"S-sir?"
"Huh?"
Jasper was jerked back to reality. Wow, had he been spacing out all this while? Thinking about Scarlett? She has successfully captured his mind.
He glanced up at his secretary, clearing his throat, "Yeah, what is it?"
"Someone by the name of Ben Alcantara is here to see you," John informed him.
"Ben?" his expression brightened, "Let him in at once,"
"Yes, sir,"
A smile tugged Jaspers lips to the side, that brat decided to come to visit him at last.
"Did someone order for me," a voice came from the direction of the door, Jasper got up from his seat.
"Seriously," He chuckled, going to meet Ben half-way, " I can't believe my eyes," they hugged each other like friends reuniting after a long time.
He and Ben weren't childhood friends, rather met in the university on their first day. Though they weren't in the same department; he had gone for food business management while Ben studied history; they have become friends ever since.
"Have a seat," He gestured to the couch in his office, however, changed his mind at the last minute, "You know what, let's go somewhere more relaxing,"
Knowing Ben wasn't an alcoholic drinker, he opted for a Café instead of a bar- It would be awkward for him to drink alone.
"So tell me, what have you been up to lately, Franklin? " there was silent laughter in his voice as he teased him.
"Nothing much, just book signings and talks here and there, " Ben said blandly, more interested in his coffee.
"So you're here for good then," He asked, hopefully.
"Nope, I don't plan to settle here at all. I'm just here because of your wedding preparations, plus the witch is down,"
"The witch is down?" Jasper was genuinely surprised.
"She had a heart attack,"
"Wow," he couldn't believe it.
And yes, they're talking about Ben's mother. At first, Jasper had been judgmental of Ben's view of his mother considering his own relationship with his family until he saw the woman in action.
Lilian, Ben's mother was an iron lady, a domineering woman that doesn't take no for an answer. Even if she does concede, never put your guard down, she has a trick up her sleeve.
Jasper sympathized with Ben because like him too, he was an only child and understood the pressure placed on their shoulders by their parents to live up to certain expectations without any support from other siblings - they never had.
Unlike him, Ben had no desire to inherit the company which the witch was pumping all her energy and time into; Ben wanted a carefree life.
"I want to be as far away from her as possible. You never know what she's planning, " He said, gulping down his drink thoughtfully.
"Have you visited her?" Jasper asked, leaning back into his chair.
"Yes, I did. She's bouncing and wants a mother-child moment. Too bad, she's late," He said it as if it was a shameful thing she asked.
"Ben, no matter what, she's still your mother," Jasper reminded him.
"I'm sorry Jasper but I'm a grown man with responsibilities and no time for mother-son gossip. If she wants that, she can rewind the time to when I was ten and make things right," he claimed, a bit of agitation in his voice.
Jasper sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He understood what Ben was trying to say, his parents had been so busy with the company that he had literally grown alone. It was bizarre to him too, I mean, no matter how busy his own parents were, they spent enough time with him to the point of feeling locked in. They were protecting him from ending up the same way as his brother.
Truly, one can never be satisfied in this world: While he's begging for more space from his parent's excessive attention, Ben was longing for that parental interest.
"Don't tell me that after months of not seeing each other, you're going to waste this little time by discussing my mother? " Ben gave him a bored look.
He shrugged, "Alright, if you say so. We should discuss the wedding then,"
"Ahh, right," Ben snapped his fingers, "That's better. What are your plans?"
"I'm thinking of organizing my bachelor's party this month and the wedding, three weeks later," Jasper told him of his intention, "The faster the better,"
"I still can't believe you've found the girl of your dreams not to talk of getting married," Ben laughed.
Back then at school, Jasper had been so engaged in his studies that he hardly noticed the girls flocking around him. To be frank, Jasper had no friends at all, Ben had been the only one he hung out with. He claimed others had an ulterior motive in approaching him.
"And I don't?" Ben has asked him then.
"Why would you befriend me with an item motive when your family wealth equates mine-if not greater than mine?"Jasper had replied.
So the two became inseparable to the extent rumors began to fly around in campus that they were gay - insanely hot looking gays. Jasper didn't even want to recollect what happened next, thanks to the rumors.
"Yeah, it's still a wonder to mean too. I mean getting married to the woman I love, that's an… urm.. experience I want for the rest of my life," He couldn't even find the right word to express himself.
"You're happy," Ben noticed the aura surrounding him.
"Yes, I'm happy and I hope you find your happiness soon too," Jasper wished his friend.
"Yeah, hopefully," Ben acquiesced without as much faith, "So when are you going to introduce me to this mystery woman, I'm anxious to meet her,"
Jasper grinned, "I'll arrange a meeting later this week but at the moment, I have a photo of her," He pulled out his phone, went through his galley, swiped through some pictures before settling on one, and handed his phone to Ben.
Ben tried not to show how curious he was, so he hid his excitement and took the phone from him. However, the expression on his face shifted as soon as he saw that unmistakably red hair.
No way.
Jasper had expected Ben to boom with satisfaction upon seeing his choice of wife - Scarlett was a real beauty - but instead, he met a scowl.
"Hey, what is it?" Jasper was concerned. What was wrong?
"I just realized how unlucky I am," Ben mumbled.
"What?" his brows drew together in confusion.
Suddenly, Ben hugged Jasper, "You're so lucky, Jasper. You've struck a gem," He gushed out honeyed words to him but inwardly, Ben's heart was bleeding. What has his friend gotten himself into?