Gauarded hearts

Chapter 3

Present age 25, 10 years later. Jasmine

     Jake- Hey sis how's Nevada

Jas- it's beautiful. My business is blooming. I'm going to London next week for a business retreat. I can't wait to see you this weekend. I've missed you.

      Jake-  Dad is coming with me to discuss business. I told him to wait but you know. Sorry sis but this will be good for you. I know you don't want part of the family business but it's family. I'll be with you. Don't worry.

Jas- it's not like I don't want to be a part of the family business, it's just I have a lot on my plate and the part I'm getting is a lot of work that I don't need. I'll be a slave to work. No fun but I'll live. Just to make him happy I guess. Sometimes it sucks being the only girl in the family.

       Jake - I know sis. But I'm here for you. Anyway, I have to go. Love you.

Jas- ok I have to get ready for a wedding I'm photographing I'll talk to you later.

I turn off my phone and resume packing up my camera bag once I have double-checked that I have everything I head out to the venue. It's spring so it's a perfect day for a wedding the photos will turn out amazing. My photography business is now a multi-million dollar business after my trip to Nevada in freshman year. I focused all my attention on studying and went to college for photography after her trip I never saw Rosen again. He was truly the love of my life, my first love but he broke my heart to the point I will never love again. I focused on work, My brother and best friend are the only ones who are always there for me. I also became friends with June. Now I travel around the world, making everyone's perfect day memorable.

I arrive at the venue on time 2 pm

"Hey you must be Jasmine the Photographer lets have you start in the bridal suit the bride is about to get ready we want some shots."

"You got it," I say as I start walking to the suit on the other side of the venue.

"Hey, bride let's take some shots." I make sure I catch every brush of the makeup on her gorgeous light tan face, then I make sure to shoot a few of her getting her dress on, her dress fits like a glove on her hourglass shape, not a bead out of place. Once she is fully ready I take a few with her maid of honor and bridesmaids. I just love seeing the before and after, it truly is breathtaking.  It takes about an hour before I have to go to the groom's side.

"Hey groom, guys I'm Jasmine the photographer let's take some shots ok?" I look up and freeze the camera in my hands.

"June bug?"

-shit shit shit

"Rosen."

"What are you doing here?" Rosen asks

"I'm the photographer I just said that," I say as I roll my eyes and resume my stance telling the guys how and where to pose.

*CLICK *CLICK *CLICK

"June bug I didn't know you were in Nevada. I thought you still lived in New York."

"I moved here 5 years ago Rosen" and you would know that if you weren't such a dick and broke up with me. And stayed in contact. Plus I don't care what you think. Was the rest of the sentence I wanted to say but I started walking away. Before he could say anything else.

"June bug" Rosen sighs as I walk out of the suit. When I accepted the job the name Josh Henderson was a very common name. So I wouldn't assume it was Rosen's brother. If I did I  probably would of avoid this one wedding. Let's just say I'm not a fan of the guy who ripped out my heart and cut it into a million pieces. I don't care if he looks hot in a suit, I don't care if he has aged and looks like a fallen angel, we both grew up and I just have to get through this wedding and go home.

I go to the front of the ceremony to take some more pictures as the bride walks down the aisle. After a few hundred more shots I move towards the sea of people and direct them to a spot outside.

"I need the family of the bride first,  then the family of the groom, then bride and groom, then friends of the bride, then friends of the groom, then everyone for a big group. Parents of both. Then that shall do it. For now. Places everyone." After what seems like a year I'm finally done, I have one more round of photos of the first dance and cake cutting then I can go home. I feel his eyes burning into the back of my head as I walk to the front of the venue. Without looking back I know who it is. I sigh and turn around.

"What do you need Rosen? I'm a little busy."

"June bug, I'm sure you can spare a minute of your time to let me talk to you."

"Actually, I can't now leave me alone."

"June bug common."

"No, I do not want to talk to you," I say trying not to shake,  I walk into the lady's room calmly. Once in there I slide down the door put my elbows on my knees hands in my face and cry silently. -Only 2 more hours. Only 2 more hours. Breath in out, in out. Your safe, your fine, breathe, BREATH, BREATH. I'm having a panic attack, having them since I was a kid, they show up in very stressful situations, make me hyperventilate and my throat is on fire. I'm rocking my body and pinching my thigh to distract myself. A few minutes later it finally passed I stand up. Look in the mirror and wash my hands. Breathing heavily. After my breathing is back to normal I pull out my phone and log my panic attack and the cause of the trigger. I wash my hands and leave the bathroom to finish the night. After panic attacks, I'm always drained. But I can't rest because work is first. Only my brother knows about my panic attacks. He was there the first time it happened. It started after he was held at gunpoint when I was 8 years old. Nightmares and panic attacks, it doesn't matter the amount of therapy I went through they still haunt me. But I can handle them better now than before. So much trauma I still have scars from that night. Physical and mental.

The reception is finally over and I start to walk to the bride.

"Hey bride, I'm finished with the photos, I'm going to go edit them and send them to you in the next few weeks. I'm positive you will love the outcome!"

"Thank you so much Jasmine, have a good night, and take some food. I cannot wait to see the results!"

"Oh, you will love them! Talk soon." I say heading to the food and grabbing a plate of Chipotle and heading to the room I set my belongings in. I check my phone and see it is 8 pm. Once my bags are packed I head into the hall towards the door. But stop in my tracks once I see Rosen standing against the wall.