LOVE & BETRAYAL

Jasmine’s POV Things never go as we planned. Like yesterday, I was expecting to live the most memorable moment of my life, which turned out to be the worst. I was left dumbfounded, broken, devastated with all the loss I went through. I lost my best friend, guide, lover, and everything in just one moment which I could never forget in my entire life. I would never see him again. It was tough but I decided. I decided to live for myself. I decided to leave a toxic relationship and go with the flow as I want to unfold what my life is having for me. **Flashback** “Jasmine, get ready. You would get late for your date with Alex.”, my best friend and roommate shouted from the kitchen. I woke up with an open mouth shocked and looked at the watch. I mentally slapped myself and said, “What? My date, oh no It’s ten already. I do not even have two hours to get ready" and saw Iliyana entering my room with the two coffee mugs and I gave her a death glare before saying, ''And now you are waking me up?” “Really? You should be responsible for your date, not me sweetheart. Now get your lazy ass off the bed otherwise someone else would take him.” “Shut up you b***h. I don’t have time, otherwise, I would have given you a good reply.” I grabbed my pink floral dress from the closet and went into the bathroom to get ready. It took me more than one hour to be presentable for this day. I was waiting for this day since the time we got into the relationship and today finally I will get him all for me. I put on my dress and did a little make-up as he likes to see me naturally. According to him, I am naturally beautiful. I wore my footwear and left to meet the love of my life. I was waiting for him at our usual place near his office as it will be convenient for him to come. It is a restaurant in which small booths were provided to the guests for giving them their privacy. I was standing in our booth near the table and looking at a few children playing, which brought a smile to my face. I wondered about my childhood days with him when I felt his two arms around my waist and rested his head on my shoulder. “Finally, you are here. I thought you forgot about our date.”, I said with a soft smile on my lips. He is my heaven and I can spend my entire life with him like this. he inhaled my fragrance and said, “I can forget about taking a breath but you. I missed you a lot.”, and I immediately replied, “I missed you too Alex. Let’s sit.” I was about to turn around when stopped me and said, “No, just stay like this for some time. I want to say something to you.” I stood again and asked him, “Okay tell me.” He started with our first meeting, “Jasmine, you remember we met for the first time in this restaurant twelve years ago. I was with my parents and you were with yours. And by mistake, your food was replaced with mine.” I smiled remembering the incident when we first met and continued, “Yes, I remember and you were so angry that time. You were yelling that your food was stolen.” He was standing still holding me but I can feel he was thinking a lot. He was in some thoughts and I knew something was bothering him. He continued, “Yup, it was the first time when I cried because I didn’t get my favorite food.” “But Alex-“, I wanted to say something but he interrupted me, “Let me complete.” “Okay.”, I replied and he continued, “After that day we met in our school and became best friends. No one dared to bully you. Same in college unless I completed my studies. I was there for you as a shield.” I remember him telling everyone in my class that he would beat their asses black and blue if I ever got hurt because of them. I said, “Yes, you were there and I know you will be with me all the time whenever I need it.” “Jasmine, this time I need you. I want your help. Would you do that?”, He asked and I replied immediately, “Of course, I will.” There is no way that I would refuse to help. He is the love of my life and I would never want to disappoint him. “Promise?”He asked and I turned, finding his grip loosened on me and looking into his brown eyes which were silent and telling that there is a storm on the way and telling me to be ready. I asked him cupping his face in my hands, “Don’t you trust me?” He held my hand in his and said, “I do but still I need your words because I know Jasmine never backs out on her words.” “Okay, I promise.”, I said and he relaxed. He made me sit on the chair and sat in front of me on his knees and said, “I want you to get married-“ before he completes I said, “I will do it.” I smiled at him. What else I could ask when I am getting my happiness, my love. Now I will be able to have him for my life. But he was not looking happy. I was about to say more but said, “I want you to get married to Allen.” He said and I stood leaving him sitting there on the chair, “What?”, He stood and came near me. “Are you out of your mind? He is your business rival. Why would I marry him? I love you.”, I said and looked out of the window. I was trying to understand how he could say that? Doesn’t he know I don’t want anyone except him? “You love me, that's why I want you to marry him and give me his secrets.”, He told me and I looked into his eyes with shocking eyes. He wants to use me for his benefit, “I can’t do this.”, I replied without even thinking. He reminded me, “You promised me jasmine. I only trust you and I know you would never betray me.” I walked towards the chair and sat on it palmed my face in my hands. I thought for a while and said, “But we can find some other way. Why marriage? He told me his plan, “Because marrying him would give you the power and he would open his secrets only in front of his life partner or someone he is close to.” “You can send someone else to him. Why do you want me to do that?”, I suggested and he said, “Someone else can be bought with money, not you.” I asked him to make sure, “Are you sure? If he ever comes to know about it we can’t even imagine what he would do with you and me?” He gave my hand a light squeeze and assured me, “He will never know.” “Hope so.”, I said and stood to leave. He hugged me saying, “Thank you, babe. I love you a lot. I knew you would help me. You are my best friend.” Once he pulled off the hug I said, “I love you too. But this is the last thing which I am doing for you as a best friend. After this, you will have everything but not your best friend.” “Jasmine”, He called me but I turned towards the exit door. I grabbed the handle and said without looking at him, “Just let me know the plan, I will be there.” ----- Allen’s POV Today I am going to tell her that I don't want her anymore. It’s not like she is not good anymore but she needs commitment and I won’t do that. I like to control business, things, and women, especially when they are under me. But now I want a new chic to have fun. And I know where I would find her? I sat in front of Alina and she was glowing like a flower. She was wearing a blue floral dress and she was looking delicious. But I won’t touch her anymore. I told her what I wanted to say, “We can’t be together anymore. Don’t show your face again. I am done with you. Now, I am tired of you. She looked at me with teary eyes and asked, “Do you have any idea what you are saying?” “Of course I know. I don’t want to be with you as I see you as a hurdle in my life and my career.”, I confirmed and she yelled, “I love you, you f*****g i***t. And you are saying that I am coming between you and your career.” Everybody was looking at us from the other tables and I glared at her. How dare she disrespect me in my own restaurant. I also stood and replied with a high pitch, “Shut up. There is nothing like love and all between us. You were with me because I was fulfilling your needs and you were mine.” “Allen, how will I live without you?”She pleaded. And here she is. Every girl needs money. You would get a new girl every day if you have money. I sat and took my bank cheque-book from my secretary. I said holding my pen to write a cheque, “I will pay you a hefty amount which will fulfill all your needs and you don’t need to be worried. Just say it.” She looked at me in disbelief and said, “I don’t need anything. But you know you will regret this. You will cry someday and you will also be left alone like me. That day you will realize my pain.” I gave her a mocking smile and said, “Guess what, that would never happen. Love is nothing but a trap. And I am not easy to get trapped in. Now show yourself out or should I call the security?” She gave me a final glare and left the restaurant crying for her fate.