CHAPTER 26

'I'm said that I was sor.." I was about to apologize again. 'You're sorry for hurting my pride?" he asked with a weird chuckle. He lay back in his chair and swirled left then right. A smirk on his face but the darkness in his eyes never flattened on me. 'Yes." 'Hmm." 'Why are you puzzling me and fogging my mind? Sometimes you can be so cold and then you're heated and shoving your tongue down my throat." His eyes twinkled. The darkness in them moved away but he was silent, just looking at me. I turned to leave. 'Where are you going?" he asked, his breath fanned against my neck. It was then that I realized he wasn't in his chair anymore, but had cornered me against the door in his office. 'Back.... to...my desk," I answered. 'Did I tell you that you can leave?" his minty breath fanned me again. For some unexplainable reason, I was getting heated up by this, submitting to my master of a boss. 'Actually yes... you... umm, did," I stuttered. I looked into his eyes. His grey eyes showed a trace of gold around the pupils. 'Okay. Then go back to your desk," he let out but he wasn't stepping aside to free me. I pushed at his chest gently. That didn't work. 'Can you please excuse me?" I asked. He gave me another smirk then stepped back. I reached for the door knob but was pulled back onto something very hard. I closed my eyes as he let out a loud sigh. 'I don't know what you're doing to me Jasmine Blackman. I can't stay mad at you even if I tried." I was wrapped in his arms as the back of my head rested on his chest. I felt comfortable, like if I belonged there. Against him. Just like that. My world was becoming perfect. Then I remembered my mother and the tears came. I made a quick wipe at the tears so it wouldn't fall onto his arms which were still wrapped around my waist. He noticed. He turned me around to face him. I lowered my head to hide the tears but he tilted my head upwards. 'Why are you crying?" he asked, raising his eyebrows, 'What's wrong?" I wanted to tell him what was really bothering me and eating away at my soul but I couldn't bring myself to that. I was already disappointed and let down by someone who said that they'll give me the money, I wouldn't be able to handle another disappointment. 'Nothing. I'm fine." 'Don't lie to me Jasmine. You're crying. Why would you say that you're fine when clearly you're not?" 'Can I just please get back to my desk? There're things to get done." He released his hold on me. I felt cold suddenly. I was warm all along and now I was cold. I turned on my heels and walked out the door. I went over to the cabinets and began arranging the files in a neater order to my liking and easier access. I wasn't crying anymore, I didn't want to cry anymore. Tears only cleared the burden on my chest but it wasn't erasing the cause. I hated crying. I hated having those tears fall onto my cheeks and wiping them away. 'You're still not going to tell me what's bothering you?" a voice asked from behind me. I knew it was him. I turned around and he was right there, looking at me with a concern expression. 'Does it have to do with your mother?" he asked again. The tears came at the mention of my mother. Damn it! I said I was done crying! My cell phone rang. I went to fetch it on my desk. 'Hello," I answered. 'Miss. Blackman, this is Dr. Shannon from the hospital." Oh my God! Brace yourself for the unbearable news. Evan's POV 'HELLO BIG BROTHER!" two voices said in sync as they entered into my office and flop down on the leather couch in the corner. I couldn't help but smile at the cheerful pair. 'What are you doing here?" I asked them, still looking into my computer. 'We're only stopping by to see you. And we're kidnapping you after work today. Dad's taking the family to dinner." 'Arrghh!" I groaned. 'Come on man," EJ protested. A knock came on my door. 'Come in," I said firmly. Jasmine walked into my office. Eyes red from her tears. 'Good afternoon," she said, looking over at Emily and EJ. 'Hi," EJ answered. 'Hello there," Emily said with a small wave of her hand. 'Mr. Hollen, the hospital called me in concern of my mother. I have to sign some papers, giving them the permission to pull......." she said but couldn't finish her sentence. Tears welled up in her eyes. 'Shhhh," I said, already knowing what was coming. An awful feeling rushed to the pit of my stomach. I found myself getting off my seat and comforting her with a hug. 'Go on ahead. Take all the time you need," I said, rubbing the low of her back. She nodded yes, pulled away from my comfort and walked out the door. Tears came to my eyes.