Jasper walked out of Jack's office feeling a bit relieved. They've been partners for God knows how long, and he wouldn't let Gregor get a hold of him just like that. He had to move fast and get results too. “I need a miracle," he mumbled as he walked to his car. Luke, as usual, followed from behind.That evening, Jasper returned home looking tired. By now, he was used to the fact that Luna always sat in the sunroom at that time. He paused at the door, peeped through the slightly opened door, and found her writing down something on paper. “What could she be doing?" He got curious and stepped into the room.“And what are you drafting out this time?" he asked in a calm tone. Luna raised her head, looking a bit startled; she hadn't noticed him walking in. “You're back. Welcome, Jasper. I've been working on something special; why don't you take a look?" She said as she handed him a folder.Jasper hesitated a bit before collecting the folder from Luna's hand; he wondered what could be insid
Later that evening, Jasper sat in the living room while he scrolled through his tablet. A moment later, Sophia returned from a shopping trip she had earlier gone on with friends. Ariel helped take her luggage upstairs as she sat elegantly on the sofa opposite where Jasper sat.“Welcome, mum." Jasper greeted her nonchalantly without lifting his head from his tablet.“Thank you, my son," Sophia replied.“Can I get a cup of coffee?" She asked as Ariel made to leave.“Sure Ma. I'll get it right away." Ariel replied, walking briskly to the kitchen. She came back, carrying a tray containing a cup of coffee. “Here you go, Ma,” she said as she set the tray on a stool beside Sophia.Sophia nodded slightly, lifted the cup, and sipped from it as her eyes swept across the room.Turning to Jasper, she broke the silence. “I hear your so-called wife has been meddling in business matters.”“Luna isn't meddling. She's helping." Jasper replied calmly without lifting his head." Helping? Urgh!” She scof
Two days later, Jasper was awoken by the ringtone from his phone. He stretched a bit before staring at the caller ID. It was Harriet."What could be the problem?" he mumbled as he picked up the call."We did it!” Harriet screamed from the other end; she couldn't contain her joy."Good morning. Slow down, Harriet. We did what?" Jasper asked, looking a bit confused.“Oh, my bad. Good morning, sir. The audit reports are out, it's all over the news, sir, and the online community is in our favor. I'm so happy right now.”“Alright, I'll check right away," Jasper replied and hung up. He quickly checked the internet, and the headlines were nothing but good news. The headlines read:“Busted. Audit reports are out. Maksoft Technology Company is trustworthy.”"They were all lies. Maksoft Technology Company passed the test.”“The audit reports have said it all. Maksoft Technology Company is free from all allegations."Jasper couldn't help but smile at the news. This is just the beginning, Gregor.
Jasper followed behind as Luna led the way. She walked with a determined gait. “What gift could she possibly have for me?” He pondered as she opened the door leading into the sunroom.The sunroom shimmered with the soft glow of evening light filtering through the tall, arched windows. Luna walked forward and stood beside a large rectangular object that was covered with a white cloth. Her hands nervously clasped in front of her. She had rehearsed this moment in her mind a million times, yet her pulse raced.Jasper entered after her. His gaze swept over her, lingering briefly, before moving to the large, cloth-draped object beside her.“What do you have there?” He asked, with a little smile tugging at the corners of his lip.“It's…uhmm…I…uhmm..” Luna stammered. She was suddenly overcome by nerves. She looked at Jasper. He was quiet. His silence was egging her on to continue. “For …..uhmm…everything you’ve accomplished.” she said, her fingers clasping and unclasping. “You’ve achieved s
As Jasper walked briskly from the sunroom to his study, he ruminated over everything that had happened in the last hour. He thought about Luna, her gift to him and the way her face fell when he rejected her gift.Unfortunately, he could not dwell on those thoughts for long because of Evans’ call. A frantic call from Evans meant only one thing- Bad news. “Imagine being tossed into another war, after just recently surviving the last one.” He thought to himself. As he entered the study and shut the door, his phone rang. “Hello Evans. What's up?” Jasper inquired with hitched breath.“Hi boss. I'm so sorry to bother you, but there's an emergency.”“What's going on, Evans? Have there been any new reprisal attacks on the company?” Jasper queried impatiently.“No boss. None at all. The emergency is not work related. It's about my father.” Evans blurted out. “He was rushed to the hospital. They think it might be a heart attack.” Evans, who was usually a pillar of confidence, sounded so ner
Jasper’s bedroom was dimly lit, the soft glow of a bedside lamp casting long shadows on the walls. The air was thick with the quiet hum of the night outside.“Jasper, where am I?” Luna inquired. She couldn't recognize the room. “You are in my room. Don't be in a rush to sit up. You might feel dizzy.” Jasper advised as he stood up and approached her. “Why am I in your room Jasper?” Luna asked softly.“You slumped in my arms. I had to carry you in my arms. Bathed you and tucked you in. I even had….” Jasper was still explaining before Luna cut him off.“Wait…What? You bathed me?” Luna's voice increased in pitch. She looked at Jasper and she could see the hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lip. “ Like I was saying, I brought you here. Bathed you and tucked you in. I even instructed Ariel to brew some herbal tea for you.” Jasper said cheekily. He enjoyed making Luna squirm. Luna's cheeks were red hot. She felt embarrassed in that moment. She glanced down at her body and real
Sunlight spilled through the partially opened blinds of the window illuminating the edges of the room. The room was opulent, yet cold—much like its owner. Jasper stood by the window, his sharp profile framed against the morning light. His posture was rigid, his gaze fixed on the expanse of the estate grounds.Behind him, Luna was still asleep on the king-sized bed, her scent still wafting gently into Jasper's nostrils. Jasper was in deep in thoughts. A lot of thoughts were colliding in his head. Prevalent among them was the strange affection he had started developing for Luna. It was confusing to him. “What the hell is wrong with me?” He silently asked himself. His mind flashed back to his first encounter with Luna. The feeling of disgust he felt towards her was now dissipating. At first, he saw her as a nuisance who entangled herself with him for her own selfish gains. But now, those feelings of disgust were fading away and they were being replaced by a new undescribable feeling. “
An eerie feeling permeated the whole mansion. The house shook as Jasper thundered down the staircase and out the front door. Fury boiled in his veins as he approached the front gate, where the two security guards stood uneasily, exchanging nervous glances.“Why the hell did you let her leave?!” Jasper roared, his voice carrying across the driveway.“Sir,” one of the guards started, his tone defensive but respectful, “She insisted. She said she needed to go, and we didn’t think it was our place to—”“Your place? Your job contract literally states that you are responsible for whoever comes in and goes out of the gate.” Jasper barked, his fists clenching. “What do I pay you for? To stand around while my wife walks out?”“Sir,” the other guard interjected, “she was very upset. She even threatened to call the police if we didn’t comply. We couldn't hold her against her will.”Jasper exhaled sharply, his anger giving way to a gnawing fear that settled in his chest. He turned away from the g
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