mango_latte

When Jasmine’s car collides with Antonio’s, she expects nothing more than an accident report and a headache. But from the moment he lays eyes on her, Antonio is captivated—her beauty, her presence, the quiet fire in her eyes. She’s been hurt before, and love is not something she’s searching for. All she wants is peace, warmth, and a place where she feels safe.

But Antonio is not a man who walks away from what he wants. And from the moment he sees her, he knows—he wants her.

HIS ENDEAVORS

Jasmine's resolve hardened as she met Konrad's gaze. "Then let's fix it."

Konrad nodded, his expression serious. "First, we need to understand who we're dealing with. Any idea who might be behind these messages?"

Jasmine shook her head. "No. I've been careful. I don't have enemies... at least, none that I know of."

Konrad frowned, deep in thought. "Sometimes, enemies aren't always obvious. They can be lurking in the shadows, waiting for the right moment."

A chill ran down Jasmine's spine. "What do we do now?"

"First, we need to trace the source of these messages," Konrad said, pulling out his phone. "I have some contacts who can help with that. In the meantime, you need to stay vigilant. Don't go anywhere alone, and keep your phone on you at all times."

Jasmine nodded, her mind racing. "Should I inform the authorities?"

Konrad considered this for a moment. "It's a good idea to have a record of what's happening. Report the messages to the police and provide them with all the information you have. They might not be able to act immediately, but it's important to have it on file."

Jasmine felt a surge of gratitude. "Thank you, Konrad. I appreciate your help."

He gave her a small smile. "Don't mention it. We're in this together."

As Konrad made his calls, Jasmine sat down, trying to process everything. She had always been independent, handling her problems on her own. But now, she realized that sometimes, it's okay to lean on others.

Her phone buzzed again, and she tensed, but it was a message from Penelope checking in on her. She quickly replied, assuring her friend that she was safe.

Konrad finished his call and turned to her. "I've got someone looking into the messages. In the meantime, I think it's best if you stay somewhere safe. Do you have a place you can go?"

Jasmine thought for a moment. "I could stay with Penelope, but I don't want to put her in danger."

Konrad nodded. "Understandable. How about Antonio's place? It's secure, and he has the resources to protect you."

Jasmine hesitated. The idea of staying with Antonio felt too close, too complicated. She needed space—somewhere she could breathe and think clearly.

"No," she replied, shaking her head. "I think I'll go to my mother's house. It's quieter there. She's out of town, so it'll be just me."

Konrad raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. "Your mother's place? You sure?"

Jasmine gave him a tight smile. "It's the safest option for me right now."

Konrad studied her for a moment, then gave a reluctant nod. "Alright. I'll take you there, but you still need to stay alert. We don't know how far this goes yet."

As they left her apartment, Jasmine felt a weight lifting off her shoulders. Her mother's house might be small and tucked away in the suburbs, but it was hers. It was her safe space, the one place where she could feel the remnants of her childhood peace.

But as they drove through the night, she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that no matter where she went, the danger was following her. And sooner or later, she'd have to face it head-on.

chapter twenty-seven