"No.. no.. I was just thinking..." Charmaine bit on her lips, she did not know what to say to calm Federick down.
"What did you say?" Federick demanded again.
Charmaine was frightened by Federick, and told him the truth, "I did not say anything, but I sent her the recording of us we had recorded earlier."
Federick raised his hand, "Slap!" His palm landed squarely on her cheeks ."Who gave you the right to do so?"
Charmaine fell on the floor, kneeling at his feet, holding his legs, she begged him," I just hoped that Stella would be smart enough to leave you because I love you so much, it's driving me insane."
However, Federick clasped his fingers around her throat and squeezed, and almost killing Charmaine.
He was at the height of his temper, and he exclaimed," Who do you think you are, you're just a petty girl I spend my leisure time with! What do you have in you, to make Stella to leave me?"
Charmaine went out of breath, her face turned white. She was tried to catch her breath and pleaded, "Federick, baby please, please forgive me!"
Federick did not seem to want to let go, he squeezed his fingers tighter.
His phone rang and he glimpsed at it, loosening his grip.
Charmaine fell to the floor, panting raggedly, trying to catch her breath, while Federick picked up the call.
"Mr. Addington, I've checked that car plate number, the car belongs to Jasper, the senior chief of the special forces in the military." Federick's subordinate reported.
Federick's temper was still rising high, and he cried:"It's him! Where is Mrs Addington? Is she back at home yet?"
"She followed Jasper on a cruise, and apparently they will only return tomorrow. "His subordinate reported truthfully.
Federick's eyes narrowed, his face losing all color. He gritted his teeth and said fiercely, "Let's play with them tomorrow, nobody should ever tempt a woman of mine."
"Yes, Mr. Addington,"said his subordinate.
Federick hung up the phone and glanced at Charmaine coldly. He ordered," Get out of here within three days, I never want to see you again."
"No, baby, I love you, I can't live without you." Charmaine pleaded.
"Get lost!" Federick kicked Charmaine away, without a shred of compassion towards her, he made a phone call, "Confiscate all the properties, companies and cars under the name of Charmaine. And also confiscate all her luxury goods, cancel all card transactions related to me. I want her blocked out completely.
Charmaine's face lost all its color, she lay on the floor, powerless, unable to exact revenge.
*
The sky grew brighter, and the first ray of morning sun pierced through the curtains, falling upon Stella's face.
She widened her eyes, she had slept so peacefully for the first time in a long while.
She got up, freshened up, and walking out of the bathroom. "Knock, knock,..", there was someone at the door, Stella opened it.
It was Jasper, and he was holding three bags in his hands,
"Have these, your clothes may still be wet," said Jasper.
He left the bags on the floor and did not say more, he turned away and left.
Stella looked at the bags on the floor, warmth spread within her and she smiled heartily. She then picked up the bags and took a look, she found a soft, silky dress.
The dress was made exquisitely, it looked expensive.
She had not even returned him the money for the cosmetics!
There was also a pair of white leather shoes in one of the bags. When she put them on, they felt very soft and comfortable.
After getting dressed, Stella then went out on the deck. She saw Jasper there.
A breeze was blowing across the surface of the sea, and the water sparkled and glittered under the sun. However, Jasper seemed more sparkly to her!
His side profile seemed to be chiseled carefully by an artist.
Although he seemed so cool, she could feel the warmth emanating from him.
Jasper turned to Stella, his eyes sparkled, "This dress suits you very much."
Stella walked towards Jasper, leaning against the railing, and said softly, "I owe you more now."
"Just throw them away when you get back, if you don't want to owe me anything." Jasper replied coldly.
What a domineering person he was, Stella smiled.
Federick' face slid into her mind, she looked up at Jasper, asking seriously:" Chief Jasper, can I ask you a question?"
"Yes?" Jasper looked at her.
They seemed to be chatting like old friends.
"Why do you not take a liking to Katty Davis, from what I saw, I think she loves you very much." Stella asked curiously.
It's not that wanted to pry into his private life, but she just could help but think of herself.
Jasper stared at her, seeming to look straight through her thoughts, he replied tersely, "Firstly, I do not like her that way, secondly, I don't like her being so clingy, thirdly, she hurt my friend. I think we may still be some sort of friendship between Katty and myself, and hence, I have not forcefully removed her from my life."
Stella understood.
It was the same for her, Federick did not like Stella that way, did not like the way Stella clung on to him, and did not like that Stella had hurt Charmaine.
She felt relieved.
"Thanks, Chief," said Stella, softly.
"You're not my subordinate, nor are you my soldier, you don't have to call me chief," said Jasper, coldly.
"Oh?" she felt embarrassed, "Sorry for that."
"I'm Jasper," he said, looking at the ocean, "You can call me by my name."
Stella had a strange feeling, she felt that it seemed inappropriate to call him by his name.
"Let me calculate how much I owe you for the cosmetics and the clothes, I can't just take this for granted." Stella tried to change the topic.
Jasper looked at Stella softly, he smiled at her, said:" If you would really want to pay me back, let's go shopping together later this afternoon, and you'll foot the bill."
Stella was startled, she looked down. She did not want to owe Jasper anything, and should really get him something luxurious, or at least of a similar price.
"I've worked today, what about after work?" asked Stella.
Jasper's face fell a little, he was disappointed that she really felt indebted to him and wanted to clear her owing entirely.
"Lieutenant Johnson is on his way, let's get in the car." Jasper said quickly, he began to walk towards the dock.
Lieutenant Johnson was standing with respectfully by the side of the road, opened the door for the back seat of the car when he saw them.
Jasper ordered, "Send Miss Stella home first."
"Yes, Chief." Lieutenant Johnson replied, "Where do you live, Ms. Stella?"
"Skies Apartment, you can drop me at the gate, I'll walk myself in," said Stella.
Stella turned to look at Jasper, he had closed his eyes, resting quietly. He exuded an aura of charisma, grace and commanded such respect that made him seem unapproachable.
She stopped talking, she did not want to disturb his rest, and looked out the window.
There was a sudden loud noise, a motorcycle was plummeting towards their car fiercely.
Jasper's eyes sprung open. He grabbed on to Stella, shielding her head with his chest.
"Pew!", a gunshot blasted through the air.
A bullet pierced through the car window..