When the Night Falls

JASMINE

I sleepily opened my eyes to see what was happening. A shirtless Theo was standing near the window, talking on his phone.

His shoulders were a bit tense. Something must have happened.

I waited for the call to end, which took another 15 minutes. He stood there looking out the window for a moment before turning around.

I couldn’t see his face properly in the dark room. “Did I disturb you?” he asked.

“No. Is everything okay?”

He walked toward the bed. “Don’t worry. Everything is fine.”

“Theo, you can tell me anything. You don’t have to hide,” I said as he sat beside me.

He sighed, placing his hand on my thigh. “It was about Lana. She is going to court for custody of Thea. I have to do something before those papers reach the judge.”

“Did she call you to tell you that?”

“No. My private investigator saw her meeting with lawyers. She knew if she didn’t level up her plan she wouldn’t be winning against me.”

I leaned closer to him and laid my head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around me and started caressing my arm.

“I won’t let anyone come near Thea,” I said.

“I know we have you, and I don’t have to worry. But Lana is a sa dist. She’ll stoop to Even if it was to hurt her baby.”

any level.

“I don’t want anything happening to Thea or to you,” he continued. “I can’t risk anything. For the time being, please stay at home.

“I won’t be here, and going to school isn’t safe. My men will guard the mansion. You’re safe

here.”

“Okay, we’ll stay home. I’ll call the administration office and let them know.”

He nodded his head before k*ssing my hair.

before

15.00 Thu, 25 Feb

caressing my arm.

“I won’t let anyone come near Thea,” I said.

“I know we have you, and I don’t have to worry. But Lana is a s adist. She’ll stoop to any level. Even if it was to hurt her baby.”

“I don’t want anything happening to Thea or to you,” he continued. “I can’t risk anything. For the time being, please stay at home.

“I won’t be here, and going to school isn’t safe. My men will guard the mansion. You’re safe here.”

“Okay, we’ll stay home. I’ll call the administration office and let them know.”

He nodded his head before k*ssing my hair.

“Everything will be okay.”

***

I laughed as Thea fell on the floor again. “Baby, I don’t think you can walk in those heels. You’re going to hurt yourself,” I said.

“But I want to wear your heels,” she pouted, looking at the black shoes she wore.

“Why don’t you try some lower heels? You could wear those sandals.” I point to the sandals in the last rack.

“Yes, I could wear them. Can I also use your handbag?” she asked, removing the heels.

“Sure, but be careful,” I said. I didn’t know why she wanted to go through my wardrobe and try on my things, but it was fun to watch.

“But why do you wanna play with my bags and wear my heels?” I asked.

“Hmm… Izzy told me that she goes through her mom’s things because they are amazing and

beautiful.

“She always tells me about her mom’s heels, bags, cosmetics, dresses, perfumes, and jewelry. I want to tell her that I have worn your heels and bags.”

She turned, looking at me with those doe eyes. “I don’t want to touch your makeup, because I know how much you love your makeup. But can I please go through your jewelry?”

I blink. “Okay, you can touch whatever you want to touch, but be careful.”

She pushed her curly hair back and nodded. “Okay.”

“Do you have sunglasses, flower?” she asked, getting up from the floor.

15.01 Thu, 29 Feb D

“I think I have a pair or two. Must be in those drawers. Why don’t I check for you?” I asked, standing up from the sofa as Sherry walked in.

I looked at her and saw the nervous and worried expression on her face. “Jasmine, can you step out for a minute?” Sherry asked.

“Yes, just a minute.” I replied. “Honey, why don’t you search for the sunglasses? I’m going to talk with aunty Sherry, okay?”

“Okay.”

I turned and followed Sherry into the bedroom.

“Is everything okay, Sherry?” I asked her.

“Iris is waiting in the other room. I told her that she doesn’t have an appointment and she’s not allowed here, but she isn’t listening. She wants to meet you and Thea.

“She says she has a message from Lana Satre. What should I do?”

“I’ll talk to Theo. Don’t let her in the main house. Theo doesn’t want anyone to enter this wing,”

I said.

“Okay, M ick went over to inform Blake.”

“Blake is here?”

“Yes, Mr. Jefferson informed Blake sir to stay back while leaving.”

“Okay.” Sherry left the room. I pulled out my phone and called Theo.

“Hello?”

“Hello, Theo. Iris is here to meet Thea and me. What should I do?”

“Don’t let her meet or see Thea. Is anyone with her?”

“I don’t know. Sherry came in to tell me. I don’t know if she’s alone or if she came with someone. But Sherry did tell that she is here with a message from Lana.”

“Blake’s in the mansion. I’ll call him and he will be there with you. Don’t panic. Go with Blake and meet her. Let Sherry and M ick stay with Thea in our room.

“Talk to Iris, hear what she has to say, but don’t let her overpower you.”

“Okay.”

“Iris knows how to read people’s minds. She has seen you and known you. But she doesn’t know the changes that have happened. Let her see that you have changed. I’ll handle the rest.

“This is the beginning of their plan. I have been waiting for Lana’s call. Please don’t show that

101 Thu, 29 ch là

the changes that have happened. Let her see that you have changed. I’ll handle the rest.

“This is the beginning of their plan. I have been waiting for Lana’s call. Please don’t show that you are nervous or anxious.”

I took a deep breath, hearing what he was saying.

“I hope you understand what I’m trying to tell you.”

“Yes, I understand. Don’t worry, I won’t let Iris have the upper hand. I’ll handle this. I’ll call you when she leaves.” I said.

“Okay, I’ll call Blake. He’ll see you before you two meet Iris. Blake and the men are there to protect you. If something happens or if Iris tries to do something, my men will take care of her.

“And they won’t touch even a single hair on your head.”

“Okay.”

I ended the call and waited for Blake. I went back to the closet to see Thea wearing the bags and looking at herself in the mirror.

“Flower, what do you think? Which one looks good on me?”

“The black looks good, baby,” I said as there was a knock on the door.

Sherry walked in while M ick and Blake stood outside.

“They cannot enter the room.”

“Why?” I ask.

“They do not want to enter the bedroom as it is Mr. Jefferson’s and yours. M ick will guard the room while I stay here with Thea,” Sherry said.

“Okay, thank you.”

I turned to look at Thea, who was already looking at me. “Flower, did something happen? Where are you going?” she asked, holding onto me.

“Nothing, baby, I’m just going out to meet some people. Don’t worry about anything. Sherry will be here. You can show her everything and try on my things again.”

She didn’t say anything but kept looking at my face. I patted her head before walking toward the door. M ick gave me a nod before closing the door.

Blake didn’t utter a word. I walked toward the waiting room with Blake and another man following me.

Blake was a tall man with a perfect b*dy. He was a judo player and knew mixed martial arts.

He must be good at them which is why he became Theo’s hodvouard.