Chapter 11
1292 Words
Jasmine
It was the weekend, and Jasmine couldn’t shake the thoughts of Reece from her mind. Everything about him, from the way he spoke to the way he looked at her, left her feeling both flustered and excited. Her thoughts wandered back to the conversations they’d had, the way he smiled at her, making her heart race. She wasn’t sure what it was about him, but he had a way of getting under her skin in the best possible way.
By mid-morning, Jasmine had decided she wanted to see him. She had no reason to—there was no invitation, no plan—but something inside her urged her to make the first move. After all, Reece had been so kind to her, always making her feel special. Maybe it was time she did something for him.
She stopped by a small bakery near her apartment and picked out a box of cookies, carefully wrapped in a delicate box with a ribbon. It wasn’t much, but it was a sweet gesture, something to thank him for how he had treated her. Besides, she had been curious about where he worked, about the world he so casually invited her into.
Jasmine stood in front of the massive glass building, her heart racing as she took in the sleek, modern structure that housed Reece’s company, Vanguard Technologies. The building towered above her, an imposing structure of steel and glass, buzzing with the energy of success and power. She couldn’t help but feel a little out of place, but excitement bubbled beneath her nerves. This was Reece’s world—shiny, polished, and far beyond the simple life she led.
With the box of cookies clutched in her hands, Jasmine walked through the glass doors and stepped into the grand lobby. The polished marble floors and high ceilings made her feel small, but she pressed on, approaching the reception desk where a woman sat, tapping away on a computer.
The receptionist barely glanced at her, her tone flat and disinterested. “Can I help you?”
Jasmine smiled politely, trying not to let the cold reception affect her. “I’m here to see Mr. Scott. I don’t have an appointment, but I wanted to surprise him.”
The receptionist looked up from her screen, raising a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. “Mr. Scott doesn’t usually receive visitors without an appointment,” she said, her voice tinged with annoyance. She reached for the phone anyway and made a quick call to Reece’s office. Her expression didn’t change during the brief conversation, but as soon as she hung up, her demeanor shifted completely.
Her previously monotone voice became suddenly pleasant, almost overly sweet. “Mr. Scott is expecting you,” she said with a warm smile. “Please take the elevator to the top floor. His office is directly ahead when you exit.”
Jasmine blinked in surprise, wondering what had changed. But she nodded gratefully, offering a quiet “thank you” before following the instructions.
As she rode the elevator up, she couldn’t help but feel a mixture of nerves and excitement. She hadn’t expected Reece to be expecting her—she had planned to surprise him, after all. But the thought that he seemed so ready for her gave her a strange sense of comfort.
When the elevator doors opened, Jasmine stepped into a sleek, elegant hallway, the walls lined with framed photographs and art that reflected the company’s prestige. She walked toward the large double doors at the end of the hall, her heart pounding in her chest.
Pushing the door open slightly, she peered inside. Reece was sitting behind his desk, looking every bit as handsome and commanding as she remembered. He wore a sharp black suit, the jacket perfectly tailored to his broad shoulders. The dark color only made his striking blue eyes stand out even more. As soon as he saw her, a smile curled at the corner of his lips, making her heart race.
“Jasmine,” he greeted, his voice smooth and welcoming. “This is a surprise.”
She smiled nervously, stepping further into the office. “I thought I’d bring you something.” She held out the small box of cookies, feeling suddenly shy.
Reece stood from his desk and walked toward her, his movements graceful and confident. He took the box from her hands, his fingers brushing against hers briefly. “Cookies? How thoughtful.” He smiled warmly, and Jasmine felt her cheeks heat up at his gratitude.
“I just thought… you’ve been so kind to me,” she explained softly, unsure of what else to say.
Reece glanced at the cookies before setting them aside on his desk. “Thank you, Jasmine. That means a lot.”
There was a pause, and then he gestured toward the door. “Why don’t I show you around? I can take you to the cafeteria, and we can eat together. I’m sure you’ll like it.”
Jasmine nodded, her heart still fluttering as she followed him out of the office.
The cafeteria was more luxurious than any place she had ever seen. It was perched on the top floor, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering breathtaking views of the city below. The tables were sleek and modern, and the food was presented more like gourmet cuisine than cafeteria fare.
As they sat together, Jasmine found herself relaxing more and more. Their conversation flowed easily, just like it had before, and she couldn’t help but feel the chemistry between them. He asked her about her job, about her favorite books, and listened intently to every word she said.
Reece told her more about his company, but as always, he kept the details about himself vague, skimming the surface of who he was. Still, Jasmine found herself drawn deeper into his world, fascinated by how successful he was, and how someone like him could be so interested in her.
After lunch, Reece gave her a brief tour of the office—an impressive mix of modern architecture and high-end design. Time flew by, and before Jasmine realized it, the afternoon had slipped away. She glanced at her phone, realizing it was time to head home.
“Thank you for today,” she said as they returned to his office. “It was really nice.”
Reece smiled, his gaze lingering on her. “Anytime, Jasmine. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to call.”
Her heart skipped a beat at his words, and she nodded, feeling a surge of warmth at the thought that he was there for her.
Jasmine left the building with a smile on her face, still reeling from how the day had gone. She hadn’t expected it to be so perfect, and she couldn’t stop the giddy feeling in her chest as she headed home. Everything felt right. Reece was kind, attentive, and seemed genuinely interested in her.
But that warm, happy feeling quickly vanished as soon as she reached her apartment.
The smell of smoke hit her the moment she turned the corner to her street. Panic rose in her chest as she hurried forward, her heart hammering. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw her apartment building, smoke billowing from the windows, flames licking at the edges of the roof.
Her mind went blank, shock washing over her. Her apartment—her home—was on fire.
Jasmine stood frozen, watching as firefighters worked to control the blaze, her breath coming in short, shallow gasps. Everything she owned, everything she had, was inside that building.
Her hands shook as she fumbled for her phone. The first thought that crossed her mind—the only thought—was to call Reece.
She needed him.
- Writer
