Chapter 141 Reservations
Chapter 141 Reservations
Dominic raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair with an amused look. "Because of your girlfriend?"
"Because I’m done with this life," Damien said sharply, meeting his cousin’s gaze without flinching. "And I meant it."
Dominic didn’t reply right away. He simply hummed again, a low, noncommittal sound, before standing up and straightening his jacket. The silence between them felt heavier than any words could have been.
~
When Damien finally got back home later that afternoon, the familiar warmth of the house wrapped around him like a much-needed breath of fresh air. He found Jasmine and Richelle sitting together in the living room, the soft afternoon light filtering through the large windows.
Jasmine looked up the moment he walked in, her eyes searching his face with quiet concern. Richelle set her cup of tea down and gave him a small, expectant nod.
He dropped his keys on the side table and sank into the armchair across from them, running a hand through his hair.
"It’s done," he said, his voice tired but steady. "Dominic came for his last favor. He’s expecting a new shipment of ‘textiles’ in three days. I have to keep it safe for about a week until his team moves it to Los Angeles."
Jasmine’s brow furrowed. She leaned forward slightly. "Textiles meaning…?"
"Cocaine sewn into the fabric," Damien confirmed quietly. "Road transport only. Too risky by air."
Richelle crossed her arms, her expression thoughtful and cautious. "Where do you plan to store them? You’ll need to be careful, avoid any suspicion or unwanted eyes on the company."
Damien nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. "I was thinking the company building. It’s secure, and I can keep it discreet in one of the storage areas."
Jasmine shook her head immediately, her voice firm but gentle. "No. The office is too risky, Damien. There are too many people coming and going, too many eyes. If something goes wrong, it could blow back on everything you’ve built here. Keep it in the house parking lot instead. It’s private, safe, and no one would think to look there."
Damien met her gaze for a long moment, considering her words. The worry in her eyes was clear, and he couldn’t blame her. Finally, he let out a slow breath and nodded.
"You’re right," he agreed, reaching over to take her hand. "The house parking lot it is. Safer for everyone."
Jasmine squeezed his fingers, offering him a small, relieved smile. Richelle watched the exchange quietly, her expression softening just a fraction as the tension in the room eased slightly.
~
The living room buzzed with quiet excitement as Damien, Darcy, and Richelle huddled together, all dressed and ready to slip out. Damien wore a simple but sharp black button-down and dark trousers, while Darcy and Richelle had chosen elegant casual outfits that still looked put together.
Richelle sat on the couch with her laptop balanced on her knees, scrolling through high-end restaurant websites. Darcy leaned over her shoulder, pointing at different options and whispering excitedly.
“This one has the rooftop terrace and the private wine cellar,” Darcy said, her eyes sparkling. “Look at the reviews—people say it feels like you’re dining in Paris.”
Richelle hummed, tilting the screen slightly. “It does look lavish, but the lighting in this one is softer. More romantic. We want something intimate for the proposal, not too much”
Damien paced slowly behind them, running a hand through his hair. He couldn’t sit still. The plan was simple: leave Jasmine at home under the excuse of a quick dinner outing, then sneak out to buy the perfect ring and dress for the proposal he had been planning in secret. His heart raced at the thought of finally asking her to be his wife.
Darcy was practically glowing with glee. She couldn’t hide her smile as she imagined the moment. “I’ve waited for this day for so long,” she murmured, more to herself than anyone else. “My son finally proposing properly… Jasmine will be my daughter-in-law for real. I can’t wait to see her face.”
Damien stopped pacing and turned to Richelle. “Do you know Jasmine’s dress size? I don’t want to guess and get it wrong.”
Richelle nodded confidently without looking up from the screen. “Of course I do. I’ve helped her shop enough times. She’s a perfect size for most designer pieces.”
“Good.” Damien nodded, stepping closer. “Show me which restaurant you’ve narrowed it down to.”
Richelle turned the laptop toward him. The three of them leaned in together, discussing the ambiance, the menu, and how private the tables were. After a few minutes of back-and-forth, they settled on a stunning rooftop restaurant known for its breathtaking city views and exclusive candlelit tables.
“Two weeks from now,” Damien said firmly. After this whole mess with Dominic is over. He did not want anything hanging over us when I propose.
They quickly booked the reservation for two, excitement building in the room. Just as they were about to grab their things and head out, they heard soft footsteps on the stairs.
Jasmine appeared at the bottom of the staircase, still in her comfortable loungewear, her hair loosely tied back.
She froze when she saw the three of them standing there, all dressed up and looking a little too guilty. Their eyes widened slightly as they stared at her.
“What are you three up to?” Jasmine asked, her gaze scanning them from head to toe. She noticed their outfits and the car keys in Damien’s hand. “Where are you all going?”
Darcy cleared her throat awkwardly and gave Damien a not-so-subtle nudge forward with her elbow. Damien shot both women a quick glare over his shoulder, silently cursing them for throwing him under the bus.
He stepped closer to Jasmine, his eyes darting everywhere the floor, the wall, the painting behind her anywhere but directly at her face. “Well, tesoro… I’m going with Richelle and Darcy to dinner.”