THE ART OF INDIFFERENCE
1241 Words
THE ART OF INDIFFERENCE
Jasmine stepped into the office building her heels clicking against the polished floor. The familiar scent of coffee and fresh paper greeted her a stark contrast to the chaos of her personal life.
Work.
It was her domain her escape.
“Jasmine!” Her colleague Michelle waved from across the lobby. “You’re early today.”
She forced a smile. “Thought I’d get a head start.”
Michelle gave her a once-over eyes narrowing slightly. “You okay? You look…”
She knew what she meant.
She had barely slept.
“I’m fine” she lied smoothly.
Michelle didn’t look convinced but she didn’t push. “Alright. If you need to talk…”
She just nodded and walked toward her office.
The moment the door shut behind her she exhaled slowly leaning against the wood.
She had survived the night.
Now she just had to survive the day.
Jasmine arrived home that evening to an unfamiliar sight Belle cooking in the kitchen.
The scent of something too sweet filled the air.
Belle looked up hesitatingly. “I..I made dinner.”
She glanced at the neatly set table.
Luke wasn’t home yet.
Typical.
She removed her heels setting them aside with practiced ease. “That’s nice.”
Belle shifted on her feet. “I know this is awkward for you…”
She cut her off with a tired look. “You really don’t have to try, Belle.”
Belle bit her lip. “I just… I don’t want you to hate me.”
She let out a soft chuckle. “Belle I don’t have the energy to hate you.”
Hate required effort.
She wasn’t wasting her energy on someone who wasn’t worth it.
Belle sighed. “I wish things were different.”
She walked past her grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge. “Then you shouldn’t have slept with my fiancé.”
Belle flinched her face turning red.
She didn’t care.
She took a sip of water watching Belle struggle for words.
This was her house.
Her space.
And Belle?
She was just a guest.
She set her water bottle down. “Dinner smells nice. You should eat before it gets cold.”
And with that she walked away.
Later that night Luke finally came home.
Jasmine was curled up on the couch scrolling through her phone pretending she wasn’t waiting.
He hesitated at the door before stepping inside.
“You’re still up?” he asked.
She hummed. “Figured I’d see if you remembered to come home.”
He sighed. “Jasmine….”
She looked up expression unreadable. “Did she eat?”
He blinked. “What?”
“Belle.”
He hesitated. “Yeah. Why?”
She shrugged. “Just making sure you’re taking care of your responsibilities.”
His jaw clenched.
Her words were calculated, biting, but he deserved it.
He hesitated before speaking. “You don’t have to stay you know.”
She arched a brow pointing to herself. “You want me to leave?”
He ran a hand through his hair. “That’s not what I meant.”
“Then say what you mean Luke.”
He fell silent.
She smiled faintly rising to her feet. “I didn’t think so.”
With that she walked past him leaving him standing there looking like he didn’t know whether to feel guilty or relieved.
She hoped it was both.
Because this was only the beginning.
The morning air was crisp as Jasmine sipped her coffee perched on one of the kitchen stools.
Belle was already awake fumbling around the kitchen trying to be useful.
It was almost pitiful her constant attempts at peace.
But she wasn’t interested in peace.
Not anymore.
“Morning,” Belle said cautiously.
She didn’t look up. “Morning.”
Belle hesitated then finally sat across from her. “I know you don’t want to talk to me but I think we should at least try to…”
“I really don’t care what you think.”
Belle’s mouth snapped shut.
Jasmine set her cup down gently. “You’re here I can’t change that but don’t assume that means I’ll ever forgive you.”
Belle swallowed. “I understand.”
Her smiled cold and distant. “No, you don’t.”
And she never would.
Jasmine wasn’t sure when she started enjoying the way Luke flinched whenever she spoke.
But she did.
It was subtle the way his shoulders tensed the way his jaw locked whenever she reminded him of what he owed her.
Tonight was no different.
Luke had just gotten home looking drained when she casually dropped, “You should rest. My kidney’s working overtime keeping you alive.”
His hands clenched at his sides.
“Jasmine.” His voice was tight.
She tilted her head. “What? It’s a fact.”
Luke inhaled sharply. “You don’t have to keep throwing that in my face.”
She took a slow sip of wine. “Then stop making it so easy.”
Belle who had been sitting on the couch stiffened. “Maybe we should all try to…..”
“Belle.” Luke warned.
Jasmine let out a small laugh. “Oh,
don’t silence her now. You didn’t seem to mind her input when she was ruining our relationship.”
Luke rubbed his temples. “Jasmine….”
She stood setting her glass down with a soft clink. “I’m tired. Goodnight.”
And just like that she walked away leaving him standing there with all the weight of his guilt.
Good.
The next afternoon, Jasmine was at work when her phone rang.
Rita, her sister.
She sighed debating whether to answer.
Then, deciding she was in the mood for a distraction she picked up. “What is it?”
“You sound dead inside.”
She smirked. “A little.”
“I’m coming over tonight.”
She groaned. “Rita..”
“Shut up. You need me.”
Before she could argue, Rita hung up.
She exhaled in resignation thinking of how she had reacted to the current situation .
Maybe this wouldn’t be the worst thing.
That evening Jasmine barely made it through the front door before Rita was on her.
“Oh hell no.” Rita’s eyes darted between Luke, Belle, and Jasmine. “You’re still here?”
Jasmine sighed. “Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I want to be.”
Rita gave her a look that said she wasn’t buying that for a second.
Then she turned to Luke. “Wow. I knew you were trash, but damn I didn’t think you were this bad.”
Luke exhaled. “Rita, this isn’t your business.”
She folded her arms. “It became my business when you humiliated my sister.”
Belle shifted uncomfortably. “We never meant to hurt her.”
Rita turned on her next. “Oh sweetheart, I don’t care.”
Belle paled.
Jasmine pressed her lips together suppressing a laugh.
“Jasmine ” Rita turned back to her “why are you putting yourself through this?”
Jasmine met her sister’s gaze evenly. “Because I want Luke to see exactly what he lost.”
Luke’s expression darkened. “Jasmine, don’t start….”
“Oh, I’m just getting started.”
Rita smirked. “Now this I can support.”
Luke pinched the bridge of his nose.
Jasmine just smiled.
This game was far from over
- Writer
