Jasmine woke up with a throbbing pain that lingered on her arm. She rose slowly and sat up on the bed. She let herself adjust for a moment. It felt like she held a lot of weight on that arm, like she only gained weight on one arm.
With a deep breath, she headed to the bathroom, where she splashed her face with water and scrubbed her teeth clean.
She walked down to see the dining table was set for one. She headed towards the kitchen and there he was, by the kitchen sink.
Clad in a formal outfit, ready for work. He had a little apron wrapped from his upper body to his waist. She could visualize his broad back from the outlines of the white shirt. Sturdy and firm. Jasmine felt like a wife taking a peep at her loving husband.
Damian suddenly spun around and their eyes met. Oh shit! He caught her. He sure did. Oh she should have looked away. Jasmine cried out internally. She fidgeted a bit and stuttered "Goo. Good morning".
He held a cup of coffee by his lips. He took a sip and asked "Want some?"
"Oh no. I don't do coffees. I prefer green teas."
He gazed at her for a second and asked "How are you?"
"I'm good. Thank you".
"Your arm?"
Oh. He was asking about her arm. She felt so silly at the moment. "A bit sour and heavy.. And itchy". She said while scratching her arm.
"Don't scratch it". He grabbed the first aid box and took a towel. He poured some ice cubes in it and tied it up. He then strode towards to her. "Let's go". With a gentle grasp, he took her hand and led her to the couch. For some reason, her heart started beating wildly at his action. This was certainly the first time her heart didn't pound out of fear.
She bit her lower lip, trying to control the fleeting feeling she had in her stomach. But she betrayed herself. She exhaled loudly.
"Are you in too much pain? Should we go to the hospital?" Damian asked.
"No No No. I.. It's nothing".
Damian gave her a quizzical look, his head angled slightly.
"It's nothing. You can continue".
He dressed the wound and applied a cold compress, giving her a little massage inbetween. The whole time, Jasmine held her breath—not because of the pain, but because she was trying to control her wild heart, afraid that it was beating loudly.
She raised her hand to scratch the wound but he hit her hand out. Her eyes widened at his sudden action.
"I said don't scratch it". He bent his head to the arm and slowly blew air on it.
Jasmine's heart warmed at the amount of attention he had given her and how he had brought out time to treat her. She had never been treated with so much care and caution. "Is there something I don't know about? Did you study medicine secretly?"
He chuckled softly "I trained in the military or did you forget about that? Soldiers are taught simple first aid like this". He packed up the tools and headed to the kitchen.
"I guess I'm the only one without multiple skills. I only know how to cook". She complained.
Damian picked up the suit that laid on the couch and turned towards her. "And can also lead a business. Not many women can do that. I will be leaving now. Call me if you need anything and. Don't overuse your arm". He ordered.
"Alright captain". Jasmine watched his back fade till he closed the door. The house suddenly went silent and lonely, like a good part of it left.
Jasmine stood there for a moment, unmoving. She glanced at the breakfast on the table. She couldn't help but find the scene familiar. Like deja vu. She shoved off the thoughts in her mind. She sat by the table and ate her breakfast.
*****
Few hours later. Jasmine thought if there was something that could kill her, then it was definitely boredom. She thought she could get some groceries since Damian was here.
She hurriedly put on some casual clothes and walked out of the house. She called a taxi and made her way to the supermarket.
As she strode through the supermarket picking things she needed and things she thought she might need. She noticed two men at the far end of the supermarket. They smartly followed her. They were really cautious, but Jasmine had been alert all her life, so she noticed. She strode more around the supermarket to confirm her suspicions. And when she confirmed, the first person that came to her mind was Damian.
She immediately texted him *Someone is tailing me. Do you think it's Mateo?*
She got an immediate reply. *Stay where you are*
That moment, Jasmine felt a splitting headache. She suddenly became sweaty and couldn't help but fidget. How long would it take for Damian to get here? 10 minutes? 5 minutes? Her father could have taken her by then. She walked quickly to the payment counter and stood there. She thought at least she had to stay where people were. No one could try to take her in front of so many people.
3 minutes later, Jasmine thought she could pass out under so much tension. She didn't know 3 minutes could be so long. She felt a hand slip into her hand behind her. She quickly spun around.
"Oh my God Damian. I almost passed out." She hugged him tightly and exhaled deeply. She felt relieved. She whispered the position of the men to him.
"What were you doing here?" Damian asked.
She quickly withdrew from his embrace, surprised by his question "Are you seriously asking me about that?"
"You don't have to worry about them".
"Huh?"
Damian looked at the shopping cart beside her. He dragged it and paid for the items. "Let's go"