Fated love: the unwanted bride

“No, it’s not that. My sister and Mr. Cheney are getting married, you should not be surprised.”

“I told you long ago, they are a perfect match, good-looking and talented. But you insisted on interfering, making it about yourself.”

“Your meddling was not worth it in the end, you lost more than you gained. Jasmine Yale, do you feel pathetic or not?”

Jasmine Yale listened to her chattering on.

She felt no turbulence in her heart, as if she was listening to a stranger’s story. “Jasmine Yale, I warned you a while ago, but you didn’t listen, you were so eager to please. Look at you, you’re not ugly, you could’ve married a civil servant or a small white-collar worker. But no, you had to fall for Mr. Cheney.” “People cannot be too greedy. You need to take a good look at yourself and measure your own weight.”

Jasmine paused and looked at her with frosty eyes.

“Lana Fern, has anyone ever told you that you’re like a squawking crow?”

Right after saying that, the elevator stopped, and Jasmine got out.

As she got out, she immediately dialed Joe Heath’s number.

“What’s wrong? Miss me, just a minute after leaving?” On the other end of the line, was a playful laugh.

“I met someone upstairs whom I didn’t want to see, could you get rid of her for me?”

“Really? Which floor?”

“She was going to the twentieth floor.”

“Okay, I will be right there.”

“I heard she wants to meet with a screenwriter. It’s late, don’t let her meet him.”

“Okay, whatever you say.” Joe realized her intentions and chuckled lightly.

He could guess who it was. Surprisingly, it really was her.

Little Jasmine Yale, sometimes gentle, sometimes quite annoying.

“Thanks, I’m going home to take a bath.”

“Okay, bye, good night.”

“Good night.”

Not bothered by Lana Fern anymore thanks to Joe’s intervention, Jasmine Yale was relieved.

She imagined that, unless something unexpected happened, Lana would be going back to her country tomorrow.

She won’t be able to create a ruckus everywhere.

Returning to her apartment, Jasmine took a bath and opened a bottle of red wine.

The gentle night breeze was blowing, the night was soft and beautiful like water.

She didn’t care about what Lana Fern said.

Rather, she didn’t feel anything anymore.

Jasmine Yale sat in a hanging basket on the balcony, swinging her feet, drinking wine, and looking at the night sky.

She drew a blanket over herself.

She had been slowly learning, been slowly ending some longstanding habits.

Such as kicking off her quilt when sleeping, or falling asleep while taking a bath…

She knew that, there wouldn’t be anyone to cover her up in the middle of the night, nor anyone to remind her while she was bathing.

That’s okay…

Finally, she was no longer the naive girl who knew not of the world.

A bird can’t always hide under another’s wing.

The alcohol numbed and induced drowsiness. After a few drinks, Jasmine dozed off in the swing.

In her hazy state, she had a sweet dream.

Past midnight, the bell of the distant church rang once.

Jasmine woke up startled. She rubbed her brow, lifted the blanket, and walked back to her room.

In the past if she fell asleep unexpectedly, someone would carry her to bed. Thinking back on it now, that was a really bad habit…

Jasmine pulled the blanket over herself and switched off the lamp.

The silent night deepened, casting a blur of light and shadows.

The small apartment was filled with the fragrance of red wine and the faint scent of Jasmine Yale herself..