I could feel his gaze on me as he spoke, his words dripping with accusation. "I know why you're acting this way," he said, his tone cold and deliberate. "You've realized how close I've gotten to your friend. Are you scared? Jealous, maybe? You rejected me, and now you want me because I've become more attached to her. How will she feel when I tell her about this?"
I didn't respond. I had come seeking peace, not an argument. Deep down, I knew I deserved every word he said. I had hurt him when he confessed his feelings for me, and now I was left to face the consequences of my actions. I spent the entire night thinking, questioning whether my feelings were real or just the result of misplaced guilt.
The fear that he might tell Bela about our conversation gnawed at me. But when she didn't confront me, I realized she had no idea what had transpired between us. Every time I saw Raymond with Bela, a mix of guilt and jealousy washed over me. I blamed myself for the situation, knowing I had created this mess.
It was early morning when Bela came downstairs, looking different, more put together than usual. The heavy makeup and high heels caught my attention immediately.
"What's all this about, Bela?" I asked. "Trying to impress someone?"
She smiled, her eyes sparkling. "How do I look? I'm hoping to catch someone's eye today."
I raised an eyebrow. "It seems like a lot of effort, especially with all that makeup and those heels. He's already interested in you. Why go through all this? You'll just draw attention, and on your first day at work too. You need to focus on impressing the board, not on your looks. They might use your appearance against you if you don't perform well."
Bela laughed, clearly unbothered. "Jasmine, we're just friends. Every time I try to make a move, he pulls back, as if he's not interested. But we vibe so well. Can you give me some advice on how to win him over? I'm not worried about the hospital. I know I'll perform."
I was secretly relieved to hear that they weren't together, but I promised to give her advice anyway, though deep down, I knew I wanted to win Raymond over myself.
Later, Raymond greeted us with a hug for Bela, a bit too tight for my liking. The gesture confused both of us, and I couldn't help but ask myself, "Didn't Bela just say he acts like he's not interested? So what's going on now?"
It felt like he was playing some sort of jealousy game, but I wasn't entirely sure. If that was his plan, then he was in for a surprise. I had my own ways of dealing with things.
When we arrived at the hospital, all eyes were on Bela because of her outfit. The attention was overwhelming, so I took a different elevator and made my way ahead of her. By the time she came out, smiling triumphantly, I knew she had nailed her meeting with the board. To celebrate, I took her to a pub after work, but Raymond's behavior only fueled my frustration. He rushed to open the door for Bela as if he were her secretary now.
"Are you Bela's secretary now?" I couldn't help but ask.
His actions throughout the night confirmed my suspicions. He was playing the jealousy card, and it was getting harder to tolerate. It was especially difficult because he was doing it with my best friend.
The night went on, and Bela stayed in high spirits, making it impossible for me to get any rest. In between moments of distraction, I reminded her, "Tomorrow is the trial for the woman suing the hospital for prescribing the wrong drugs. Don't let it go public. Settle it before things escalate. I trust you'll handle it well. Raymond will drive you since you don't have a car yet."
I was feeling the day's weight without my secretary, so I called the Human Resources department to arrange for a personal assistant. I left work early to meet with Mr. Rex about my father's condition. When Bela returned, her face looked sorrowful, and I knew something had happened with the case.
I went to comfort her, but she interrupted me with a big smile before I could say a word. "We won the case!" she shouted, trying to tease me. I wasn't fooled, Bela was an expert at her job, and I knew she had done well.
Later, as I sat with Mr. Rex, my mind wandered back to Raymond's jealousy game. I realized I could play this game too. I suggested a walk around the villa, trying to act casual, but I made sure to wear a smile that wasn't entirely genuine. I could see Raymond watching us from a distance.
When it was time to leave, I kissed Mr. Rex on the cheek right in front of Raymond, making sure he saw everything. I waved as if I were having the time of my life, watching Raymond's reaction closely. Surprisingly, he remained calm, far calmer than I had expected.
I sat by the pool, pretending to read a book, waiting for him to come over. Sure enough, I heard footsteps approaching, and I knew it was him. When he finally spoke, his voice was steady, though his eyes betrayed the vulnerability he was trying to hide.
"I don't mind waiting," he said softly, "I know love like ours isn't rushed. It's built in the spaces between now and forever. So when you're ready, I'll be here. I'll always be here. I love you, Jasmine, and I don't want to fight it anymore."
I was overwhelmed, but I kept my cool. I stood there for a moment, letting the words sink in, before walking past him, my heart racing. His eyes were teary, and I couldn't ignore the longing in his gaze. I stopped a few steps away, then, impulsively, I ran back to him and hugged him from behind, burying my face in his back.
This was the moment I had been avoiding, but I couldn't pretend any longer. I realized that I loved him too. The jealousy game had led me here, but now it was time to move beyond the games and into something real.