I spent another hour sitting on the park bench, lost in my solitary thoughts. Along with working in a cafe and library, I also teach cello classes for young children as a part-time music teacher. I owe thanks to my mom for sharing her musical talent with me, which I am now able to use to earn a living.

The good news is that I have no Cello class or library job for the night. I am free for the rest of the day and plan to spend my time reading News articles about my childhood crush. He was appointed as the CEO of Martinez Enterprises five years ago, and every article describes his talent, tactics, and success in beating his rivals. I was particularly interested in the article from last month, which stated: Mr. Adrian Martinez is planning to launch his new company in Italy.

I wonder if he is planning to move there, permanently.

I tend to resolve my worries immediately, but I do not want to appear desperate. So. Despite my curiosity, I refrain from calling Aliyah to ask her about it. I need a distraction from my infatuation with AM. Well, a cool short form for Adrian Martinez.

I cannot help but wonder why he did not approach me directly instead of sending Aliyah to present his proposal.

Meanwhile, my mobile pinged with a text message from Uncle Kushwant. Uncle Kushwant has been my neighbor for ten years. A very loyal, lovable, and caring man. Though he is my neighbor, I feel him to be my family. He is an Indian Chef and works in a multi-cuisine restaurant. I am lucky that he is my neighbor, or I would have missed his Indian dishes. Of all, he supported us mentally when my mom's incident happened. Even he lost his wife and has a daughter and a son. Both are married and settled in different cities.

Uncle Kush: You promised to have lunch with me.

I snickered at his text. I hardly get any free time and whatever I get he tries to make the time worthwhile to me. I stood on foot and walked to my scooter. After I started the scooter, I made my way to my home.

***

My father opened the door after twenty seconds of me banging the door. His eyes were red which showed him to be a chronic alcohol addict. His gait is a bit swaying. As I was a kid, I was told that I had my dad's eyes. Big, round, hazel eyes. And like other girls, my dad was my favorite hero. It makes me sad to see him broken and lost.

"Wash your hands, and come soon." I heard an extremely exciting voice from Uncle Kush coming from the kitchen.

"Coming," I shouted and removed my heels after hanging my sling bag on the hanger beside the door along with my scooter keys.

We have a small house. A large living room, a small kitchen with a four-chair dining table, two bedrooms, and an attic.

I went to the kitchen, cleaned my hands, and next filled a glass with tap water. While placing the glass on the table, my eyes landed on a small rectangular paper that was hidden under the vase.

I pulled it and discovered it to be a cheque. A blank cheque was signed under the name...Adrian Martinez?

I darted my gaze at my father, "What is this cheque doing here?"

His eyes widened with surprise. "Hmm...Jazmine!" His eyes landed on the cheque then shifted to me. Even though he worked hard to hide it, I ruled out that he was scared of something. I hope he didn't create any mess which has already disesteemed me. "Aliyah's brother came this morning." It speeded the work of my heart.

"Adrian..." I wet my lips, "Aliyah's elder brother, you mean?" I probed and he nodded his head. And then it confirmed the signature on the cheque is of Adrian Martinez. "What did he say to you?"

"He put forward a proposal to marry you." Stupid blush and that tingling sensation took place at the same time at this moment.

"Did you give him any confirmation?" I queried.

"N-no I d-didn't" he stammered.

"So, what this Cheque is doing here?" I pondered for a second. My father can seize any low-level to make his hands filthy for money. "Don't tell me, Father you asked him for money," I demanded, leaning over him.

"No. No. Dear. Why would I ask him!?" I glanced at Uncle Kushwanth, to confirm my father's words.

But before he opened his mouth my father continued, "Actually, I... I said to him that I can't leave without my daughter," I raised my brow, having no intention of believing his unbelievable fact about me. "It's true Jazmine. Then he assumed that you are the only earning person which is why I was disagreeing. So, he gave me a blank check in exchange for you marrying him and–"

"–And you took it," I asked with a blunt pang in my heart. My eyes were ready to shed tears. My hurt was dual. The image I built about Adrian is not what I considered. Well, the second reason was my dad accepting the cheque.

"No. No. I said I would not take but he kept it there forcibly and left. I know you don't want to marry anyone. That's the reason I refused."

"So." I crumbled that cheque in my fist. "He put my rate in front of you. And you just let him go without giving him an accurate answer, Father." at this stage, I was screaming out with fury and even hurt more than the fear of losing my esteem.

"H-he is rich. I had no guts to..." He cut off.

"But. I have." I replied.

"Jazmine, where are you going?"

"To confront him, Uncle Kush," I replied, strolling to the living hall, grabbing my sling bag, and walking out.

"Jazmine, don't..." Before I could hear him, I walked out of my house already. I was not in the right state of my mind, so I rejected the idea of riding my scooter instead of grabbing a bus to his place.

But where does he live? He doesn't with Aliyah in their villa. "Argh!" I took out my mobile and picture an excellently fake and truthful story to narrate to her to take out Adrian's address. I even started to hate calling him that. A mother fucker, would be best I guess.

I phoned her and I didn't have to wait for the second ring and found the call to be answered by her. "Jaz!" she exclaimed with a tense voice.

"Actually..." I started, "I wanted to consider this wedding proposal thing."

"Really," she screamed and I was able to hear her hopping on her bed. Somebody should turn her into a Grown-up. Only a man can do that, I assume.

"But," I cut her off. "I have to speak with your brother, before, we start this whole thing."

"Do whatever you want."

"I don't know where he lives, Ali. Can you give me his address?"

"In a second, love," she added and in the next second my mobile pinged with her text. I smirked seeing the address.

"I wish you a romantic night."

"Before you false-assume and flatter on your brother, let me acknowledge you. Your brother visited my father this morning at my place and the cherry on top, he put my rate in front of my father by handing a blank check to him. He. literally. Tried. To. Buy. Me!" I muttered, cursing that MF mentally.

"No. No. No. Jazmine. Brother can never do that."

"He did it and I am going to give him a piece of mind." I hit the red button.

****

After forty minutes of the bus ride and ten minutes of walking, I found myself in front of the five-story building of Adrian. The last floor is his penthouse. So, finally, the day has come. I am going to see him once again in my life. Every alternate minute, my heart was melting rapidly for him. Which I revamped by looking at the blank Cheque, he gave to my dad. I rode in the elevator to the fifth floor. There was a wide hallway between the elevator and his door. At every step of mine, there was an alteration in my heartbeat.

I pressed the buzzer and perceived what low blood pressure or hypoglycemia seemed to be. Just grab up yourself, Jazmine. The man you are going to meet has no strings attached to you. He was your stupid, dumm crush, who didn't even know that you had feelings for him. Don't let your heart win over your brains.

And the door was pulled open. Should I be disappointed that it's not Adrian but his caretaker?

He smiled at me but I didn't.

"Hello, does Mr. Martinez know about your visit, miss...?"

"Ms. Garcia, and no. But if you say that Jazmine Garcia is here to visit him, he will himself find an appointment to meet me." He let me in. It was a small living room, with a couple of armchairs and a small couch, and a coffee table.

He made me sit on the couch and added, "Mr. Martinez is having lunch with his business allocates. So, please make yourself comfortable, until he comes." And then he disappeared.

I could hear the chattering voices coming from the other side of the penthouse. I peeked through the door, his caretaker walked into. It seemed to be another living room, which appeared like a lounge.

Instantly I reminded myself that I hadn't come to admire or exhibit his so-called penthouse. And, I kept myself occupied by going through the pictures hanging on the wall. They were interesting, inspirational, and motivating quotes, which kept me amused.

And...a few minutes later my amusement disappeared suddenly when a strong, masculine voice came from behind me.

"Miss Garcia!" What enchantment could be in that voice? I can't define but I am sure I experienced a freeze of my heart.

***

And the toe-curling moment has come. Jazmine is gonna meet her crush after a decade.

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