Broken Dreams

Crushed

Throughout that whole week, Derek has not come back home. Leaving Jazmine to struggle with paying the rest of their bills, that haven't been paid due to his absences at work. Jazmine was recently diagnosed with PTSD because of the abuse Derek has been putting her through without any second thoughts. Jazmine reminisced as she stood in the bathroom, looking at her nude scarred body. Some bruises faded, others did not. She still wore the black eye like it was a pair of sunglasses. Though, the swelling went down. Riley or Huey would stop by countless times to assure of her safety, they've been debating to themselves whether they should force Jazmine to press charges against him and have him locked up for assault, or have her break up with him and take her under their roof. Jazmine sighed, pressing forward as she got on with her hygiene for this morning, scared of the events that would take place today. If only she wasn't so curious.
—🌸—
"Misty?" Derek called, walking down the stairs of her 2 floored apartment room.

"Hey, I cooked you some breakfast." She said, setting the plate of pancakes with sausages down at the table.

Derek without hesitation sat down in his seat, stuffing his mouth with the delicious meal that was presented to him. But he couldn't help but to grow curious.

Why wasn't her cooking as good as Jazmine's?

I mean, with the help of Huey and Riley, Jazmine scrapped up enough money to make her own bakery organization. There, everyone would line up miles and miles to her establishment to retrieve her delicious baked treats she'd pour her heart and soul in. If there was one thing she would she was passionate about, without a doubt it'd be her cooking. But this morning when she made her way down to the bakery to clean up before opening, was the terror of all bakery establishments. The big boss. The boss waltzed into her bakery like he owned the place. Glaring at the girl with his yellow stained teeth. "You there, Jazmine DuBois I presume?"

Jazmine nodded her head as he continued. "We've received a complaint, people have been noticing cuts and scrapes on your body. Bruises as well, and they believe you're not keeping good hygiene at all and they're concerned for the things that could be in their treats. Therefore, by law. I'm having your establishment shut down. And it will be destroyed at the stake."

He said this so easily, and Jazmine's dream of becoming a professional baker, was now broken. Her world crashed down. Tears slipped out of her eyes, and no matter how many times she'd blink they would still pour out. The boss just stood there, dusting off his satin sleeves and adjusting his red  tie. "You ought to pack the things out of here, you have 2 days before I come back with the construction crew so they can get started with their work."

"And also, we've already informed your customers. They won't be heading back around here anytime soon doll."

And with that, he exited the doors with a smile on his face. Simply not caring that her business has only been around for one week. Jazmine fell to the floor as she began to cry, after 5 minutes of her accepting her business' fate. She ran out of the establishment and straight to Huey and Riley's home.
—🌸—
"Jazzy?" Riley asked, opening the door seeing the mulatto practically collapse into his arms where he held her close to his chest. Seeing the necklace he bought her was around her bruised neck.

Jazmine mouthed the story, everything that has happened. And Riley only held he closer. "I'm sorry Jazzy, but aye. We gon' get through dis, ight?"

Jazmine sniffled, looking up at him as he wiped her tears with his thumbs. Huey came down the stairs, an eyebrow raised as he saw the two hugging and Riley's chin resting on her head. "What's going on down here?" He said in a firm tone.

"The stupid motherfuckin boss of Jazmine's bakery shutting the damn place down. All cuz some stupid bitches thought it was unsanitary cuz of her bruises. Can you believe dat?"

Huey's scowl hardened. "You're kidding."

"Nigga do I look like i'm kidding wit cho ass?" Riley said agitated.

Huey rolled his eyes. "Sarcasm. But, Jazmine. I'm sorry to hear about your bakery. I know that was your biggest dream."

Jazmine wiped her eyes, shrugging her shoulders as she thought about Derek. Where has he been? She let go of Riley and brushed past Huey into their kitchen. Where she pulled out her cellphone, and called her beloved boyfriend where he picked up instantly. "Jazmine? Baby is that you?"

Jazmine mustered the courage to open her mouth to speak. Her voice was still quiet and weak sounding. It wasn't angelic anymore. "Yes."

"Damn, I've missed you. I'm sorry I've been gone for so long Princess, i'm staying at my mother's house." He said truthfully, after he ate Breakfast with Misty he drove down to his mother's house to visit her.

"It's ok. I miss you." She said, tears clogging her throat.

"I'm coming home tonight. Don't worry about cooking for yourself or for me, i'm bringing chinese takeout."

She couldn't believe her ears, was her Derek coming back to her? The sweet, loving, and kind boy she fell in love with? "Ok."

"See you tonight, my queen." He said.

"Bye." She hung up.

Huey stepped into the kitchen. "Who was that?"

Jazmine jumped, looking at him. "D-Derek."

Huey's eyes went into little slits. "What did he want."

"H-he's bringing me chinese t-takeout tonight. I think he's going to apologize f-for h-him hurting me."

"Bullshit. Jazmine that's the most psychotic thing you've ever said in your life." Huey said defensively.

"I-i'll be fine." She assured, causing Huey to sigh.

"Be careful, Jazmine."

If only she listened to his words.
—🌸—
"D-derek!" Jazmine weakly smiled, looking at him with some sort of happiness. But that happiness quickly faded when the smell of alcohol stung her nose.

"Hey baby." He kissed her cheek lovingly, setting the Chinese take out on the table. After a couple minutes of the two enjoying each others presence, the scent of alcohol truly burned her nose. Jazmine got up from the couch, going to try and call Huey or Riley. But Derek got up afterwards.

"You bitch." He started, wobbling over to her. "You went and saw them, didn't you?" He growled, getting close to her causing her to shake out of fear.

"T-they wanted to make sure i-i was okay." Jazmine slowly backed up, but Derek was following her every move.

"Well, Princess. I told you to stay say from them, you didn't listen. You know what that means, don't you bitch?"

Jazmine pleaded, her voice becoming quietly by the second. "P-please don't."

He undid his belt, and snapped it. Indicating what she was going to receive. She tried to run away but he grabbed her and threw her down to the floor, he took his belt and he beat her with it. Followed by a couple of punches delirvered to her face.