Chapter 2. The Game of Fate

A beautiful woman stepped gracefully down from the podium as thunderous applause echoed through the grand hotel ballroom. She was Jasmine Stevanie Welsh, a successful woman who had just been appointed Director of Sales and Marketing at one of the biggest cosmetics companies in England.

For the past four years, Jasmine had driven unprecedented profits for the company. Beautiful, intelligent, and with a brilliant career, she had risen rapidly. Thanks to her outstanding results, she had been promoted into a powerful role. It only took her four years to climb her way up to top management.

“Jasmine! Congratulations. You’re now the Director of Sales and Marketing. I’m truly proud of you,” said Ivy, Jasmine’s close colleague, her eyes filled with admiration as Jasmine shook hands with staff and executives.

“Congratulations to you too. You’ve just been promoted as Sales and Marketing Manager. I’m proud of you as well,” Jasmine replied warmly. Ivy was more than just a colleague—she was a close friend, someone Jasmine trusted both personally and professionally.

Ivy smiled warmly. “So, what’s your plan for today? Are you heading straight home?”

“I actually wanted to take you out tonight so we could celebrate our promotions together. But… my sister, who lives in New York, is flying back to London today. I have no choice but to welcome her,” Jasmine said, taking a sip of the orange juice a hotel waiter had just served.

Ivy nodded. “Alright then. Let’s celebrate tomorrow afternoon instead. What do you think?”

“Alright, I’m in,” Jasmine agreed with a smile.

Just then, the shrill ring of her phone interrupted their conversation. Jasmine frowned slightly as she glanced down at the screen. It was her mother calling again. She had already called an hour ago, pressing Jasmine to come home early, and now she was calling once more. Jasmine clicked her tongue in annoyance.

“Ivy, sorry. I have to take this call. It’s my mom,” Jasmine said apologetically.

“It’s okay, Jas. Take your time. I’ll head to the restroom,” Ivy replied before walking away.

Jasmine swiped the green button on her screen and lifted the phone to her ear.

“Yes, Mom?” she answered once the call connected.

“Honey, where are you? Are you coming home soon? Your sister has just landed at the airport. She’s here with her boyfriend. And don’t forget to bring Bernard with you,” Mila’s voice instructed from the other end.

Jasmine sighed softly. “I can’t, Mom. Bernard flew to Dubai this morning.”

“What? Why didn’t you tell Mommy Bernard wasn’t in London?”

“I only found out this morning. He left suddenly. It was urgent work.”

“You two are always so busy with your careers that you forget about your personal lives. You’ve been dating almost a year, but why haven’t you decided to marry yet?”

“Mom, I’ve been dating Bernard for six months, not a year,” Jasmine retorted, irritation flashing across her face. Bernard Green—a half-English, half-American businessman—had been in her life for only half a year.

At first, Jasmine hadn’t wanted to date anyone. But with her family pushing her, and realizing it had been a long time since she’d opened her heart, she finally said yes to Bernard. He was everything desirable: the CEO of a major oil and gas company in Dubai, wealthy, handsome, considerate, and understanding of her demanding schedule. Against her better resistance, she had fallen for him.

Still, her mother kept pushing for marriage. Jasmine had just turned twenty-four. She felt she was far too young to get married—thirty seemed like the perfect age. But Mila insisted she wed before then.

“I don’t care. Mommy wants to hear a wedding announcement very soon.”

“Later, Mom. Let Jelena get married first. That’s enough for now, I’m hanging up. I’ll be home soon. Bye.” Jasmine ended the call abruptly before her mother could argue further. Her ears burned whenever Mila pressured her about marriage. After all, Jelena, her older sister, was twenty-six. It was time their mother focused on her, not on rushing Jasmine down the aisle.

Letting out a deep breath, Jasmine stood in silence. Suddenly, a memory flashed—of someone she had never been able to forget. A man whose presence still echoed in her heart. A love she had buried deep because remembering him only reopened the wounds she had tried so hard to heal.

“It’s better if I go home.” Jasmine excused herself, saying goodbye to colleagues and superiors before leaving the ballroom.

That afternoon, the scorching heat pressed down on her as she stepped out of the car. Squinting in the blinding sunlight, she entered her family’s estate where the staff greeted her warmly.

“Good afternoon, Miss Jasmine,” one of the maids said politely.

“Good afternoon. Has my sister arrived?” Jasmine asked.

“Yes, Miss. Miss Jelena and her partner are already here. They’re in the living room with your parents,” the maid replied.

Jasmine nodded with a smile. “Alright, thank you.”

Her steps quickened as she entered the house, her face bright with anticipation.

“Mom? Dad? Jelena?” Jasmine called as she walked into the living room, her smile widening at the sight of her parents and sister together.

“Jasmine, you’re home!” Jelena quickly pulled her into a warm hug, followed by their parents.

“Congratulations on your new position, sweetheart. Daddy is proud of you.” Johan, her father, patted her shoulder proudly.

“Mommy’s proud of you too—becoming a director at such a young age is incredible,” Mila added, caressing her daughter’s cheek.

“Jasmine, I don’t even know what to say anymore. You’re amazing. I could never have achieved what you did,” Jelena chimed in warmly.

“Thank you. But let’s sit down. My feet are killing me,” Jasmine laughed lightly.

They all settled onto the plush sofas as the household staff brought out refreshments.

“Jasmine, your sister is getting engaged soon,” Mila announced happily.

“Really?” Jasmine widened her eyes and turned to Jelena.

Jelena nodded. “Yes, Jasmine. My boyfriend and I decided to get engaged this year.”

“That’s wonderful. I’m so happy for you. But where is he? I don’t see him here,” Jasmine asked.

“He just stepped out to take a phone call. He should be—”

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

The deep, familiar baritone stopped everyone mid-conversation. All eyes turned to the man entering the room.

In that instant, Jasmine’s smile faded. Her entire body stiffened. Her breath caught as shock surged through her. Her world seemed to collapse around her.

And when his eyes locked onto hers, the man’s expression shifted as well. Surprise, disbelief, unresolved emotions—everything hung thick in the air as they stood locked in each other’s gaze.

Time seemed to halt. The room grew so quiet that it felt like everyone else had ceased to exist. There was only the two of them, drowning in a silence heavy with memories.

“Xavier.”