masterminded

chapter 26:Hidden truths

Jasmine stared at out the window,seeing nothing actually. She tried to understand and see what she had been missing. She closed her eyes,the breeze of the cold night gently swaying her hair she went back to that day.

She remembered Tony and her father being so happy and exultant,proud of what they've achieved. The tragedy that befell them that day was unexpected and hard to believe.

She remembered standing between her father and brother who lay unconscious,how sge was torn apart on who to run to,who to take care of,who to attend to.

"I'm sorry miss,but he is dead"the doctor had said to her.

Jasmine opened her eyes suddenly,she blinked several times. The fact that she no longer had a brother brought fresh tears from her eyes. One tear rolled down her face,then another and another and soon she was crying and sobbing hard.

"Who could have done this? Why would they do this? Who could have been so wicked to my family,to me?"she asked herself angrily.

Fiona. A still quiet voice said in her head.

Jasmine stopped sobbing immediately. Shaking her head sideways violently,she told herself "no no,she couldn't have,she can't,Tony is her brother too"

But she doesn't care about family,she wants the business,the voice said.

"Business"Jasmine repeatedly softly.

Yes,if not why would she be so pressing about it,the voice responded.

"No,no. I refuse to believe you,get out of my head. Out,out,out!"Jasmine closed her eyes and ears amd shouted.

"My dear,are you okay?"someone said.

Jasmine opened her eyes and dropped her hands from her eyes as that someone touched her. It was Cecilia.

Jasmine's sobs and tears came back,"Ceci"

"Come here child"Cecilia spread out her arms and Jasmine took it. Cecila stroked her hair,"it's okay child,calm down",she siad trying to soothe Jasmine.
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"Hello father"

Edwin looked up to see who greeted him,"Fiona"

"Hello father"she repeated,walking to stand beside him,"how are you?"

"Fine. Why have you taken so long to visit me?" He asked.

"Well,that's because I have been very busy" Fiona replied.

"Hmm"Edwin simply said.

"Look dad,I know this is very hard for you"Fiona stated.

"Yes dear,but your father is strong now. I don't know why the doctor is still keeping me here"Edwin complained.

"If that is true,then I think this is the right time to ask you"Fiona looked at him directly.

"Ask me what?"Edwin slowly inquired,his eyebrows in a wondering manner.

"What is going to happen to your business now that Tony is gone. Who is going to take over?"Fiona asked.

"Tony is gone? To where? What takeover?" Edwin asked looking really confused.

"Father,please stop that. You know that Tony is dead"Fiona replied carelessly.

Edwin's eyes widened as his breath became heavy. "Dead"he whispered.

He began tk breathe in and out heavily,whispering 'dead' between them.

"Father!"Fiona called,"father,father!!"

Edwin felt weak,all his strength leaving his body and slumped back on the bed,Fiona became frantic and rushed out to call the doctor.
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Albert broke the kiss and looked at Jasmine still in his arms,"I'm glad I met you"

Jasmine smiled"me too"

Albert kissed her forehead,"I have to check what I'm cooking so we can have a good lunch and not a burnt one"

He released her and walked into the kitchen.

"Hmm,I can't wait to taste that,it smells so nice"Jasmine said while pulling out a chair to sit at the dining table.

"And lunch is ready"Albert came out of the kitchen with the dishes in hand. He too pulls out a chair to sit so he was facing Jasmine,after he set down the dishes.

Jasmine takes a forkful.

"So how is it?"Albert asked expectantly.

Jasmine thought for a while,"delicious"she exclaimed.

Albert joins her in eating and they talk about many things,mostly about Jasmine. They talked about Jasmine's life and father.

"Okay,my love. Enough of me now,let's talk about you"

"What do you want to talk about?"Albert asked.

"Your family. You once told me you had sisters Claire and Bella and I want to meet them"

Suddenly Albert choked on his food and he started coughing fitfully.

"Oh my love what happened,here is some water"Jasmine offered him a glass.

After he calmed down and stopped coughing,Jasmine pressed him further.

"Jasmine there is something you need to know"Albert started. He was tired of telling and living a lie. He wasn't going to lie to her again,not on this one.

One day,I will tell her the whole truth about myself,he thought.

"What?"Jasmine asked curiously.

"I have only one sister now"Albert dropped.

"What? But you said-"

"I know what I said. I had two sisters,Claire is no more"he told her.

"What happened?"Jasmine asked.

"She died of cancer"

"Bella?"Jasmine inquired.

"She is a college but not here"

"Oh"

"Jasmine i'm really sorry I didn't tell you earlier. I did not want to spoil that night"Albert explained apologetically.

But you-"her phone rang out hence interrupting her. The caller had no name,meaning it was an unknown number.

"Hello''

"Miss,you have to come over"

"Excuse me,who are you?"

"Doctor williams. Look your father-"

"Father? What happened to him?"

"He fainted and....hello hello miss? Miss?"

Jasmine had already hung up wanting to hear no more,quickly getting up.

"What is it?"Albert asked.

"We'll talk about this later,my father. Something's happened to him"she said while hurriedly grabbing her things.

"Let me drive you there"Albert offered but she declined.

"No my love. Don't worry"Jasmine pecked him quickly on the cheek and left.
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Really Fiona what is wrong with ya?
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Love ya,stay happy.
Queenie_5