"You came" Jasper's expression lit up as he opened the door for her. He was grateful Scarlett made it to his place eventually, even though her make-up was a bit over the top for such a simple date.
She wore a black flowy gown that swept the floor while she walked, the pancake on her face made her pale skin whiter than usual with her lips painted a dark red and she wore an intense dark smokey eye makeup that made her look like a panda nevertheless, he was not going to comment on that, her presence was all he needed- even if she looked like a bloodsucking vampire.
Jasper watched his date let herself in before he could usher into his house. Well, maybe, she wanted to be in control tonight? Gosh, that came out wrong.
He took a deep breath, then went in after her into the living room. She was looking around curiously, taking in the appearance of his living room.
"I hope you like my place, though I did some more…."
She looked away uninterestedly which made Jasper swallow the rest of his words. He couldn't help but notice that Scarlett was giving off a different vibe tonight but who was he to judge, perhaps the girl went through a stressful day at work today.
"Umm, you came earlier than expected so I'm not done with the cooking. But there's not much left to do and you can keep yourself busy with the television, it has…"
Jasper was yet to finish his words again when she grabbed the remote from the glass table right in front of her. She dropped her leg on the smooth surface, sweeping the magazine on top of it to the floor before placing the other leg over the other.
It was apparent that Jasper wanted to speak out on her crappy attitude but when he met her poker face, he flashed her a warm smile instead and pointed to the direction of the kitchen.
"I'll be in the kitchen if you need me" he clapped his hand awkwardly, his gaze lingering on Scarlett, expecting her to say something yet she didn't.
Okay, no talking today, Jasper mumbled to himself as he made his way to the kitchen.
He was done with the fried chicken as he had promised her, now he just had to prepare pasta that would serve as the second course and dessert, as usual, to round up.
Jasper had an apron around his waist, looking suave and sexy with a smile tugging his lips to the side as he went about cooking.
With the way, he chopped the onions- sleek and quickly - one could tell with a glance that he was in his field of expertise and was enjoying every bit of it.
Suddenly the light went out.
"Damn it"
Jasper swore, squinting and looking out through the windowpane of the luxurious residential building, was it a blank out?
He had just taken out his phone, putting on the torchlight when the electricity came back but what scared him so much was Scarlett suddenly standing right in front of him.
He dropped his phone out of shock,
"Shit Scarlett, you scared the bejesus out of me!" Jasper complained, his hand flying to his chest however she didn't say a word and kept giving him an odd look that was officially now creeping him out.
Jasper bent to pick up his phone and rose to discover Scarlett was now intimately close to him. His heart skipped a bit regardless, he promised not to try anything funny with her tonight, so he would stick to his promise.
He gulped, "Can you move aside a bit so I could continue my cooking"
Jasper tried to move around her but she blocked his path, stepping more closer.
He began to take continuous steps back but she continued to follow after him, sweeping everything off the counter as she walked, until Jasper's back was flattened against the wall did she stop.
He eyed the mess on the floor, utensils lying here and there with salt and some ingredients littering the polished wooden floor.
Jasper gulped nervously, her breath fanning down on his face and he closed his eyes when he sighted her face closing in on his.
But the sudden sharp pain that zinged through his heart snapped his eyes open. Jasper's face contorted into disbelief mixed with pain as he glanced down at the knife plunged into his heart.
Hot tears slipped down his cheeks as he asked, " Why?"
But Scarlett didn't answer instead, a nasty, sardonic smirk graced her features while she delved the knife deeper into his chest and twisted it causing Jasper to expel a mouthful of blood.
At that moment lightning flashed across the room, revealing half a skeleton face and the other human on Scarlett's features.
"Noo!!" Jasper screamed and sat up, startled from his sleep. Sweat framed his face which made him yank the duvet aside.
He wiped his face with his palm, what kind of nightmare was that? And speaking of Scarlett.
Jasper picked up his phone from the vanity table and tried her line over and over which still didn't connect at all. This was the umpteenth time he was calling and texting her.
When Scarlett disappeared earlier in the park, he had thought she was kidnapped until he found out through the park's security cameras that she'd left on her own.
But that puzzled him more, why would she leave without even a goodbye? He had thought over and over again yet couldn't come up with a concrete reason why.
"Achoo!" He sneezed.
He had searched for her in the rain and had forgotten to take medication since she was all he could think about.
The next day at work, Jasper's mood was no better than the previous day. He was so cranky with the tendency to snap at any worker that made a little mistake.
"John, what's your experience with women?" The secretary was so startled when his recent stony-faced president asked such a personal question.
He cleared his throat, "Is there a specific reason why you ask sir?"
Jasper hesitated, was it advisable to bring his personal life into his workplace? Well, he could ask indirectly.
"What could make a woman leave a first date abruptly without a goodbye?"
"Huh?"