Secret Words(34)

She heard him sigh heavily. "I was told that the reason you wouldn't go out with me was because I was a goody-two-shoes looking for a relationship when you weren't. When you broke up with George, he told certain people you were ready for your next casual relationship. He also said you preferred aggressive men who did a lot of chasing—that you like writing about it in your … porno stories."

She gasped.

"I'm sorry. That's what I heard," he said contritely. "My dad was very ill at the time. I was angry and worried. I felt hemmed in with the pressure of taking over Dad's work. I hated that none of my other siblings wanted to help and I was lumped with everything. I was in a low point when I decided to go for what I wanted. Trouble was, I did it in a very immature way. I drank too much at your sister's wedding and got miffed that you found another guy and I missed my chance again. I said to myself if you weren't after a serious relationship then fine, I'd just enjoy a night with you. So I decided to take a chance and acted aggressive and playful."

Her mouth hung open as she listened to Tim explain his actions.

"Jasmine? Are you still there?"

"Yes," she managed to croak.

"I truly do apologise. When I think about some of the things I said to you, it makes me cringe."

"Tell me everything, Tim. I don't believe you've told me everything yet."

"There's not much after that. When you kept on responding angrily to my misguided courting, I realised you were not that kind of girl. I always knew you weren't. I guess I was just lonely and feeling sorry for myself. But that's no excuse."

She closed her eyes. "How do I know you're not lying to me to justify your stalking?"

He laughed mirthlessly. "I don't expect you to believe me, Jasmine. That's why I never called you."

She ran her hand over her face. Tim had a point. He didn't call her. She called him.

"I need to talk to George. Could you give me his phone number, please? The one I have has been disconnected."

"George? I don't have his current number either. He's … ah … he's disappeared."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, apparently he had a joint bank account with his ex-fiancée. He took a lot of money from it and disappeared."

"What?!" she said in disbelief.

"I guess I didn't really know him all that well. George was immature in a lot of respects, but I never thought he'd do something like that."

Damn it. She needed to talk to him. She held her head in her hand.

"Why do you need to talk to George, Jasmine?"

She sighed. "It's a long story I'm not prepared to share with you right now. If you happen to get George's new contact number, could you please let me know?"

"Sure. And Jasmine, I'm really sorry."

"Okay. Bye, Tim."

She let out a frustrated yell when she hung up the phone. If she couldn't get to George, and if no one knew where he was, how was she going fix this?

Well, there was only one option she could think of.





~~~~~~~





Hannah,





I don't know where to start. Your email came as a big shock to me. But please let me clarify some very important things.

First, I am deeply sorry for the loss of your baby and your mother's passing. Please know that neither Kane nor I ever meant to add to your hurt.

I am not a slut who breaks up relationships. I'm sorry for bringing this up but my understanding was that Kane had already made the decision to end your relationship after you lost the baby. That was before he met me. Kane breaking up with you was going to happen even if I had never entered the picture. Still, I want you to know that Kane and I didn't sleep together until after he broke up with you. We knew you deserved that consideration.

I did not write the stories that you attached to your email but I think I know who did. That someone is out to destroy my reputation and I think I know why. When I dated him, I didn't know he had a fiancée. I only found out about her after I broke up with him. I really don't know why he intends to hurt me and Kane. My only guess is that he wanted revenge for me 'badmouthing' him (even though all I did was clarify the situation to his fiancée).

Please be careful with your dealings with him and don't believe anything he says.

Kane and his firm winning the award would mean the world to me, too. Hannah, for Kane's sake, please don't let yourself be interviewed by anyone. That way, no one could misinterpret the situation involving you, me and Kane that could cost Kane his reputation. This is in your hands, Hannah, not mine.

I love Kane, Hannah. And he loves me. I ask you to please accept that. I beg you to please do the right thing.





Jasmine





P.S. If you do release the documents to my work and to my family and friends, as you have threatened to do, I will be within my rights to take legal action. I hope it doesn't come to that.