TWO

Jasmine

Cindy's place, otherwise known as my happy place was abnormally packed today. It's about fifteen minutes away from work and seven minutes away from my home.

"Where's my niece whore?" I asked eagerly. Sarah's baby was the cutest girl ever. The circumstance was awful but I'm glad she kept Jane.

"She's with her grand-father and speaking of parents, I need to talk to you."

Uh oh. Her face was more stern than usual.

"What's up?"

"I won't be able to come on the trip with you because my mom's sick, as you know, and they are putting her to rest this weekend and I want to be there with her." Oh my goodness. I, above all knew, how sad it was to lose a parent and while it sucked that she wouldn't be there, I understood the circumstances.

I leaned over to give her a big hug and assured her that it will all be okay. I'd rather she spent all the time in the world with her mother than on a trip with me. The only issue was I already paid the full price for the two of us and it's non-refundable. I don't have any other good friends so unless I find a person to go with me by tomorrow, I'm losing a whole lot of money.

"I'm so sorry again," she said as we pulled apart from the hug.

"Don't be sorry. Tell your mom I love her and call me if anything."

"Who are you gonna take with you?" She asked and to be very honest, I don't know.

I shrugged my shoulders and let out a loud sigh. This trip was over ten thousand dollars and contrary to popular belief, that's a shit ton of money.

"I have no idea but-"

"I'll go with you. I could use a vacation anyways." There's absolutely no fucking way that is who I think it is. This must be a prank, pull the cameras out right fucking now.

Sarah's eyes bulged open and gave me all the confirmation I needed.

"Rowan," I regrettably said, "No, I'm good." I wasn't good but I'd rather eat a tub of peppers before I go on a month long vacation with him.

"You didn't sound good earlier and by the way, I'm sorry about your mother Sarah."

How long has he even been listening? Is this not stalking?

"I would rather-"

He rolled his eyes. "This the part where you tell me that you'd rather die than having me go on the trip? I wouldn't be doing it for you, I'd be going for me. You're just an addition I'll have to live with. Offer is yours if you want," he flatly stated.

He's so hurtful. Even if I don't like him, he could've been a bit more conservative with his answer.

"Whatever but no, I'll figure it out." That's another lie, there's no way I'd be figuring this out, not without dying first.

He gave me a very unconvincing face as he walked closer to me. I turned away for two reasons: I loathed him and I didn't want anyone to see us like that and think we were involved. What gave him the impression that I ever spent a month with him? Four years of working with him was more than enough; I don't have the patience to spend another four weeks with him in what is intended to be a happy place.

"I'll even pay you back for the money you spent," he offered. That was very tempting, but no. Not for any money in the world.

"No." I pressed my lips together and took a bite of my cookie.

"You're going to need me," he said, "And when you do, you know where my office is." He was trying to flatter himself and that wouldn't work with me.

I would've probably considered it if anyone else had offered, but not him. I've spent years avoiding being in the same room as him especially because I get a rush around him. A rush I can't explain, mainly because I don't want to. Sarah calls it a rush of hatred and I believe her.

He eventually left us after lingering for a few more minutes. Weirdo. I returned my attention to my bestfriend and saw a very smug look on her face.

"No," I said snapping her out of thought. " I know that face and no, I'm not agreeing to it."

She exhaled loudly. "I'm not saying you should, but think of it this way right?" She said, and I nodded to show her I was listening. "He'll pay you the back and the money won't go to waste. You can have fun without even seeing him and it'll be fine. You still have a day to find someone to take in my place."

Despite the fact that I understood what she was saying, I genuinely detested him. My mentality was affected by everything I went through in my first year at this studio, including the banter we had. Sadly, I'm sure he thought it was all a joke. Whatever his point of view, there is no way I'm going on that trip with him.

"Do I have other options?"

"You can always bring Jane," she suggested and I turned it down. I loved my niece, but she can't spent a whole month away from her mother. She doesn't even want to spend a whole day with her favourite aunt.

"Jane would scream down the whole hotel if she wakes up and doesn't see you. I don't want the Turks and Caicos people to banish me from their country, so I'll pass."

She laughed in agreement and we just at there. This doesn't sound like a big deal and in truth, it's not, I'm just not use to leaving the country on vacations without company and it's going to be so boring to be there by myself for a month.

"Well," Sarah said and got up from her seat, "My shift starts in an hour and we have prep. Let me know if you figure this out okay?"

I got up to hug her. "I will. I love you and have fun delivering babies."

"I love you too," she said and walked out.

It's great seeing her but gosh, I now have a few hours before I need to find a person, change the flight details and pack for my trip.

Fucking great.