Jasper was simply irresistible.
Stella stood up quickly, her eyes widened, and asked awkwardly: " Isn't this room for me?"
"Yeah." He replied arrogantly, he continued slowly, " The bed is for you, I'll go for the sofa."
Stella felt her face burn bright red, her mind was in a flurry. She said: "No, we are only boyfriend and girlfriend, we should not be staying in a room together." She had never been alone in a room with a man, not even Federick. She could not think of doing this with Jasper.
Just when she finished speaking, Jasper walked towards her with darkened eyes.
She was not his subordinate in the army, but yet his domineering presence made her tremble with fright.
Stella took a step back and fell against the sofa.
Jasper placed his hands on the sofa, getting closer to her, and finally embracing her in his arms.
He eyed her impassively, and he did not speak. Stella felt he gave off an air of oppression.
"What's wrong?" She asked, with a flicker of panic in her eyes.
"Am I like a beast to you, why are you avoiding me?" he replied menacingly.
"I don't mean it this way!" she began to explain, "but..."
Jasper is a respectable man, while Stella is a married woman. They should not be getting into such an engagement. It was not right to be staying in a room together.
However, she felt that she could trust Jasper.
She did not voice out her thoughts, but simply changed her mind, and said: " I'll sleep on the sofa."
Jasper's eyes softened, he remained imposing. He said: " There's only one vacant room left, so you'll have the bed, and I'll have the sofa. Don't worry, I will not do anything inappropriate."
Of course, Stella trusted him. If Jasper had wanted to do anything to her, he could have done it much earlier. Perhaps she was just not his cup of tea.
Jasper stood up and walked towards the bathroom.
Stella remembered that her clothes were still hanging in the bathroom, and she exclaimed anxiously: "Hold on."
Jasper looked at Stella coldly, his eyes began to smile, and the corners of his mouth curved upwards, "What is it? Do you want to help me with my shower?"
Stella could not believe a respectable man like him would say such a thing. She walked towards him, "How can that be? Let me just clear the bathroom so you can use it."
Jasper did not rebuff her but just stared at her condescendingly.
Stella then quickly collected her laundry. However, she had accidentally gotten her slippers wet in the bathroom, and this caused her to slip.
"Oh my!" She screamed as she was about to fall over.
Jasper entered the bathroom swiftly, he caught her arm and pulled her into his arms.
Her towel loosened and dropped off her, Jasper could feel her tender body beneath him.
He stared at her body, making him flush.
Stella blushed a bright red, she was unable to speak in that awkward moment. "I'm so..so.. sorry." Stella finally uttered.
Jasper let go of her. She still had her tender, smooth skin, just the same as three years ago.
Stella quickly wrapped herself with the towel, but Jasper did not seem to want to leave, He walked towards her, staring at her glowing face. She took a step back and leaned against the ice-cold tiles, pulling back slightly in shock due to the sudden cold.
Jasper was very close to her, his hand was on her face, and his eyes were on her eyes. She felt as if his gaze was burning through her soul.
"You are afraid, aren't you?" Jasper said calmly, but his mind was in chaos.
"You are like a beast to me." he continued, Stella did not speak.
She looked at him cluelessly, wondering if she had annoyed him.
For it was she who was naked, she who insisted to enter the bathroom, she who fell, and she who dropped her towel. Were these all a coincidence?
If she were him, she thought, she would think that all of these were premeditated.
"I'm sorry, " Stella apologized, with her head bowed, she felt uneasy and embarrassed.
Jasper looked at her, "The room is yours, I'll go out now." He was afraid he might do what he did to her three years ago.
The only difference being, he was driven under the influence of drugs, three years ago. But just now, he was driven by a sudden burst of impulse.
In the hall on the second floor.
Cindy Chow sat herself next to Jasper. She gracefully poured some tea into his cup and said, "Cousin, our grandmother mentioned that you have to attend the banquet on Tuesday night, even if you do not attend the press conference during the day. Milton Enterprise is yours after all!"
Jasper glanced at her, and said knowingly, "I'll attend the banquet only if it is just a casual banquet. If there is an ulterior motive behind it, count me out."
Cindy's face turned a nasty shade of ash, she continued, "Cousin, Katty has been into you since we were kids! What she has done in the past was all out of love for you. Grandmother is right – you are at a marriageable age, and Katty is the most suitable bride for you. Her family background, knowledge, and capabilities are just right. So, tomorrow s banquet will most likely be to celebrate your engagement."
"Ssss..." Jasper sneered, putting down his cup of tea, and replied coldly, "I can just leave Milton Enterprise, if I were to be forced to marry someone I don't like. Now you know my answer, I will not be attending the banquet tomorrow."
"So, you like that girl that we met today?" Cindy asked, tilting her head.
Jasper was stunned, his dark eyes were so deep, you could never guess what he was thinking. Jasper asked, "What do you think?"
"I feel like Stella is way too delicate. You know the standards that Grandma expects. I'm worried that this will be a tough choice for you in the future." said Cindy, her tone worried.
"You have too much on your mind, cousin. I will get through these obstacles no matter how tough, and no matter how long it takes," Jasper replied confidently with the air of a champion.
Jasper had gained his current status in the army purely using his own hard work, he had never leveraged on his family background.
Cindy had always admired this cousin of hers, Jasper, and with a smile, she continued, "I would be more aggressive than Katty if you weren't my cousin."
Jasper glanced at her, "No means no, I will never force myself into a relationship that I do not want."
"Oh my, you'll surely love deeply and take good care of your wife in the future." Cindy sighed.
Stella's face slid through his mind, and he said "Prepare me a set of ladies' clothing, and a pair of comfortable soft flats by tomorrow morning. Also... get me blanket, I'll be sleeping in the living room tonight."
"O? She kicked you out of the room?" Cindy asked, she was surprised. She continued teasing him, "My cousin is so charismatic, how could anyone resist you?"
"Enough talking now, run along and mind your own business," said Jasper, his brows furrowed.
"Alright," said Cindy. She left the room with a smile.
Jasper lay on the sofa, his mind lingering to the moment in the bathroom with Stella.
A similar moment had happened three years ago. He wondered if he should pluck the courage to tell her just then.
But he held himself back, to avoid ruining her happiness. But looking at her now, was she even happy?