MONDAY AFTER THE ACLAND EVENT
KEITH’S POV
I was coming out of one of the HQ meeting rooms having finished an early morning meeting with the CEO, COO, CFO , CTO etc of the Acland group. I was making my way to my office when I bumped into the men I had sent to get Jasmine for my meeting with her.
"Where is she?" I asked I walked together with the men and wondered if they had already taken her to my office and she was waiting for me there.
"She refused to come, sir," my men informed me.
My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. What do you mean she refused to come?"
Jasmine had been desperate to see me since I kicked her out of the mansion. Why would she refuse to see me?
"She told us she had to go to work and suggested you send an email or reschedule," one of the men told me.
What was she actually serious about this work thing? There was no way. After the report Diana had given me I had concluded she was working because she’d finished her allowance. Perhaps she was embarrassed? I considered the thought. Perhaps she was embarrassed about the situation and that’s why she was hesitant to see me.
As I sat back down at the desk in my office I thought about what I should do about Jasmine. As much as I was annoyed by her actions as of late, I didn’t want her to suffer. I still wanted her well looked after even if I didn’t want to be with her anymore. So I made the decision to go visit her myself at her home that evening. I had never once been to the house. Tonight would be my first time.
BACK AT JASMINE’S HOUSE. MONDAY EVENING AFTER ACLAND EVENT
JASMINE’S POV
"I’m just trying to understand why you would make so many unnecessary purchases in the first place? But to then resort to waitressing?" he asked in disbelief as he looked at me like I was crazy.
My eyes widened as I finally pieced together what was going on. The reason the servants were back in the house, the reason the driver came to pick Tony and I when I went to pick him up from school was because of Diana. She knew Keith was coming to my house and didn’t want him to know what she was doing to me. And she also made all these expensive purchases to make it look like I had finished my allowance from reckless spending and not due to her keeping it from me. Clearly that was the story she’d told him.
This is crazy. That woman was insane I thought to myself. My lips curved into a smile and I began to laugh hysterically. It was a situation so ridiculous I couldn’t help but laugh. Her dedication to keeping her image was interesting. I could imagine her finding out Keith was coming to my house and then rushing to send all the servants and driver to the house in time.
"Is something funny?" he asked me as I laughed.
"No, not at all," I replied as I calmed myself.
"Well, is there anything you want to say since you were refusing to speak before?" He asked me.
"What do want me to say?" I asked him. I didn’t refute what Diana was accusing me of. I had had this conversation so many times before with Keith. I knew whatever Diana had showed him to he fully convinced
"Jasmine this so out of character for you. First of all you don’t need to be embarrassed, if you need money you can just ask for more. You don’t need to resort to working as a waitress. And you don’t need all this stuff so why did you buy it?" he asked me with a surprised expression.
I could only stare at him wide eyed and speechless. I couldn’t believe he believed that? Who on earth would spend 50 grand on things they didn’t need and then when the money finished resort to working at a restaurant? And as he said I had more than enough bags and clothes already why would I buy more? Is that how stupid he thought I was? Just how much did Diana have him wrapped around her finger?
"Jasmine, look, I understand the situation you’re in is not ideal, having been moved out to this house, but you have to agree it’s a consequence of your own actions. However, your recent actions have me concerned, maybe you need to talk to somebody to help you with what you—" he suggested,
There was no way he was suggesting I get mental help? My eyes widened in disbelief.
"—Oh my god, Keith we’re not doing this," I interrupted him in an annoyed tone. I didn’t care that he thought I was mad, but I wasn’t going to let him berate me to my face. I couldn’t stand his condescending tone either. He thought I was losing my mind due to him kicking me out.
Keith we were married for at least 7 years and though we weren’t romantically involved you did know me pretty well. Even you yourself have said that this was out of character for me. The fact that you believe whatever she has to say over what you know about my character is crazy.
"I appreciate your concern, but there’s no need to be worried," I said to him through gritted teeth. "How about we make this easy for both of us so that this never has to be an issue again?" I went on. I was over this conversation and wanted it to end as soon as possible and for him to leave.
Keith cocked an eyebrow as he looked at me. "And what’s that?" He asked me.
"How about you stop giving me the allowance entirely?" I suggested.
"What?" he asked in confusion at my request.
"On top of that I want all the servants out of the house as well. You don’t have to provide for me anymore."