The car was quiet as they drove home. Damian's hands on the steering, eyes on road and thoughts afloat. He glanced at Jasmine for a moment. She sat on the passenger seat. Damian couldn't figure out what she was thinking. She had faced the window right from the start of the drive, not speaking a word. He felt she was trying to gather her thoughts together. But was she?
Indeed, Jasmine was actually trying to gather her thoughts together. Although she had felt quite sad for a moment, but she swore her heart had raced when he had hugged her. His huge body had enveloped her small body letting her get a good sniff on him.
He had smelt like coffee. Maybe Americano? Or Espresso? She knew nothing about coffees, she never liked them. But for the first time, coffee smelt good. It was like she had tasted them.
Jasmine slightly shook her head. She bit her lips hard to divert her mind from what she was thinking. She was definitely crazy. But for a moment she liked it.
Even after she had testified against her father, even after he had gone to prison, she lived in fear—knowing fully well that he might be back one day. Her father hated to be controlled. She knew he hated that prison yard. She worked hard like crazy, trying to get money, power, just so she could protect herself.
Her father was a chronic abuser. A psychopath. A murderer. He hated that he had birthed a female offspring. He had always wanted to pass down his killer instincts to his male child. But unfortunately, he got a Female child.
Despite that, he still hoped to pass it down to his female child. So he took her down to the basement where he tortured and killed people—while she watched. He made her clean every drop of blood he spilled. He always cut her hair short claiming she looked more like his child with her haircut. He whipped her every time she cried saying 'Killers shouldn't have emotions'.
Maybe it was this statement that had made her so abnormal the past few years. Her lack of communication with people, lack of empathy and trust.
Her mother didn't escape his insane acts. She had tried exposing him but she ended up being a mute slave—stuck up in his prison, without any hope to ever live a normal life. She ended up ever communicating with her mother with small written notes.
It's been 14 years since she had seen her father and 13 since her mother had died. It had been a shock when her father was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment. Someone like him was meant for a death by hanging. But the judge gave out a weird sentence. He had killed. Alot.
Jasmine was finally breathing a new type of oxygen. For the first time, she felt safe. She had someone. There was someone that actually cared.
The instant the car engine died down, Jasmine muttered a "Thank you for the ride". She quickly stepped out of the car. She walked directly into her house, not looking back for a moment. She stood in the middle of living room.
Why did she just do that? Was she embarrassed? For crying? Maybe a little. Why did she have to act like a damsel in distress? This man was making her weak and dependent. She didn't fully trust him yet. She had to toughen up. What if he changes his mind about her? Will she be able to take it?
Her thoughts were interrupted by the knock of the door. Who could be knocking? No one knew her house except from Simon and... Damian?
She opened the door and there stood Damian.
"Let's have dinner tonight"
"Huh". The sudden statement caught Jasmine off guard.
"Dinner. Tonight. Your place. I will get going" He soon walked back to his car and drove off.
Meanwhile Jasmine was still stuck by the door. What was that about? Dinner? How does his brain work? He was like a mixture of winter and summer. Cold and hot. She should learn more about him. Jasmine shut the door and soon got ready for work.
***
As soon as Jasmine stepped into her office, Simon followed suit.
"Mr Keno canceled the Food test indefinitely. Do have any idea why he did so? Did you speak with him?"
Jasmine frowned. Why would he do that? He didn't even discuss it with her. "I will speak with him and get back to you. Is there any other thing I need to know?"
"Nothing for now".
Jasmine picked up her phone. She immediately texted Damian.
"You canceled the food test"
She waited for about a minute before a reply came in.
"The food test still holds"
Jasmine's brows creased. What was he playing at?
"At your place".
Was he talking about dinner? He was going to make that, the food test? . Then she definitely have up her plan. This was no more about just her but also about her company. She raised her head towards Simon.
"The food test still holds today. You don't have to prepare anything. Just leave it to me "
"Alright then".