Priceless Treasure(75)

That night she called Derek and told him she had a surprise for him, that he would find out at the church when they met. He tried to get her to talk about it, but her dad had told her it would be more meaningful if she did it in person on the day they started their new life.

Because she now had her dad’s permission, she thought it a little silly to meet at the church instead of just having him pick her up, but in her romantic heart, it was what she wanted to do, and her father agreed. The church signified the start of a new life.

She anticipated the surprise on Derek’s face, and the joy that would flow through him.

Two days later, Jasmine had her bags packed and went in to tell her father goodbye. He hadn’t always been the best father, but he had still raised her all on his own, and her eyes filled with tears as she approached him.

“It’s time, Dad,” she whispered, amazed by how much it hurt to leave. The ecstasy of being with Derek forever outweighed the pain, though. And now there wouldn’t be any estrangement; her father was supporting her all the way.

“I can’t believe you are moving to the city. Just remember your promise. You won’t get married without me there.” David was all smiles as he spoke to his daughter.

“I am so happy you want to be there,” she said, throwing her arms around his neck.

“I couldn’t miss my baby girl’s wedding. Before you go meet Derek, can you do me a favor first? I have an important package that needs to be signed for and I have to run to City Hall for a meeting. Would you wait for it before you go?”

Derek didn’t have a cell phone, and she couldn’t reach him at his house, but he would be fine if she ran a little late. He knew from experience that she wasn’t always punctual, and he’d understand. This was a last request from her dad, and they were parting on good terms.

“Of course, Dad. When will the package arrive?”

“It shouldn’t be more than an hour,” he promised before kissing her cheek again and then heading out the door.

It was two hours. Jasmine rushed out the door, and made her way to the church fueled by excitement. She carried only a backpack and a small suitcase filled with items she’d need the most. Her father said he’d send the rest when they reached their destination. Fueled by young love and needing nothing more, she was off.

She couldn’t believe how good her father was being about all of this.

Derek wasn’t there when she arrived, but Jasmine wasn’t worried. He’d probably gotten held up, just as she had. Sitting down on the broken church steps, she looked out at the surrounding woods, listening to the sounds of birds chirping, and squirrels scampering through the tree branches.

When an hour passed, she began to grow concerned. Derek was always on time, and this was a big day for the two of them. Wouldn’t he send one of his cousins if he were going to be this late? She couldn’t imagine that he’d have come and gone. He would have waited, knowing she had been held up since that had often happened while they were dating.

When the sun started to set, she didn’t even notice the tears tracking down her face. Maybe he’d changed his mind. Why? What could have possibly made him do such a thing?#p#分页标题#e#

She finally accepted he wasn’t coming and dragged herself home, crying the entire way. When she walked into the house and her father saw her, he took her into his arms, cradling her the way he’d done when she was a small child.

“What’s wrong, Jasmine?” His voice was full of concern.

“He wasn’t there. I don’t understand,” she said between sobs.

“Oh, sweetie, this is what I was worried about,” he cooed, making her cry all that much harder.

When she couldn’t cry anymore, she made her way to her room and lay alone on her bed, clutching the one picture she had of Derek and her to her heart. Something had to be wrong. He wouldn’t have left her there without a valid reason.

Working up the courage to call, she sat with the phone in her hand for almost an hour. Finally, she dialed his house and sat there, holding her breath, as it rang on the other end.

“Hello?” It was Derek. He was home!

She began to smile. Something had come up. It wasn’t that he’d left without her.

“Derek?” she barely whispered. Her throat was raw from all the tears she’d shed.

“I have nothing to say to you,” he growled into the phone.

“I…I don’t understand,” she choked out. Never before had she heard him sound so cruel. His voice was nearly devoid of emotion, just an icy chill running through the line of the telephone.