Hey guys !

So this is like my third update, I have no clue why it keeps doing this wierd formatting but shoutout to Chel29 for lettng me know !

Ugh it's so random and annoying and if anyone knows how to stop it please let me know because it has done this with other chapters as well.

I also apologize for the super late update, it's actually my birthday and I'm out of town, plus with school and work kicking back up I've been super busy. But without further adieu I hope you enjoy this chapter, and let me know if anything is wrong with reading it ! :)

Jasmine

Roses and toast.

The duo combination of smells wafted through the air and into my nose, waking me from my VERY peaceful sleep.

"Good morning sweetie !"

I opened my eyes to land them on an older lady with long white hair tied in a bun, her smile wide and her brown eyes warm and welcoming. She leaned a tray of toast with jam on the side and a vase of roses towards me politely. " Mr. Freeman asked me to make you food.

I leaned up, groaning at the soreness of my head. Freeman…

I froze in between reaching for the plate as the thoughts surrounding that name came rushing to me.

Oh God… was it a dream ? Or a memory ? I didn't know which was worse.

The feel of his fingers running through his hair and the press of his wet stomach against my back made me want to hop on the first train to a whole new city. Scratch that - planet.

"Um…ma'am ?"

My eyes focused on the lady again, her face now full of alarm. I blushed. " I'm so sorry."

I grabbed the plate from her. " Thank you so much miss..?"

She beamed at me." Miss Elrose. I am 's maid."

I tried to hide my shock as I bit into the toast, delicious blackberry jam filling my mouth. A maid ? Considering from what I can see from just his room, it WAS clear the man was loaded. The deep dark wood of the windowsill, mirror, and bedframe were detailed with a gold etching, matching wonderfully with the vibrant dark green of his multiple fig trees and bamboo plants. The room itself was twice the size of my studio… I could only imagine how big the rest of this pad was.

" Where is he now ?" I spoke absentedly, wincing at my hopeful tone. The fuck was that about ?

Mrs. Elrose's eyes lowered. " has asked me to feed you his favorite breakfast and sent over a car for you to be ushered to the nearest urgent care for a check up. You should be able to call your family from the hospital phone.

I frowned. The man can save my life and offer me his bed but can't say goodbye cordially ? I looked back down at the tray.

" Toast and roses ?" I looked at her skeptically. " His favorite breakfast is toast and roses."

Mrs. Elrose gave me a look. "Oddly enough ma'am. He doesn't eat a lot and he likes the ambience the roses give in the morning."

I blinked, turning back to the plate. What a wierdo.

I finished the food, gathered my clothes and shook 's hand vigorously before stepping into the car Freeman had sent for me. It was sleek and black as night inside and out, and I was terrified of breaking or staining anything the whole ride. Thankfully, once at the hospital my check up went well, and they said after a week of rest at home I should be fine to work again, as long as it wasn't too much. I called Cindy on the phone as soon as the check up was over.

" Who dis is blowing me up ?"

"Hey Cin it's me-"

" BITCH WHAT THE FUCK."

I pulled my phone away from my ear, wincing, I should have expected that. " I know I know-"

" I WAS WORRIED SICK ABOUT YOUR DUMB HIGH YELLA ASS BITCH, WHERE YOUR FUCKING PHONE AT ?!"

" I broke it man. Look I'm at the hospital in downtown can you-"

My heart leaped in my throat. Standing by the receptionist as she ogled him rather annoyingly, stood the too tall, too broad Huey Freeman[DK1] . He stared at the paperwork rather intently as he scribbled onto it, his jaw clenched, drawing attention to his light stubble.

For…some reason.

Too suddenly, he bristled and his eyes snapped up to meet mine. Boldly. Harshly.

The air grew cold and brittle as we stared at each other, and a gut wrenching fear conquered me whole. I slowly, stupidly, lifted my free hand to wave, to create some form of normal nonverbal communication between us. He didn't return it. He dropped his pen and walked off in the opposite direction.

"Hello ? I know dis bitch did not hang up on me-"

Absently, I rose the phone back to my face. " Sorry Cin. Something odd had happened."

She paused mid- rant, worry seeping into her tone. " What gurl ? What happened."

I watched Freeman's retreating silhouette, reeling in my confusion and hurt behind a wall of indifference. "Nothing important."

Pink, blue, and yellow danced chaotically across my tv screen as Sailor Moon transformed for the umpteenth time this episode. Sloppily I threw popcorn into my mouth, a few missing my mouth. Being upside down on my couch probably didn't help. I hummed contently as I crunched, popcorn is my one true joy in this world.

"Bitch if you chew that shit loud one more fucking time I will walk out dis bitch and neva come back."

My eyes tore from the screen to rest on an upset down cindy, leaning against the upside down door of the bathroom. Her blue eyes shot straight daggers into mine.

I glared back. "What ?"

"What is your problem."

I rolled my eyes, popping popcorn into my mouth again. " I mean I was attacked literally a week ago Cindy."

Her nostrils flared – I knew she was still incredibly pissed about that situation, especially since she felt she should have been there.

" No it's not that. It's something else." She frowned deeply tapping her fingers on her side. She was dressed for a night out, fully clad in gold jewelry that popped with her short red halter dress. Her hair was done up in ringlets that fell by her shoulders, and the red eyeliner she wore contrasted beautifully with her blue eyes… which were still glaring down at me. " You're acting like you just went through a break up."

I froze mid throw, the`popcorn landing in my eye. " Ow!"

"Ooh bitch I know !" she clapped loudly, ignoring my outburst. " You're coming out with me tonight[DK2] .

I groaned, the popcorn I had just thrown up missing my mouth and falling unto my bright green couch with a buttery thud. " Don't I look comfortable to you bestie."

Cindy took in my pink pajamas with little green crowns adorning it, my sprawled legs upside down on the couch and my couch newly stained with buttery chocolatey goodness. " A little too comfortable if you ask me."

I groaned sitting up. She did look good, and it was making me insecure, which definitel wasn't helping with the… other emotions I was battling with. I tugged on my nappyhair and sighed. " I don't know Cin, you look like your're already ready to go and I don't wanna keep you."

" Bitch it's 8 pm the club just got to hoppin the bottles aint even start popping." She popped her little booty out for emphasis, and I couldn't stop my laugh. " DO hurry the fuck up though I don't have ALL night."

" Bitch stop pulling at that dress it's SUPPOSED to show off dat ass."

I blushed at how loud she was talking, and let go of my dress' hem. Thankfully the music up in this bitch was a pinch louder. " I haven't been in the club in a minute Cindy, maybe this is too much – "

"Ooh girl it's Mai and Aniyah !" she ignored me, pointing through the seemingly endless crowd and spotting two of our old friends from college. Let's go holla ."

Grabbing my hand, she dragged me through the crowd towards them much to my dismay.

Club Grandeur was jumping just like it was when we were in undergrad. Red and purple lights flichered from above us to the music, and it seemed like the manager Ferlin finally sprung for that smoke machine he always would talk to me about. The dance floor was packed with sweaty bodies grinding and bumping like it wasn't the middle of the week.

Cindy sashayed through the crowd towards our old friends but stayed as close to the purple and gold walls, so she wouldn't have to " beat a niggas ass." She waved, catching Mai and Aniyah's attention before speaking directly to me one more time : " You look bomb girl stop being nervous."

I smiled shyly. I was wearing a glittery green dress that barely covered my butt. On top of that it had a slit up the thigh, and heart shaped hole over my belly button to show off my belly button piercing. I paired it with silver hoops and pumps, and my hair was newly straightened and up in a bun, a few curled ringlets framing my face, courtesy of Cindy.

" Cindy ! Jasmine !" Mai beamed at us as we walked up, her brown eyes sparkling. " I was hoping to see your asses."

Aniyah raised a brow at me before handing me her drink. I frowned at the drink before looking back at her. " What is this for ?"

" Girl I could see it from a mile away how much you need to get fucked up right now."

" Or fucked period." Cindy added, patting my back sympathetically. I rolled my eyes, moving my attention to Mai ( the only sane one beside me). Grabbing her hand, I led her deeper onto the dance floor. " Only thing getting fucked up is this dance floor ladies."

" Ooh girl I'm sweaty and gross, as it should be ." Mai huffed, downing a drink. We were sitting at the bar, exhausted, watching Cindy and Aniyah still going at it almost an hour later. I shook my head, tracing the rim of my drink. " I don't know how those crazy bitched do it."

Mai giggled, her black hair bouncing. She was a very sweet drunk. " I'm glad she dragged you out with us, I missed you ! Aniyah misses you too, she's just too proud to say it."

I rolled my eyes, sighing. " Yea between work and trying to get into this graduate program I have like no time anymore."

" Plus whatever boy problems you got."

I sputtered. " There's no boy girl ? You really listening to Cindy's dumb ass ?"

Mai rolled her eyes. " Jasmine you're so readable. There's some boy. Is it Ferlin ? Is that why you're here ?" her eyes sparkled – despite her sweet persona she was all for the drama.

I rolled my eyes. Ferlin the manager of this establishment and I had gone on a few dates, but I felt like we didn't really click like everyone thought we would. As cute as he was, I always just got a friend vibe from him. " No. Ferlin and I were never gonna work out." I looked around. " His club is fire though."

Just then Aniyah popped up, barely even out of breat. " Hey track star where's Cindy ?"

She smirked, plopping down next to Mai. " See for yourself."

I turned, and my drink almost slipped from my grasp.

" Oh. My. God." Mai gasped, grabbing Aniyah's shoulder.

On the dancefloor Cindy was getting VERY friendly with a certain gentleman. He wasn;t a regular, even having not been here for a minute I can recognize the regulars. He was tall, broad, and his cornrows were fresh and tiht – just how Cindy liked them. His hazel eyes were trained on her as she moved on him to the beat, his ring clad hands resting QUITE familiarly on her hips.

I blinked, frowning. He looked oddly familiar…

" Wow good for her he's hot as hell." Mai sighed, pulling me out of my thoughts. I frowned again worriedly. " You don't think she's too drunk ?"

Aniyah laughed, waving down a waiter. " Nah they had their eyes trained on each other all night.

Mai and I giggled, I cant believe I didn't notice. " Well she can't bring his ass back to my place so you better take her home yourself Aniyah."

Aniyah rolled her eyes and flicked me off, and we laughed, and kept talking while keeping our eye out for our girl. Just as Aniyah was deep in some story about a fight she had with some girl at her job she paused, casting me a knowing look.

I frowned confused. "Wha-" there was a tap on my shoulder and I turned to face the manager himself, Ferlin. " Hey ! " I felt myself smile broadly, and he returned it warmly. " Hey." His brown eyes shone bright, and he had cut his dreads, rocking a nice clean fade[DK3] . " I haven't seen you in a while love, how's school and work been ?"

I giggled – he called me love all the time and it was the most adorable thing. " Pretty good. I love the little changes you've done with the place." I move my arm around for emphasis, towards the smoky dancefloor, gold traced walls, and new lights. He winced, surprising me. " Yea… that had less to do with me and more to do with our new co manager." I blinked, Aniyah butting in " well he's doing a stupendous job cause this place is the best I've seen it."

Ferlin gave her a tightlipped smile before turning to look over my shoulder.

His smile dropping completely. " Here he is now." He sighed, giving me a small smile once more. " Let me offer you a drink so I can appear busier."

I patted his shoulder and watched him walk over to the bar. I didn't even bother turning around – the guy sounded like a real asshole.

" By god is this man fine." Aniyah sighed, and Maisilently nodded empathically. " Jas you gotta see this new dude for real."

" I watched Fer make my drink, frowning. " Nah I don't want to get to know anyone who appears to be such a bully to my friend."

Aniyah took in a sharp breath. " Well you're out of luck girl cause it looks like he for sure wants to know you."

I huffed, tapping my nails against the newly manicured table before swiftly swiveling around in my chair.

And once AGAIN finding myself staring into those cold maroon eyes.