Chapter 28: The Declaration

**Jasmin Selene's POV**

I felt like my neck had grown longer from searching for Sebastian, but I still couldn't find him.

I've been looking for him for a while now. Where could he have gone? He's too much of a wanderer, and he doesn't even know this place well yet.

That man is really making me worry.

"Jasmin?" I turned to Helen when she called out to me. She approached me with a wide smile on her face.

What's with that smile? She looks like she's up to something.

"I've been looking for you! Come on."

Before I could say anything, she grabbed my hand and pulled me along.

"Hey, wait! Where are you taking me?" I asked. She just glanced back at me and winked.

We returned to Grace's party. Everyone was still there, and they were singing again.

"Stay right here and don't move," she said before leaving me standing there.

Suddenly, the crowd fell silent, and I didn't know why. Then, out of nowhere, someone started singing.

~~Yeahhh...~~

~~'Girl, I've been searchin' so long through this world...'~~

I scanned the area, trying to find where the voice was coming from.

~~'Tryin' to find someone who could be

What my picture of love was to me

And you came along...'~~

I froze when I saw Sebastian step out, holding a microphone. Was he the one singing?

~~'When I saw you, I knew you were the one

The love that I've been dreamin' of...'~~

I stood rooted in place as he sang, his eyes fixed on me.

~~'I've been waitin' for you

All my life for somebody who

Makes me feel the way I feel when I'm with you, baby...'~~

As he continued to sing, he walked closer to me, his gaze never leaving mine.

~~'Have you been waitin' too?

'Cause I've been waitin' for you...'~~

He stopped just a step away from me. He took my hand and held it gently.

~~'Girl, I've been savin' my love all this time

'Cause I knew someday I would find

The one that I've loved for so long in my mind...'~~

I gasped when he suddenly pulled me closer to him, wrapping one arm around my waist while holding the microphone in his other hand.

I noticed the slight smile on his lips, probably because of my reaction.

~~'From the moment that I looked in your eyes

I saw the girl I've loved all my life...'~~

~~'I've been waitin' for you

All my life for somebody who

Makes me feel the way I feel when I'm with you, baby...'~~

~~'Have you been waitin' too?

'Cause I've been waitin' for you...'~~

He finished the song and lowered the microphone, but he didn't let go of me.

"I meant what I said—I like you. Or maybe it's more than that. I know in my heart that it's not just a simple crush. And I'm ready to prove it to you. I'm going to court you, whether you like it or not, Jasmin," he said.

I heard my friends cheer loudly after Sebastian's declaration.

Me? Being courted by Sebastian Grayson? Was he serious? But looking into his eyes, I could see he was sincere.

Just earlier, it was Jacob. Now it's Sebastian. Who are they rooting for, really?

~~'I've been waitin' for you

All my life for somebody who...'~~

~~'Makes me feel the way I feel when I'm with you, baby...'~~

I didn't realize I was smiling while looking at him. I couldn't explain it, but I felt a strange happiness, and my heart was beating so fast...

~~'Have you been waitin' too?

'Cause I've been waitin' for you...'~~

---

**Jasmin's POV**

I left Sebastian with Auntie Ising, who was now sitting quietly in the living room. I couldn't help but chuckle as I searched through my mom's old wardrobe for some clothes. I couldn't believe how scared he was—Sebastian Grayson, the notorious bad boy of Harrington University, afraid of an old lady mistaken for an witch.

After finding a clean dress, I headed back to the living room. I saw Sebastian standing stiffly, gripping the broomstick like his life depended on it, while Auntie Ising stared at him with mild amusement.

"Here, I found something she can wear," I said, walking toward them.

Sebastian immediately turned to me, his face lighting up like he had just been saved from a life-or-death situation.

"Finally! I thought you left me here to fend for myself," he muttered, lowering the broomstick.

I rolled my eyes. "Stop being so dramatic. She's not a witch, for goodness' sake."

"She *looks* like one!" he insisted, whispering the last part.

"Enough with your nonsense. Auntie Ising is harmless," I said, handing the clothes to her.

"Thank you," Auntie Ising said softly, giving me a kind smile before heading to the bathroom to change.

Sebastian sighed in relief as soon as she was out of sight. "That was intense."

I shook my head. "You're unbelievable."

He grinned, his usual cocky demeanor returning. "Admit it, though. You liked having me around to protect you."

"Protect me? You were the one hiding behind me!" I shot back.

"Details, details," he said, waving it off.

I crossed my arms and gave him a pointed look. "You know, for someone who claims to be fearless, you sure scream like a little kid."

He narrowed his eyes at me, stepping closer. "Keep teasing me, Jasmin, and I might just have to prove how fearless I really am."

I raised an eyebrow, refusing to back down. "Oh, yeah? How exactly are you going to do that?"

He smirked, leaning in until our faces were inches apart. "You don't want to know."

My heart skipped a beat, but I quickly masked my reaction by stepping back. "Whatever, Basti. Just try not to scare yourself again, okay?"

Before he could respond, Auntie Ising returned, now dressed in my mom's old clothes. She looked much more comfortable, and the eerie vibe she gave off earlier was completely gone.

"Thank you again," she said, smiling warmly.

"You're welcome, Auntie Ising," I replied, returning her smile.

Sebastian, however, stayed a safe distance away, still wary of her.

After making sure Auntie Ising was settled and ready to leave, I turned to Sebastian. "See? No witch. Just an old lady who needed some help."

He scratched the back of his neck, looking sheepish. "Fine, you win. But you have to admit, it was dark, and she looked—"

I shot him a warning glare. "Don't even start."

He chuckled, raising his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. No more aswang talk."

As Auntie Ising left, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of relief. Despite Sebastian's antics, I was glad he stayed. For all his bravado and cockiness, there was something comforting about having him around—even if he was scared of imaginary monsters.

Little did I know, this was just the beginning of the chaos he would bring into my life.

---

**Sebastian's POV**

I couldn't believe I had just survived that ordeal. Jasmin was laughing at me, but I didn't care. I was alive, and that was all that mattered.

"Come on, scaredy-cat," she teased, motioning for me to follow her to the kitchen.

"Scaredy-cat? Seriously? I was just... being cautious," I defended, though I knew my voice lacked conviction.

She burst out laughing, the sound echoing through the small space. "Cautious? Is that what you call hiding behind me with a broomstick?"

"Hey, that broomstick was my weapon of choice, okay? Don't underestimate it," I replied, trying to salvage what little dignity I had left.

She shook her head, still smiling as she opened the fridge. "Do you want something to drink? You look like you could use it."

"Got anything stronger than water?" I asked, half-joking.

"Not unless you want to raid my dad's stash," she said, pulling out a pitcher of iced tea.

"Tempting, but I'll pass," I said, taking a seat at the kitchen table.

As she poured us both a glass, I couldn't help but watch her. There was something about Jasmin that was different. She wasn't like the other girls I usually hung out with. She was real—no pretenses, no games.

"Why are you staring at me?" she asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Who said I was staring?" I shot back, taking a sip of the iced tea she handed me.

"You did, with your eyes," she said, smirking.

I rolled my eyes. "You're imagining things."

"Sure, Basti. Whatever you say," she replied, sitting across from me.

For a moment, we just sat there in comfortable silence, sipping our drinks. It was nice—peaceful, even.

"So," she began, breaking the silence. "What's a guy like you doing in a small town like this?"

I shrugged. "Family stuff. My dad thought it would be a good idea for me to 'get in touch with my roots,' whatever that means."

"And how's that going for you?"

"Let's just say I'm counting down the days until I can go back to the city," I admitted.

She nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I get it. Small towns aren't for everyone."

"What about you? Don't you ever think about leaving?" I asked.

She hesitated, her gaze dropping to her glass. "Sometimes. But this is home, you know? It's hard to leave behind everything you've ever known."

I nodded, understanding more than I cared to admit.

---

I leaned back in my chair, watching her closely. There was a depth to her that I hadn't noticed before. It wasn't just the small-town girl charm—it was something more, something real.

"Yeah, I get that," I said quietly, my voice softer than usual.

She looked up at me, her eyes meeting mine for a brief moment before she looked away. "I'm sure you've got a lot of plans for the future, right?"

"Plans? I don't know... I guess I'm just trying to figure things out." I wasn't used to talking like this, but something about Jasmin made me want to open up.

She raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "You? The guy who always seems to have everything figured out?"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Not as much as you think."

There was a long pause before she spoke again. "I think... sometimes, it's okay not to have everything figured out. I mean, who does, really?"

I looked at her, feeling a warmth spread through me. "Yeah, maybe you're right."

"Of course, I'm right," she said with a teasing smile. "I always am."

I laughed, the sound feeling good for the first time in a while. "I think you might be getting a little too confident, Jasmin."

She shrugged, her grin widening. "I'm just stating facts."

I shook my head, still smiling. "You're impossible."

She leaned back in her chair, looking at me seriously for a moment. "But you like it, don't you?"

I froze. She was right. I couldn't deny it. There was something about her that drew me in—something I couldn't put into words.

"Maybe," I said, my voice a little rougher than usual.

Jasmin tilted her head, studying me for a second. "I think you're starting to figure things out, Basti."

I stared at her, my heart beating faster. Was she right? Was I starting to figure things out?

"I think you might be right," I said, barely above a whisper.

For a moment, neither of us said anything. The air between us felt charged, like something was shifting.

Then, breaking the silence, she stood up and stretched. "Well, I'm going to bed. You should probably get some rest too."

I stood up as well, feeling a bit disoriented. "Yeah, I guess so."

She gave me a playful look. "Don't let the 'witch' get you, okay?"

I smirked. "I'll be fine. I've got a broomstick, remember?"

She laughed, shaking her head. "Good night, Basti."

"Good night, Jasmin," I said, watching her walk away.

As she disappeared into her room, I couldn't help but feel a little lighter. Maybe I was starting to figure things out, after all.