He’d chosen their home in the small town, she’d thought so she could live in a nicer area. She’d later learn he’d really chosen to live there so he could be the big man on campus. He liked lording his wealth over all those around him but she didn’t know any of that then. She’d been young and naïve. She’d learn in the next few months how much her father had kept from her.
Her mother died during childbirth so she’d never known her. Her father never remarried, though he dated a lot of women. None of them really acknowledged her presence so she didn’t get attached to any of them. Sometimes, she thought it would be nice to have a woman help her pick out a dress or teach her how to do her hair. The staff was great and always spoiled her a bit, which irritated her father.
She’d seen Derek in school from the time she was young but she really got to know him the summer before her senior year in high school. He’d been from the proverbial wrong side of the tracks. His family was dirt poor but he was always determined to make a success out of his own life and turn things around. He ended up helping her with her math and soon they were inseparable. She’d loved his hunger and motivation and the way he never talked down about anyone. She thought he was every one of her fairytales come to life.
She found she was spending every waking moment with him. When her father found out she was dating a boy from the poor side of town he’d been furious and demanded her to end the relationship. It was the first time in her life her father told her she couldn’t have something she wanted. It also was the first time she’d defied him.
She’d been stubborn, putting her foot down and continued to see Derek behind her father’s back. She loved that he seemed to like her for her and not her money. He wouldn’t let her spend money on him, ever. He worked hard for a construction company, which would frustrate her at times, because she wanted him to be with her and not at a job.
He’d just laugh but always made it up to her on the weekend. That last weekend they’d been together they snuck off and went camping in the woods. She’d made love to him for the first time. It was the most magical experience she’d ever had. He proposed marriage to her that night and she said yes. They were going to meet at the old abandoned church on the outside of town on Sunday and run away together. He’d been saving all his money and was heading to the city to make something of himself.
She’d gone home, after being gone all night and her father had been spitting he was so angry with her. She’d told him she was of legal age and could do what she wanted. She told her father she loved Derek and she was going to marry him. Her father had seemed to accept her decision, because he’d become eerily calm and kissed her on the cheek. That was a rare thing as he wasn’t normally a man to openly show affection.
He said she was right and he was proud of her for making adult decisions. He then asked if he could help with anything. She’d been so happy her dad accepted her decision she told him everything.
The next day she ended up being late to the church, because she had a few errands her dad had asked her to do for him. She knew she had the rest of her life with Derek so she could wait a couple of hours to run away with him. She knew he’d wait for her. She was confident in their relationship.
She got to the church and was surprised he wasn’t there but figured he’d gotten busy like her. She waited and then waited some more. She sat there all afternoon until she finally accepted he wasn’t coming as the sun started to set in the sky.
She’d dragged herself home, crying the entire way. When she walked into the house and her father saw her, he’d taken her into his arms and asked her what was wrong. She’d cried against him and finally told him Derek hadn’t shown up.
He continued to stroke her back and tell her everything was okay. He’d explained to her he never trusted the boy and that’s why he’d been so overprotective. She never suspected her father had anything to do with Derek not arriving.
Derek left the hotel and was thinking back to that summer as well but his memories were far different from those of Jasmine’s. He had so much bitterness about that day but if he really thought back to it that’s what shaped him into the man he was now.
He’d fallen head over heels for the girl. He’d never thought he was worthy of dating someone as amazing as her but he was determined to make himself so. When he ended up helping her with her school work and found a connection together, he was unable to stay away from her.
He thought she was so different from the other kids who had money. Her family was the richest in town and her father reveled in that fact. He walked around in his custom made suits and drove his expensive cars. Hell, the man’s house was a showpiece so all the people lower than him could worship at his doorstep.
When he and Jasmine made love for the first time and he’d realized she’d given him her most sacred gift, he was overwhelmed. He proposed right away and decided to run away with her, to do the right thing.
He planned on heading to the city and making something of himself so he could continue to give her all the things she was used to. He wanted to make sure she never went without anything. He wanted to place her on a throne and spoil her rotten. He’d do or give her anything she wanted.
He’d shown up at the church full of naïve teenager dreams and one bag. When he heard approaching steps he’d turned in anticipation. His heart sunk at the sight of her father. The man approached with a sympathetic smile plastered on his face.
“Derek, I’m sorry but Jasmine asked me to come and speak with you,” David had stated. Derek didn’t understand why she’d send her father. “Jasmine said she couldn’t face you but she didn’t want to leave here. I have some cash here to help you on your way. She said you planned to go to the city and I want to help you get there,” he said with that same smile on his face.
Derek felt like his world was falling out underneath him. The man pulled out an envelope loaded with hundred dollar bills. He held it out towards Derek. David was trying to pay him off. It was as if he was saying, thanks for entertaining my daughter but your services are no longer needed.
“I don’t want your money,” Derek spat at him. David continued holding the envelope out, like he couldn’t believe the kid from the wrong side of town wouldn’t jump at having that much cash.
“Jasmine was hoping this would appease your feelings and help you get on with your life,” David had the gall to say.