A Game Of Love And Obsession – Episode 8

© Lewis Dampson

Sandra got up and made her way to the kitchen to cook while Jesse continued with the office work. There was a knock at the door and Jesse got up to see who was at the door. He was surprised to see Jasmine. She was appearing and disappearing like a ghost. “Would you just stand there? I thought you have missed me?” Jasmine asked. “I am shocked. Where have you been? I have tried to reach your line since you left here the other time. What happened to your phone?” Jesse asked. “Please let us go inside, Jesse. I will explain everything to you,” Jasmine said and entered the house.

Meanwhile, Desmond and Bella were enjoying their time together at the dinner. Desmond realized he had a lot in common with Bella than he thought. He hardly took note of time while at the dinner with Bella. “I have really been a fool for a long time for wasting all my time trying to impress Sandra. Look at the way I am enjoying my time with Bella. I am just myself. I am not under any tension to impress anyone, and I am enjoying every moment of it,” Jesse thought to himself as he sat with Bella at the dinner table. He stared at her throughout their meal.

“Desmond, why are you staring at me like that?” Bella asked with suspicion. “I am just wondering,” Desmond answered with his hand supporting his chin still staring at Bella. “Would you like to share what is going on in your mind?” Bella asked. “I am just wondering why I didn’t ask you out all this while. I am surprised,” Desmond confessed. “I believe there is time for everything. I am happy though that we are finally having this time together,” Bella said.

“Bella, I want to make this formal,” Desmond said and got off his seat. He knelt with a knee. He took Bella’s hand and looked into her eyes. “Bella, I have searched through the mountains and the valleys. I have gone through the thick and thin in search of love. There are many ways to be happy in this life, I have come to realize that, all I really needed was you. I promise you, no one will work harder to make you happy or cherish you more than me. From this day forward, you shall not walk alone. My heart will be your shelter and my arms will be your home. Will you marry me, Bella?” Desmond asked as he continued to look into the eyes of Bella.
Bella was mortified by what Desmond was doing. She thought they were just there to have a nice moment together. She least expected Desmond of all people to suddenly propose marriage out of the blues. She was speechless as she looked at Desmond in awe. Before she knew it, she had accept the proposal on impulse. “Oh my God!! I just said yes!! I just said yes!!” Bella thought aloud.

Desmond took a promise ring from his pocket and placed it on Bella’s finger. He got up and embraced her. “I think it is time for us to leave, Bella. You have indeed made me the happiest man today,” said Desmond. “And you have made me the happiest woman today, Desmond. So let us say, the feeling is mutual,” Bella said and gleamed. They got up and left the restaurant hand-in-hand amidst giggling and chatting.

Now, Jasmine was comfortably seated in the sofa. She took the television remote and began to operate the TV. Jesse got back to what he was doing before Jasmine’s intrusion. “Hey, babe. You are very distant today. What is the problem? Haven’t you missed me?” Jasmine asked. “That is not the case, Jasmine. I have to finish this work. Don’t worry, I will be done in no time. I will be with you in a moment,” Jesse responded. “Okay, honey. If you say so. What is that nice smell from your kitchen? You never told me you were a good cook,” Jasmine teased.

Sandra came out of the kitchen and was surprised to see company. Jasmine was also surprised to see a stranger coming out of Jesse’s kitchen. A female to make matters worse. “Has Jesse been cheating on me while I was away? No way!! I won’t accept that! Why should he allow another girl into his kitchen? I am the only one who should possess that right,” Jasmine battled with these thoughts.

“Oh, Jasmine, meet Sandra. She is from the other company we are having the meager agreement with. We have a deadline to finish some work, but we are far behind time. We had to bring the work home. Sandra, this is Jasmine, my girlfriend. The one I told you about,” Jesse introduced the two ladies to each other.

This calmed Jasmine. For Jesse to refer to her as his girlfriend in front of another lady meant he loved her. So all the issues in her mind were resolved. She smiled at Sandra and greeted her. “Jasmine, I didn’t know you were coming, so I prepared the food for two,” said Sandra. “Don’t worry, my sister. I am not hungry,” Jasmine replied sharply. With that, Sandra went back to the kitchen.

Sandra came back from the kitchen with the food she had cooked. She dished out the food and served Jesse and herself. They continued the review immediately they were done eating. They laughed at and teased each other while working. They had completely forgotten they had company.

Jasmine was just looking at them in amazement. Who was this lady that had come to infiltrate her space? She sat in the sofa changing the TV channels in frustration. She was enraged by what was going on between Jesse and Sandra. “Are these people sure it is only work they are doing? Jesse doesn’t seem to care that I am around. I, Jasmine of all people!! I remember those days Jesse was chasing me around. Now, look at me competing for his attention with this ugly girl! Who would have thought!? Anyway, I am fed up with this empty life of mine. Jesse is the solution to my emptiness. I have to make this work. This lady is a real threat to my happiness and anything that stands in the way of Jasbaby’s happiness must be eliminated,” Jasmine spoke indistinctly to herself.

She couldn’t control her anger and jealousy anymore. She needed to get out before she does something she would regret. She was trying as much as possible not to show her true colors to Jesse. She didn’t want to fight another lady in his sight. She knew that would make Jesse lose respect for her. She got up and went to where Jesse and Sandra were seated.

“Jesse, I have to get home immediately. I have to attend to something urgently. I can see you are busy as well. I will pass by later,” Jasmine said and excused herself. She didn’t even respond when Sandra bade her goodbye. She gave Jesse a hug and went out.

Sandra was happy within that Jasmine had left. She was excited that she was able to capture the attention of Jesse. They were becoming closer and she needed to work more.

When Jasmine got into her car, she quickly took her phone and called her friends. They all knew about her plans and were excited for her. Actually, they had similar plans too. To have a serious boyfriend whom they can fill their emptiness with. They were angry when Jasmine told them about the ordeal she had to go through in Jesse’s house. “Come over, girl! We are at the club. This is a serious issue that needs urgent attention. Come and let us decide how best we can solve the situation. You can’t lose your man to any stupid girl. We are all here waiting for you. No one can mess with us!! Get here as soon as possible,” said one of Jasmine’s friends. She was nicknamed “Friendly Tigress” because of her ability to switch between being nice and unpleasant. She was also known for using her fingernails and other sharp objects to disfigure peoples faces.

…to be continued