"You never told me about that," Kane frowned.
"No. It was something I didn't want anyone to know. I was ashamed about the whole thing."
"You said this woman 'tried' to scam you. So she didn't succeed?"
"No. I caught her before she was able to do it," he answered impatiently. "Look, I'll tell you all about it later, if you want, but can we talk about Ari and how I can get her back? You of all people should know what it feels like, Kane. You've been here before, when Jazzie broke up with you that one time."
"Yeah, it hurt like hell," Kane acknowledged, glancing at Jasmine, who gave him a reassuring peck on the lips.
Dylan sighed. If only Ari would talk to him again, maybe they'd find their way like Kane and Jasmine had.
God, he missed her so damn much that here he was at his brother's home, pleading for help just so she would let him see her again. Anyone who knew what he was like with women would be shocked by this action.
"You must be in love with her then, to compare what you're going through with what I went through," Kane observed.
Dylan looked straight into his brother's eyes. "Yes, I think I am."
"Ari said she wouldn't be comfortable sharing her problems with you," Jasmine said quietly after a brief silence.
"Problems? Does it have something to do with her sister and nephew? I know she gives them some financial support."
"Yes. I guess she's scared that if she did, you'll just think she's fishing for sympathy and money."
Dylan buried his face in his hands. It was what he had suspected. "But I don't think that anymore," he said in a strangled voice. "I don't even care if she is after my money. I want to give her everything she needs and wants. Anything. I just want her back."
"Ari goes out of her way to ensure she doesn't owe anyone, Dyl," Jasmine said. "She is so proud and so stubborn about it that even I want to slap her sometimes. When she offered to pay me interest for the money she borrowed from me, I had to accept or she would just ask someone else."
"She had to borrow money from you?" Dylan asked in shock.
Jasmine blushed. "I wasn't supposed to tell you that."
"If she needed help, why didn't she come to me?" he asked, irritation and anguish whirling within him. He was her boyfriend, for heaven's sake.
"You know the answer to that, Dyl."
He raked his hair in frustration. "She was scared I'd think she was being a gold digger. How can I undo all this?"
Kane and Jasmine shot him sympathetic looks.
"She did say she missed you," Jasmine volunteered.
"She did?" he asked, his eyes widening with hope.
"Yes. But unfortunately, that doesn't change the fact that she still doesn't want to open up to you. Even if she did, I don't think she'd accept any financial assistance from you."
Dylan scowled as unexpected anger flared within him.
This was ridiculous. He loved Ari and he wanted to look after her. She needed help and he was damn well going to give it to her, even if she didn't like the way he went about it. Her stubborn pride could go to hell.
"Jaz, please tell me about her financial problems."
*******
"She's going to kill me for this, Dyl. But I don't care. You're doing the right thing," Jasmine declared as they got out of the taxi in front of an unassuming apartment block.
Dylan grinned. "Glad you approve, Jazzie. I'm sorry I won't be around to plead for your life. Ari would kill me first before she hunts you down."
"Well, let's hope Sylvie doesn't turn us away."
"That's why you're here. Less chance of that happening," he responded lightly. "Thank you for coming with me, Jaz," he added sincerely.
"No problem. I'm more than happy to do this with you."
They climbed the stairs to the second floor and knocked on the door of unit eight.
A woman whose resemblance to Ari was unmistakable opened the door and greeted them with a friendly smile. "Hi. You must be Jasmine."
"Yes. How are you, Sylvie?" Jasmine asked, reaching out to hug Ari's sister.
"Fine, thank you," Sylvie replied, returning Jasmine's hug warmly. "I've heard so much about you, Jasmine. Ari talks very fondly of you."
"Thank you," Jasmine replied.
Sylvie turned to Dylan. "And you are Kane? Jasmine's fiancée?" she asked.
"No. I'm Dylan," he replied with a smile. At Sylvie's blank look, he added, "I'm Kane's brother."
"Oh, okay. Good to meet you, Dylan," Sylvie said without recognition. "Please, come on in."
Dylan lost his smile as they followed Sylvie inside her small but tidy apartment. So Ari had spoken to Sylvie about Jasmine, and even Kane. But clearly, she had never brought him up—not even once—for Sylvie to recognise his name.