Chapter Eighteen
1395 Words
Kiara
For the next few days, I didn't see Jasper at the restaurant and that made me wonder if he had changed his mind about dating me. It was noon when I was helping the cook in the kitchen when the bell above the entry door dinged.
Colin nodded at me, indicating me to attend the table so I picked up the menu card and made my way out of the kitchen. Jasper was seated at table five, looking out of place. His intense eyes darting around the room, probably trying to locate me. I was just a taken aback but had expected him to show up.
I had contemplated packing up and leaving but realized Jasper would find me in hell if he had a chance and honestly, I didn't have enough money to travel or find a new place. I wanted to save the money that I had from when I sold the earrings I received from Jasper.
I walked towards his table and plastered my most polite smile. "Good Evening sir, here's the menu." I handed him the menu. "I'll be back in a few minutes to take your order."
I sent my co-worker Chloe to take his order, but she walked into the staffroom a minute later.
"He says he will not order anything unless it is you." Chloe said. "Is that your ex?"
I nodded.
She fanned herself dramatically. "He is hot as f**k, almost looks like a Hollywood actor. So, why the hell did you break up?"
"Chloe!" Colin yelled at her. "Get back to work. There's enough time for gossip after you are done with your shift."
Chloe groaned and rolled her eyes. "I need details, Kiara."
"Chloe..." Colin warned her again.
"Alright. I get it." She threw him a look and continued to brush off the dirt that was invisible to the naked eye.
I sighed and made my way to Jasper's table. He appeared to be impatient.
"Have you decided what you would like to order?" I asked him.
He looked straight at me and said. "I'm not here to eat. I just want to talk to you."
"Well, I have work." I reminded him.
"It won't take long. Please."
He was using the word please.
I bit my lip. And before I could answer, Colin walked towards the table. I wondered if he had sensed the tension. "Is there a problem?"
Jasper's stare got ice cold, and the softness that I had seen a while ago was getting clouded by menace. "You tell me. We were just talking."
Colin tried to match Jasper's hard stare but I knew Jasper would win this show of epic stare-down. "Look, I think she made it clear last time that she didn't want you here, and I see you here even when she told you off clearly which tells me that you are causing us trouble. Here's a question, do I need to involve the police?"
Jasper chuckled. If Colin was smart, he would let this go. I placed my hand on Colin's shoulder to tell him to shut up before it was too late.
"Mr. Davis, I really appreciate you looking out for my girl, but that doesn't mean it gives you or anyone the right to insinuate that I'm a criminal. I was just merely persuading my girlfriend, trying to fix the misunderstandings."
"I would call it stalking rather than persuading. And I do have proof." Colin said.
I decided to jump in. "Colin, it's okay. He was just talking."
"Are you sure it's alright, Kiara?"
I nodded. "Yes."
"Whatever it is that you need to talk, take it outside." Colin said and walked away.
Outside in the parking lot, we stood by his car which was a new shiny red Maserati. I wanted to believe he had brought it to impress me.
"I'm sorry about Colin. He gets a bit defensive sometimes."
"Did you tell him everything?" Jasper asked.
It took me a while to realize what he was talking about. Jasper was talking about the awful things he put me through. I had shut off myself after I had left Lucas's house that I swore to never talk about it. Plus, I didn't have enough proof to take it to the police.
"I didn't." I assured him.
He nodded. "So did you give it a thought?"
I shook my head. "I need time to think. The things you did to me...I can't just forget it and start dating you. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Jasper glanced away like he was guilty. "I said I was sorry, what else do you want me to do?"
"Sorry isn't going to cut it, Jasper." I told him as I folded my arms across my chest.
Jasper kicked the door of the car hard, but it was a good thing the car could withstand such a harsh blow. His jaw hardened, his fingers were balled into fists.
"We could argue all day, or you could promise to give me an answer the next time I walk into your restaurant. What's it gonna be? Because like I said before, I can be very persuasive."
"I need more time, Jasper." I said.
He threw me one last look and was on his way. The Maserati screeched when it pulled away from the parking lot.
That night I made myself a hot cup of cocoa and curled on the bed with a book. It was a Friday night and Chloe had called a dozen times during the evening that she was going to stay the night at my apartment for a girls night and that she wanted to know all the dirty secrets I had in store.
I was happy to oblige since I was running low on friends. Chloe was a bit clingy but she was nice. I ordered a pizza and found a classic horror movie. Good thing Colin left his TV behind.
The doorbell rang and I glanced at the clock, it was just after ten p.m. She was right on time. I threw open the door without looking into the peephole and instantly regretted it.
Jasper was at the door looking out of place. He smiled and then staggered which is when I knew he was drunk. He was also holding a massive bouquet of red roses.
"You're drunk." I said.
He walked into the room and handed me the flowers, I placed them on the coffee table. And all of a sudden, slumped into me, burying his nose in my neck.
He smelled of the familiar expensive perfume mixed with a hint of alcohol. His strong arms wrapped around me tightly as he pulled me against him.
I tried to wiggle free. "Jasper, please..."
He pulled away just a bit to press his finger to my lips. "Shh...Shhh." I stared at his face in all his drunken glory. His blue eyes were dilated to a darker shade. "Jus wanna talk, baby." He slurred.
"I told you I need time to think." I said.
"How much time do you need?!" he asked me calmly.
I was speechless, because honestly, I had no answer to that. I spent a disturbing amount of my time wondering how I was going to answer that question.
He cupped my face in his hands. "Look at me, baby. Don't you see how sorry I am?"
"Jasper, I...."
"Don't you understand how much I love you?"
He continued. "One chance, baby. Just one. It's all I'm asking from you."
"Only on one condition." I blurted out.
"Anything you want." He assured me.
"No rules this time. No rules and no benefits. None of that bullshit." I said.
To my surprise, I watched Jasper nod his head. "If that's what you want, that's what you will get. Absolutely no rules."
Before I could continue, Jasper staggered, fell on my bed and passed out.
This was going to be a long night. I wasn't going to take a risk by sleeping tonight, not when there was a likely chance I would be sedated and wake up in the Lockhart mansion.
I pulled his shoes off and covered him in a warm blanket. I needed a mug of coffee. When I checked my phone, there was a text from Chloe.
Chloe: Babe, can't make it tonight. Sorry. Xx
I wish I'd seen that text sooner.
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- Writer
