A Friend

Jasmine did not to attend her work for today after what happened to her. Luckily, Mrs. Reyes, her boss, understands her situation and permitted her to take a leave for a week. However, she felt sorry for her co-workers especially to her friends, Kaitlyn, Marilyn, and Hannah. She is currently wearing her boyfriend's hoodie with her short shorts and has her long wavy hair into a messy bum. She likes wearing his clothes. She likes how his scent lingers to every inch of her body, it makes her feel comfortable and also Viel likes it.

Viel left the house an hour ago leaving her alone in the huge mansion. She collected all the dirty clothes and put it in a laundry bag and carries it on the way to the laundry room. She decided to do the laundry since she has nothing to do, Viel tried to stop but she insisted leaving her boyfriend with no choice. She separated the white and colorful laundry to avoid color fading. She inspected every clothes for stains, and she sighed in relief when she finds no stains in their clothes. She started putting their clothes in the washing machine, then the socks, underwear, towels, and handkerchief. She stared at the handkerchief that a woman lent to her when she was left alone by Viel. She forgot to return the handkerchief.

She inspects the handkerchief and saw a name stitched on the upper right corner of the handkerchief. It read as Monica Abuelos. Jasmine is aware that the name was not a brand name but a name of a person. Jasmine felt her heart started to throb. She swallowed nervously as she remembers a noticeably short memory with this person. It was when she was in high school.

[FLASHBACK]

"I love him since I was ten. He is going to be my husband in the future." Monica who still has her bon hair cut excitedly inform the younger Jasmine.

"When are you going to meet him? Your feelings might change in the future." The younger Jasmine warned her, but Monica just giggled.

"His family and mine already built trust and power together; If there are any problems regarding our relationship in near future it does not really matter because our marriage was already decided the moment we were born." Monica informed her friend and started daydreaming about her crush while Jasmine slightly shook her head and smiles when she remembers El letters.

[END OF FLASHBACK]

Jasmine stumbled and fell into a small chair. She closed her eyes and massages her forehead. Another memory that she has regained. She knew it is wrong for her to force herself remember everything but still she wants to meet Monica with a little hope she could help her. That is why as soon as she finished her laundry, she immediately grabbed her laptop and open its browser and search Monica Abuelos.

Hundreds of articles came up as she entered the woman's name. She found out that she is the heiress of Abuelos Company and has her own clothing line. She searched for Monica's boutique address and rushed her way to the location.

When she arrived at the boutique, she was approached by a server and asked her what clothes she likes. Unfortunately, Jasmine did not come here to shop that is why she declined and curiously ask the server.

"Good Afternoon Ms.! May I ask what kind of clothes you are looking for?"

"Oh, I am sorry, but I am not here to buy clothes. I need to talk with Monica Abuelos is she here?"

"My apologies but you cannot meet Ms. Abuelos without an appointment." The server informed her, and this made Jasmine face palm. She did not think of that.

"I just need to ask her few questions. This is important please." Jasmine pleaded but the server just sighed and politely shook her heard.

The server was about to open her mouth to response to Jasmine's plead when suddenly Monica came out from her office and approached them.

"Leave us alone." Monica commanded the server and the server politely obeyed her. Monica smiled at Jasmine.

"What do you need?" She asked her and hid her annoyed expression perfectly.

"I am Jasmine. Well, I am not sure if you remember me, but I just found out that I had an amnesia so." Jasmine stopped as she could not find the right words to say next.

"That is why, you could not remember me when we met." Monica answered dryly.

"Yeah, also I want to give back your handkerchief and I would like to ask a favor." Jasmine shyly told her.

"It's yours now as I told you before it is just a handkerchief and of course, I would help you. I mean we are friends. What kind of favor?" Monica asked Jasmine.

"Could you help me to remember the memories that I forgotten?" Jasmine asked her.

"Of course, what is our friends for? Right? Besides, I am sure you will help me also when I asks you a favor. Right?" Monica told her. Jasmine finds Monica's tone sweet.

"Yeah, of course." Jasmine promised her. Monica smirked as she loves how innocent Jasmine now and secretly clutches her sling bag to avoid venting her hatred at the woman in front of her.

"Do you know who El is?" Jasmine asked her friend about the guy who wrote her letters. She noticed how Monica smile faded and how she clenched her jaw.

"Or course. I know him very well." Monica answered her, "Why?" She asked.

"I think he is very important person for me in the past." Jasmine told her truthfully.

"Do you remember who he is?" Monica asked Jasmine curiously while raising her left eyebrow.

"No." Jasmine answered her truthfully.

"Is that so?" Monica mumbled and tilted her head as she examines Jasmine from her head to toe and smiled sweetly.

"Do not trust him. He is liar." Monica told her with clear evident of hatred. Jasmine lost the twinkle in her eyes when she heard Monica's bitter tone regarding El. Jasmine sighed thankfully as she met Monica before searching for El.

"Thank you." Jasmine said to Monica.

After their conversation, they decided to hang out for a bit to catch up with their lives. Jasmine decided not to tell her about her and Viel. She did not know why she decided to keep it a secret, it's just her gut feeling. Jasmine was informed that Monica's engagement with her long-time crush is having a problem because of snake as Monica describe the woman. She felt bad for her friend, it is obvious that Monica loves the guys and she started to get annoyed by her friend's fiancé and the snake because they are hurting her friend. Jasmine has this character she would not want any of her friends to get hurt by someone.

"I hope she is gone so he can be mine." Monica told Jasmine while looking at her hazel eyes. Her emerald eyes did not change its gaze as she stabbed her pie. Jasmine does not know why but she felt shivers in her spine as her hazel eyes stumble while locked at Monica's raging emerald eyes.

Jasmine decided to just smile as a response. They finished their hang out in just a minute because Monica needs to be back at her boutique for her client's measurements. Jasmine decided to go to supermarket to buy ingredients for Adobo.

She is planning to cook Paella for Viel as she found out that Viel favorite food is Adobo. This will be her first time cooking it that way she could not help but be nervous about it. After buying all the ingredients needed, she heads back to the mansion and starts to prepare all the ingredients.

She starts cleaning the chicken, and other ingredients and utensils needed to cook Adobo. She spent an hour preparing it and fortunately, it came out delicious. She also prepared a flan for dessert. At eight in the evening, their dinner is ready. She smiles as this is her first surprised for Viel. Viel is always the one who has surprises, and this is her first point.

When she saw Viel's car near the mansion, she quickly ignited the scented candles that she bought at the market and ready the red wine that she chilled for hours. She also checked herself in the mirror before opening the door.

Viel scratches his nape as he waits for Jasmine to open the door, he did forget to bring the key with him to office.

"Is she asleep?" He worriedly asked himself, a part of him want to think she is just asleep and not unconscious. He tried to finish all his work early so he could watch Jasmine however, he could not.

"Love?" He called her and Jasmine opened the door. Viel found himself dumbfounded as he could not look away at Jasmine. He is surprised.

"Viel, come inside." Jasmine told him and grabbed his hand and dragged him inside. Viel smiled as he saw the romantic dinner that Jasmine had prepared for him. Viel was indeed exhausted from work and this made his energy come back. He felt recharged.

Viel felt as if his heart has been pulled when he saw the Adobo that Jasmine cooked for him. He missed this food. He took a bite and savor the taste. It tastes perfect and nostalgic.

"Did you like it?" Jasmine asked him after he had tasted the Adobo.

"I love it." Viel answers her and smiled at her. Jasmine's smiles as she watches Viel eating her Paella, happily. They dinner ended with a waltz.

Before sleeping, the couple cuddled and tell each other what happen in their life today, as it is Jasmine turn to share what happened, a loud thunder happened. Jasmine hugged Viel tightly as she gets scared of the thunder while Viel instinctively hugged her back as he wonders who did Jasmine met.

"Who did you meet?" Viel asked her curiously.

"A longtime friend." Jasmine answered truthfully as she rested her head in his chest.

"Kaitlyn?"

"No."

"Then who?" Viel asked as he narrowed his eyes, a part of him started to get nervous thinking that Jasmine met with Dave.

"Monica, Monica Abuelos." Jasmine told him, Viel felt as if his heart stopped beating. He swallowed nervously knowing very well who did Jasmine just met.