02| jasmine

D I A N E

Years Ago  

I placed the beers on the table and quickly gathered their empty bottles. "Hey cutie,'' one of them said. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "Can I get you anything else?' I asked, gritting my teeth through a forced smile. 

My heart sank when I realized they were my next table. As I walked over, they leered at me, clearly underdressing me with their eyes. "What can I get you  to drink?' I asked, attempting to sound cheerful. One of them whistled and I had to bite back a glare.

Their eyes followed as I made my way back to the bar. I could feel their gazes on my back so I turned around  and faced them. 

 "What's your name?" One asked.

"The names Jasmine but I'm sure your wife wouldn't like what you're doing,  "

"Jasmine." He muses with a smile, completely ignoring what I just said. "I like you. How much will it be to spend the night with you?' I shook my head in disbelief, trying to hold back a humorless laugh.

Did he think this was some kind of brothel?

"I only go for real men," I felt my lip curl in revulsion as I took in every detail of this pathetic man.  "Not desperate, penniless married men,' As I looked at his left hand, I noticed a gold wedding band gleaming on his finger. 

Shameless.

"Next time you're looking for a cheap whore, go to a brothel. ," I bite out. 

I tried to shake off his hand, but his grip was like iron. He was leering at me, a sneer on his face. "You better remove your filthy hands before I do it for you,' I snarl. 

"You better swallow your words,"

"You better get your dirty hands off me," I glared right back at him. I tried not to gag as  his hot, boozy breath hit my face. He smelled like marijuana and his clothes were rumpled and stained. I felt sorry for his wife.

"Or what?" He dared to challenge me so I grabbed one of the empty beer bottles and swung it against his head. His grip on me weakened as he groaned. I grabbed one of the glass pieces and right as I was about to use it against him, a voice from behind stopped me.

"Jasmine," I didn't look back still glaring at the man in front of me. "Diane," And I finally snapped out of it.

"What," I spat looking at the taller woman behind me. It was Ravi. I rolled my eyes at the sight of her. Her black mini skirt was holding on for dear life- one wrong move and these mens eyes will be blessed.

"The boss is looking for you,'

I look around not seeing the familiar figure anywhere. "I don't see him looking,"

She rolls her eyes at this. "You know what I meant. He wants to see you," I cross my arms over my chest, brushing past her as I head over to my boyfriends office.

Not even bothering to knock, I walked in like I owned the place.

"Finally," He releases a breath.

"I'm not in the mood Ethan. One of your customers assaulted me and I'm sure the word got to you but as usual, you ignored it."

"That's exactly why I wanted to talk to you," He steps forward. "You're causing problems in my bar and I'm losing customers because of your attitude,"

I blink. "My attitude? Seriously? I'm sure those good-for-nothing customers were all men and they don't like my attitude because I never give them what they want,"

"Baby you know I didn't mean it like that," He reaches for me but I step back.

"What's worse is that I can't even rely on my boyfriend who claims to be such an alpha male but doesn't even have backbone,"

"You need to apologize,' My jaw nearly dropped. "Apologize? For telling those scums the truth? It's not my fault that they don't respect themselves for the repugnant things they hide from their wives.'

"It doesn't concern you Diane.' 

I scoff. "If you had taken the time to listen to me the you know it does,' I exclaim. "What kind of man are you?'

"Watch your words Mavrell, watch it."

Oh now he was calling me by my last name. Fresh.

"What are you going to do about it? Hit me? Threaten me? Enlighten me please,"

"Don't test me." He bellowed, his voice echoing through the bar but little did the bastard know I could shout too. "It's simple, quit or apologize.' I stood there, frozen in place , my brain trying to process what he just said. "You're pathetic. Why did I expect better?' I mused. He tried to reach for me but I backed away instinctively.

" I'm done,' I whisper. I'm done being treated like garbage. I'm done being your Jasmine. I'm done being disrespected and having an incompetent cunt of a boyfriend," I spat.

"You don't have to deal with me anymore because I quit."

I untied the apron and threw it on the floor like it was garbage. I shut the door with an enormous thud as I made my way out of this bar.

□□□

I walked in the dark, savouring the peace and quiet.

The air was humid, but it felt refreshing against my skin. I breathed in the scent of the trees and the grass, letting myself relax. There was something calming about the world at night, with only the moon and stars for company.  

I zipped my jacket, not wanting to attract an unwanted attention. The last thing I needed was a guy approaching.

So I walked, minding my own business hoping to find a taxi so I could arrive home sooner.

But all my hope had turned into dust when two drunk guys locked eyes with mine. My hear sank. I looked away quickly hoping they didn't notice but unfortunately for me, that wasn't the case.

"Hey, pretty lady,"

I ignored them, my heels clicking on the concrete floor as I sped up. "Hey come on. You're going to ignore us? We just want to t-talk," He slurred and staggered but his friend who seemed more sober, held him by his shoulders.

"Let's leave her alone," He said.

"Come on buddy. Don't you see how hot she is?" He inched closer despite the effort his other friend had to pull him back - or at least I thought so because the drunk guy did something. He knocked out his friend and my eyes widened.

Crap.

I was in trouble now.

I walked faster but the drunk guy beat me to it as he lunged at me. My body crashed down on the concrete and I winced in pain. I froze as my fingers brushed against something wet and sticky. I pulled my hand away , my stomach churning as I saw the red stain on my fingers.

My vision swam, making it hard to focus on anything. I attempted to steady myself but i could feel my legs giving out beneath me.

No.

Thank heavens I still had the glass piece in my hands but I was too weak to even shove it in his eye or neck. The sound of him unbuckling his belt had my heart racing wildly.

No.

Just no.

He quickly unzipped my jacket as his hand ran over my upper thigh and underneath my skirt.

I tried moving but nothing seemed to help. I was trapped and weak. He started pressing sloppy kisses on my neck, sending uncomfortable shivers down my spine. "You're so hot," He moaned and I could only let out a small cry.

Just when I thought things were bad, he ripped my white top in half and cupped my boobs which were covered with my black bra.

His nails dug into my skin as he bit into my collarbone.

Suddenly he stopped. 

I heard the sound of a blade scraping metal. It was faint but I could never mistaken that sound but before I could even register what was happening, everything went black.