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"Buddy you OK?". Louis asked from the hall after waiting for his friend over five minutes and was asked by Jasmine to check up on Ray to know what's keeping him out.

"Yeah. I'm fine." Ray replied abruptly walking towards Louis with his hand in his jean trouser pocket.

"You're sure? Because you look tensed. You weren't..." Louis was cut in.

"I said I'm fine!". Ray whisper-yelled with a gritted expression.

"Oh. OK." Louis said with a raised brow and raised up his hand in surrender.

"Good. Let's get back inside." Ray ordered than requested and walked pass him.

Louis stood there still surprise at Ray's sudden change of mood. "What's with the anger now?". He mumbled to himself.

"Are you gonna stand there and talk to yourself? Well,remember you're in the hospital, people might actually think you're going insane. So to avoid that, get in here." Ray called out before he opened the door and got inside leaving it open for Louis to follow suit.

Louis tutted before walking to the door and got inside before shutting it.

Five minutes later Rosa came in with Rosa's food. She had prepared cooked potatoes and plantain with an egg sauce for Jasmine as her dinner.
**
It was already 9pm and Jasmine's family and friends I've gone back home leaving Ray and Jasmine in the hospital room. Ray had begged Jasmine's dad for him to stay and watch over Jasmine throughout the night while he,Williams go rest. Even Rosa had pleaded for her to stay but Ray refused as well. He had convinced both of them that he's capable of taking care of Jasmine alone. So after much arguing it was agreed he stay the night with Jasmine with the promise he'll call if there's emergency.

They was awkward silence in the room. Jasmine have been glancing at Ray every minute ever since he walked in after the call. Although he tried to appear fine in everyone presence but she could still read through his face that something was bothering him.

"Raymond? Are you OK?". She finally asked haven't studied him for a while.

"Yeah. I'm fine. Why?". Ray replied with a forced smile.

"C'mon,Raym. You know you're not fine deep down. I've been watching your countenance ever since you went out and receive that call and got back in here. Please tell me what's wrong?". She asked calmly.

"Its...its nothing really. I'm fine." He replied avoiding her gaze.

"Raymond?". She called in a warning tone.

He turned and look at her. "OK, fine. You won. You're right. I'm not really fine. Its my mum." He said and ran his fingers through his hair.

"Your mum? Is she sick? Did something to her?". She asked with a worried expression.

"No. No, not that. She's perfectly fine." He answered.

"Thank goodness." She sighed in relief. "So what about her?". She asked for a better explanation.

Ray huff out. Right now he didn't know where to start from. He was contemplating on telling her that he had cancel his engagement with Sylvia,but again he was having a second thought regarding it because he doesn't know what her reaction would be. The least thing he want right now is for her to lecture him on why he shouldn't have done that and she might tell him to go ahead with the wedding plans. He doesn't want that,maybe he'll just wait a little longer before telling her,so he shoved the idea away and concentrated on his mum's case with himself.

Another thoughts came to mind on what he'll tell her was the cause of his fight with his mum. He's not a good liar and he hates it when he has to lie to someone that is dear to his heart.

"Raymond?". She called when he hadn't given her an answer yet.

"Yeah?". He answered jeering from his thoughts.

"I'm waiting for an answer." She said staring at him.

"Uhmm...please don't freak out with what I have to say,OK?" He said and paused.

"OK... Please tell me already, I'm freaking out." She replied looking tensed.

"I...I..." He took a deep breath and continued. "I've cancelled my engagement with Sylvia." He blurted.

Jasmine was shock with the news. A sudden heat broke on her forehead. Her hands clenched the bedsheets of the bed she was sitting. She stared at him with a gape.

"Please calm down. I told you not to freak out." He said placing his hand on hers.

"Wh...what..makes you think I won't freakout with what you just told me?". She asked quietly and gulped.

"I...I don't know. I shouldn't have told you. I knew you'd react this way. I should have just kept shut and..."

"Why did you tell me then?". She interrupted him.

"Because... Well because I find it hard to lie to you. I don't want you to hear about it from somewhere else before I can have the chance to tell you. I don't want to loose your trust again." He said.

"Trust? Did I ever say I trusted you?". She asked coldly.

"Yeah. You did hours ago. You told me you trusted me. If you like believe it or deny it,all I know is you do trust me and I don't want to loose that trust again that's why I'm telling you its over between Sylvia and I." He replied throwing another silence in the room.

"But...but why? Why did you do it?". She asked in a coarse voice. She was already crying.

Ray took her left hand and cover it with both of his palms and kissed her knuckles. "Its because I love you so much. Just in case you're not still aware. Like you know, I'm not in love with Sylvia. I don't want to break her heart by asking for divorce two days after our wedding because I know that's going to happen when there's no love and attention in a marriage." He paused and watch her stare at him with those dazzling gaze.

"My love,I'm ready to give you as much time as you want to see that I really do love you. Just know that I'm not in a rush." He continued.

Her eyes were becoming blur with tears. She didn't know when tears started rolling down her cheek. She couldn't speak.

"Please stop crying. I don't like seeing you cry." He said standing up from the chair he was sitting and then he sat on her bed and pulled her to his chest given her a teddy bear hug. He kissed her head and rubbed her back soothingly.

There was quietness in the room for more than a minute. When she stopped sobbing, he released her from his his embrace and said.

"Are you OK now?". He asked and she nodded. He was about speaking again when his phone started buzzing, he dig it out and saw who was calling. His expression changed to a scowl. He aborted the call and switched off the phone before he pocketed it back.

"Was that your mum?". She asked and he nodded. "Why didn't you pick up? Did you tell her where you are before now?". And he shook his head in response. "But why?". She asked.

"Why should I tell her where I am? She doesn't deserve to know.!" He replied coldly.

"Hey,calm down. Was she the one you spoke with earlier on?". She asked and he nodded. "Oh. What did she say that got you upset?". She pressed further.

"I really wished you'll stop asking me questions about her. But still, I'll answer just because you're the one asking." He said and she gave him a slight nod to go ahead. So he told her all about his conversation with his mum and her responses.

"I mean can you just imagine her telling me to come back home immediately without even wanting to know if I'm somewhere doing something important? I mean its absurd. Its not meant to be so. I'm not a kid for crying out loud!". He snarled.

She took in his hand and clasped it with hers. "Please calm down,OK?. I know how mad you are with her right now,but I want you to remember she's still your mum. And...and..." She was stuttering on what she was about saying to him. She had the feelings if she said it,he'll flare up again. So she looked away.

"And what, babe?". He asked tilting her chin to face him. His eyes was fixed on hers.

"I...well I think you should go back home and see your mum. Its not right for you to be here after breaking up with your fiancé. I'm sure...."

Ray flinched from her with a scowl. He furrowed in surprise. His actions had made Jasmine trailed off from what she was saying.

"Even you? You want me to do her wish?". He asked in disbelief.

Jasmine gulp. "Raymond its not like that..."

"Its like how?". Ray asked interrupting her.

"I...I was only trying to say you should go home and hear what she has to say to you. Maybe what she has to say is very important that's why she kept calling." She replied.

Ray shook his head. "Trust me,Brandy. Its not important." He said.

"How..how do you know its not important?". She asked staring at him.

"Because..." He sighed and continued. "Because its about Sylvia. She wants to talk about Sylvia. She wants to question me why I cancelled the engagement which I'm sure she won't be satisfied with my reason. And then she'll try convincing me to marry Sylvia which I also know its not gonna work out. So instead of having unnecessary argument with her is better to stay right here with you and have my peace."

"But...." Jasmine trailed off as Ray placed his lips on hers and his lips lingered there for a moment. Her eyes widened with surprise at the motion.

After a few minutes, Ray broke the kiss.

"What was that for?". Jasmine asked with a blink.

"Well...since you couldn't shut your mouth by asking me questions, I decided to shut it for you with a kiss." Ray replied with a wink given her a cocky grin.

Jasmine rolled her eyes. "You can be such a jerk at times." She said with a pout.

"Only for you,babe." Ray said wiggling his brows.

Jasmine smiled at that but her smile suddenly faded.

"What's wrong? Why the frown?". He asked on noticing her facial expression.

"Its...I...I was just thinking about how you intend facing everyone for breaking up your engagement. I mean everyone like your family and friends. They're gonna be against you for doing that." She answered.

Ray shook his head and smile. "No,my love. Even if everyone is against me I don't care. Do you know why?". He asked and she shook her head and then he continued. "Because I have you. You're with me. Since you're on my side,I don't care what they say. OK?". And she sigh and gave a slight nod.

"So, don't think much about it. Leave it to me. Its getting late,you should sleep now." He said.

"Yeah. But I'm not really sleepy. If you can sing me a lullaby I'll fall asleep." She replied sheepishly.

"Hmm. A lullaby? I'll do it on one condition." He said with a smirk.

Jasmine rolled her eyes knowing this won't be good. "What?". She asked grudgingly.

"Hmm. You'll give me a deep passionate kiss for five minutes before I'll sing you a lullaby." He said given her a cocky grin.

"Huh? Five minutes?". She asked surprised.

"Yes,babe." He answered with a wiggle.

Jasmine thought for a while. She's dying to hear his sweet and calm voice singing to her hearing again. Since when he sang her a lullaby when they traveled for the business trip, she has always wanted him to sing to her every night before she falls asleep but they hadn't been such opportunity again. Now is the only time she has again, and she thinks she has to make use of it.

"Do you agree or not?". He asked jeering her from her thoughts.

"Fine. Accepted." She replied with a smirk.

Ray raised a brow and smirk. "Cool. So are you ready?". He asked still smirking at her.

"Very ready." She answered with a sexy tone smirking back at him.

Ray was trapped with the voice. And her dazzling gaze. Slowly his lips move closer to hers,and she did the same until their nose were touching.
"Don't beg for more after five minutes." He warned with a deep voice and smirk.

"You bet. I should be telling you that." She dared back. Ray set his timer for five minutes.

And that was how the kiss began. It started slowly with sucking of the lips and then to the French kiss. Their tongue danced together in rhythm making both of them sigh in wants. Ray growled while Jasmine moan as she placed her hand on his head and pull him close. One of Ray's hand rested on her waist and the other on her hair. The passionate kiss went on.

The timer beeped telling them it was already five minutes. Ray grunted at hearing the timer beep and continued with the kiss nevertheless.

Jasmine pulled away slowly with a smirk. "I told ya." She said, and that was when Ray remembered what he had said earlier before the kiss.

"Scrap that." He said slowly and went close to kiss her but she placed her hand on her chest.

"Nah. The deal is over to you now. You have to sing me a lullaby. And wait before you do....don't try to challenge me this way again. OK?". She said with a smug.

Ray rolled his eyes. "Fine. You won. Miss good kisser." He replied making Jasmine to grin with satisfaction.

Ray helped her lay down on the bed while he sat on the bed and held her hand into his. Then he cleared his throat and started singing.

"I feel like a song without the words
A man without a soul
A bird without its wings
A heart without a home
I feel like a knight without a sword
The sky without the sun
cos you are the one

I feel like a ship beneath the waves
A child who's lost its way
A door without a key
A face without a name
I feel like a breath without the air
And every day's the same
since you've gone away

I gotta have a reason to wake up in the morning
You used to be the one that put a smile on my face
There are no words that could describe how I miss you
and I miss you everyday
yeah" and he continued singing 'I'm never gonna leave your side' by Daniel Bednigfield to her until she fell asleep and he kissed her forehead and covered her the blanket.

Moments later he fell asleep as well with his placed on her bed.

Awwn. So sweet!😘😘😘

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Equila.

Happy new week lovelies.😘😙😙