Jasmine's p.o.v
I've been able to raise $150k through my first work at the club after working full day non-stop for days. Although, the money wasn't only from the job, but also from some few tips from highly influential people who are patrons of the club. Working at the club has actually been a blessing in disguise.
Today is my day off and Rachel's, and she decided we link up at her place.
"It's now devoid of $350k," I replied Rachel upon questioning after counting the money I've been able to gather six days after Mateo's countdown began.
Rachel brought out a bag. "Here is 100k. Now, we have a $250."
"Oh my God, Rachel," I hugged her tightly.
"You are such a life saver. Thank you."
"You're welcome Jasmine," Rachel clapped my back reciprocating the hug.
"So, what is going to happen now, Jasmine?" Rachel asked after unhugging me. "Don't you think it high time to tell your mother the mess you're in?"
"No Rachel. Believe me, it'd only get worse."
"Well, I'm sorry but I don't see anything worse than being on the bad side of a man like Mateo in the whole of this situation, Jasmine."
I stood up from Rachel's bed I've been sitting and stood in front of the mirror in her room. "You don't understand Rachel. It's not as easy as you think."
"What do you mean?"
"I had promised her. I can't afford to break that trust, Rachel." I said facing the mirror.
"I don't understand, Jasmine."
I turn away from the mirror to face her.
"Jason. You remember Jason?"
"Didn't you tell me he was the reason you left your former place because he was haunting you, to kill you?"
'Yes, but there's more. That was just the snippet part of the story."
Rachel closed the money bag she's holding and pushed it aside. "What happened, Jasmine?"
I bit my lips, trying to prevent my next words from falling. "I...I had killed someone."
Rachel's mouth stood agape for a second before covering it with her hand. "And it was Jason's brother, Alejandro."
"What the actual fuck, Jasmine? How?" Rachel asked, her eyes widened in complete shock.
I faced the mirror again. "We used to live in an area in Puebla before moving here in the suburb of Interlomas and Jason used to be an acquaintance in the neighbourhood. One day, I was walking home from my college library after finishing a project work when I saw Alejandro and his friends lingering by the corner of our street smoking and drinking. I was approached by one of them who tried to tease me all in the name of trying to have fun, but I retaliated. Upon seeing what had happened, Alejandro intervened, and everything got messy so quickly after he tapped me by my ass. Somehow, I managed to stand my ground and walk away.
Rachel only stared in awe as I continued.
"Unfortunately for me, Alejandro had other plans. I had gone to the market to get some fruits when a car approached me. He held me at gunpoint and commanded me to get into the car of which I did. He locked the windows and drove us down to a very secluded area before dragging me down. Then he told me to strip, all at gunpoint! He tried to force himself on me, but somehow, I managed to grab the gun and all I could remember was the gun falling into his pool of blood from my hand.
"Oh God, Jasmine!" Rachel inhaled deeply.
"I got home that night and just couldn't help, but narrate all that had happened to my mum. The following day, my mum called me not to go back home from school. She had heard the news about Jason's brother's death going viral in the neighbourhood and how he had come looking for me and my mother with a gun chanting death. I knew I was in for it."
"In no time, my mother gathered all she could and we were able to escape the city at the later hour of the day where no one could see us."
"I'm so sorry, Jasmine."
"Imagine what could have happened if I never told her, Rachel. She literally saved my life! And she had told me about my father and warned me to stay away from trouble of which I had promised to do. I can't afford breaking that, Rachel. Not now that she's only recuperating, not ever!" I affirmed, shaking my head in addition and holding back my tears.
Rachel stood up from her seat and walk down to me, patting my back as she hugged me. "I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that, Jasmine."
She turned to face me, wiped my tears, cupping my face in her hands. "If not for the picture my Dad had shown me with your father after he underwent his surgery, I'd probably think Mateo was right, but your father was an extra ordinary man. He was kind and generous and I can tell you this through my own father's testimony of him. And God just had to prove me right by meeting you, his daughter."
My phone beeped, interrupting our conversation and I rushed down to Rachel's bed where it's been resting.
"I need you here in fifty minutes." I hissed at the thought of Mateo's message, throwing my phone on the bed and sitting on the edge of the bed.
"I'm not leaving here. Do your worst."
"Who is that?" Rachel asked, joining me on the bed.
"How can somebody be so callous?" I yelled as I talk to myself expressing my frustration to Rachel and spilling every word non-stop. "I am here trying my utmost best to get the fucking money he had given me the impossible task to find and now he has the effrontery to tell me to come and cook and clean for him!"
"Slow down, Jasmine. Catch some breath," Rachel tried to calm me.
I lowered my head and held my forehead with my hands, my gaze fixed on the bed.
"Her birthday's is in a few days' time and ... I am just so disorientated right now."
Rachel removed my hands away from my forehead and held my hand before she began speaking. "I don't know, but I think I have an idea."
I've been thinking...you actually don't have to pay Mateo that money.