Chapter 3
Monica pouted, grumbling nonstop.
"It's all that damn fish girl's fault. She got you hurt and messed up our dinner.
"Next time we run into her, I'm definitely going to teach her a real lesson," Monica complained.
My stomach was in knots, and I leaned over the bed, retching.
"Jazmine, you're already like this. How can you still get involved with those people?" Jonathan said with a sigh.
I looked up and saw Jonathan, my visiting staff, walk in, worry written all over his face as he poured me a glass of water.
Once the water went down, my stomach finally settled a bit.
"I've been telling you not to go back to the market and set up your stall. You only had a few months left, and now with all this mess, who knows if you'll even make it through Christmas?" Jonathan sighed.
I wiped the cold sweat from my forehead and kept quiet.
If I didn't go to the market, I couldn't even afford my medicine.
Jonathan sighed, his voice full of concern.
"The hospital just got some new imported meds. Maybe you should think about it. It might keep you going for another month or two," he said gently.
I nodded, but inside, I could only force a bitter smile.
Money could buy me more time, but there was no way I could ever afford it, not in this lifetime.
The phone rang, pulling me back to reality.
I glanced down. It was that number I'd never forget, not even if I died.
"Jazmine, you can't even afford to stay alive now? The hospital's been chasing me for your bills," Lorenzo snapped.
His tone was nasty, and he just kept laying into me, nonstop.
I glanced at my phone, feeling sheepish as those nagging payment reminders popped up.
"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't even be stuck in this hospital. Shouldn't you be the one footing the bill?" I shot back.
I could practically feel Lorenzo's exasperation through the phone.
"If I hadn't already paid, do you think I'd be calling you right now?
"Jazmine, just look at you, you reek of money these days.
"Honestly, I have no idea what I ever saw in you," Lorenzo sneered.
Back then, Lorenzo was beaten within an inch of his life, and I grabbed a knife, scaring those thugs away.
Everyone called me a reckless wild woman who didn't care about her own life.
But Lorenzo was the only one who held me close, his eyes gentle.
"Jazmine, I've never met a girl as brave and fearless as you in my whole life," he said softly.
We stood back to back, beating the crap out of every punk in the area until they all backed off.
Lorenzo threw his arm around my shoulders, swaggering with pride.
"From now on, nobody on this street's ever gonna mess with us again.
"Jazmine, when I've made a name for myself, no one in this world will ever lay a finger on you," he declared.
Those memories ripped open old wounds, and without realizing it, tears streamed down my face.
The love we had back then ended up as just cold stares now.
Maybe for him, ten years was just a number.
But for me, it was a hurt that never goes away.
"Quit acting deaf, I know you're there," Lorenzo snapped.
I wiped away my tears and pulled myself together.
"Yeah, I heard you. We're done. Don't ever call me again," I said coldly.
With that, I hung up and walked out of the hospital.
Now that my spot was gone, I had nowhere left to go.
Lorenzo used to say to me all the time, if we ever ran out of cash, we'd just drift together.
But having to be out on the streets on Christmas Day really sucks.
I was just drifting along the street when I caught sight of a steakhouse.
Lorenzo always used to say that when he finally had some cash, he'd take me out for a real feast.
Funny thing was, I still didn't know what steak even tasted like.
I stood outside for ages, then finally said 'screw it' and went in.
Not like I'd got many days left, so I blew my cash on a little happiness.
The steak was served up in no time, and I picked up the knife and fork, feeling a bit curious, fiddling with them like it was my first time.
Just as I was about to take my first bite, a shrill voice sounded right next to me.
"Well, look who it is, the fish girl. What brings you here? Taking a day off from gutting fish?" Monica taunted.
I looked up and saw Monica watching me with that smug, mocking smirk.
Lorenzo glanced my way, then quickly looked away and headed over to pay the bill.
I let out a cold laugh. "What's it to you?"
Monica looked thoughtful for a second, then suddenly swiped my steak right off the table.
My sweater was instantly drenched in sauce, and the plate shattered all over the floor.
"Looks like it is now," Monica said with a smirk.
"What the hell are you trying to pull, Monica?" I snapped.
I slammed my hand on the table and shot to my feet, fury boiling inside me.
Monica just snickered, looking at me like I was beneath her.
"You think you can actually afford a steak that costs 300 dollars? I'm just helping you save your money," she sneered.
I was seething, but before I could react, Monica suddenly whipped out a fat stack of cash and slammed it down on the table, showing off.
"Jazmine, aren't you desperate for money? All you gotta do is thank me, and this pile is yours.
"Say it like you mean it, and make it loud. I want the whole place to hear you," she smirked.
She gave Lorenzo, who was still at the register, a quick look, then leaned closer and whispered.
"I've heard all about you and Lorenzo.
"Tell me, what makes someone like you think you deserve to be by his side for ten years?
"Jazmine, I'm going to make sure you lose a little more dignity every time, right in front of him, until you've got nothing left but shame." Monica hissed.
All those years of pent-up resentment finally exploded inside me. I couldn't hold it back any longer.
Monica snickered, "Come on, hurry up. I was throwing cash at you. What are you waiting for?"
I said coldly, "Lorenzo and I have been over for a long time. What do you even get out of this?"
Monica just shrugged, not bothered at all. "Nothing, really. I just can't help but laugh when I see my boyfriend's ex trying so hard to please me."
"Oh," I said, deadpan.
"Enjoy it while you can. Because that smile's not gonna last," I shot back.