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------*****

"Jasmine?". Williams called out his daughter's name making her to jars out of her thoughts.

"Y-es,dad. What were you saying again?". She asked innocently like she wasn't listening when he was talking. She was doing this in order for her to get a reliable answer that will clear her doubted mind.

"Really? You mean you weren't paying attention all this while I was talking?",-he asked and Jasmine only gave a little sigh, he continued"- That's bad. Well I was saying Raymond's father told me Raymond is getting married in three weeks time or thereabout and he went ahead to invite us. Although he didn't give me any IVs yet,but he'll do that soon. So I was asking if Raymond told you about it while you guys were at Abuja. I guess he did not,because you look a bit surprise hearing it from me."

"Ugh. OK. I guess it did escaped his mind because he didn't tell me about it." She said numbly forcing a smile. But right deep down she was hurting.

She couldn't stand it anymore, right now she was damn shattered,if she should spend one more minute here,her dad will get to see those tears she's been holding back. "Dad,I'll beg to leave you now to my room. I need to have a good rest." She added standing up to leave.

"OK sweetie. Take care and have a good rest. Remember dad loves you, OK?". Williams said and Jasmine gave a light nod with a slight smile. She pecked her dad and left his sight afterwards.

She got to her room and locked the door. She lean her back on the door and used her palm to cover her face. Slowly she slide down and sat on the floor. Then she let out the tears she's been holding back while she was with her dad to flow.

She flashed back of the beautiful short moments they both had while they were there, the song he sang to her that melted her heart. His warm kiss,the hugs,the laughter they shared, everything was running on her mind which got more tears streaming down her cheek.

**************^********
Raymond is found sitting at the dinning room with his parent. He was sitting in one of the chairs at the right hand side of the dinning table. While his dad was sitting on one of the chairs at the edge of the table, then his wife was sitting next to him at the left hand side. The three of them were having yam and egg sauce as their dinner.

"Son?"-Mrs Robert called and Ray looked up to answer her and then she continued,"-you and I need to have a serious talk after dinner."

Ray was about saying something before he was cut in by his father.
"I don't think so honey. My son and I have an important business issue to talk about and I'm planning to do that after dinner." Robert said.

"Really? So what you are trying to say is I have no right to talk with my son whenever I want? Is that it?", she asked glaring at him.

"I never said so,please don't get me wrong. Ray just came back from the business trip I sent him and he needs to tell me all I need to know regarding what he went for and I also need to feed him with some new changes in the company before he resumes. C'mon honey,Ray is right here with us,you can have your discussion any time you want but not right now." Robert reasoned calmly with her.

She was still feeling agitated and been cheated upon,so she put down her fork and said to him. "You know what? You can have him all to yourself, I don't care. In fact I just lost my appetite. Goodnight to you both and enjoy your business conversation." She retorted and stood up to leave.

"Mum? It hasn't gotten to that. Dad is right, you should understand what he's saying. Please come back and finish your dinner." Ray said trying to talk his mum to calm down.

"Yeah. Ray is right, come back and have your dinner. What I said shouldn't be why you would lost your appetite."

"Well, I already did. So let's forget it." She snapped and walked out on them.

Robert and Ray eyed each other and both of them grunt in unison "women". And they ended up chuckling to that.

"What is so important that she wants to discuss with you that can't wait?". Robert asked and Ray gave a shrug and said.

"I don't have an idea,dad." Ray replied.

"Hmm. You should sort that out with her tomorrow. So,tell me more about your trip." Robert said. And Ray told him all he needs to know regarding the business aspect.

"OK. Anything else I need to know?". Robert asked drinking out of the glass of water on the table.

Ray thought for a while if he should tell his dad about what happened between himself and Jasmine. After few seconds of contemplation he made up his mind.

"Dad,I have something to tell you." He said taking a sip of his water and dropped the cup on the table back.

"You do? OK,go ahead." Robert gestured with his hand.

"I... F-ather, oh God, I-don't know how to say this." Ray stuttered with frustration rubbing his forehead.

These act of his got his father attention and he sat up and looked through his son's face and he saw how distressed he was looking. "Son? What's wrong? Are you OK? Did something bad happen?". He asked.

"Dad,I- I've found someone I'm in love with." Ray said staring at his dad.

Robert furrowed and said. "How is that a big deal? Isn't Sylvia the lady you want to marry? Its expected for you to love her."

"No,dad. Its not Sylvia I'm talking about. Its someone else." Ray replied running his hand through his face.

"Is not Sylvia? What do you mean is not Sylvia?". Robert questioned loud with a puzzled look.

"Please lower your voice, dad. I don't want mother to hear this. I want to confess something to you dad,promise me you won't tell mum about this until when I'm ready to tell her myself. You promise?". Ray asked and Robert shrug and gave a slight nod.

Ray huff and said. "Very well then. What I'm about to say might sound as a shock to you but please keep it calm. OK?".

"C'mon Ray, enough with the suspense and tell me whatever it is you want to say." Robert replied impatiently.

"Fine. Its about Sylvia and I. I don't love Sylvia. Well,I love her as a friend but not romantically. I don't see or feel any connection between us. It isn't today or yesterday I came to realize it,but rather I've come to know this for long now", he paused and saw his father expression who was looking dumbfounded and then he continued.

"I never wanted this engagement plans to come up. But mum and Sylvia's mum,together with Sylvia herself all planned it. I told them to give me more time to think about it but they said there's nothing more to think about. Even before the engagement plans, I told Sylvia that my feelings for her are mutual,and the only reply she gave me was this: "don't worry my love, in no time you'll fall in love with me,I guess right now you're just being blinded not to see that you have feelings for me. I'll wait until you realize that", those were exactly her words. I kept wondering how its gonna be like to be with someone your heart is not in for." He said looking nervous and sad.

"Woa. So this is what is in your heart? How come you never told me about it? Don't you think now is too late for you to back out on your engagement with Sylvia?". Robert asked with curiosity.

The question threw silence in the room. Ray finally answered.

"I don't think its too late,dad. I'll do all I can to cancel this engagement and if it doesn't work,I'll disappear on them on that day." Ray said with determination clenching on his fist.

"Really? This is serious. OK. Fine. Good decision on your part. It'll be worst if you got married and divorce after one week or one month. I guess it's the right thing to do now. But i bet you, its really going to be difficult." Robert stated.

"Yes,I know that. But I don't mind taking the risk." Ray replied firmly.

"Hmm. I've never seen you this determined. This woman must have really got into you. May I know the lady you're in love with?". Robert asked.

This question brought slight smiles on Ray's face. The mention of Jasmine as the other has calm him from his frustrated self.
"Sure,dad. Its someone you know. Its Mr Williams only daughter, Jasmine." He said.

"Jasmine?". Robert asked looking surprise.

"Yes,dad. She's the woman I love. Jasmine and I have this special connection between us. There's something about her that got me so in love with her. I won't like to compare her with Sylvia,but I'll say she's the opposite of Sylvia. Jasmine is someone I would love to build my future with. And if I don't get married to her, dad",- he paused and sigh heavily and then he continued,"-then I'd married to no one." Ray concluded throwing his dad in gasp.

Robert stared at his son in disbelief. He wondered what has gotten into him. Could this be real love or infatuation? He questioned his mind.

"So,what now?". Was the only question Robert could ask after long silence.

***************
Ray attempts of calling Jasmine on phone was futile. It was ringing but no response. He dumped the phone on the bed stroking his hand through his punk shaved hair. He gave up dialling her line,and decided to drift into sleep since it was already getting late.

When Robert had asked the question 'what now?earlier,Ray had given a straight answer that threw Robert off guard which made him lost appetite and had to go to his room.
"So what now?". Robert had asked few hours ago.
Ray sighed heavily and replied. "I'm calling off the engagement with Sylvia, dad." He said blankly.
*****
The next morning, Ray phone buzzed thrice knocking out his sleepy self. On the fourth time, he woke up with smiles hoping it was Jasmine calling after she must have seen his missed call,but to his disappointment it was Sylvia. He groan before answering it.

"Hello Sylvia." He greeted.

"Hi baby. How are you?". Sylvia asked in a sexy tone.

"I'm fine." Ray replied abruptly.

"That's good. I heard you are back. Should I come over to your place or you'll come over to mine?". She asked giggling not noticing if Ray was really good or not like he had answered.

Ray remained silent for some seconds.
'I really need to tell her my mind regarding this engagement. Where would be more appropriate between my place or hers?',he was still contemplating when he heard her sharp voice.

"Baby? What's wrong? I'm waiting for your answer. C'mon,we really need to see so that we can fix a date for our engagement. You know how close it is,don't you?". She inquired,only for her to get a numbly response from him.

"Ugh." Was all Ray said.

"Ugh? Is that an answer? Goodness! You're unbelievable." Sylvia gushed out.

"Hey, calm down. I'll get to see you later but not at your place neither is it mine. It will be in an eatery instead. I have something I want to tell you." Ray said.

Chills ran through Sylvia's spine as she heard that. She became silent. She began to imagine what Ray wants to tell her. 'Is it that he wants to call off our engagement? Or is he cheating on me? What could it be? Please let it not be what I'm thinking',she thought all to herself her phone still on her ears.

What do you guys think? Will Ray have the courage to tell Sylvia about Jasmine?

Please leave a comment and a vote.

I love y'all.

Equila.