The Kings Love

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Jasmine
[Day 127, February 26th]

With a resigned sigh, I closed the door to the guest room behind me and decided that today, I would stop hiding and spend my birthday with Laurent. No matter how hurt or upset I was with him, there was nobody else I would prefer to be around on this day. As I walked the halls, I could see the relieved stares and heard the genuine eager hellos from all whom I passed by. A sense of guilt settled inside me as I saw how many people I worried just because I didn't handle the situation better, when I saw Laurent I would have to set some boundaries on what he thought he controlled with me. I understood that he was concerned with mine and the babies health but I was grown and he needed to remember I wasn't just another one of his servants.

When I got to our shared room doors, I opened them and saw the empty room then I remembered that today was Jessica's memorial and he wouldn't be here but at the cemetery all day. Feeling neglected once more, I went inside and laid down on the charcoal colored silken quilts, letting the scent of fresh rain and vanilla overtake my senses.

The feel of familiarity and warmth slowed my breathing and sleep began to lower my eyelids, before I knew it, for the first time in almost a week I was in a peaceful slumber. I don't know how long I was out but when my conscious decided to reawaken, the sunlight was now dimmed. Stretching to ease the soreness of my back, it took me a moment to realize I wasn't alone.

There were two figures standing just outside the door and seemed scared to come in. I should've freaked out but something in me was oddly calm.
Jasmine: "Whose there? Don't be frightened, come inside.", I gently coaxed and when they stepped forward, a head of long light brown curls on one that were nearly reminiscent of my own and dark colored caramel eyes on the other had a strangled sob stuck inside my throat.

Jasmine: "Selena? Ramon? Is... Is that you?!", tears rolled down the baby face of Selena's before she threw herself on me and I held her, my whole body shaking from the sheer emotions running through me.

Selena: "We thought you were dead! When y-you disappeared and we never heard from you again, we didn't know what to do! How could you not at least tell us you were okay?!", she was crying and her childish lilt mixed in with the sound of her distress had me begging for her to forgive me as I kept her in my embrace.

Jasmine: "I was so scared that it was my fault that mom treated you guys bad, that you guys were better off without me.", Ramon stood off to the side with his arms hanging tensely to his side, his hands clenched into fists. He avoided eye contact with me and just stayed by the door stiff. Selena gently extracted herself from my arms, her gaze going tender when it landed on my stomach.

Selena: "So a baby huh? I'ma be a aunt?", her eyes lit up with excitement and for a second, I forgot all the sadness I felt lately and beamed at my little sister. She wasn't really a kid anymore, she had to be seventeen now. Confusion clouded my mind for a second.

Jasmine: "How did you guys know where I am? How did you get here?", a cheeky grin slid on Selena's face but it was Ramon who answered, his voice gruff with his hurt and resentment.

Ramon: "Your boyfriend sent a letter and tickets to us, while you tried to forget us!", his voice cracked and I had to fight not to start crying again. Ramon and I had been the closest, through all the bullshit I've endured as a child, he had been my rock, the center which kept me balanced and he must've felt betrayed by me.