I’m Ready

As we entered the apartment, Jasper's embrace tightened slightly, his protective stance offering a shield against the outside world. I leaned into him, grateful for his unwavering support as he carried me all the way up to his apartment, his presence a comforting presence in the midst of turmoil.

Jasper gently set me down on the couch in his apartment, his eyes reflecting a mix of relief and concern. Taking a seat beside me, he reached out to hold my hand, his touch grounding me in the present moment.

"Alex, there's something I need to tell you," Jasper began, his voice steady yet filled with emotion. "After you didn't return to the dinner, I received a call from Mr. Chambers. He realized that you were missing and immediately reached out to me, expressing his concern."

My heart swelled with gratitude as I listened to Jasper's explanation. It meant the world to me that Mr. Chambers had taken the initiative to check on my well-being, especially in such a dire situation.

"And what did Mr. Chambers say?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"He was worried about you," Jasper replied, his expression softening. "He mentioned that you hadn't returned to the table, and he wanted to make sure you were okay. After he told me what happened, he immediately contacted the authorities and helped me coordinate the rescue effort."

"I owe Mr. Chambers a debt of gratitude," I said, my voice filled with sincerity. "And I owe you one too, Jasper. Thank you for being there for me when I needed you the most."

As Jasper handed me his phone, I dialed Mr. Chambers' number and waited anxiously for him to pick up. He answered almost immediately, his voice laced with concern. ""Alex, where are you? Are you okay?"" he asked urgently.

"I'm with Jasper. We're fine," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady despite the lingering fear.

Mr. Chambers let out a sigh of relief. ""Thank goodness. I was worried sick when you didn't return to the dinner table,"" he confessed.

"I'm sorry for causing you worry, Mr. Chambers," I apologized, feeling a pang of guilt.

""Don't apologize, Alex. Your safety is my priority,"" he assured me. ""Tell me what happened.""

I took a deep breath, recounting the harrowing experience in the warehouse, including Mr. Reynolds' attempt to coerce me into signing an equity transfer document. As I described the ordeal, I could hear Mr. Chambers' voice growing angrier with each word.

""That despicable man,"" Mr. Chambers growled. ""He's gone too far this time. I won't let him get away with this.""

His words sent a shiver down my spine, but also filled me with a sense of determination. "What are you going to do?" I asked, my voice tinged with apprehension.

""I'll handle Mr. Reynolds,"" Mr. Chambers replied firmly. ""He won't know what hit him.""

I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope at Mr. Chambers' resolve. Perhaps justice would finally be served.

"Thank you, Mr. Chambers," I said gratefully, touched by his concern.

But his next words caught me off guard. ""No one is going to touch the company your grandfather and I built all those years,"" he declared firmly.

I furrowed my brow, sensing there was more to his statement. "What do you mean?"

There was a brief pause before Mr. Chambers continued, his tone more candid now. ""Alex, Todd Corporation is a cash cow. Losing it so soon would be a blow to my own future plans,"" he admitted.

I felt a mix of emotions—surprise, disappointment, and a twinge of betrayal. It seemed Mr. Chambers had his own agenda, one that didn't necessarily prioritize justice or my well-being. I let myself get carried away because I was feeling rejected by my mom again.

"I see," was all I could manage to say, trying to process his revelation.

""But don't worry, Alex,"" Mr. Chambers added quickly, as if sensing my unease. ""I won't let anything happen to you. You're like family to me.""

"You too," I hung up.

The sense of disillusionment weighed heavily on my shoulders as I leaned back in the couch, staring out of the window at the passing cityscape. Was this the harsh reality of the corporate world? A place where loyalty and genuine concern were nothing more than façades, masking the relentless pursuit of profit and power?

"By the way, for investigation sake, you mentioned your mom earlier, right?" Jasper's question spurred a cascade of thoughts, each one unraveling a different thread of suspicion and uncertainty in my mind. As I recounted the moment Mr. Reynolds and his associates stepped outside, the memory played out in vivid detail—the tense atmosphere thickening with each passing second, the clandestine whispers that escaped their lips, and the inscrutable glances exchanged among them. It was a scene shrouded in secrecy, leaving me to wonder what was truly discussed and whether my mother was somehow implicated.

Jasper's brow furrowed with concern as he listened intently to my recounting of the events. "Do you think your mother is involved in this somehow?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair in frustration. "I don't know, Jasper," I admitted, the uncertainty weighing heavily on my mind. "But something doesn't add up. My mother has always been one to play the long game, and I wouldn't put it past her to have a hand in all of this."

Jasper nodded in understanding, his expression thoughtful. "It's possible," he conceded, his gaze fixed on the floor as he mulled over the implications of my words. "But we can't jump to conclusions just yet. We need more evidence before we can make any accusations."

I knew he was right, but the nagging doubt remained, festering like a wound that refused to heal. As much as I wanted to think my mother would play fair, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her involvement—or lack thereof—than met the eye. And until I had concrete proof one way or the other, I couldn't afford to let my guard down.

"That's true," I conceded, the pieces of the puzzle starting to come together in my mind. "But it could also just be Mr. Reynolds' obsession clouding his judgment. He's always had this bizarre fixation on my mother, and I wouldn't put it past him to drag her into his schemes, whether she's a willing participant or not."

Jasper nodded in agreement, his expression grim. "Either way, we need to be careful," he cautioned, his voice tinged with concern. "If your mother is involved in this in any way, we can't afford to underestimate her. You've told me she's proven time and time again that she's not to be trifled with."

I grimaced at the reminder of just how ruthless my mother could be when backed into a corner. "You're right," I muttered, the weight of the situation settling heavily on my shoulders. "We'll need to tread carefully and gather as much evidence as we can before we confront her."

Jasper gave my hand a reassuring squeeze, his eyes filled with determination. "We'll get to the bottom of this, Alex," he vowed, his voice unwavering. "No matter what it takes."

I changed into the fresh clothes Jasper had fetched for me, but I couldn't shake the feeling of vulnerability that lingered after the harrowing ordeal with Mr. Reynolds. The realization of what might've been my first sexual experience played over and over in my head.

I felt dirty.

I sat on the couch, turned towards Jasper and snuggled up close to him, feeling the warmth of Jasper's presence beside me, I leaned into him, seeking solace in his familiar embrace. The gentle rhythm of his breathing and the steady beat of his heart provided a comforting backdrop to the tumultuous thoughts swirling in my mind. As I nestled closer, a sense of calm washed over me, dispelling some of the anxiety that had plagued me since my ordeal.

Without needing to say a word, Jasper understood my need for closeness and offered his unwavering support.

Feeling a surge of boldness, I shifted position, climbing onto Jasper's lap with a newfound determination. As I settled onto him, I could feel the tension in my muscles begin to ease, replaced by a sense of anticipation and excitement. Being close to him in this intimate way stirred something within me, igniting a spark of desire that had been dormant amidst the chaos of recent events.

Lost in the moment, I leaned closer to him, feeling the heat of his breath against my skin. The air crackled with anticipation as our lips drew nearer, the promise of something unspoken hanging between us. In that fleeting instant, the world fell away, leaving only the two of us suspended in time, bound together by an unspoken desire that burned brighter than any flame.

"Have sex with me, Jasper," I said.

"But Alex, you're still injured from-"

"I know what happened and I feel dirty after someone else tried to touch me. You need to overwrite it for me, Jasper. I trust you to help me forget that and make me feel better," I leaned in and pressed my lips to Jasper's, pouring all of my emotions into the kiss. It was a moment of raw intensity, a silent declaration of the feelings that had been simmering beneath the surface. As our lips met, a surge of electricity coursed through me, sending shivers down my spine.

As the kiss lingered, Jasper responded with equal fervor, his arms wrapping around me as he lifted me effortlessly into his embrace. Without breaking our connection, he carried me towards his bedroom, the anticipation building with each step. It was a moment of pure exhilaration, a culmination of the sexual tension that had been building between us for so long.