Chapter 9: Jealousy Ethan
2237 Words
“Jas, are you going somewhere?” Claire walked out of the kitchen after hearing some footsteps to see it was Jasmine. A short black dress wrapped around her curvy body, paired with a white kitten heel and a small white clutch, giving the air of elegance.
“Yes Claire. I need to meet up with a friend in thirty. I will be back soon.” She rushed towards the door impatiently.
Daniel was worried about her. To make sure she was doing well in her marriage, he had asked for them to meet. He can be unpredictable. What if he broke in here and got caught by Mr. Grumpy? The thought alone sent a chill down Jasmine’s spine.
“Alright Jas. Have fun.” Claire waved at her and walked back to the kitchen.
“Where are you heading to?” Ethan's cold voice echoed just as Jasmine’s hand touched the door handle.
Jasmine froze. “Huh… not again. I thought he wasn’t anywhere around the penthouse.” She murmured under her breath before turning slowly.
“Oh, you scared me.” She said, clutching her chest dramatically. “Do you enjoy doing that? Sneaking on people like some FBI.” She rolled her eyes.
Ethan didn’t even blink as he walked closer. His gaze slid over her outfit, slow and sharp. “If I’m an FBI, you would be the first criminal I’d interrogate.”
“I’m not a criminal. I’m just going out.” She muttered. “Do I need to inform you before going out?” He had been cold to her from their first meeting. Why bother with where she was going?
Ethan stopped right in front of her, close enough that Jasmine had to tilt her head to look at him. His cologne enveloped her, distracting her senses.
“Yes,” he said. “As my wife, I have the right to know your movement.” Jasmine couldn’t help rolling her eyes in disbelief.
“Excuse me?” She blinked.
His eyes didn’t leave her body. “You live under my roof and wear my ring,” his eye moves to her ring finger and something warm flashes in his eyes for a heartbeat seeing that she didn’t remove her wedding band.
“And where the hell are you going in a dress that short, Jasmine?” Ethan’s voice was edged with something darker, like he was trying to control his inner demon.
“I’m going to meet a friend.” Jasmine shrank back, her eyes dropping to the floor. She could see those raw, unexplainable emotions flickering in his eyes —anger, confusion, and something that looked dangerously close to possession.
“A friend,” he scoffed, arms crossed over his chest.
“Name?”
“Uh—Daniel.” She whispered, her mind blanked for a moment. As Daniel’s name left her lips, Jasmine felt her pulse spike. Why am I suddenly whispering like a guilty teenager caught stealing a glance at her crush? Why are my palms sweaty?
‘Get a grip of yourself, Jasmine. This is your husband, not a hungry cheetah.’
“Daniel,” Ethan repeated, his jaw tightening. “Interesting. And what does this Daniel want from you, making you dress this way to meet him by this time of the night?” His eyes moved towards his wrist watch.
“Just… a friendly checkup. Nothing more.” Jasmine swallowed as she remembered that Ethan seemed to have an issue with her being alone with other men.
From his reaction last night, she knew better than to underestimate his anger. She really wanted to know her relationship with Ethan years ago, and why he was treating her with so much hatred.
Had he accommodated her warmly last night, she wouldn’t mind telling him about Daniel before going out. Having a peaceful talk was difficult between them. How the hell would she bring up the type of life she wanted to live with him as a married couple, not to talk of Daniel.
“You wouldn’t be leaving this house dressed like that.” He bit out. “Go change to something more elegant or be ready for bed.”
“Excuse me,” Jasmine blinked incredulously. “You have no right to tell me what I can and cannot wear.” She shouted at his face, forgetting her fear. “And this dress was your addition to my wardrobe before my arrival. Why should I change it?”
He had given her a room separated from his. Shelves were lined with shoes of every style — stilettos, boots, flats — and handbags in every color and shape.
Clothes of all kinds filled the racks: office dresses, casual wear, elegant gowns. She knew Ethan hadn’t chosen them himself, but at least he’d spared her the stress of going shopping, and she was grateful for that.
Ethan fists clenched by his sides, controlling the rage inside him. How dare she shout at me like that? He thought.
“I don’t care,” he said, stepping closer until his voice whispered into her ears, sending a chill down her spine. “Change that dress, or you are not leaving this house tonight.”
Jasmine stretched out her hands and gave him a slight shove, her nose flaring. “You controlling asshole! I hate you!” She shouted at him before stomping sharply on his foot. Without waiting for his reaction, she spun on her heels and bolted towards her room.
Ethan didn’t move at first, staring at the spot where she’d been, his jaw tight. Then, with a low, amused growl, he bent down to rub his foot.
“Stupid, reckless woman,” he muttered under his breath. “You won’t get away with this.” He straightened, shoulders rigid, before turning back to his room. He had to be somewhere soon. He wouldn’t allow Jasmine to ruin his mood before meeting Ella.
What both of them didn’t know was that Claire was in a corner watching their earlier interactions, a smile playing on her lips as she regarded the young couples.
***
Burgundy’s Club
“Jas, you are finally here.” Daniel stood up from his seat and walked towards Jasmine before pulling her into a warm hug. “I’ve been waiting for ages.” He said as he broke the hug.
“I’m sorry for keeping you waiting, Daniel. Ethan had been a handful. He wouldn’t let me breathe in peace.” Jasmine complained as she walked towards the sofa. Daniel had chosen a booth that wasn’t that noisy. The club was filled with few people, making it less noisy.
Daniel settled beside her, his mood sour from what Jasmine just said. “Did that bastard hurt you? I swear, I won’t spare him.” He took Jasmine's arms, turning her around trying to see any form of bruises on her body.
“Nah, he wouldn’t dare to hit me. Although he is a pain in the ass. I’m sure he won’t stoop so low to hit a woman.” Jasmine chuckled, sure of what she just said. Ethan was an annoying bastard, but she knew he wouldn't hurt her physically.
“Tell me about him, Jas. Did he make things difficult for you? Don’t tell me he brought one of his mistresses home on your wedding night?” Daniel’s eyes almost popped out of their socket as he waited for Jasmine’s answer.
“Dan,” she pinched his arm, earning her a wince from Daniel. “You really know how to think. Why would he do such a thing?”
“From the little information I gathered about him, he was quite a womanizer. He changes women like he changes shoes. That man isn’t pure.” Daniel scrunched his nose in disgust.
“You must not have s*x with him until you do a full body checkup on him to make sure he isn’t carrying any disease.” Daniel whispered into Jasmine's ear, making her nudge him with her elbow.
“I know.” Jasmine said, her eyes full of judgement.
“Huh, why are you staring at me that way?” Daniel moved away from Jasmine, his hair standing.
“You’ve been talking about how unfaithful Ethan is since the wedding as if you are much better than him.” She rolled her eyes. “You’ve slept with half of the female nurses in Paris. Stop acting like a saint.”
“You…” Daniel pointed his finger at Jasmine, who swatted it away.
“Ouch,” Daniel winced in pain as if his finger had been broken, making Jasmine laugh out loud.
“No matter what you say to defend that husband of yours, I’m far better than him. At least I know my partners are disease free.” Daniel scoffed as he poured Jasmine a drink. He had ordered her favorite whiskey before her arrival.
Both of them talked about Ethan for a while before Jasmine changed the topic.
“When will you start working? Have you received an email yet?” Jasmine said as she sipped her whiskey.
After moving to New York, she and Daniel had requested a transfer through a Paris hospital network and were accepted at a prestigious Manhattan medical center.
“Yes I have. I will be resuming on Monday together with you.” Daniel replied as he poured himself a drink.
“That’s much better. I don’t think I will get used to the new medical center without you.” Jasmine rested her head on Daniel’s shoulder, her eyes closed in relief. Daniel patted her head with familiarity, making her snuggled more into his arms.
Whether married or not, her relationship with Daniel would never change. Although he is her PA, he is also her best buddy who has been with her for the past eight years.
A short minute of silence passed between them, each in their world, before Jasmine broke the silence.
“Dan, I need your help on something.”
“Shoot.” Daniel said as he rested his back against the sofa.
“It seems that Ethan and I have had an encounter in the past. He seems to know me.”
“What?” Daniel whispered in shock, not expecting that.
“I’m serious. He asked me last night why I’m pretending not to know him, and I think it’s much more than that, Dan.” Jasmine entangled herself from Daniel’s arm, eyes fixed on him.
“Really?”
“Yes, Dan. And I can’t seem to remember knowing him. Do you think Andrew is hiding something from me about my accident eight years ago?”
“Jas, you can’t doubt Dr. Andrew just because of what Ethan said. What if he is lying?”
“I don’t think he is?” Jasmine shook her head. “I was born and brought up in New York. I remembered everything that happened before I went to Paris. But anytime I think about how and what happened before my accident, my memories seem blank. Do you think I have selective amnesia?”
“Jas, don’t think too much about this. I will look into it, alright?”
“Alright, I will be expecting your positive news.” Jasmine picked up her drink and drank it in one gulp. She felt quite relieved and relaxed after saying all that had been eating her up since last night.
***
“Ethan, isn’t that Jasmine? Who is that with her?” Josh called out as he saw Jasmine’s familiar figure from the top floor.
Ethan's sharp gaze shifted to the direction Josh was pointing at. His blood boiled the moment he saw Jasmine resting her head on Daniel’s shoulder, fists clenched.
“That rebellious woman.” Ethan murmured through clenched teeth. She left the house to hook up with a call boy in a bar. I knew she would never change. Ethan thought painfully.
He stood up, making his way downstairs. He won’t spare Jasmine if she dares to cheat on him once again.
“Hey Ethan, where are you rushing to? I thought you said you don’t care about her anymore.” Josh pulled Ethan back, a cunning smile playing on his lips.
“Ethan, why don't you sit and watch? It might not be what you think.” Williams said, trying to calm Ethan. “What if he is just a friend?”
“Yes Ethan. You guys just reunited. Don’t push her away like you did before. Why don’t you sit down and observe for a few minutes.” Donald chimed in, not wanting Ethan to ruin his new relationship with Jasmine. He knew how broken Ethan was when Jasmine disappeared years ago.
“Exactly man. You have to calm down.” Josh whispered as he sipped his drink.
Ethan didn’t say a word. He sat back but his eyes never left Jasmine and Daniel, who were laughing happily, resting on each other. His jaw was tightly clenched. He barely controlled the rage brewing inside him seeing how happy Jasmine was smiling at another man.
“Ethan, there you are. I’ve been looking for you.” A blonde woman walked towards Ethan and his friends, her lips widely spread in a smile.
All heads turned towards her as she sashayed her body forward in a seductive way, making Donald sucked in cold air.
- Writer
