"You might think that way but I am sure you would have hated me more than she did if you were in her shoes. And you are talking like this because you did not grow up in the same environment we did. No matter how hard she studied she could not outshine me and this caused her to suffer for over seven years. At each end of the academic term apart from being beaten verbally and physically, she was locked in her room until the beginning of another academic session. Can you imagine how scary that is?" Jasmine asked as she stares at him.

"Why did you say she suffered for seven years, didn't you both grow up in the same place?" Jackson asked curiously. To Jasmine, she did not realise that she was unknowingly telling Jackson about some of the crucial information he needed to know about her.

​​

"Seeing her weep in secret after being scolded severely always break my heart. The day I overheard my mum and father talked about sending my elder sister who was just twelve years old abroad because of her lack of improvement In her studies, I made up my mind to do something to prevent that from happening...,"

"And what crazy thing did our little princess do?" Jackson asked anxiously as he stares at her beaming face. From the way she smiled, he could tell that she came up with the worst solution.

"How did you know that I did something crazy?" Jasmine asked her smile broadening even more.

"Ice Prince, can you guess what position I took when the academic session came to an end?" Jasmine asked as she maintained her smiling face.

"I am terrible at guessing," Jackson said. Seeing her smile while talking about her past gladdens his heart.

"From 1st position I always took, I went to number twenty. My father couldn't believe his eyes when he saw my grades. He even thought that the teachers made a mistake. Not only until my teachers presented my exam scripts to him. He was angry but he vehemently believed that my grades will get better. Can you guess what position I took in the following academic session? Do you think that my grades improved like my father believed or not?" Jasmine questioned with glittering eyes. Jackson did not see what was amusing about what she said that made her smile so much.

"Since you were a born genius, of course, your grades would have definitely improved," Jackson said in a serious tone but his reply earned a burst of laughter from her.

"Hahaha.....," Jasmine laughter filled the car. Jackson could not help but wonder why she was laughing.

"You are wrong Ice Prince. Instead of improving, my grades worsen. From position 20th, I dropped to 50th. My father was so furious. If not for my mum and Nanny's intervention he would have beaten me to death. Can you believe that the next day I was hurriedly sent to my Grandma's place by mum because she was scared of what my father will do to me?" Jasmine asked as she stares at his frowning expression.

"Why did your grades dropped...,"

"Wait, don't tell me you went as far as deliberately making your grades drop?" Jackson who finally grasps what she was trying to say asked the obvious question.

"Bingo!" Jasmine remarked still smiling.

"You are crazy to have done such a thing," Jackson said. Even after hearing it from her, he still finds it hard to believe that a girl of her age back then would think about doing such a big thing.

"Yeah you are right about that, I have always been crazy since childhood. She wasn't only my sister or best friend but she was also my only companion since we were strongly warned against making friends. I loved her a lot that is why the thought of not having her around scared me," Jasmine said.

"Thinking back now, I guess my sister was right when she said I was the type to turn right when my parents say I should turn left," Jasmine concluded with mixed feelings.

"Why did she treat you so badly when you did so much for her? You did not hesitate to become the bad girl for her sake...,"

"Although my intentions were not seen by her I have never regretted what I did for her and I think being the bad girl suits me most, don't you agree with me?" Jasmine asked as she shifted closer to him without any warnings. Her sudden closeness took Jackson aback but he soon raises his hand and pats her hair.

"You are not only an angel but also a rare gem. I am very proud of you," Jackson said as he continues patting her hair. He did not know how much that compliment meant to Jasmine.

Jackson quickly retracted his hand when he saw the way she stares at him. He could not believe what he had just done.

"You did not have to retract your hand just because you feel guilty for not letting me touch your hair. I am not as stingy as you and besides, it feels great to finally get complimented by someone close to me after so long," Jasmine said before she turned and face her front.

"Let's go. I can't wait to tell the guys about the good news," Jasmine said as she urged him to ignite the car. Jackson did as she wanted. He drove back to Steve's mansion.

"Surprise... I have good...," Jasmine who just entered the sitting room and saw Jeff drinking paused. From the expression on his face, she could tell that he was in a bad mood.

"Steve, what is wrong with our ever-playful Jeff?" Jasmine asked as she approached them. When she reached the couch the two guys were sitting on, she sat beside the unhappy Jeff on his right-hand side. Jackson sat on the opposite couch.

"I don't know. He has been drinking since he arrived here and what drives me crazy is the fact that he hasn't uttered a word to me," Steve relayed with gritted teeth.