Jasmine POV
Over time as my birthday came closer and closer Mark asked me what I liked. I honestly had no idea what I liked. I was kept shut in a house so much of the time I had no idea what to like. I was only let out long enough to go to school and go home. Thank goodness I had friends who gave me money for my birthday. It made it that much easier for me.
So I told him what I could. I loved tulips and roses just like my mom did. She had a photo that I found of her while she was a few months pregnant with me out in the garden. In the photo it showed her planting tulips and roses. She felt so proud to plant such beautiful flowers. As my older brothers handed the flowers to her. I was unsure how I felt about so many other things, but the tulips and roses would never change.
Mark decided to start a couple of different gardens. I decided to join him outside for a couple hours each day. We planted tulips, a couple rose bushes, we even got some new flowers called snap dragons and Lilies. Then we started the next day in a vegetable garden with some herbs. It was fun, but I was still afraid to be outside for more than a couple of hours because I didn't want to see me. Jack had already found me and that scared me half to death.
It was around noon when we had finished working in the garden when we came in. Mark and I came in after working in the garden. I decided to eat some lunch. I felt drained, so after lunch I went to Mark and my room. We shared a room because I still didn't want to be alone. I still had nightmares even when I took naps. Mark had a desk put in his room over in a corner with a desk lamp so he could be closer to me.
That made me feel safer knowing he was close by. He did some more paper work once we made it to our room and I fell asleep to the sound of the ocean. He bought me a radio that had several different white noises and I loved the ocean one the best. I only woke up when I felt the covers being pulled up on me.
" Shhsshsshhhssshhhh... It's ok sweetie, just go back to sleep. You were crying in your sleep and shaking. I just came to pull up the covers." said Mark ever so sweetly.
Mark was by far different from my father and brothers. He was sweet and gentle. The closer to my birthday the more he tried to get me to do but didn't want to push me to far so he let me set the pace. As far as doctors orders I didn't fallow them very well so Dr. Humphrey of course was mad at me every visit. So he made me wear a cast since my wrist was still trying to heal, but couldn't. He wrote a prescription for vidamin D, C, and calcium.
I lacked a lot of vitamins, yet dispite my lack of care by my family I was still ok. I had no cavities, my teeth were a perfect white as I was only allowed water. I felt confused as the doctor finished his examinations on me.
The doctor planned to have me healthy for my birthday giving Mark a list of things to let me have extras of. Next thing I knew I got a lovely surprise. Thank goodness the doctor had a bathroom and feminine supplies in it.
Not feeling great I wrote and went back to our bedroom making a list. I made sure to specify brands of what I needed. Mark of course let me be and set one of his maids to the store as she was more experienced in what I was needing. after changing my clothes and what not I laid down. it was 2 weeks before my birthday and I was hoping my period wouldn't be anywhere near my birthday. Thank goodness it wouldn't be.
Time seemed to move slowly, but finally the crappy week I came to hate and felt ashamed of passed. My Birthday was now a few days away. The doctor said I was definitely anemic so I needed to make sure my iron stayed up. Mark had almost every day planned out except my birthday. He knew I liked chicken, sea food, and turkey. His cooks made some excellent grilled chicken Caesar salad for me and of course Evan his head chef was teaching me how to cook shrimp.
Mark came in a few hours later to check in on me as I started wandering around the house. The kitchen was my favorite place because I got to see how the food was cooked. I loved seeing how the vegetables from the garden got used and prepared. I was like a kid in a candy factory. Evan thought it was hilarious yesterday because I came in to see what they were cooking.
Well I ended up learning how to make my own salad and only a few minutes into it I put oil on something I didn't need oil for. Everyone laughed while I stood there like what. Then he explained it to me. I had cooked but never to the extent that they cooked. I was so innocent when it came to a lot of things. Evan and the kitchen staff became the family I didn't know I needed.
I was grateful I left my abusive family behind. Every night closer to my birthday Mark and I would sit down and figure something out. Even wanted to make my birthday cake so of course he had me trying flavors. Finally I picked a chocolate cake with a chocolate ganache filling. He was then going to make a peanutbutter, buttercream frosting. He did all the decorations and everything. He even had me write my name for spelling accuracy.
Before I knew it, it was 2 nights till my birthday and I decided to talk with Mark. Something was bothered me. I headed towards his office, with my arm in a sling still. My arm swung like it was in a swing. I gently knocked on his office door, and he had a look of surprise on his face. Can... I.. umm... can I come in.
Mark POV
I had been working all week to surprise Jasmine for her birthday. She has spent time with the kitchen staff, and I knew if her brother Jack came back again she would be safe there. I was in the middle of finalizing plans when I heard a knock on the door. To my surprise it was Jasmine. She looked small, frail, and worn down. I was hoping she would love my present and it would cheer her up.
I put up my fingers to indicate to give me 3 minutes. I quickly shut my office door and began hiding the plans for her birthday that Evan and I had been working on together. I opened the door again and she was just standing like a deer in headlights. Umm... Jasmine are you ok.... did I do something wrong. I brought her into the office and she just hugged me. I got the feeling she just needed a few minutes, so I just lifted her up and sat on the couch placing her on my lap.
When she was ready she let go and turned around all the way straddling my lap. I looked into her beautiful eyes. I couldn't help but close the gap slowly and kiss her. It seemed like we were kissing forever, when we both pulled away we were both breathless. She smiled as we sat still for a long time. She jumped when there was a knock on my door.
I picked her up gently and put her in my chair at the desk. When I opened the door I was surprised to see Tim my of my security guards at my door. " He's here for her again." said Tim out of breath. Who's her for who? "Jack is here for Jasmine again. This time he brought back up though." said Tim worried.
Stay here Jasmine and Lock the door behind me and hide. Stay low this may not end well.
I watched as she followed to the door hearing her lock it followed by her running to hide. I ran after Tim to find out what was happening. When we got to the front of the house I saw Jack with a couple of men who looked like him. One looked younger than him and the other one looked like an older man.
They had to be his brother and father. I stood strong and decided to ask, What are you doing in my home and who are these men?
I told you that you're not welcome in my home. "I'm here to get my baby sister. I told you I'd come back and I'd bring help." said Jack Coldly. Your going to start a war you will not see to the end, stop now before it's to late.
Your sister is 18 and old enough to make her choice if she wants to stay here. She has chosen to stay here. So I will give you one more chance. Get off my property or start a war that you won't see the end of.