Chapter 123 The Texts

Chapter 123 The Texts
Jasmine’s POV

It’s been exactly one week since I signed the Laurent gallery deal, and became an exclusive artist.

But it’s also been one week since I got the news that changed my perception of Bella, and honestly, it hasn’t been easy.

Trying to deal with two different emotions at once, a gain and a loss, with several things in between.

My mom isn’t aware of the latter, although she keeps asking how it went, and I keep giving her the excuse that I haven’t gotten feedback yet.

It’s not entirely false. I haven’t heard from the president or the interrogation team concerning Bella. I don’t know if they’ve met with her, if she is innocent or guilty, if this was all a big misunderstanding, and I’ve been overthinking for no reason.

Xav has been there for me all this while. He’s also the only person I told about it, and he totally flipped when he found out.

To some extent, I wish I hadn’t told him, because this could all be wrong, but I wouldn’t be able to handle it better without him.

In two weeks, I will be graduating.

Although it should make me feel good, knowing that things won’t go as planned deeply unsettles me.

Bella and I, from the very beginning, planned to pick our graduation gowns together. We’ve attended several graduations before ours, and spent time judging which dress was odd for the occasion, and which was more befitting.

According to her, “we were learning from others’ mistakes,” so ours had no reason to be imperfect.

Was all of this for show? Was she genuine with our friendship, or is she just a good actress?

I let out a sigh as I chop the carrots on the board.

“I still think your mom should have stayed here for the two weeks, rather than going back after the exhibition, only to return for your graduation.” Xavier says, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind.

“She has a job, duh.”

“Come on…” he laughs, sniffing my neck and dropping slow kisses down the curve. “You know I’m right, princess.”

“It’s not her fault that you’re in love with her.” I tease, trying hard to pretend I’m okay.

I can’t keep getting him worried. He’s not the first person to fall in love. Plus, I’m sure he also has his own life going on, his own problems that he always tries not to burden me with.

“We both know that you’re the only woman I see.”

“Really?” I quirk, turning to face him, and I immediately regret it, because his smirk drops instantly and is replaced with a worried look.

“Are you okay?” He asks softly, brushing my face with the back of his hand.

I bob my head up and down quickly, hoping it convinces him.

“No, you’re not.”

“I am, I promise.”

“Have you been thinking about Bella?”

See. He can literally see through me, and I don’t know whether to be grateful for that or not.

“I… not…” I stutter, before looking away like his beautiful eyes will catch my lie.

“Come here, princess.” He coos, pulling me into his chest, his hand running up and down my spine.

“When that thought creeps in, think of the happy ones too.” He starts, his voice so velvety and calm. “You’re where you want to be, and that’s something people barely reach.”

He pulls back to cup my face, and I instantly miss his warmth.

“You are no longer the girl that hides her emotions behind her paintings. Instead, you’ve evolved into showing and telling a story, and that alone makes you a real artist.”

I breathe out, allowing his words to sink in.

“I won’t invalidate how you feel, princess. But just know that a loss that doesn’t affect your dreams isn’t really a loss, it’s a distraction, and you’ll be fine.”

A smile forms on my lips, but I bite it back.

I’ve always known that Xavier never liked Bella, and he isn’t trying to hide that.

It’s literally so obvious in his words.

“Thank you.” I mutter, fluttering my lashes.

But he scrunches his face before shaking his head. “That’s not how to thank your prince.”

“What should I do then, your majesty?”

“Kiss me.”

“Hell no!”

“Ouch.” He clutches his chest with a pained expression.

“Stop being childish.” I laugh, softly slapping his shoulder.

“I’m having a cardiac arrest here, and you think I’m being childish. Call the ambulance, princess.”

“And what should I tell them?” I muse, folding my arms across my chest.

“That you broke your prince’s heart, and it needs fixing.”

“I thought I was the only one allowed to fix your heart?” I ask, narrowing my eyes at him.

“Well…” He starts, but his phone rings, and he excuses himself to take the call.

After a short while, he returns, and seeing his phone, I’m immediately reminded of something that should have been on my mind long before now.

Didn’t Bella say she texted him, and I should tell him to respond to it?

Wasn’t that even what led to our first fight?

My brows knit together as I think back on it.

What could be in those texts?

And why on earth did I forget to check?

“You good?” Xav asks, slipping his phone into his pocket.

Without answering his question, I ask, “Did Bella send you a text after she got your number?”

His forehead creases as if in deep thought before he finally answers,

“I didn’t bother to check. But I remember getting lots of notifications from her.” He shrugs.

I bet he wasn’t interested in learning a victory dance from her after all. I internally roll my eyes.

“Can I have your phone?”

“Sure.”

He fishes it out, unlocking it instantly, before handing it to me.

And truly, there are eight unopened texts from an unsaved number I recognize as hers.

“Do you want to go through it with me?”

“You had the phone with you all along, you could have done that alone.” I tease.

I don’t know what these texts contain, but I sure hope I’m overthinking things.

After taking in a long breath that does nothing to calm me, I open them, and the very first one throws me completely off.

What the actual fuck?