Chapter 195

Nicol

When Olivia and Jonathan was out of the living room I went to sit next to Jasmine. “Are you okay?” I asked her. “Surprised, but I won’t say I’m okay.” “Surprised that your parents are taking you back?” “Yes, I never thought they will and if it wasn’t for you, I would have never known, I would have stayed in that shelter probable forever.” “I’m sure that’s not true Jasmine.” I said rubbing her back. “I couldn’t see a way out of everything Nicol, I just couldn’t.” “Jasmine don’t be so hard on yourself you’re tired and hungry you can’t think rationally at the moment, after you’ve had a good few days of rest and food you will see things so much clearer and remember I’ll always be here for you. I’ll give you my number if you just want to talk to me you can phone me.” “I really want to thank you again Nicol I thought the day my father said his cutting me off it meant I can’t ever come home again.” Just then Jonathan walked in. “Angel, I didn’t mean you can’t come home I meant I’m cutting you off financially I don’t want that low life to live of you that was the only reason.” Her dad said as he came to sit next to her again.

Olivia came back into the living room with Jeffrey behind her with a platter off sandwiches and hot tea. I was actually hungry as well, I might have to ask Herman to stop at the nearest caffe or something. Jeffrey put the tea on the table and the sandwiches. “Help yourself” Olivia said to me as she was stacking a plate and giving it to Jasmine. “Mom I can’t eat that much.” “You will eat until you are full Jasmine and then you are going to lay in a bath and go to bed, I’ll get you some pain meds.” “Nicol already gave me some.” “Nicol how on earth will we ever be able to repay you.” Olivia said while I was eating a sandwich and drinking my tea, there was no time for being self-conscious about eating clearly, I was hungry. “No need, like I said I’m just happy she’s back home.” Jonathan got up and walk out of the living room. Not sure what we said that was wrong but I really didn’t care. “Are you okay my sweet girl.” Olivia asked Jasmine. That made Jasmine cry again. “Shhhh Jasmine you are safe now.” “What if he comes here to look for me, I know at the shelter he wouldn’t have looked for me there, he wouldn’t have thought I’ll ever go there.” “Jasmine we’ve got Francis at the gate and you know there are always security on the grounds.” “Yes, but still mom.” “I’ll get you a bodyguard Jasmine, don’t you worry, he won’t ever come near you again.” Jonathan said as he entered the living room again. He walked towards me and held an envelope out to me. “What’s this?” I asked shocked. “For your charity.” “No, I can’t except I’ll rather invite you to the Gala and you can donate then.” Olivia was the one that said. “Take the money Nicol you will have to learn how to except money if you want to run a charity.” I took the envelope but I didn’t open it I didn’t want to look to excited but deep down I was, my first check for our charity.

I finished my tea and looked at my watch, it was past 5 pm already, with the traffic I’ll probable get home at 7 pm. “I need to leave. Thank you so much for the sandwich and the tea.” I said to Olivia. “My pleasure you sure you can’t stay for dinner?” Jonathan asked which was weird. “No, I really need to get home to my daughter and Nicolas.” I could see both Jonathan and Olivia raised their eye brows but didn’t say anything. Jasmine got up and walked towards me, she threw her arms around me “Thank you thank you, if I didn’t meet you today, I’ll probably be in that shelter. Thank you for convincing me to come home.” “You don’t need to thank me again Jasmine it was just a pleasure, look after yourself and remember I’m always here for you.” “I’ll walk you out.” Jasmine said. Jonathan walked towards me and actually hugged me “Thank you.” “It’s my pleasure, look after her.” I told him. Olivia was next hugging me “And I expect that invite to the Gala to be hand delivered.” I smiled at her, because off course I’ll hand deliver it anything to make sure Jasmine is okay. “I’ll do that, thank you Olivia.” When we got outside Herman opened the door for me but before I could get in Jasmine ran to me again and hugged me. Then she went back to her parents it was so nice to see they were holding her, both of them. I got in the SUV waved to them and as Herman pulled away, I started to cry. “Are you okay Nicol?” Herman asked. “Yes, it was just a very emotional day. All I need now is Nikki and Nicolas and maybe a very warm bath.” That made Herman smile. When we got to the gate, Francis stopped us, he knocked on my window.

As I rolled my window down I asked him “Is there something wrong Francis?” “No, I’m happy Jasmine is back I just need to know if she is okay and what that fucker did to her?” “I’m not sure I should tell you what exactly he did to her, what I can say is I work with women shelters.” “That fucker hit her.” He said biting on his teeth. “Just look after her please and make sure her soon to me ex doesn’t get into the premises.” “You don’t need to worry about that he will never get near Jasmine never.” “Thank you, Francis, take care.” “Bye Miss Nicol.” When we got onto the main street Herman asked me “You want to stop to get something to eat?” “No Herman, they gave me some sandwiches and tea inside I just want to get home to my man and daughter that is all I want right now.” “Then I’ll get you there as fast as I can.”

Dear readers

Thank you for reading Second Chances, I hope you are enjoying their love story as much as I do.

I just want to let you know I've got a new book out, The Vampire's Servant. Please go check it out.

Love

Vicky Visagie