"I believe if we can add a little spiciness to the paste, bring in new elements like the …. " She trailed off, surprised at seeing their president staring into space.
"Sir?...Sir ?"
"Ah, sorry" Jasper was roused from his thoughts and apologized to the recipe departmental head who had been going over their latest recipe.
"Should I start from the beginning or …?"
He rubbed his face, "No, drop the report on my desk, I'll go through it later"
"Alright " She dropped the folder on his desk and turned to leave but turned back again asking, "Are you sure you're okay, sir?"
He wiped his face with his palm, "Just missing out on a few night rest but I'm okay, thanks for your concern"
"Wish you the best of good health, sir "she bowed.
He sent her an appreciative smile in return before she left.
Contrary to the cynical view of most people as a cold, aloof, and authoritative CEO, Jasper was extremely warm and easygoing, and far as you could keep up with him, you're his favorite person.
He disliked laziness which was why there were hardly any of his employees idling or gossiping about during working hours.
There was fairness in his system, the harder you worked, the faster your promotion prompting everyone to jump head deep into producing effective ideas for the growth of the company.
But lately, he has been the one slacking behind in his work.
After that serious discussion with his parents' days ago, it had overwhelmed his mind and kept him distracted most times.
He wasn't always the only child, they had been two brothers initially but the elder one had died years ago in an accident making him an only child.
Thanks to that he had been pampered and overprotected most of his life by his parents who were scared of the same thing happening to him - the death of his brother traumatized them.
As a grown-up and heir to their company, they always persuaded him to get a wife to produce a child that would take his place if anything did happen - they didn't just want one child but many; triplets at once would be most welcomed.
But Jasper ignored them, he didn't have an interest in women. He wasn't a casanova nor was he shy but he was just a workaholic, his job was his wife.
That was until he met Scarlett, the first woman he fell in love with and the only one who mistook him for a pickpocket - what part of him spelled thief?
Jasper smiled as he walked down memory lane.
Months Ago :
For some strange reasons, while driving home that particular day, Jasper decided to take a stroll through the local market to make some product evaluation since he was running a food corporation.
As fate would have it, he and Scarlett mistakenly bumped into each other but as a gentleman he was, he had apologized even though it was her fault when looked into.
He had hardly walked a few meters when there was a cry of alarm - someone's wallet had been stolen.
Her angry approach made him turn around with his face scrunched in confusion.
"My wallet ?" She stretched out her hand expectantly.
Initially, he had thought she was asking for alms but when he studied her, he knew otherwise. Moreover, beggars don't have a furious look on.
"I don't understand "
"It can't be a coincidence that my wallet disappeared after I bumped into you" She accused him with fire in her orbs.
"I don't know what you're talking about, if I could take my leave" He dismissed her abruptly but Scarlett had always been a stubborn woman from the start.
She grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and turned him around with a challenging look even though he was taller than her.
"With the way you're dressed properly, I had hoped you'd confess and settle this diplomatically but it seems I'm wrong"
Jasper was yet to get her point when she grabbed him by the collar and brought her head down on his face; there was a sickening crack, his nose was broken.
"You mad woman!" He screamed, holding his nose.
A few minutes later, they found themselves in the station where the case was heavily debated. While settling their altercation, the real thief was caught.
He could never forget that remorseful expression on her features which tugged at his heart.
Jasper had planned on suing her for assault and psychological damage but that moment, he just froze and stared at her like a moron as the tears fell off her face in drops.
Scarlett looked the most beautiful when she cried, the way her eyelids fluttered, blinking the tears away and her trembling lips which kept moving but he was far from understanding any word she said.
"Just let her go" He blurted, stunning everyone.
She didn't know then that he was the president of a large company save the policemen whose chaffy attitudes took a three-sixty degrees turn after they looked into their database and found out his identity.
As a man of power whose nose had been broken by a troublesome woman, they had expected him to lock her up but his response blew them off their feet.
Everything wrapped up, Jasper had walked out of the station but he never expected her to go after him.
"Hey "
"What is it now? Did I steal something else?" Jasper asked with a gruff tone.
"No, that's not it "Scarlett scratched the back of her hair awkwardly, "Your nose" she pointed at it.
"Don't worry, I'm financially capable to take care of it "
"Can I take a good look at it " she added," please?"
With no choice left, Jasper had no choice than to lower his head to her height - that was the most awkward thing he had ever done.
She traced his face with her hand cautiously, her face a rollercoaster of emotions while he forgot to breathe.
Their face was so close that with a tilt of his head, he should be able to claim those lips that made him gulp. The thought made his face heat up; this was the closest he had ever been to a woman.
Her breath ghost over his face as she leaned forward and planted a kiss on his nose.