Jasmine

My phone rings, waking me out of a very restful sleep. I grab it but end up missing the call. Seeing that I have several missed calls and texts from my sister Ellie I call her. The last time this happened was a year ago when my mother walked out putting us in this tight position. The very one that has me here in some guys hotel room.

“Where have you been? It’s almost eleven in the morning, and you still aren’t home. You said you were working the overnight shift, but you would have been home by seven if that were the case. I called the diner Jasmine, but they said they hadn’t seen you since your last shift which was yesterday morning. So, tell me oh wise and older sister, is everything okay?” When she finally stops talking she’s breathing heavily. I start laughing, picturing her red face and glaring eyes.

“Stop laughing! I thought you were dead!” She shouts through the phone.

“I’m sorry El, I can’t help it.”

“It’s rude to laugh at people when they have been worried out of their minds about you.”

Shit, she’s right. Ever since Mom left, she’s been more protective of me. Sobering up I clear my throat and begin again. “I shouldn’t have laughed. Look El, I’ll be home in about an hour then I’ll tell you all about my night, by the end you’ll be the one laughing at me. Just know that I’m fine and safe. Love you, Bug.”

“Love you too, sis.” She says before hanging up.

I set my phone back down on the nightstand and then get a good look around the suite that is dark and silent. It finally dawns on me that Ford isn’t here. What the hell happened last night? I can’t believe I just went up to some guys room with him and then fell asleep.

Looking down at my ankle I see that it is now wrapped with an Ace bandage. I wonder when Ford did that? Trying my ankle, I can tell that it’s still sore, but I’ll be able to make it to the lobby if I go slow. One thing is for sure, there’s no way in hell I’ll be walking in those heels. Doing the best I can to put most of my weight on my other foot, I walk around the suite grabbing everything that is mine. I stop when I see a note addressed to me.

Jasmine,

I had a few errands to run. I’ll be back soon. Please order breakfast and give me a call. 678-555-3980

Yours,

Ford

Yeah right, that’s not happening. A man like Ford Stone should be with the kind of women I saw at the ball last night, not someone like me who works at a diner selling pie and dinner specials. I stuff the note into my purse before walking to the door. Last night did not turn out the way I thought it would, and now I’m in the same boat I was in before. I was so silly to think I could find a husband to take away all my troubles. I’m going to need to figure something out fast because if I don’t, the caseworker that’s been keeping an eye on Ellie is going to place her in a home. She told me two weeks ago she would be back after Christmas to reevaluate our situation. I have no idea how to make it out of this mess and Mom hasn’t been answering her phone.

It takes me a few painful minutes, but I’m able to make it to the elevator. Once I’m down in the lobby, I order an Uber and wait, not so patiently, for it to arrive.

“Hello, my name is Lulu, and I’m the manager at Serendipity Spa here at the Dream Sky Hotel. Are you Ms. Richards?” A woman about my age walks over and asks.

“How did you know that?”

“Mrs. Rothschild explained that we would be seeing you this morning and for us to take you back as soon as you came down.”

“Take me back where? No, I have to get back to my sister.”

A huge smile brightens her face. “Your sister is on her way now.”

“Lulu wait, what do you mean? I’m not trying to be a pain in the ass, but why would my sister be on her way?”

“Mrs. Rothschild is sending a driver to your home to pick her up. You’re both set up for the Serenity package today. Pedicures, manicures, a massage, facial, then finally hair and makeup. A full day of beauty right before Christmas. What could be better than that?”

I have no way of paying for something so extravagant. She must read my expression because she’s quick to assure me that the bill has already been taken care of.

I try and stand but my ankle gives out, and I stumble a little. “Sorry about that I’m a little bit broken this morning.”

“No worries, we have some crutches in the back that someone left, do you want me to grab them for you?”

“Could you? That would be amazing!”

My phone buzzes in my purse and I pull it out to see a text from Ellie.

Ellie: Some guy just showed up at the apartment and said he’s here to pick me up and take me to you. He’s driving a fancy black car.

Ellie: Should I go with him? He gave me his card. He looks legit.

Me: Yes, I’ll see you soon and explain what I can.

Ellie: Got it. See you soon.

Lulu comes back with two crutches and helps me to adjust the height. Once I’m all set, she grabs my purse and shoes, and I follow her back to the spa I didn’t notice when I walked in last night for the Christmas Ball. I had such high hopes for last night, and it all went to shit. Speaking of which, I need to get a hold of Delilah and figure out what is going on. I probably shouldn’t accept such an extravagant gift, but I can’t help it. I don’t know the next time I’ll ever be able to do something like this.

“Go on back to the second door on your right. We’re going to start you out with a massage. Selene is back there and will take excellent care of you.”

I smile and make my way back to the room. Once the massage is over, I’m feeling more relaxed than I ever have. Selene leaves me clothes to change into. I pull on the softest pair of heather grey knee-length leggings and a white camisole. There’s also a white long sleeve shirt with the spa’s name on the front. When I come out, Lulu is waiting for me.

“Your sister is here. She’s just about finished with her facial and then she’ll be out to join you for manis and pedis. There’s a mimosa waiting for you just over here.”

“I probably shouldn’t, I’m not old enough to drink that, and I don’t want to get you in trouble.”

“How old are you?”

“I’ll be twenty-one in a few months.”

“I won’t tell if you don’t. Plus, it’s your special day, a little champagne won’t hurt.” She says winking and walking away.

I sit down in the chair meant for me and drop my feet into the steaming water. My ankle begins to throb immediately, so I lift it out.

“No, no. Put your foot back in. I’m going to add some oils to make the swelling and pain go down.” An older woman says coming to sit in front of me. “I’m Sandy by the way.”

“Nice to meet you, Sandy, I’m Jasmine.”

“Oh, I know, Hon. You’ve got everyone talking.”

I’m about to ask what she means when she puts some drops into the hot water making my feet tingle. After a few minutes, my ankle is feeling much better. “Wow, what is that stuff?”

She winks at me. “Just a little Christmas magic, dear. You should be right as rain after it’s done soaking. I’ll give you the bottle before you leave. Just a few drops in the bath and soak it for twenty minutes a night. After a week, you won’t notice a thing.”

“Are you some Christmas Fairy Godmother?” I laugh and then realize what I just said. “I mean-”

She laughs. “I know I’m old, there was no offense taken.”

I watch as she works on my feet until Ellie walks out with a glass similar to mine and sits beside me. I raise my brow at her, and she shakes her head. “Relax, it’s only orange juice.”

Happy that my sister isn’t joining me in underage drinking “How was your facial?”

“It was heavenly, like the best feeling ever.” Leaning over she whispers, “How are we going to pay for all of this?”

I shrug my shoulders. “It’s all been taken care of?”