed no expression but a sense of helplessness wrapped around him. Every nerve in his body was taut. He was about to say more when someone beside them spoke up. “Sir, since Ms. Farrington has turned you down, I hope you won’t keep pestering her. Please follow the party rules.”
Another man said, “That’s right. Who Ms. Farrington likes is her freedom. Even if we’re jealous, we can’t push our way in.”
Someone else chimed in, “Sir, could you move? You’re blocking me from giving Ms. Farrington a rose.”
Damien was the first person to have his rose returned to him in front of everyone. So quite a few teasing glances fell on him. They were whispering, talking about him.
Damien held the rose in his hand. He didn’t care what others were saying. He only had eyes for Jasmine. But Jasmine didn’t look at him. She turned around and walked away.