Chapter 7

"Hmm … I have arrived right on time it seems," Jovan said as the rich aroma of cooking drifted from the dining room.

The unmarried man made his way there at once. He greeted Ernawati and Candra then nodded to Wina as she set food upon the table. Edwin meanwhile went straight to their room to change. His brow furrowed when he passed a servant carrying a tray still filled with untouched food.

"What is this?" he asked, confused. He had expected everyone gathered downstairs, yet this woman carried a fresh meal back from the upper floor.

"Ah well sir, Jasmin would not eat what was sent. I prepared another fresh serving but she would not open the door," the servant answered politely.

"I see." The woman nodded then hurried away.

Edwin turned toward their door. The freshly prepared meal sat waiting on a small stand just outside.

Does she intend to stay locked inside? he wondered. He gripped the handle and pushed the door open firmly. Jasmin sat within, startled. She had assumed it was the servant returning.

"Is that how you enter a room?"

"Have you no manners at all? People go out of their way to serve you and you show them no gratitude whatsoever," he snapped, ignoring her question. She lay upon the bed focused on her phone.

"Who asked them to? They need not have bothered. And do not speak to me of manners. Bursting in like this says far more about you," she retorted sharply, never lifting her eyes from the screen.

Edwin strode closer.

"Jasmin listen to me. I brought you here against your father's threats. Could you not at least respect this house? Or stop making everyone's life difficult with your behavior," he said, his voice low and heavy. Jasmin glared back. In truth she was very hungry. But the words she had overheard earlier had left her in no mood to eat.

"Leave me. I have no wish to argue with you now," she said.

"You are asking me to leave my own room?" Edwin's reply made her sit up straight.

"So you mean I am the one who should go?" Their eyes locked. Edwin looked away in distaste. She wore nothing but a thin tank top that revealed far too much.

Jasmin scoffed.

"If that is what it takes." Edwin glanced around the room. Wrappers and empty packages littered the floor. His room which was always neat and clean now looked messy and uncared for. Yet beneath her stubbornness he saw the truth. She was starving. She was just too proud to show it.

He stepped out then returned carrying the tray.

"Eat," he said setting it down beside the bed. She glanced at it then turned her back.

"I am not hungry and I do not need your pity," she said firmly.

Edwin's mouth curved in a dry smile.

"If you were not hungry there would not be wrappers scattered across my floor. And this is not just for you. It is for the child you carry. I simply will not have it said that I neglect you. I will not give your father any reason to complain about me," he said as he gathered fresh clothing and stepped into the bathroom.

Jasmin glanced sideways. The smell of the food was warm and inviting. She knew he spoke the truth. She was very hungry. But hurt and pride kept her from eating what someone else had prepared. It felt wrong to eat food sent by those who had spoken against her.

When Edwin emerged later he saw her sitting there eating fried chicken as though she had not seen food in days. She ate right there on the bed without a thought for how it might stain or soil the sheets.

"Is eating in bed a habit of yours now?" he asked, stepping out and closing the door before she could answer. Jasmin rolled her eyes.

Insufferable man.

Edwin went downstairs to the dining room where the others were finishing their meal.

"Hey why did you not bring your wife to join us? That is part of why I came. I wanted to meet her properly," Jovan protested pulling out a chair. Wina placed a plate before him and served his food.

"She prefers to eat in her room," Edwin said helping himself to chicken.

Jovan looked puzzled. "Why?"

Edwin did not like the question. "Do you wish to dine with her instead?"

"Ah no that is not what I meant." Jovan scratched his head.

"Then eat your food and ask fewer questions," Edwin replied.

"She has not eaten since midday," Ernawati said gently. She looked troubled.

Edwin gave a faint smile. "Let her be Mother."

"But still—"

"This chicken is excellent. You must have made it yourself," Edwin said quickly. Ernawati brightened.

"Yes Wina and I cooked it together. It is a shame Jasmin would not try any." She felt guilty. Her own words might have driven the girl away. She wanted to get to know her new daughter in law. But Jasmin was not easy to approach. And after what had been said earlier she would likely be even more distant.

Later Edwin stood on the balcony watching the stars shine bright and clear above. Candra and Ernawati had retired for the night. He sat with Jovan over warm cappuccino and small snacks.

"Are you not coming to bed? It is nearly ten. Your wife is waiting for you in there," Jovan teased. He was growing sleepy himself. The cappuccino had done little to keep him awake. He would be fast asleep the moment his head touched the pillow.

Edwin scoffed. Waiting for me? The idea was absurd.

"You are welcome to take my place if you are so eager."

Jovan's eyes went wide. He playfully punched Edwin's shoulder hard enough to make him wince.

"That is not funny my friend."

"Who is joking?" Edwin said quietly.

In his mind Jasmin was the sort of woman who would accept any man who offered to spend the night with her. The thought made him recoil. The idea of her with others sickened him. Why did it have to be someone like her who was now his wife?

A door opened and someone stepped out of the room. Jovan stared, his mouth falling open.

"W-wow …!"

He looked at Jasmin standing there, her clothing revealing far more than it should.