Chapter 11 (I was not important to her)

"Hello there, Stef. How are you son? How's your day going? Have you forgotten about your old dad since you now have a new friend in your list?" Mr. William attacked his son with questions as soon as Stefen entered carrying a black file in his hand.

"Come on dad get to the point. Why did you call me?"

"Okay since you asked for it, do you like her?"

Stefen was shocked hearing those words out of his mouth. He knew his dad was a very head- on person, but this was seriously too direct to handle.

"What? What are you saying dad?"

"Didn't you want me to get straight to the point? And I'm not saying son, I'm asking you. Do you like her?"

"Who?" he himself knew the answer to it, but he couldn't just give in.

"You know who? Don't act innocent, I know you better than you think I do. You don't let any girls be too close to you forget about them touching your face and you being their personal chauffeur. Now speak up."

Stefen sighed in surrender. "I don't know dad, I don't know. All I can say is I'm happy around her, I'm happy seeing her after all these years and I'm happy how she's still the same. I'm happy that I got my friend back, I'm happy that....." before he could continue he saw his dad looking at him with a lot of question mark expressions. "What happened?"

"I'm happy that you are happy son but what exactly are you talking about? You've got a friend back?"

"Jasmine dad, she is Jasmine."

His eyes widened in shock and his lips stretched to a smile.

"What, Jasmine? You mean Mr. Tyler's daughter Jasmine?"

"Yes dad it's her."

"Wow son that's... amazing. She must've been as happy as you are after meeting you."

He suddenly changed his happy expression to a hurtful one.

"No dad, she doesn't remember me. I guess I wasn't as important in her life as she was in mine."

"Oh son, don't think that way. You two were too small back then and..."

Mr. William took a pause as if he was debating with himself on whether he should continue the sentence or not.

"...And it's natural for her to not remember you after all it has been more than a decade since you both separated. But look towards the bright side, now you both are back to being friends. Do well to her and make her remember this moment. Forget about the past son. It's TODAY that matters the most," he said patting Stefen's back.

Stefen nodded. "You're right dad. I don't want to spoil this moment by thinking of what happened in the past. Thanks dad, you are indeed the best."

"I already know that son, say something new."

Stefen chuckled hearing him. He loves how he's so chilled about almost everything in life. But he also knows that after all these years his dad still misses his mom, and he is somewhere empty but he just won't let anyone see that.

"Dad, by the way I have to talk about something else as well, something more serious."

"Go on."

"Dad you were wrong, Kevin isn't someone we should trust. He's been betraying us. The thing he said about customers bargaining was all wrong. He's been hiding the profits dad. He is a FRAUD. You shouldn't trust him anymore... Here, I've prepared these reports, please go through it and take a decision as soon as possible," saying that, he gave his dad the black file where he had kept the reports that he'd prepared the night before. 

The day felt long as usual and finally after hours of wishing, it was lunch-time.

Jack and Stefen came to Accounts' department to pick Jazz and Alice and they all went to the canteen together. Today was not that bad since Jazz actually got the food she desired and Stefen didn't have to sacrifice his food for her.

After getting the food of their choice, they chose a table in a corner of the canteen hall. Stefen sat beside Jasmine leaving Jack standing.

"Seriously buddy, you're leaving me to sit beside Alice and eat... again?" Jack said keeping his food on the table looking at Alice who quietly sat down ignoring Jack and even started eating.

"Don't act like a child J. Just sit down and eat. You are making Alice feel bad."

"What, I am the one making Alice feel bad?" He said boomingly. "It's SHE who always makes ME feel bad."

Stefen ignored Jack and started eating as well..

"Hello, is there anyone who can actually hear what this handsome guy is saying?" Jack said being frustrated.

"Chill Jack don't get angry, come I will switch the place with you," Jasmine said to which Jack replied with a wide smile and carried his food to the other side and took her seat.

Stefen was somehow disappointed by Jasmine's move but he couldn't say anything. He was afraid to tell them the reason for his disappointment. Hence, he chose to remain silent.

They all talked as they were having their lunch. To be precise, Jack did most of the talking while the others ate ignoring him.

Lunch-time was soon over and they all left the canteen in unison. As they were about to part their ways and go to their respective departments, Stefen held Jazz's wrist gesturing her to wait and let Alice and Jack go first.

After it was only them standing behind Stefen spoke, "could you not do that again, please," he said with a tone mixed with seriousness and sad emotions.

"Not do what? What are you saying?" Jazz said as she had no idea what he was talking about.

"Not switch place with Jack... or anyone and... just sit beside me."