Jasmine couldn't concentrate on work that morning. Yesterday's scene replayed in her head like a loop, each memory piercing her heart.
"He couldn't even drop me off; gentleman, my foot!" she muttered, shaking her head.
Ashley, her colleague at Xixi, noticed Jasmine's distress. "Jasmine, are you okay? You've been a bit absent-minded lately," she asked.
"I'm fine, just stressed," Jasmine responded with a half-hearted smile.
But she wasn't fine. The encounter with Adrian had left her reeling. It was her first experience with physical romance, and he had deserted her in the middle.
"I need Alicent," Jasmine said, scrolling through her contacts.
Alicent picked up on the first ring. "Jasmine Walker! You have ten seconds to explain why you haven't called for a whole month."
Alicent's enthusiastic voice was deafening.
"I've been busy; sorry about that. Do you have free time tonight? Let's go clubbing," Jasmine suggested.
"Wait! You want to go clubbing with me?" Alicent sounded excited.
"Yes," Jasmine replied.
"I'll be there, girlfriend. Be there by seven. Wear something exciting. I'll have Simpson drop off a dress at your place," Alicent instructed.
Meanwhile, at Jaxia Company, Adrian sat in his swivel chair, struggling to concentrate. The face of the beautiful lady he had in his bed yesterday haunted him.
"Ummm...Adrian...Adr...what are you thinking about, dude?!" Xavier asked, having just arrived from Cloud City.
"Did you say something?" Adrian asked.
"I didn't just say something, Adrian; I've been talking for an hour now," Xavier said, frustrated. "You're daydreaming! About what? Your girlfriend?"
"Girlfriend?" Adrian raised a brow.
"Oh...forgot I'm dealing with Adrian the unattached," Xavier teased.
"I'll make it up to you," Adrian said, standing.
"A drive around town?" Adrian suggested.
"Now that's what I'm talking about," Xavier agreed.
At the club, Jasmine downed a glass of alcohol while waiting for Alicent. Her eyes darted to the dance floor, where everyone danced in pairs, much to her annoyance.
"Jasmine...you're here!" Alicent exclaimed, arriving in a blue velvet bodycon dress.
"What's up, movie star?" Jasmine asked, pouring another glass.
"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting," Alicent apologized. "I had a late-night shoot with Hyung Jin."
"Ahh...I see," Jasmine replied plainly.
"What's with the dull mood? You look like you just broke up with someone," Alicent observed.
"Is it that obvious?" Jasmine sighed inwardly.
"Drink some more; drown your sorrows," Alicent suggested, handing Jasmine another bottle.
She received a sudden call from her producer and had to leave early.
Jasmine finished the third bottle, her vision now blurry.
She grabbed a sturdy man, knowing she needed to pee and couldn't walk.
"The toilet...take me there," she slurred.
The man mistook it for flirting.
"Oooh...I'm flying now," Jasmine said, swinging her legs.
The man gulped at the sight of her smooth-skinned legs.
They were alone in the female restroom.
"Let's do this quick," he said, sitting her on the faucet.
Jasmine wanted to protest but remembered Adrian's rejection.
She pulled the man by his collar and kissed him.
It didn't feel like Adrian's.
She felt disgusted and started walking toward the door.
The man dragged her back, making them both fall to the ground.
She was in desperate need of a saviour,she couldn't help but cry out for help. as she opened her lips ,her drunken self could only shout Adrian's name.
"Leave the lady alone!" a voice interrupted.
"Leave now before things get bloody"said the man about to rape her.
Before Jasmine Walker could see who her saviour was,the rapist above her was already sent flying across the room with just a kick.
The rapist groaned as the sound of breaking bones was heard.
Jasmine's savior kicked the man against the wall.
"All words" he said before facing Jasmine Walker.
"Are you okay, miss?" he asked, offering his hand.
"I...I'm fine," Jasmine said, disappointed it wasn't Adrian.
He helped her out of the club.
"Where do you live? I'll drop you," he offered.
"I'm Michael," he introduced once in the car.
"I'm Jasmine...Jasmine Walker," she replied.
He dropped her off.
"Thanks for the save," she said.
"No problem; be careful next time. There won't always be handsome men to save you," Michael cautioned.
Jasmine chuckled.
He watched her go in before driving off.
As Jasmine entered her apartment, she couldn't shake off the feeling of emptiness.
Why did she still think of Adrian?
She took a long, hot shower, trying to wash away her thoughts.
But they lingered.
Adrian's words echoed in her mind: "I don't do virgins."
Would he change his mind if she became experienced?
The thought sent a shiver down her spine.
Jasmine knew she had to move on.
But her heart refused to listen.
The night's events replayed in her mind like a broken record.
She couldn't escape the memories.
Not yet.
Not ever.