JASMINE

Chapter 10

*Jasmine*

I was cleaning the kids room at record speed. I placed the toys back in the toy box and disinfected the tables.

As I wiped down the table, I couldn't get out of my head the smart remark Mrs. Blake had made. What the hell did she mean by knowing my place. Who did she think she was. I thought to myself as I scrubbed away at the crayon marks. She didn't know me from a can of paint. Less Fortunate my ass. It's not like I asked Zeke and Sydney to attend the dinner with them. Sydney asked me to go herself. I don't know what Mrs. Blake thought, but she's got it all wrong.

"Jasmine, are you alright." I looked up, Zeke was standing in the doorway watching me.

I was so lost in thought that I didn't even hear him come home. I noticed that the table was clean. I stood up, pushing my hair back behind my ears.

"I'm fine." I look at him and say, turning back around placing the dirty wipes into the trash bin.

He walked up to me and grabbed my shoulders. He turned me towards him. I looked up at him and he examined my face. My eyes began to water. I attempted to push his hands off to escape his grasp but they didn't budge.

"I said I'm fine Zeke." I say while looking up at him.

"Did my mother say something to you." He asked.

I stood there quiet. He got his answer when a tear rolled down my cheek. He placed his hands on each side of my face. Gently wiping  the tear that managed to escape with his thumb.

His face got serious, "What did she say?" He asked me.

"It doesn't matter. I shouldn't have let it get to me." I tell him.

"Jasmine, tell me what she said." he says sternly, looking into my eyes.

I give in and tell him about my little encounter with his mother. I could tell what I told him had pissed him off but he kept his cool.

"Don't worry about it Jasmine. I'll speak with her." he said.

I began to panic, "No Zeke that won't be necessary. It's not that big of a deal." I blurt out.

He pulls me closer and grabs my chin, tilting my head up to look at him. I placed my hands on his chest.

"Yes it is that big of a deal. You're up here crying. No one disrespects you Jasmine. You understand me? No one. My mother had no right to say those things to you. If this happens again you stand up for yourself, you hear me?" He said sternly while looking deep into my eyes.

I nodded my head, showing that I understood. Then Zeke pulled me in, giving me a comforting hug. We stood there like that for a minute. It felt...nice. Eventually I lifted my head and he looked down at my face. He saw that I had calmed down and let me go.

"Thank you Zeke. I appreciate your kind words." I look at him and say.

"I don't like seeing you upset. I'll always be here to make sure you keep that pretty smile on your face." he says.

I blush a little. He was just too kind. We then heard the front door open downstairs. Sydney was home.

"Come on, let's go have dinner." He says with his hand out. I place my hand in his, something I have gotten used to doing over these past few weeks. He led me out of the playroom and down the stairs so that we could greet Sydney.