Seduce Me (The Heart Series)

by Angela Estienne

  “I will have to go. I don’t want to be late delivering my parcels.”

  “Catch you at lunch Jazz, and then I want to know why you have been up all night crying.” She walked up to me and gave me a cuddle. “Did you really think you could hide it from me?” I thought I had dodged a bullet on that one.

  I walked around back and got changed, I was dreading going to the coffee shop this afternoon, I was ready to ring Lana and say I was ill, but she was already working Yukari’s shift so it didn’t seem right. I just hoped that Luke wouldn’t make an appearance. And now I had to try to explain what happened to Rachel, who would then in turn tell Dylan all about it, who would then inevitably tell Caitlin. I took in a deep breath and started to load my van, I was in a world of my own, trying to find a way to explain it all to Rachel.

  “Morning Jazz.” I jumped and turned around.

  “Morning Zale, what happened to you yesterday?”

  “I went out on Sunday night and sort of slept in.”

  “I see, I promise I won’t breathe a word of it.” He came up to me and put his arms around my shoulder.

  “I think someone has been up all night crying?” No, I now had to try to explain it to Zale as well.

  “Yeah, just a guy, I thought he cared about me, but I was just another notch on his bed post.”

  “You are well shot of him Jasmine. You need a real man, not a self-loving one. You deserve the very best. You are worth it.”

  “Thanks Zale.” I finished loading my van and headed off. It was a very quiet morning, which gave me some time to think of what I was going to say to Rachel over lunch. When I got back I finished my paperwork and headed out to meet her, Rachel slotted her arm within my elbow joint and pulled me in close as walked off to the restaurant.

  I only ordered a small sandwich, I really wasn’t feeling that hungry.

  “Is that all you are having for lunch?”

  “Yep, I can’t face a lot.”

  “So do you want to tell me what went wrong?”

  “Exactly what I expected, I was just another name for his little black book.”

  “Jasmine, No! I can’t believe it. I thought he really liked you.”

  “Well he fooled both of us then.”

  “Are you sure that’s all he wanted from you?”

  “Yeah, after the deed was done, we lay on my bed, he rolled over, and kissed me on the forehead, he got up and dressed, said thank you and left.”

  “Oh I am so sorry Jasmine. We will find you a real man.”

  “No thanks Rachel, I need to be on my own.”

  “That feeling won’t last forever.”

  “I hope it does, I never want to feel like this again.”

  “Not every man is into self-gratification you know?”

  “I can’t see anything else at the moment. Everything looks very black and cloudy. It’s like looking at night time without any streetlights casting there false light into the equation.”

  “I know what we can do?”

  “What’s that then?”

  “It’s a surprise, you will find out later.”

  “Don’t try to set me up with anyone Rachel.”

  “I won’t, I promise.”

  “Right time to head off to the coffee shop, if I can get through this afternoon I will only have to face one more shift and then I am finished.” We set off back to the depot so I could collect my bike, as I was leaving Rachel said.

  “Keep your chin up Jazz.”

  “Thanks Rachel.” I replied.

  Chapter 19

  I set off for my afternoon shift. My stomach was churning. I was praying he wouldn’t show up. Once I arrived, I noticed Lana serving.

  “Afternoon Lana, is Yukari still ill?”

  “Yeah she will be off all week.” I went into the back and got my uniform on. When I came out, she was heading off. I started tidying the place up, wanting to stay busy so I had less time with my own thoughts. My wish came true, one customer after another, it was a great distraction. Then my regular large order came in. I went a little bit slower on purpose, knowing if Luke was going to show his face it would be soon. I didn’t want to face him alone.

  Then my worst fear was realised, he appeared in the doorway, my body almost freezing at the sight of him, my emotions were balancing on the edge again at the renewed memories of last night. He approached the counter.

  “Afternoon sir, what can I get you today?”

  “I am sorry Jasmine.” I couldn’t lift my head up. If I looked at him, I would break down.

  “What can I get you?” I said it a bit firmer this time.

  “Jasmine, please look at me.” Stay calm Jazz. Don’t let him win again.

  “If you don’t want anything, leave.”

  “Can I have a BLT and an orange juice please?”

  “Very well, I will bring it over when it is ready.” With that, my last customer walked out of the door. I felt like running away now I was alone with him. I was begging for another customer to show up, not wanting to be on my own with him.

  I walked into the kitchen to make his sandwich, he appeared in the doorway, my heart was beating faster and faster. I was ready to walk out, but I knew I couldn’t leave the coffee shop unattended.

  “Jasmine can you please talk to me?”

  “No I will not talk to you. Now go and sit down.” My voice was laced with anger.

  “I need to talk to you first. I have been up all night.”

  “If you are looking for sympathy you have come to the wrong place. Now sit down and let me get on.” My grip on the knife increased. Jasmine, breath, you can do this, don’t let him get to you. Come on breath. I took in another lung full of air and loosened my grip on the kitchen knife.

  “Jasmine, please. Give me a little latitude here.” I snapped right back at him, with a fair amount of venom in my voice.

  “Latitude . . . Latitude! Are you for real? Give me a fucking break Luke, how dare—.” I heard the door open, thank god another customer arrived. Luke went back and took his seat. I took in some more steadying breaths before I took his food and drink out. As I put his food on the table, he reached up and grabbed my arm.

  “Jasmine, please meet me after work.”

  “Get . . . You’re . . . Hands . . . Off . . . Me . . . Now . . .” I glared at him and he let go. I was so tempted to throw his drink down his front, but I just managed to keep it together long enough, knowing that he would be out of my life soon enough.

  I continued serving, refusing to look at him. Once he had finished he walked back to my counter, as he handed me the money, he tried to grab my hand but I snatched the money out of his fingers. He had no more rights to make contact with my skin. One after another, new customers walked in, he walked out of the door. As he was exiting he turned around to look at me. I turned my head away fast not wanting to look, I heard the door close and continued serving until I thought it was safe to look out of the window. When I looked he was out of sight I sighed in relief, someone was on my side at last. My phone started bleeping. Great now what?

  “Jasmine, please I am begging you, text me I am really sorry, Luke xxx.”

  Unbelievable, he had a cheek, but I texted him back and made my feelings abundantly clear.

  “Yeah I will text you, here you go. Now fuck off out of my life and never ever contact me again, J.”

  I had to take in a very deep breath to remain in control of my emotions. It was no good falling to pieces at work. Placing the phone back in my pocket I carried on serving. I’d not be ringing him or texting him again. By the end of my shift, I just needed to get away, so I went back to the lake.

  After I took my riding gear off, I sat down next to the lake on the small patch of grass where I had sat previously. I sat there watching the water. How on earth could I have been that stupid? I’m not a child. How did I get myself wrapped up into this mess? My mind was still spinning. I had a thousand different thoughts running through my head. Then my phone bleeped again.

>   “Jasmine, please, please will you meet with me, I am really, really sorry, Luke xxx.”

  Placing my phone back in my handbag I went back to watching the water. I laid back and relaxed watching the white wisps pass me by. Just me and the countryside, no work, and more importantly no Luke. I loved watching the different cloud formations traveling along in the sky. My phone started beeping again.

  “God dammit Jasmine, face me and stop running away, Luke.”

  What a cheek he had, he was the one who left me. That man was impossible. I laid back down, but my phone bleeped again, this was supposed to be a relaxing, but it is just getting annoying.

  “Jazz, stop ignoring me, Luke.”

  On your bike boy. I lay back down again, within one hour he had already text me three times. Then it beeped again, I opened it up.

  “Hi J, I am at your house, where r u, I am worried, D.”

  Oh no, Rachel said she was planning something for tonight, it had totally slipped my mind, I text straight back.

  “Hi D, sorry I am on my back now J xxx.”

  I got my riding gear back on and headed back home. As I pulled up, I started taking in some deep breaths, now I had to face Dylan. Once off my bike I locked her up. I took in one final deep breath and headed into the house.

  “Jazz, I got worried about you.” He came over to me and gave me a bear hug.

  “I am fine. I just needed an hour out of it. You always know I bounce back.”

  “That doesn’t stop me worrying.” I gave him a reassuring smile.

  “Hi Rachel.”

  “Hi Jazz, do you want a drink?”

  “Yes please.” We sat at the kitchen table and talked about what had happened with Luke. I noticed a bouquet of flowers on the side unit.

  “What are those flowers for?”

  “They are for you, they arrived earlier, I forgot about them.” He passed me the card.

  “Jasmine, I behaved like a fool, please forgive me, Luke xxx.”

  I stood up and threw the card and the flowers in the bin.

  “So who were they from?” Dylan asked.

  “I will give you three guesses but you are only going to need one.” I replied.

  “Luke.”

  “See I knew you only needed one guess.”

  “Right I have ordered a Chinese, it will be arriving soon, I hope you are hungry.” No not food, I just wanted to hit my bed, but it was sweet of Rachel. There was a knock at the door, Rachel went to answer it and came back with the Chinese. I hadn’t realised I was that hungry. Now I was really happy that Rachel had organised it for us. Then my phone bleeped again, I picked it up and had a look.

  “Can I see u tomorrow? Luke xxx.”

  He was wasting his time texting me, there was no way I was replying to that sick-minded tosser.

  Then came another knock on the door, we all just looked at each other blank.

  “Who could this be now?” Dylan got up to answer the door, I heard shouting coming from outside the front, I looked over at Rachel and got up to see what the hell was going on. I couldn’t believe my eyes, Luke and Dylan were on the driveway, kicking the living crap out of each other. I was absolutely fuming.

  “What the hell is going on out here?”

  “Jasmine, talk to me please.” Punch, Dylan took the opportunity to get another swipe in. Wham, Luke hit him back. I saw blood fly from Dylan’s mouth. I ran over to them and tried to get in-between them. Rachel appeared outside.

  “What are you doing? Stop it,” she shouted. I could see a tear running down her face.

  “Will you both stop it, this solves nothing.” Neither of them was listening to me. Dylan punched Luke in the ribs, Luke stumbled backwards, then he did the same to Dylan, this was getting out of hand, all I could see was punches flying between them both, and blood flying everywhere. I tried to get in-between them again. I was successful this time. I split them up, they both had blood on their tops, and trousers, both of their faces were cut and bleeding.

  “Will you both just stop it. Enough. This is ridiculous. You are acting like a pair of hooligans? Rachel, take Dylan in and sort him out please.”

  “What about you Jasmine,” she replied.

  “I will be fine, I will come in soon. I just need to sort this matter out first.” Rachel took Dylan in the house and shut the front door. I looked at Luke. “What the hell do you think you’re playing at? How dare you come to my house and start on my family.” He grabbed my arm and led me away firmly.

  “Let go of me, now!”

  “Look Jazz hear me out. I am sorry about Dylan but I have to talk to you, he wouldn’t let me in the house, he wouldn’t even let you know I was here. He was being difficult.”

  “So you thought you had a right to start a fight with him, you think that makes it all right do you? Have you been drinking?” I knew he had, I could smell the alcohol on his breath.

  “No it doesn’t make it all right, but I got frustrated at the blockade, you won’t answer my calls. What else could I have done?”

  “How about leaving me the hell alone, and go away.” I turned around to walk off and he grabbed my arm again.

  “Hear me out first, please Jasmine.” I shouted at him, my frustration and anger was getting harder to contain.

  “No, I will not hear you out, you have got some nerve, how dare you grab me, get off me now.” He let go of my arm.

  “Jasmine please.”

  “What are you some sick stalker? Now that’s how to do it Jazz, well done, now stop shaking and make your point. “If you ever come near me again, I will call the police and file for an injunction order. Don’t bother coming to my place of work again either, I want nothing more to do with you.” I turned to walk away again but he grabbed my arm, he then pinned me against the wall, I shrugged him off and slapped his face. He then pinned my arms above my head.

  “Jazz, please hear me out first.” Don’t listen, stand firm Jazz. Tell him to sling his hook.

  “No I won’t, you had your chance with me and you blew it, you are sick in the head. Go and get some help and leave me alone.”

  “Jasmine please, will you listen to me.” Why will he just not leave me alone? He must know what he is doing to me. Fight back the tear’s Jasmine Williams. Don’t let him see you crying.

  “No! Now get your hands off me, and leave me alone.” Well done Jazz, keep breathing, keep hold of your emotions.

  “You can shout at me all you want, I will not let you go unless you will hear me out.” This man doesn’t quit. I struggled and managed to get free, I then kicked him on his shin.

  “Now leave me alone.” He re-grabbed me and held my hands firmly above my head again “I am warning you for the last time Luke. Get . . . Your . . . Hands . . . Off . . . Me . . . Now . . .”

  “No I won’t, I love you Jasmine.” I couldn’t hear any more from this man, I looked him in the eyes and then raised my knee extra fast and caught him square on in the family jewels. He let out an ear piercing shrill cry and let go of my arms, he tumbled to the floor in a heap, rolling around holding his manhood in his hands. I could hear funny noises coming out of his mouth, but I didn’t care.

  “Just remember Luke, you walked out on me, I warned you to stay away from me. Now for the final time leave me alone, and don’t come back.” Just keep walking. As I walked off back to the house, I noticed Dylan and Rachel stood in the doorway, had they had been watching what was going on? I locked the door behind me. Stop shaking Jasmine, you showed him.

  I stood with my back to the door. My limbs were shaking. I caught my breath, in through the nose and out through my mouth, I walked through into the kitchen and looked at Dylan.

  “What were you thinking? You big oath.”

  “He was trying to get into the house, I had to stop him.” I shook my head from side to side. Dylan wasn’t a fighter, it just not his nature, I walked up to him and kissed him on the cheek.

  “Thank you Dylan, now let’s see the damage.”

  “Jasm
ine, he looked a mess, I think he had been drinking.”

  “Off course he looked a mess, you had a fight.”

  “No, when I answered the door, he looked a mess already.” I really didn’t want to talk about Luke so I moved the conversation on swiftly.

  “Well you are going to have a right shiner tomorrow.” He winced when I hugged him.

  “Your ribs let me see.” He lifted his t-shirt, there was a big red patch, I got a t-towel out of the drawer and got the ice out of the freezer. I put it into the towel and placed it on his ribs.

  “Ouch.” He flinched.

  “Sorry Dylan, but this will help a little.” Rachel came back into the kitchen with some paracetamol. She got a glass and put some water into it.

  “Here you go, swallow these.” I put the kettle on, I was still on the verge of crying, and if I could just stop my body shaking, it would help. I made us a drink and sat at the table.

  “So what did he want?” Rachel asked.

  “To talk.”

  “Oh . . . So that didn’t go so well then?”

  “You could say that.”

  “I didn’t know you could ‘fight’ Jasmine.” Rachel said.

  “Well I don’t like to, I always avoid confrontation whenever I can.”

  “But you floored him,” she replied.

  “I had forgotten how adapt you are at talking care of yourself. It has been so many years since I last saw you do something of this magnitude.”

  “This isn’t funny Dylan, I got played, and you got hurt.”

  “It isn’t your fault Jasmine, Dylan’s a big boy now, he can take care of himself—.” Dylan interrupted Rachel.

  “I have to disagree. I really don’t think I can take care of myself. It was Jasmine that got him to disappear, not me.” We burst out laughing, Dylan winced, I knew that feeling, I was sure his ribs were broken and I was responsible. Rachel drove Dylan back to her own house. I locked the door and went to bed.