Since the day Mr Avans publicly announced that his second daughter is engaged to Kai, I have always known that a day that Jack will be treated this way will come but I never knew that this day will come too soon. I had always thought that the greatest obstacle to Jack's relationship with Jasmine will be Jasmine herself since she doesn't love Jack. I had never imagined that a third wheel will come into the picture.

Steve thought as he stares at Jackson who was now burying himself in the bottle of whiskey in his hands.

From the day Jasmine came into our lives, JK has always regulated the way he drinks. With her temper, he knew that it is easy for her to get into trouble. He does not want a situation where he will not be able to protect her that is why he always drank little. Seeing him drink so much, I guess seeing Jasmine in another man's arms hurt him. The most painful part of all this is that Jasmine is treating him like a ghost. Because his love is unrequited he can't even voice out his displeasure.

Jeff thought as he stares at Jackson who was gulping down the whiskey like it was water.

They all drank in silence for ten minutes. From the moment Kai arrived, Catherine could notice the change in the guy's temperaments. Steve and Jeff who loves talking did not utter a word and she finds this strange.

"Jeff, what is wrong? Are you ok?" Catherine who could no longer tolerate their silence speak up.

"Nothing," Jeff said carefreely. He did not even stare at her while giving her a reply.

"Are you sure?" Catherine probe further. Jeff turned to face her when he saw how incessant she was.

"We organised this outing because we did not only want to celebrate your company's successful launching but because we wanted to also have a good time with Jasmine, but with Kai around I guess that is not possible," Jeff spoke his mind fearlessly.

"Why is it not possible with Kai around? Do you have a problem with him? Do you have a problem with Kai being here because you have romantic feelings for Jasmine?" Catherine asked when she saw how Jeff was acting like a guy who has been pampered all his life.

"What the heck are you saying? How could I possibly have feelings for her?" Jeff denied vehemently?

"Then tell me why Kai's presence affects you. I mean if Jasmine doesn't cause a major problem, she is gonna end up getting married to him so tell me what issue you have against her future husband?" Catherine asked in a very serious tone.

"That is because...,"

"Jackson, I can't believe it hasn't been long you last saw me and you are already this sad and heartbroken," A lady's melodic voice disrupted their conversation. Jackson raises his gaze from the bottle of whiskey in his hand. Jasmine who has been pretending to be asleep opened her eyes when she heard a lady's flirtatious voice. The moment she caught a glimpse of the person's face, she sat up straight. The way she acted was as if cold water has been splashed on her and Kai sitting beside her could see the sudden change in her expression.

"Do you know her?" Kai asked in low tones when he saw the murderous glances Jasmine was directing at the lady standing beside where Jackson was sitting.

"No," Jasmine said with a tone that carried a bit of annoyance.

What the heck is she doing here? Didn't she hear what I said to her earlier? She should know better not to provoke me because I am in no mood to tolerate her nonsense.

Jackson thought his cold gaze focused on Carmella whom he had chased away earlier.

"Who the heck is she? How dare she acts like that with JK?" Jeff asked no one in particular as he threw a piercing glance at Carmella who was smiling sweetly at Jackson.

"You guys don't know her? But she acts as if she has known Jackson for a long time," Catherine said on seeing Jeff's angry expression.

"We have never met her before," Jeff said before he turned to face the strange lady.

"Even though you don't show or say it, I know that you have missed my company," Carmella said as she signals Jackson to adjust so she could sit beside him.

"The seat isn't enough for three people. When the seat was the book we had no intention of accommodating an unknown guest so say what you've got to say while standing. If you are not cool with that then you are free to excuse yourself," Jasmine said harshly. Her dislike for the young lady was visible on her face.

She is the mean witch after all. If she had act even the slightest bit nicely, I would doubt whether she was the one. I would have thought that maybe the lady sitting there was her twin sister.

Carmella thought still maintaining her smiling face.

"Why do I have to stand when his laps are there to serve as my cushion?" Carmella asked as she put on her sweetest smile.

"You wouldn't dare?" Jasmine, Steve and Jeff chorused to the shock of the rest of the people on the table. Even Steve and Jeff were surprised to see Jasmine act this way.

Why is Jasmine acting overly mean to the young lady? I know that she always acts a bit differently this day each year but why do I find her attitude strange?

Catherine thought when she realises that Jasmine was acting the opposite of herself.

"If the owner of the legs doesn't complain then why does the three of you have a problem with me sitting on his legs?" Carmella asked. Everyone was waiting for Jackson to scold the impudent lady but his scolding never came and this left everyone confused.

He has always treated me coldly but why is his attitude towards her different? It is crystal clear he doesn't like her so why isn't he scolding her?

Jasmine thought angrily with a clenched fist.