"Make yourself comfortable " Jasper opened the door for her, ushering her into his office.
"Thank you" she smiled at him as he directed her to the couch resting in the middle of the office. She looked around, taking in the sight of his spacious and neatly arranged office.
Jasper went to his desk, pulled the telephone to his ear, and made a call, asking for refreshments to be brought up to his office. Done with it, he took a seat across from her, placing one leg over the other.
"I'm sorry, " The girl said.
"Sorry for what?"
"Sorry for standing you up yesterday, it was lowly of me and I'm truly sorry"
" You could have called"
Scarlett sighed, "I would have done so if I could, but trust me when I tell you my phone was stolen that evening"
Jasper frowned, It felt like excuses to him but he couldn't help but believe her. If she wasn't interested in him, would she come all the way here just to clear all the misunderstanding?
"Really?"Jasper asked.
It was best to follow along with her story to find out if she was lying to him.
"No offense but it's like the universe was against our date yesternight " Came her remark.
Jasper released a wry smile, the universe did f*ck him yesterday. He had made so many arrangements but at the end of the night, it was futile- such bad luck.
"So why didn't you make it?" He asked out of pure curiosity, at least his ego will be satisfied now - she didn't stand him up because she disliked him but because of an inconvenience.
"I volunteer at a soup kitchen and there's this grandma who I formed a tight bond with. She suddenly fainted yesterday and none of her children were close, so I had to take her to the hospital" she added, "Though I did call you with another phone, it just didn't connect "
"Called me with another phone ?" Jasper pulled out his phone from his pants pocket and went through his call log until he remembered that his phone was customized to reject unfamiliar numbers.
To avoid spasm calls and people who got his number by chance for one favor or the other from harassing him, it was designed that way.
"Ahh, about that" he scratched his head, "I think you not being able to connect to me was because my phone wouldn't answer; it was made in such a way that accept calls from unfamiliar numbers are dismissed "
"Oh," Scarlett nodded.
Rich people we're indeed different, they could even get their phone custom made.
"So you're here so I could reschedule? " He asked, hopefully.
"No," Scarlett replied and his face fell.
"No?" The disappointment in his tone was noticeable this time. Did she come here to apologize only? She was one of a kind.
"No, I'm here to ask you out instead"
"A-ask me out? " Jasper was stunned, the girl has a knack for leaving him bewildered.
"Yeah but I was wondering if you could help out at the kitchen too, then after that, we could go for an outdoor date? " She gave him a detailed plan but when she didn't get a response from the surprised Jasper, Scarlett continued.
"At least that's my arrangement at the moment but if you're too busy, I could call you when I'm done so we can have our date, what do you say? " She gave him another alternative.
Honestly, Scarlett expected he would turn her down especially with the way his face was scrunched and lips pursed together contemplatively.
"My schedule's free " he accepted the date with a grin.
He purposely held the girl in tension, perhaps as revenge for yesterday. Yes, he was petty, he knew.
His secretary came into the office with the coffee and placed it on the table separating him from Scarlett, she bowed and left.
He gestured to her to take a drink which she did. She took a sip, her move was not as elegant as an aristocrat but she was reserved and he liked it that way.
He was tired of those prim socialites his parents threw his way, Scarlett was different and refreshing.
"I'm curious about something?"
Jasper glanced up, wondering what question she had in her mind this time.
"That night you asked me out, what gave you the confidence? I mean, how convinced were you that I wasn't with someone else?" She asked out of sheer curiosity.
He took a deep breath and shrugged, "To be honest? I have no clue. The only thought in my head was not to let this pretty lady go and then my mouth just opened on its own"
Their eyes met and held, the sexual tension between them was so much that even a blind man could notice. Jasper watched the girl flush and look the other way and that made him glad, he had this effect on her.
"But seriously, you hit like a man"
She choked on her drink, perhaps he shouldn't have brought that up.
"Oh, I'm sorry " He offered his handkerchief which she took.
"No, it's okay" She wiped the corners of her mouth but the scent from his handkerchief wafted into her nose, everything around him was luxurious.
It pained her to use it but she had no choice, she would buy him another one. Who was she kidding, there was no way on earth she would be able to afford that - at least with her current level of earning.
"I shouldn't have hit you that day but I was so pissed off, that was my hard-earned money"
"Relatable, I wouldn't want my money to end up that way too. I'll rather it go to go to charity than getting stolen"
And so they continued with small talks until it was time for her to take her leave.
"I'll see you at six then. Dress casually and if possible come with an extra, you never know what might happen" she advised him, getting to her feet.
Dress casually? Most of his clothes were formal, it seems he has to go for emergency shopping.
" I'll see you out, " he offered.
"No, you're a busy man" she refused him, firmly "I don't want to impose upon you any longer "
"Fine" He agreed
"See you later, Jasper " She waved at him.
"See you later, Scarlett"
She left, finally.
Jasper plonked down on his seat, all his schedule would have to be pushed to tomorrow, he had to prepare for the date.
"I hope you don't disappoint me this time, Scarlett " he whispered to himself.