Chapter 5
Jasmine's pov
Arthur stopped in front of my apartment, Davis already fell asleep in my arms.
"Thanks for the ride, Arthur" I said.
"Thanks for the ride? Are you chasing me away?" He asked.
I tilted my head and made a confused expression.
"I said I'll cook dinner for you tonight" he reminded me.
I bite my inner cheek to stop myself from laughing, I raised an eyebrow.
"By cooking dinner you mean, ordering takeouts?" I teased him.
Arthur seems to be perfect in everything, but one thing..he sucks when it comes to cooking.
That's his biggest and only flaw, like I said he's perfect.
"We're not ordering takeouts this time, I took some cooking tutorials" he said.
"Cooking tutorials?" He nodded. "From where?"
"YouTube, duh"
That's it, I couldn't hold it in any longer. I burst into laughter, I laughed so hard that I almost woke Davis up from sleep.
Arthur simply stared at me, his lips set on thin lines with both his eyebrows furrowed.
"YouTube? Seriously? And you think you're a sudden master? A kitchen lord?" I asked in a mocking tone.
"I guess I'll have to surprise you with my excellent skills!" He said firmly.
I nodded quickly. "Yeah, let's go in and see what you've got"
I grabbed the door and pushed the door open, I slowly and carefully got out.. to avoid waking Davis up.
Arthur also got out and rushed to me, he flung Davis's backpack on his shoulder and carried him from me.
"Thanks, my arm was already getting tired" I said.
He threw his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close.
"Don't I deserve a kiss for being a darling?" He asked and leaned forward to kiss my forehead.
I moved away and flicked his nose, he roared into laughter.
"That's harsh" he said.
"Let's go in, I'm beat" I said.
We both walked to the door, I reached for my key in my bag and opened it.. I pushed the door open and we stepped in.
"I'll take Davis to his room"
I simply nodded, I tossed my bag on the table and slumped onto a sofa.
Few minutes later, Arthur came back, he dropped Davis's backpack on the table.
"I figured you might wanna check his for his homework"
"Thanks, please help me with a bottle of water" I told him.
He walked to the fridge and can back with the bottle of water, he handed it to me..
I told him a quick thank you and popped the cover open, I gulp down the and in a few minutes, I emptied it.
"Wow! Someone was very dehydrated" Arthur said.
"Yeah, I'm very hungry too. I might eat you if you don't start cooking now"
He laughed.
"I should go busy myself in the kitchen now"
"Yeah.. let's see how skillful you are" I said.
He scoffed and found his away to the kitchen, with a sigh, I started going through Davis's books.
"Sweet baby Jesus! My son is just five years old!" I exclaimed.
"What happened?" Arthur asked from the kitchen.
"Davis is just in first grade, and why was he given so many homeworks?"
On each of his book, there's home work.. like, when is he gonna finish doing all of these?
"Stop complaining, his teacher knows best" he said.
"Thanks, that helped a lot"
He nodded in response and winked at me, then turned back to whatever he's doing...I gave my attention back to Davis books.
"Jas, I think you should come work in my company"
"Why?" I asked absentmindedly.
"Because you just quitted your job, have you forgotten?"
"Oh, right, but no. I will soon find myself another job"
He kept quiet, I lifted my head and saw him whisking some eggs in a small bowl.
"Working for me comes with great benefits, you know.. you can come to work whatever time you like and no one's gonna scold you"
I rolled my eyeballs.
"That's exactly why I can't work for you, I don't want my boss to bend the rules for me"
"It's bending of rules... "
"Arthur, I don't wanna work for you, but thanks for your offer" I said.
After checking Davis's books for a few more minutes, I arranged his book back in his backpack and pushed it aside.
Then I reached for his lunchbox and checked it, he didn't eat much.. in fact, he barely ate anything from it.
He's been having little appetite lately, I wonder why. I pushed the lunchbox aside too and released a tired yawn.
"Arthur, I wanna take a short nap, please wake me up when the food's ready"
"Sure thing, darling" he replied.
I laid back on the sofa and closed my eyes, I pray Elvis calls me when I wake up and tell me to come back to work.
If not, it's gonna take some time for me to get another job.. or I might just end up working in a club.
Thanatos pov
(6:43pm___Thanatos penthouse)
My phone rang immediately I turned it back on, I already know who's calling without even checking the caller's ID.
I tossed my phone on the table and head towards my mini bar, Clark is coming behind me.
"Why are you ignoring your mom's call?" Clark asked.
"You can receive it and listen to her nagging" I replied.
I reached for a bottle of scotch, I popped it open and bend the bottle in my mouth.. taking some gulps.
"I have an idea" he said.
I walked back to the living room, slumped down on a sofa and reached for my phone.
"Why don't you go back to Chicago and tell your parents the reason you can't stay married to Jade?"
"And you think I didn't tried that five years ago?" I asked.
My mind flashed back to my heated argument with my dad, how he confiscated my phone and had me on house arrest.
"My parents won't listen to whatever I say, they just want me to get married to expand their business"
Clark only nodded speechlessly at my words.
"Then you should have told them you already have a girlfriend"
"I did and they threatened to kill her, that's why I had to cut off all connections with Jasmin.. to protect her" I said.
My jaw clenching as I remembered how hurt and sad I was, seeing my girl friend's call but couldn't answer it.
"No wonder you told me to tell her to forget about you"
"Yeah, but I guess that was a bad move..she already left Mexico when I came back"
My phone started ringing again, getting fed up with the noise, I pressed the answer button.
"What?!" I barked angrily.
"That's not a proper way to greet your mother" mom said.
I laughed scornfully, mother indeed.
"Why are you calling me?" I asked, ignoring her words.
"Where are you?" She asked me back.
She's asking where I am? Aren't they very resourceful?!
I know they already knows I'm in Las Vegas.. she just want to confirm from me.
"Las Vegas" I answered truthfully.
There's no need of lying, since they already know.
"Las Vegas.. what are you doing there? Didn't Clark tell you about having dinner with us tonight?" She asked.
I didn't say any words.
"Your wife.. she's been waiting for you since five years, when are you coming see her?"
"She's not my wife!" I yelled.
They should stop calling some unknown woman my wife, saying she's my wife gets under my skin.
The phone must have been on speakerphone, cause I heard someone banged on the table and I knew it's dad.
"Listen, Thanatos" dad said. "I want to believe you went there for business, you have three months to finish your business..."
My hand is getting tired from holding up the phone, I put it on speakerphone and dropped it on the table.. then took a gulp of my scotch.
"... if you don't finish your business and come back to Chicago, we'll be forced to send your wife over!"
Clark stared at me with his mouth slightly open, but I didn't show any reaction.
"Three months, that's all you have to..."
I quickly ended the call, I'm tired of hearing him nag like a woman.
"Thana, is your dad being serious about sending Jade over?" He asked.
"You can call him back and ask him if he's serious" I answered.
These are the reasons I don't pick their calls, they always try to impose their ways in you.
"What are you going to do? Are you gonna go back to Chicago? Or you're gonna wait for him to send Jade here?"
I grabbed my bottle and gulped down the remaining scotch.
"I'm not gonna let that bother me, cause it's none of my d*mn business.. I came to Las Vegas for a reason and that's what I'll give all my attention"
"Huh?"
"Jasmine... I came here for Jasmine and I'll get her back. To hell with whoever Janet is!" I said.
Clark rolled his eyeballs. "It's Jade not Janet"
"I don't care"
I leaned back, my eyes settled on the enlarged teenage photo of Jasmine hanging on the wall opposite me.
"So.. how will you get Jasmine to listen to your explanation? And forgive you?"
I smiled.
"I'll start afresh"
"Start afresh?" I nodded. "How?"
"By trying to be friends with her again"
He scoffed and leaned back on his sofa too.
"You think it's gonna be that easy?"
I laughed.
"I know it's not gonna be easy and I know she hates me.. but I'm gonna be her nextdoor neighbor starting tonight.. anything can happen" I said with a smirk.
Jasmine's pov 👙
I didn't know how long I slept, but when I woke up.. I saw Davis doing his homework already, with Arthur helping him.
"Baby, you're awake?" I asked.
Davis raised his head, he smiled when he saw I'm awake.
He got up and ran to me, he threw his tiny arms around me and rest his head on my chest.
"Momma!" He called me.
"Hmm, you smell fresh" I said.
"Yes, uncle Arthur bath me" he replied.
I sat up and took in his clothing, he's truly wearing his PJs.. wait, PJs?!
My eyes moved to the wall clock and I gasped.
"It's 7:50pm already?"
Arthur looked at the wall can too and laughed. "Yeah, that's what the clock is saying right now"
"Why didn't you wake me up?"
He called Davis to go continue his homework, Davis kissed both my cheeks and ran back to his homework.
"You were sleeping so peacefully, and I know you're pretty tired, so I just let you have more rest" Arthur said.
I sighed and got up.
"What about dinner?" I asked.
"Ready, was just waiting for you to wake up" he answered.
I nodded, I grabbed my bag from the table and head to my room.
"I'll just take a quick shower and then we'll have dinner" I said and dashed into my room.
Just when I threw my bag on the bed, my phone started ringing.
I reached for my bag and rampaged through it, until I touched my phone.. I pulled it out and saw Elvis boldly flashing on the screen.
At first I wanted to ignore the call, but on second thought, what's there to fear.. I already quit the job.
I quickly pressed the answer button.
"Hello, Elvis?"
"Yo, Jasmine, you're pretty bold huh? Attacking a guest at the restaurant.. right?" Elvis asked.
I gulped. "I.. he.. I.. we..."
He doesn't know the reason I attacked Thanatos, none of them at the restaurant knows.. and I can't tell them the reason too.
"You're lucky Mr O'Briens pleaded on your behalf..."
Thanatos pleaded on my behalf? That wicked player? Unbelievable!
"... come to work early tomorrow.. or you might really lose this job for real this time"
"Huh?" I asked to confirm what I just heard.
"I said come to work early tomorrow" he repeated his words.
Joy burst in my stomach, I have my job back! I have my job back!
"Yes, yes, thank you"
"Hmm" he hummed and hang up.
I threw my phone on the bed carelessly as I hummed for joy, I'm not jobless..I have my job back.
".. and here comes the fish soup!" Arthur said.
He dropped the last dish on the table, I took a deep breath and sighed.
"Let's hope it's gonna be as sweet as its aroma" I said.
"Trust me, it's delicious" he replied.
He reached for Davis's plate and served some noodles in it, then placed it back in front of Davis.
"Thank you, uncle Arthur" he said.
"You're welcome, my champion!" Arthur replied.
Davis look around the table and pointed at the fish.
"Momma, I want fish" he said.
I nodded and gave him some fish, he smiled at me and started eating.
"So.. princess, let's eat" Arthur said to me.
He filled my plate with shrimps, I picked one and took a small bite.. sweetness fills my taste buds and I started stuffing my mouth with more shrimps.
"Ok.. I know it's delicious, but don't choke yourself" he said.
I gave him thumbs up in response, he really tried.. I swear, this is the best shrimps I've had in five years.
"Wow.. you really out done yourself, Arthur" I said.
We're done eating, but we're still sitting around the table, just relaxing.
"Yeah, now you know I'm the kitchen lord" he reminded me of my words from earlier.
"Right.. tell me how many dishes you wasted"
He grinned. "Not much, just about three"
I eyed him, he called that not much.
Well, I don't blame him, I remembered when I was in my father's house.. I wouldn't call that much too.
"Whatever, I have good news"
"What's the good news?" He asked.
He got up and started packing our plates, I also got up and helped him.
"Elvis called me, he said I can come back to work tomorrow"
"That's nice, you won't have to search for new job"
"Hmm" I hummed.
The main door suddenly burst open, Davis jumped off his chair and gripped me.. I frown.
Davis doesn't get scared easily, why did he hide from just a door opening?
I turned to Arthur and eyed him accusingly, he quickly raised his hands in surrender.
"We just Chucky movie"
"You made Davis watched Chucky?!" I exclaimed.
He nodded. "You said I should watch cartoons when he's around me..."
"Yeah.. but not that type of cartoon. Chucky is a horror movie!" I scolded him.
"Oh.. I.. I didn't know that"
I dropped the plate and carried Davis in my arms, I kissed his forehead.
"Don't be scared, baby, momma is here for you" I said and he nodded.
I turned to Arthur. "you've installed fear in his mind.. he won't be able to sleep alone in his room tonight"
Arthur came closer to me and carried him, he pats Davis back gently.
"I'll just spend the night here and sleep in his room"
I sighed. "Better" I said.
My eyes moved to the door, I saw Adele sticking her head outside as if she's peeking at something.
"Adele?" I called.
"Yes, ma'am?" She turned to us.
"What are you doing?" I asked, gesturing towards the door.
She laughed and walked closer to us.
"We've got a new neighbor" she said excitedly.
I frowned, I felt her temperature.
"Your temperature is normal, why are you excited about having a new neighbor?"
"You won't understand, I just came to share the news with you.. anyway, I should go back to my house!" She said and she dashed out same way she dashed in.
Arthur and I exchange looks and shook our heads, Adele is just impossible.
"Take Davis, I should go do the dishes" he said.
"No, you cooked, it's fair if I do the dishes!" I said and rushed to the kitchen.
Apart from Thanatos showing up, today didn't turn out to be all bad.. tomorrow, I'll apologize to Mr Mike.
Ding! Ding!
I heard the doorbell repeatedly ringing, with a groan, I groggily got up and head out to get the door.
Barefooted I walked out of my room, I'm also wearing my favorite nightie... It's a very short pink see through gown, it's just a few inches below my butts.
I didn't bother about taking my robe along, since I know it's Adele knocking.. she must have come to wake me up early so we won't be late today.
My hand grabbed the door handle and pushed the door open, I leaned on the doorframe.
"What?" I asked sleepily.
"Good morning, neighbor!"
My eyes snapped opened at the very familiar voice, sleep quickly vanished from my eyes and I'm suddenly wide awoke.
Thanatos?! What is he doing here so early in the morning?!
Hold on... neighbor?!!!
His eyes roamed my body and I'm quickly aware of my nightie, I made to shut the door.. but he blocked it with his foot.
"Is this how you get the door in the morning?" He asked, his eyes on my chest.
Pervert! My hands quickly covered my chest.
"Jas, who's there? I couldn't go back to sleep because of the repeated ringing of the bell" Arthur said, I heard his footsteps coming towards me.
Thanatos frowned upon hearing Arthur's voice, he pushed the door wide open to see Arthur.
I took a glance at Arthur, he's only wearing his boxers.. with no shirt on.
Seeing this made Thanatos eyes grew smaller and darker, like he's gonna punch Arthur any minute.
He quickly took off his jacket and dumped it on my shoulders, then turned back to face Arthur.
"What are you doing here?"
"What are you doing here?" they both asked each other at once.
I facepalm myself, a third world war is about to happen in my house...I don't think so, not in my house!