The warm light from the sun cast a warm glow on the Walker family mansion. It was truly a happy day; the aroma of fragrant food wafted in the air, making one's mouth water without even tasting. Pablo Walker had organized a small family feast; the only outsider invited was Alicent Gerald, Jasmine Walker's best friend.
Pablo suggested this, seeing Myra being sad all day because of Jasmine's condition. He wanted to lighten up the mood. He had sent his mother to the hospital for her monthly check-up, so she wouldn't shatter their harmonious glow.
Rose made it her obligation to wake Jasmine up from sleep; it wasn't a workday, so it was understandable if she slept in. "Wake up, Jasmine," Rose pulled the curtain, letting the warm sunlight seep in, casting a warm glow on Jasmine's face.
"I want to sleep a little more," Jasmine groaned, frowning like a child.
"We're hosting a feast for you," said Rose, standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window; her shadow was a gloom on Jasmine's face. "Alicent is coming, and Grandma is not at home."
"Grandma's left?" Jasmine asked, her eyes now opened.
"Yes, her check-up is today, so she probably won't be back till tomorrow," Rose answered.
"I'll go take a bath then," Jasmine sat up and walked happily to the bathroom, leaving Rose really confused. Jasmine seemed uninterested in the feast because she thought her grandmother would be there to spoil the mood. But now, with her grandmother out of the house, she could make new and lasting memories. She smiled at the thought.
Not long after Jasmine had her bath, Alicent arrived.
"Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Walker," Alicent greeted.
"You're here already," Myra was a bit surprised.
"I even brought some expensive wine," she said, lifting up the wine bottle.
"You shouldn't have..." said Pablo. The servants took the bottle from Alicent, probably to keep it in the refrigerator.
"She's upstairs," Rose smiled knowingly as she noticed Alicent's eyes dart around.
The five of them played cards and other games until it was time for dinner. They sat at the dining table, watching the servants serve the mouth-watering food.
"Thank you so much for the wine, Alicent," said Pablo.
"You brought wine?!" Jasmine said, fear in her eyes. Ever since the incident at the club where she almost got raped in the restroom, she was quite wary of alcohol. But...she was home today; it was completely okay to get drunk.
"I'll tell the servants to get you juice," said Pablo, knowing Jasmine had always avoided alcohol, fearing it would only worsen her situation.
"It's...it's okay," she stopped Pablo. "Are you sure, Jasmine?" Myra asked.
"Yes, I am. Life is short; why not make the most of it?" she smiled.
About ten minutes later, they all started dining like a happy family. This happiness didn't last long, as the angry-looking grandma, Jones Walker, appeared. Her sudden appearance,
catching them all by surprise.
Jasmine could feel her palms begin to sweat.
"So...having last supper, huh?!" Grandma looked angry. "All this food for a girl who'll die soon?!" She asked in a mocking tone.
Jasmine's face fell, along with that of her parents, Rose, and Alicent, who wondered what Grandma meant by "would die soon"...was Jasmine dying?! She was confused.
"Mother!" Pablo was furious at his mother.
"I didn't even get up to half the food on this table on my birthday!" Grandma argued.
"Why do you hate me?!" Jasmine stood up, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Don't you know it. You're bad luck!" Grandma said, not batting an eye. "You're a curse...a plague in this mansion. A stench in the air," she added.
"Mother! Let's not do this today," said Pablo.
Myra had tears in her eyes, hearing her mother-in-law say such hurtful words to Jasmine.
"You want me to die so bad," Jasmine couldn't control her tears as she laughed at her misfortune.
"Your heart will only get worse; you'll never heal!" Grandma shouted.
"Jasmine...Jasmine's dying?" Alicent asked, shock written all over her face.
Grandma faced Alicent, not clearly remembering who she was.
"Yes, six months, and she'll be gone," said Grandma.
Jasmine felt her heart break over Grandma's insults. Met with Alicent's curious and shocked gaze, she couldn't take it anymore and ran out of the Walker family mansion.
They tried chasing and calling her back, all to no avail.
Jasmine didn't know for how long or where she was walking; her grandmother's hatred stabbed deep like a knife, and Alicent's heartbroken expression – she just couldn't stand it. She had to leave.
The rain started falling uncontrollably, opposite to the once bright atmosphere. It was a heavy downpour, and all the other pedestrians had sought sanctuary in shops, leaving Jasmine alone on the road with passersby thinking her mad.
A Maybach stopped right beside her, with Michael in the driver's seat.
"Come in," he shouted so she could hear him in the heavy downpour.
Jasmine thought about it for a while before getting in, and he zoomed off.
Meanwhile, a limousine was in the opposite direction, with Adrian in the back seat, watching the scene before him. He clenched his fists in anger.
He had just come back from a meeting, and meeting Jasmine on the streets in the heavy downpour caught him by surprise. He'd even ordered his driver to pick her up, but it seemed Michael beat him to it.
"Turn around," he ordered his driver while speculating about the relationship between Michael and Jasmine.
Were they dating? He wondered.
In Michael's car, Jasmine kept her gaze outside the window, lost in thought.
"Wanna grab a bite?" he asked.
Jasmine wanted to refuse, but her stomach betrayed her by growling aloud. Michael chuckled.
"You're in luck; my cook makes very delicious meals," he said.
"What happened to you, walking in the heavy rain?" he asked. "What if you get sick?" He said, his tone full of concern.
"I'll be fine," Jasmine managed to say.
Michael pulled up at a corner, clearly not accepting no for an answer.