The Bank

Jasmine woke and sighed softly, as the vivid images of last night brought a slight smile to her face. The night had been a welcomed reprieve from the pain. Her safe place was resting in the peaceful embrace of his arms, it never ceased to soothe her. 

The words, I love you, echoed in her mind. They were almost like a soft melody she couldn't shake. Elijah had said them first. The warmth and sincerity in his voice wrapped around her like a comforting blanket. 

She had replied rapidly, as if her throat had been holding back those three little words her entire life building the pressure to say them. Her heart raced as she let them spill out, knowing that they were true. His eyes never left hers as they shared such a beautiful moment. 

His smile spoke volumes, and his eyes sparkled with a happiness she hadn't seen in him in for a while. But while his joy had been contagious, Jasmine knew something still lingered beneath the surface. Elijah wasn’t the type to share everything so freely, and she had always sensed that there was something he hadn’t told her.

She stood from the bed, stretching her arms overhead and feeling the ache between her thighs. The physical pain was a welcomed reminder to help conceal the emotional pain she had wanted to forget. And now she needed to sit down with Elijah and lay everything on the table, requesting he do the same. 

No more lingering secrets, no more half-answers to spare the other. She needed to understand everything Elijah had been hiding, or at least the things he had kept to himself to protect her. There could be no more secrets between them.

Especially since they had crossed into this new territory of… love.

Jasmine moved to the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face. She was trying to shake off the remnants of sleep that lingered. As much as she wanted to return to the bed, she knew she needed to face the facts. 

Elijah wasn’t a man who easily opened up. For months, she had watched him keep his walls high, never letting people in… herself included. They had their moments of closeness, conversations of dreams and ambitions, but still… some parts of him remained hidden.

Her thoughts drifted to the three little words he had said to her the night before. She smiled as she remembered how it had felt when she had echoed them back. Those words were a promise that from now on, there would be no more holding back. 

He would have to tell her everything, no matter how hard it was, no matter how difficult it would be to face. And she would have to do the same. If this was going to work, if they were going to make this work there could be no more shadows between them. No matter how dark.

When she came out of the bathroom, he had disappeared. She wondered the house until she found him sitting on the couch in the living room. His gaze distant, as if lost in thought. His body language was closed off and his posture was stiff. 

“Hey.”, she said gently. Taking a seat beside him, “I am ready to talk.”

Elijah turned toward her. A slight tension in his features, but there was a vulnerability in his eyes that she hadn’t seen before. 

“Are you sure?”, he asked softly.

Jasmine took a deep breath, steadying herself. She wasn’t sure where this conversation would lead, but she knew it was necessary. She wasn’t going to let any more secrets stand between them, no matter how painful the truth might be.

“I want you to know everything, Elijah.”, she said. Her voice steady, “And I want to know everything. If we love each other… there will be no more secrets. You can’t protect me if I am in the dark. Can you promise me that?”

“I promise.”, he said. 

Jasmine’s heart hammered in her chest. Her mind raced as she spoke. Her voice steady, though every inch of her wanted to tremble. She told him everything her father had told her, leaving no detail out.

Elijah hesitated. This new information complicated everything. His eyes narrowed with the weight of the promise he had just made. A promise to never keep a secret from her again, to never hide the truth… but the internal battle to keep her safe raged. 

Jasmine could see the conflict in his eyes, the battle between love and security. “I see you fighting with yourself. I’m a big girl, Elijah. I can handle whatever it is.”

“There is only one thing that I haven’t told you.”, he paused. 

“I need to know, Elijah.”, she said. Her gaze locked onto his.

He hesitated. 

“Your brother left you a banking account full of money and documents in a safety deposit box.”, he finally said. His voice low, “But remember what you’re asking for. This isn’t just about money or a safety deposit box. This is about the past. About your father. Are you sure you want this? The team hasn’t been able to verify anything.”

Her breath caught in her throat. “I’m sure.”, she said. Her voice unwavering, “I need to know everything. Every single thing that has been kept from me over the years.”

Elijah nodded. His expression unreadable, “Phillip will drive you and your bodyguards there.”

Jasmine could barely hear him, her mind already miles ahead. She couldn’t stop thinking about what lay behind those iron doors. Her mind in another place as they loaded up the car and headed toward the bank.

The sound of lobby music echoed through the pristine marble lobby as Jasmine entered the bank. She could feel the eyes on her. The manager was already waiting for her, his smile stiff, yet polite. 

“Ms. McCarthy.”, the manager greeted her. Extending a hand, “We’ve been expecting you. Mr. Daniels called ahead. If you’ll follow me, we can get started with your account. Your men will have to stay in the lobby.”

Jasmine nodded. Keeping her expression neutral as she waved for them to fall back. Signally that she would be okay.

As they walked through the lobby, she noticed the way the staff’s eyes lingered on her. Their curiosity palpable as they spread hushed rumors. Most of them likely had no idea who she really was, but the moment they whispered her name… they recognized her wealth. The wealth she was unaware she had. 

The manager led her into his office, where a small desk and polished wood shelves framed the space. He gestured for her to sit. 

“I’ve gathered everything you’ll need. Your account is in order, and we’ve even upgraded your services based on your new status. You’re officially our wealthiest client now, Ms. McCarthy.”, he smiled.

Jasmine’s pulse quickened at the mention of her new title. She knew Benjamin’s financial status was high, but the sheer scale of what he’d left her was still staggering. Her hand grazed the edge of the chair as she gripped the cold surface for a moment to steady herself.

“I’m grateful.”, she said quietly. More to Benjamin than to him. 

The manager, oblivious to the emotional storm swirling inside her, continued. “As part of your wealth, we’ve provided you with a gold card, checkbook, and the key to your safety deposit box. It’s all ready for you.”

He placed the key on the desk. A small, sleek golden object that gleamed under the soft light. Jasmine felt the symbolic weight of it. It wasn’t just a normal key. It was the key to everything.

“I trust you’re familiar with the vault and the procedures?”, the manager asked, but Jasmine didn’t answer him immediately. 

Instead, she picked up the key. Her fingers brushing over it before slipping it into her pocket. 

“Not really.”, she said finally. Her voice low, “This is my first time in a bank. I’ve only used reloadable cards before.”

“Very well.”, he replied. 

Jasmine walked alongside the manager as he led her to the vault. The sound of their footsteps echoed in the narrow hall. The scent of metal and polished wood mingling in the air. 

By the entrance, two armed guards flanked the doorway. Their eyes scanning every corner of the hall, always alert. She didn’t mind. They were there for her protection, after all.

As they reached the large steel doors of the vault, the manager turned to her. 

“After you.”, he said. 

With a flick of his hand, the guards opened the heavy doors. The cold, sterile air inside the vault sent a shiver down Jasmine’s spine. Rows upon rows of metal boxes stood in neat, orderly rows, their numbers engraved on their surfaces.

The manager gestured to a small corner of the vault, where a box stood by itself. “Your box, Ms. McCarthy.”

Jasmine’s heart pounded in her chest as she approached the box. Her fingers brushed the cool surface of the key, and for a moment… she hesitated. She had no idea what she would find inside, but she had waited long enough. 

The manager inserted his key first. Then, she inserted the key into the lock and turned. The lid of the box popped open with a soft click, revealing a tray. 

“Well, I will leave you to it.”, he said before leaving. 

Her breath caught in her throat as she looked inside. It wasn’t money or gold. It was full of old documents, but through the papers she saw something else.

Tucked inside the box, was a black leather pouch. She picked it up and carefully unzipped it. Inside, there was a cell phone, an old model, worn from years of use. Her fingers trembled as she turned the phone on. 

There was only one number programmed into it.

Benjamin’s.

Without thinking, she pressed the button to dial the number. Her heart in her throat. The phone rang twice before a voice crackled through the speaker, loud and urgent.

“Jasmine.”, Benjamin’s voice rasped. “Get out now. Clara’s hitman is…”, it went silent before he could finish.

Her breath catching in her throat as her eyes darted around the vault, searching for any sign of danger. Before she could even process what was happening, the alarms of the bank began to blare.

Panic surged through her veins. She shoved the papers back into the box and slammed it shut. The guards were already rushing to her side, but she didn’t wait for them. With her key and the phone in hand, she bolted for the exit. 

Her heart pounding in her ears.

The vault doors closed behind her with a thunderous clang as she ran. The world seemed to blur around her as she sprinted. The guards only a few steps behind.

Suddenly the guards grabbed her, she tried to scream. One of the guards covered her mouth and shoved her into a closet. They warned her to stay silent. They had to protect their most valuable client. 

In the dark, she texted Elijah. 

Jasmine: He’s here to kill me. 

Without a reply, she powered down her phone.