The dining room glowed with the light from the chandelier. Beautiful chinaware and golden ware were set on the table. Ariel added the finishing touches by placing fresh lilies in the center of the table and surrounding it with lighted candles. Luna stood at the corner of the room and watched Ariel do what she knew how to do best. Jasper walked in with a plain expression on his face, his hands fixed in his pockets as he strolled to one of the seats at the dining table and sat comfortably. Luna followed suit, but she sat opposite Jasper. Sophia walked into the room like royalty, her eyes scanning the details of the setup of the dining. She curved her small lips and smirked, nodding her head simultaneously in approval.“At least someone in this house understands the importance of presentation. You've done well, Ariel," Sophia mentioned as she sank into the chair at the head of the table.“Thank you, Mrs. Mason. I wanted everything to look perfect for your first dinner here after a very
“What did you just say, ma’am?” Ariel asked curiously.“Yes, Ariel. I want to leave. Can’t you see what I’m going through? I know I need the money for my mother’s treatment, but all these insults are uncalled for.” Luna cried out, tears rushing out of her eyes as the pains she felt speculated around her body.“I know exactly how you feel, ma’am, I—”"No, you don’t, Ariel. Stop saying you know how I feel because you don’t. Every day I try hard to make Jasper see my worth and love me for who I am, but what do I get in return, rejection? I get rejected over and over again. Do you know how that feels? And now, his mother dislikes me totally. How in the world am I to cope? How Ariel?” She bent her head over the table and cried out her heart. Ariel went close to her and parted her back while she lamented in pain. “It burns in my chest, Ariel; I just want it to stop. Please make it stop, please... She spoke in between sobs.“Please, don’t let it break you, ma’am. You’re stronger than this.
Luna was shocked to hear Jasper's voice; she never expected he'd come to his study that night. She quickly closed the journal, clutched it to her chest, then turned to face him.“Are you dumb or what? I just asked you a question.” Jasper asked with a wild look; his veins visibly bulged out as he boiled in anger.“I-I I'm sorry, Jasper; I didn't mean to intrude but—” Luna paused, her hands trembling; she didn't know what to say so as not to piss him off."But what, Luna? What exactly are you doing here?“I… I needed to understand, Jasper. I was confused; so many thoughts came to my head; I felt lost at some point, and I needed answers. I didn't know what came over me, but I felt I could get answers here.” Luna let it all out; the words poured from her heart.“You needed answers? Answers to what exactly? Jasper asked coldly.“I'm sorry, Jasper, but I found this in your drawer." Luna moved sideways and dropped the journal on the desk. The expression on Jasper's face darkened, he clenched
The next morning, the sunlight shone through the tall windows, casting a warm glow into the dining room. Ariel moved briskly between the dining room and the kitchen, arranging breakfast. She had woken late that day, and it was quite unusual. Luna entered quietly; she wore a lavender dress that flowed behind her as she moved.“Good morning, ma'am.” Ariel greeted Luna with a warm smile.“Good morning, Ariel. Has Jasper gone to work?” “No, ma’am, he hasn’t come down for breakfast yet,” Ariel replied as she wiped her hands on her apron, her face holding her usual cheerful expression.“Jasper? He’s usually gone to work by now.” Luna replied, looking a bit surprised. “That’s… unusual.” Luna tilted her head.Ariel shrugged slightly, then continued setting the table. The last thing she wanted to experience was Sophia's early morning wrath. Luna took her seat and reached for the jug of orange juice when the sound of approaching footsteps made her pause. Her heart skipped, then raced afterward
After finishing breakfast, Luna decided to walk around in the garden. Since she was grounded, the garden has been one of the few places in the mansion where she found solace. She usually went there to calm her nerves, but today she went there to let in the peace she had always longed for. The neatly trimmed flowers and the calm sound of water falling from the central fountain made the environment serene with suited her mode. She strolled along the stone path as her thoughts replayed her encounter with Jasper at breakfast. “Was that all a show or has there sincerely been a shift?” she mumbled beneath her breath.Just then, her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of heels clicking against the stones on the path. Luna’s heart sank as she turned and stood face-to-face with Sophia. She might have dealt with Jasper’s cold nature a bit, but Sophia’s torment was not what she needed at the moment. Sophia wore a spotless ivory suit, and her face carried an unreadable look, although there was
Jasper ignored their reactions. “We need to lock in our key suppliers and clients with multi-year agreements before Gregor gets to them. Contracts that offer performance-based bonuses, fast delivery guarantees, early payment discounts, and possibly special benefits for our top-tier partners.“Hmm.. it’s not a bad strategy at all. This suggestion shifts the conversation from price wars to value-added benefits.” Harriet said thoughtfully.“And it puts the pressure back on Gregor. I don’t think he can compete on speed or reliability without cutting his margins.” Evans chipped in as he scribbled something in his notebook.“Plus, it plays to the tone of Maksoft Technology's strengths. We might not be the top tech company, but we’ve been known for our efficiency.”“And our charm, of course.” Evans grinned at his joke.“Try to contain your charm, Evans,” Jasper replied, dressing forward on his seat.Harriet laughed slightly, while Evans pretended to be angry as both of them stared at each ot
The Maksoft Technology conference room had activities going on. Evans and Harriet prepared for their presentation session with Jasper. The room had a slight scent of freshly brewed coffee; the humming sound from the projector filled the room as Harriet and Evans tested the presentation slides. A few minutes later, Jasper walked into the room, his black suit hung perfectly on his body as he walked to the head of the conference room table, pulled out a seat, and sat down.“Right on time, boss.” Evans hailed as he adjusted his suit and straightened himself.“Good. Spare me the formalities—I want updates and results. Let's get to it. What do you have for me?” Jasper said as he opened the documents that were laid on the table before him.“Oh, you’re going to love this, boss,” Evans replied as he leaned back in his chair.“We’ve been working hard on rolling out the loyalty program to the top ten suppliers. Here’s where we stand as of today.” Harriet smoothed her blazer as she stood up to pr
Back at the mansion, Luna was seated in the sunroom with a book in her hand. Aareil entered with a tray of tea; she had a warm smile on her face. “Hello ma’am, you’ve been quiet today. Mind to share what you’ve been thinking about?” Ariel asked as she gently placed the tray on the stool beside Luna.“Well, I’m just reflecting, I guess,” Luna replied with a faint smile as she closed the book and set it aside.“Reflecting? Hmm.. On what exactly?”“On how strange life can be. I never imagined myself here, in this house, with... him.”“I admit that Mr. Jasper is difficult, yes, but I think you’ve broken a bit of the code. You’ve managed to get through to him in ways no one else has.”“I have?” Luna asked, chuckling softly.“Of course you have. Haven’t you noticed the way he looks at you recently? Well, if you haven’t, I have noticed his unusual movements. He even listens to you in ways he doesn't listen to anyone.” Ariel replied as she poured the tea into the teacup and handed it over to
Victoria's voice gave Jasper pause. He pinched the bridge of his nose with his left hand, with his back turned to her. “The meeting is over, Victoria. Any observation or suggestion should have been brought up during the meeting. We would have analyzed them with the help of all members of our joint team. Cohesion is our watchword. And for that to be achieved, all members should table their concerns during general meetings.” Jasper stated bluntly and a bit curtly.Victoria leaned back in her chair, the polished mahogany desk between her and Jasper. She sighed, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “ The meeting addressed all my concerns. I don't have any suggestions or observations. I asked you to stay back because of another matter.” Victoria said with a sigh, she suddenly looked tired. Jasper turned and saw the look of worry on her face, he could tell that she had been battling some internal demons. He approached the desk and sat down opposite her .Victoria continued sol
Jasper woke up with a start. He heaved a sigh of relief as he pinched the bridge of his nose, while staring at the ceiling. He looked at Luna. She was sleeping peacefully, her face angelic and calm as her chest rose and dropped with each steady breath. Jasper sat up gently, left the bed and walked over to a chair situated in the corner of the room. He sat down with a huff and pressed his fingers to his temples. He had been dreaming. Dreaming about being chased in the forest by masked gunmen. “Luke was right. Trauma, if bottled up, would eventually fester and be problematic in the future.” Jasper whispered to himself. He looked at the wall clock mounted on the wall opposite him. He had to prepare for work. He had a team meeting with Victoria Stefan. With a heavy heart and mind, he stood up and walked out of the room. Before he closed the door, he looked at Luna once again. She stirred once, but was soon fast asleep. He closed the door quietly behind him and walked towards his own ro
Luna crawled slowly, sizing Jasper up as she went. She was like an entirely new being. She felt powerful, she felt invincible. She wanted to imprint her insignia on something, someone. She watched Jasper, enjoying the look of panic that was evident on his face. He tried his best to mask his emotions, but she could read through. Like a primal beast, she could smell it.He was unnerved. As she got closer to him, she could smell his musk, stimulating and erotic. She could see the tent in his pants. He looked uncomfortable and she knew the effect that she had on him at that moment. She felt powerful indeed. She climbed onto his laps and straddled him. His member poked at her butt. It was hard and ready. She gently and rhythmically moved her butt over it, stimulating herself and him. A throaty moan escaped Jasper's lips as he grabbed her butt, his fingers digging into the fabric of her shorts. He pulled her close, squeezing her butts aggressively.Jasper attempted to flip her over, but sh
"Who is Victoria?" The question was repeated. Luna’s voice was soft, but there was an edge to it.Jasper studied her closely, her arms were loosely crossed, eyes searching his face. She wasn’t angry. She was… concerned. That made it worse."Victoria is the CEO of Frontier Space, a tech firm that I recently signed a contract with. Her firm embodies the qualities that I need in order to propel my firm to greater heights." Jasper explained. "We have a team meeting tomorrow and she just wanted to check in."Luna nodded slowly. There was a look of hurt on her face, but she quickly straightened up. “Okay. That's all?” There was no accusation in her tone. But Jasper felt it like a weight on his chest. He walked toward her, reaching for her hand, but she didn’t take it immediately."It's strictly business.” He stated. “ And I wasn't entirely forthcoming with the truth. Remember the whole Mali situation? The attempted kidnapping? Well, she was also a victim. We managed to escape together. Her
“Jasper” Victoria said with a seductive tone. “I was beginning to think that you were avoiding me.” She stated.Jasper sighed. “Victoria, now's not a good time.” He said, rubbing his forehead.“Oh?” She hesitated. “You sound off. Is everything okay?”Jasper exhaled. He didn’t want to explain. Didn’t want to open that door. “It's personal. What do you need?”“Well,” she huffed, “your secretary hasn't contacted mine about the team meeting. I've been waiting, Jasper.”Jasper shut his eyes. He tried to steady his breath. His emotions were almost overwhelming. “I'll look into it.” He stated flatly.Victoria could feel the gloom in Jasper's voice. “Jasper, what's the problem?” She inquired softly. There was silence on Jasper's end of the call. Victoria could hear his attempt at stabilizing his breaths. After a moment of tense silence, Jasper replied. “My wife's mother just died. Today has been a rollercoaster of a day.” “My condolences to your wife.” Victoria stated, remorse evident in he
The hospital air was thick with antiseptic and grief, a suffocating combination that made Luna’s chest tighten as she and Jasper hurried down the long, sterile corridor. Each step felt heavier than the last. The beeping of machines, the hushed murmurs of nurses, the distant sound of someone sobbing—it all blurred together as she approached the ICU. Jasper was right beside her, his hand firmly holding hers, his grip strong yet gentle. But even his warmth couldn’t stop the dread curling in her stomach. As they reached the nurses' station, Elizabeth, her mother’s caregiver, stood waiting. The sorrow in her eyes was enough to send Luna into a panic. No. No. No. Elizabeth stepped forward, her hands trembling. “Luna…” she started, voice thick with emotion. Luna’s breath hitched. “Where is she?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Elizabeth’s lips quivered, “I’m so sorry. She’s gone.” The world around her tilted. “No,” Luna whispered, stepping back, shaking her head.
Luna was finally discharged from the hospital. Jasper was there to pick her up himself. He spent a few minutes listening to the doctor drone about the need for her to get enough bedrest. Jasper thanked the doctor and promised to calm him if any complications arose. Jasper helped Luna get into the car. After that, they drove off towards Jasper's mansion, home.The drive home was quiet and uneventful. Occasionally, Jasper had to glance over at Luna to make sure that she was okay. The silence in the car was unnerving. Jasper sighed. Knowing Luna, Jasper had an idea of what was eating her up. “Bunny. Is it Mali?” He asked gently and he reached for her hands with his free one. Luna turned to face him. Tears were welling up in her eyes. She nodded her head and the tears dripped down her face. She was shaking. “ You said you almost didn't make it out of Mali… I'm trying to come to terms with my life without you… I know ……I don't …I…I …” she broke down in tears. Jasper parked the car, jer
Jasper adjusted the cuffs of his tailored suit, taking a deep breath before stepping out of the car. He stood at the entrance of his building's door. It felt strange being back after so long. He chuckled silently to himself. “Damn. I can't believe that it's only been a week of absence but it felt like decades.” Jasper whispered to himself.He pushed the door and stepped in. The moment he walked through the glass doors, a wave of applause erupted."Welcome back, boss!" someone called."Good to have you here, sir," another added.Jasper was surprised. He wasn't expecting any form of rehearsed welcome. He had only been gone for a week. Nevertheless, he smiled and nodded in acknowledgment at his employees. The welcome was reassuring. The company had survived without him, but now, it was time to thrive. Jasper walked towards the elevator which was going to convey him to his office floor. Beverly, his secretary, stood up as he walked through the door.“Good morning sir. Welcome back. I hav
Luna blinked at him, struggling to gather strength. “I heard… Mali… terrorists…” Her voice was hoarse, her breathing shallow. “You could’ve died, Jasper.”Jasper squeezed her hand gently. “But I didn’t. I’m right here.”Tears welled in her eyes. “What if you don’t come back next time?”He brushed a strand of hair from her forehead. “Luna, listen to me. I’m not going anywhere. Mali was an impulsive decision which left a sour taste in my mouth. But moving forward, I promise to be more open with you” His voice softened. “I won’t let anything take me away from you.”Luna swallowed hard, her grip tightening around his fingers. “Promise me, Jasper.”“I promise.” His voice was firm, unwavering. “Always.”A soft sigh escaped her lips as exhaustion pulled her back into sleep. Jasper watched her for a long moment before looking up at Luke.Luke exhaled. “You really scared her, man.”Jasper nodded, his expression solemn. “I know.”And as the beeping of the heart monitor filled the silence once m