Chapter 9

For the first time in a while, Jasmine got off work early. As there were no appointments her co-workers couldn't handle.

She started making lunch as soon as she got home to surprise her mom and siblings.

She decided on stir fry spaghetti which won't take much time, she boiled pasta and eggs, then started chopping carrots, spring onions, and onions, with green and red bell peppers to spice it up, after setting those aside, she took out a can of sweet corn from the fridge

She stir-fried all the ingredients in a pan and checked on the pasta, it was ready, so she picked out the eggs and put them in water to cool.

Then poured the pasta into a sieve to get all the water out, then transferred the stir fry into another pot then poured the pasta along with it, she added enough seasoning and let it simmer for a minute before turning the stove off.

She was peeling the shell off the eggs when she heard the front door open.

Then the twins' voice, no doubt following the aroma of the food.

Michelle ran into the kitchen and hugged her legs "Jasmine!"

She picked her up, raising her to her face

"How was school today baby?" she asked in a baby voice walking out of the kitchen to the living room

"It was fine, I drew a unicorn today," she said excitedly

"wow__I'm sure it was beautiful"

"Jasmine's home" Michael, her twin brother ran up to her.

She picked him up and put him on her other hip when her mom walked in looking tired

"Welcome ma" Her face lit up with a smile, surprised she was home early

"You're home early, no work today?"

"Nothing the others can't handle without me

I just finished lunch, go take a shower and come eat"

Her mom beamed "What did you cook?"

"Stir fry spaghetti" she answered in a sing-song voice, wiggling her brows at the twins who squealed in delight like she knew they would

She led them into the bathroom, undressed, and bathed them one after the other. She wrapped a towel around their shoulders and carried them out of the bathroom.

She used the ends of Michael's towel to rub his head which had the softest brown hair with gold highlights, Light skinned like she is except he favored their father's look while Michelle looked more like their mom.

They were fraternal twins so they looked nothing alike, but are both so beautiful, Jasmine knew Michael was going to grow into a handsome man, with his large, light brown expressive eyes framed by a thick set of dark blonde lashes, a button nose and cupid bow-shaped lips that the siblings all shared.

Michelle has a darker skin tone and hazel eyes that looked gold when under the sunlight, dark lashes, and pink lips, she was so pretty.

Jasmine dressed them in matching shirts and shorts, after applying lotion to their bodies.

Then led them to the dining area and went to get their food, she picked Michael's blue plate and his sister's pink one. They used colors to identify their plates and cutlery to avoid them arguing as they sometimes did.

They dug into their food with an enthusiasm that amused Jasmine, she went to get them orange juice when she heard her ringtone, she went to the living room to get the phone and picked up it

"Hello?"

"Hi, it's Khaleed"

"How are you?"

"I'm fine, and you?"

"I'm fine too

Is this what you meant by you'd call later?"

she blurted, shit__why did she say that

He laughed at her accusatory tone "I'm so sorry, I got home late that night and was so tired___I went straight to bed"

He explained pleased that she missed him

"Oh?___it's fine

I didn't mean to go off on you like that"

"Oh no it's okay, I should have sent a text at least," he said smiling

"Alright, so___what are you up to?" She asked to keep the conversation going, she didn't want to be boring

"I'm at work__ can I call you on video?" He asked suddenly

"why not?"

"There you are" A smile lit up his face on seeing her

"Where are you?"

"I'm at home"

"Oh...okay, you got off work early today I assume"

"Yeah" she confirmed smiling

"So what is it you do?

I mean you know I'm a make-up artist already" she asked curiously

"You know, just office work," he said vaguely but she didn't ask further, sensing he didn't want to talk about his work

"Alright then" she smiled

"So I was wondering if we could officially go on a date, get to know each other and stuff"

"That sounds good"

"So are you free later? we could talk over lunch maybe" He asked

Later? that's soon, but she didn't see a reason why they couldn't talk over lunch, so she agreed

"Lunch is fine, what time?"

"Really?" He seemed surprised she agreed to it, but if he was sure she wouldn't why did he ask? She thought

"Err__yeah, really" she giggled

"How about you let me know when you're ready

You know KING'S KITCHEN?" He asked

King's kitchen? The crazy expensive restaurant that tended to high-end people? she also heard the food was pricey too.

Just what does this guy do?

"I know of it"

"We'll meet there, See you in a few" he said still smiling then hung up

Jasmine went to tell her mother she was heading out, she knocked once and then opened the door. She was fast asleep, so she left her a note instead.

"Omma I went to see a friend at KING'S KITCHEN, I'll be home soon"

She quietly left her room and went to get dressed after a quick shower.

She picked a black high-waist palazzo pant and long-sleeved printed lilac mesh shirt. Usually, she went for jeans and crop tops but didn't want to dress too casual to an expensive restaurant.

She picked out black strapped heeled sandals and a green mini leather shoulder bag to complete the ensemble then pulled her braids into a top knot with two strands pulled down at each side of her face.

She applied some fruity lip balm to moisten her lips and because it tasted good

Jessica, Christopher, and stephanne eating with the twins at the table when she got out

"hey sis" Chris hollered with a mouthful of food

"Good afternoon," Steph said smiling

"Where you headed?" Jessica asked

"Out," she said vaguely

"I wrote Omma a note, I won't be long"

"Don't come home late" Jessica warned playfully

"Buy snacks on your way back," Christopher said to which the twins chorused

"We want cake"

"Alright kids, see you later"

The KING'S KITCHEN was everything Jasmine expected and more, her date had sent her a text that he got a reservation under the name Mr. Khaleed.

The host was a bit snobbish, but she wasn't surprised, even she could tell she wasn't the usual wealthy person that ate here, which leads to the question of what Khaleed does for a living, as long as he wasn't in a mafia or anything.

She was directed to a private dining room, she fought to urge to raise her eyebrows.

He didn't notice her come in, he was tapping his phone screen, and damn did he look good.

His dark skin shone under the lights and he had long lashes that fanned his cheeks on closer inspection

"I hope you've not been waiting too long?"

He looked up at her and smiled

"I've been here for a while, I was starting to think you wouldn't show up"

She cocked her head to the side and smirked

" Calling me a no-show?"