1 Chapter 1- Jasmine

JASMINE'S POV

I woke up when I heard my two daughters knocking at the door. "Mommy! Mommy!! "

They are already running and jumping on my bed. I stretch my arms to hug them.

"Good morning, mommy!" they both shouted. How cute and sweet!

"Good morning, my lovely babies! How was your sleep? You both wake up so early today!" I glanced at the clock near my door, and It was still eight o'clock.

I got off work late earlier. And I just slept for 3 hours, but that's fine. It's my day off today, so that I can rest later. I just sighed.

We went downstairs, and I prepared breakfast for the three of us.

Yes, just the three of us. My oldest daughter, Jennifer, is four, and my youngest son, Jacob, is two.

Their father and I didn't work out; He became abusive and immature throughout our relationship. I don't want my kids to grow up with an abusive father with the possibility that he might also hurt them. I had to protect them from him, so we left him before things got out of hand. I got a restraining order and banned him from where we were currently staying.

Being a single mom was challenging and a hard one. I went to the hospital alone when I was about to give birth to my 2nd child. Yes, I was pregnant with my 2nd child when we left my ex-partner. I don't know how I could surpass all of those things two years ago, but with prayers and love that I received from my family, friends, and Kids, I survived!

I checked the food I was preparing and set the table. I let my kids sit down at the dining table so they can start eating. I heard a knock on the door, so I got up to see who it was.

It's my friend Savannah. She babysits my kids every weekend since it is her rest day. I need her to babysit them because I have one month of training for the Spanish foreign language class, 5 hours every Saturday and Sunday.

My other babysitter for weekdays is off every weekend. That's why I hired Savannah to care for them this month.

"Thank you for taking care of them." I looked at her and held her hand.

We walk straight to the dining table so she can join us for breakfast.

"That's fine. And besides, I loved my goddaughter and son, so it's a win-win situation." Savannah replied, and we just laughed and sat at the dining table.

Hours passed by, and I needed to prepare for my training. I have to leave 1 hour early to avoid getting caught in traffic.

"Are you ready to leave?" Savannah asked,

"Yes, I don't want to be late." I grab my things and join her in the hallway. We went downstairs and saw my kids playing with their toys.

"Hey guys, Mommy's going to leave for a while. So please be on your best behavior to your Godmother, Savannah, okay?" They both nodded and gave me their sweet hug and little kisses. I smiled at them.

"I'll go ahead, best friend. Just call me if you need anything, okay?"

"Yes, noted. Take care while you're out there, okay?" we bid goodbye.

Savannah and I are working as virtual assistants. This helps me to be 24/7 present at home and able to provide for my kids. It is a significant advantage for me to take care of them while working. I took this class to expand my resources and job offers moving forward.

A few hours later, I reached the building pretty early and could still review for a few minutes before the training started. It is my second weekend, and there are two more weekends to go until I finish the activity.

"Jasmine?" I looked up, and to my surprise, I saw an old friend of mine. I was shocked and couldn't believe he was here before me.

He smiled and tapped me. "Hey Buddy, you don't remember me anymore? It's Tom." I rolled my eyes at him and hugged him so tight.

"I know who you are. I'm just surprised that you haven't changed a bit. How are you?" I break the hug and join him in the elevator.

"I'm okay. How about you? What are you doing here?" he asked.

"I'm fine. You know a lot of things happened. Anyway, I have training on the 5th floor. Wait, do you work here?"

"Yes, I'm on the 10th floor. There's a call center there. You should try applying to our company." He was my workmate Slash's best friend, and we were a trio before. My ex doesn't want me to be with them, so I stopped contacting them and moved to a different company.

"It's okay, bud; I'm employed as of the moment."

He looks curious. "Oh? Where?"

"I'm a virtual assistant at a home-based job. At the same time, I can watch over my children." I told him shyly, and his mood changed. He knows what is going on.

He shrugs. Maybe he doesn't want to ask, "Well, that's a good job! Nice choice. I heard it compensates more than usual. Shocks! I'm jealous!"

I punch him again.

"Shut up! Your rate is higher than mine. "The elevator door opened on the 5th floor, and we exited. "Wait, I thought your office was on the 10th floor?"

"Yes, but my girlfriend is actually on this floor. So, I'm picking her up to eat upstairs." I raise my eyebrow at him.

"Wow! You've got a girlfriend. Hmm, I think you gave her a tough helmet."

"Haha! I've changed, bud! Besides, I'm telling you she is the one!" I rolled my eyes to him.

"Eew, since when did you become this cheezy?" And we both laughed.

As we walked in the hallway, a pretty girl approached us. "Hi babe, this is Jasmine. She was my workmate before, the one I am telling you about." Tom introduced.

She extends her arm to reach mine. "Hi, I'm Alexa. Nice to finally meet you."

"Nice to meet you. We were talking about you a minute ago. And I thought he got an imaginary girlfriend - again." We laughed.

"Well, believe it or not, He put a love spell on me," Alexa said jokingly, and Tom looked surprised.

"Wait, How did you know? Okay, since the cat is out of the bag. Yes, you got struck by my charming face." He held his chin and did some silly pose. We just laughed at him.

"You know what, you are just hungry. Jasmine, are you already late?" Alexa asked.

I looked at my watch, still 45 minutes early. "Not yet. I still got a couple of minutes. Why?" I asked.

"That's great. Let's grab something to eat. There's a cafeteria on the 7th floor, like a food court, where you can choose a lot of food." She wrapped her arms around mine and walked together to the elevator.

Tom ran towards us,

"Hello, I'm with you," Tom said. We just laughed at him and went up to the 7th floor.

We already ordered food, and the couple was sitting before me. We are just sharing stories when Tom stands up and calls someone.

"Hey, bro! Seat with us! Jasmine is here!"

I wondered who is he talking to, so I turned around. Wait - is that Echo? Why did I even forget to think he might be here, too? I thought he was still in the previous company we worked for. Their bond is unbreakable, unlike what I did to them.

"Wow, that was fast! It seems like your name is a magic word for him to join without hesitation," I kicked Tom underneath the table. He is indeed crazy!

"Hi," I stand up to greet him. Why am I so nervous to see him?

"Hello. How are you?" He asked, not breaking our eye contact. He smiled from ear to ear.

I smiled back. "I'm good. And you?" There is no other chair to sit aside from the chair beside me.

He put down the tray on the table and faced me.

He is Echo; he is the other best friend I mentioned earlier. We were batch mates with Tom 4 years ago.

"I'm having a good day right now." he cleared his throat and smiled again.

I offered my hand to shake hands, but to my surprise, he hugged me instead. I froze and couldn't move or even think. Maybe he missed me? Who am I to assume? They used to be my best friends until I left and moved.

I returned to my senses and wanted to break the hug, but he hugged me tightly. I looked at Tom and Alexa and asked for help. But unfortunately, the two are giggling.

I cleared my throat, "Ehem. Echo? They are staring at us." I said awkwardly.

"S-sorry!" He stutters and finally breaks the hug, grabs my seat, and guides me to sit down.

Tom made a fake cough, obviously to tease us.

"She is already single," and coughs again. Alexa is very supportive, as usual, and taps Tom's back.

I looked at Tom, and I didn't tell him that earlier, "How did you know?"

Echo looked at me, but I avoided his eye contact and looked at Tom instead, waiting for him to answer, "I just guess?" and make an innocent face.

I throw a napkin at Tom's face, and he shrugs.

"You already broke up? When?" Echo asked.

I sighed and looked at him.

"Yes. Like, two years ago before I gave birth to my youngest."

"Why?" Echo asked. I stopped drinking my drink. Should I tell it to him right now?

Before I could answer, Tom butts in, "I think we can discuss that later on, maybe after shift?" said Tom- the lifesaver. I mean, I don't want to cry here.

"Are you okay? It's hard to be a single mom," Echo asked worriedly.

"I'm fine. I worked at home and got help from my friends and family." I shrug and continue eating my cookies.

"Where is he now? I mean, is he helping you somehow?" Alexa commented.

"Nope, I put a restraining order against him, and he is banned from our place."

No one dared to speak because they already had a hint that the reason for our breakup was much more profound than they thought. So, I cleared my throat to feed them with details.

"He was abusive and a controlling son of a bitch. So, I left before things got much worse." I looked down at my plate and stared at it.

The silence continued, but I could see how my friend's face got mad from what I said, especially Echo.

"You mean he hurt you?" Tom dared to ask, and I nodded. They looked so pissed and ready to punch someone. I looked at Alexa and could see her sympathy when she held my hand. I smiled a bit at her.

"It seems like you go through a lot alone, Jas," she said. I got teary-eyed.

I shrugged and looked away, "Hey, I don't want to spoil this reunion. Enough about me. How about you guys? Since when did you start working here?" Trying to change the topic.

"I know it was so hard for you to be alone, but we are here now. We are very sorry for not being there to protect you." Echo said and hugged me, which made me freeze.

"Me too, Jas. I am sorry, I should check on you occasionally, but I didn't do it because I got pissed when you left and stopped talking to us. I'm sorry." Alexa held Tom's hand and guided him to stand up. They move to us and hug me as well. Well, this is awkward. We are just doing a group hug at the cafeteria. I couldn't hold back my tears and cried.

I am touched to have them back in my life. They are like the missing puzzle that completes me today.

We broke the hug, and Echo got his handkerchief and dried my tears. "Hush now. We will never leave your side anymore."

"Second motion!" Tom agreed.

"Third! You don't know how much I wanted to meet and be your friend. Sorry, I know a lot of stories about you from Echo and Tom." I can feel her genuine approach, which makes me so happy.

"Of course, Lex. So, it seems like trio no more? More like Quadro?" and we all agreed.

"Yiie, I'll make GC and named it Quadro. Jas, please accept my Friend request."

"Sure!"

"Please accept us all, you unfriend us on Facebook e," Echo said

"Alright, ssob!" I said while checking the friend request. They laugh at me.

"What is Ssob?" Echo asks.

"You are so old, my bro. You don't even know the new lingo."

"Tss. I am not updated to nonsense things," Echo defended himself.

"Well, FYI, Ssob is the reversed word of Boss," I explained

"Okay, noted ssob," he replied, which made us laugh

"Cringe, bro."

"Being in love is so weird," Alexa commented.

Which makes my eyebrows furrowed, "You have a girlfriend now?" I said.

He looks confused, "what? said who?"

"eh? but Alexa said." He cut me off.

"I don't have any girlfriend."

"Really? Why?" I am so curious right now.

"Why am I becoming the topic here?" Avoiding the question.

"To answer your question, Jas. He still in love - Ouch!"

We laughed because Echo kicked Tom in the Legs. He glanced at them and gave them a death glare.

"Anyway, I'll still need to attend my Spanish class in 10 minutes." I stand up and gather my things.

"Are we still going to see you?" Alexa asked.

"Yeah, I am here every weekend for three weeks," I answered.

"Alright, see you tomorrow, Bud," Tom said. I hugged them both before I turned to Echo.

"Let me help you with that, and I'll accompany you." Echo offered.

"No, I don't want to both--"

"You are not a bother, so please let me." I give in and hand him my things.

"Bud, I told you." I looked at him with a confused look, and they just laughed at me.

-

When we were in the elevator, no one dared to speak. When I looked at the glass door, I could see Echo staring at me, so I looked at him, and he didn't even dare to look away.

"Why?"

"Have I told you how gorgeous you are right now?" He said, which made my cheeks so pink right now.

"Tss, I'm not. I have eyebags and forgot to do my skincare last night."

"With or without it. You are still beautiful, Jasmine. So don't doubt yourself."

I smiled at him because I didn't know how to respond to a compliment. Should I say thank you? "Ahm, Thank you, Comfy," he smiled hearing that.

"Oh, that nickname."

"What? I already told you the meaning of it," I said, laughing

"I know, and I missed hearing it from you--" he paused and looked at me in my eyes before he continued, "My Light."