FLASHBACK
“Congratulations boy, you’re growing up to be a man of greater heights, just like your father.” a middle-aged man had congratulated Jasper. It was his eighteenth birthday back then and a mini celebration was held in one of his father’s penthouses. Only a few friends of his parents and some of his cousins were present.
“Thanks, sir.” he had bowed his head thanking the man respectfully.
“You’re right Grey, I’m so proud to have him as my son. He never lets me down.” Mr. Callaghan, Jasper’s father praised amidst smiles patting his boy on the shoulder.
“I see. It’s just as you said.” said the middle-aged man as both grown-ups walked a bit away from Jasper. Though, he could hear the man whispering something into his father’s ear while his father nodded in response.
Then, they returned to him, informing him about the need to let him know about something.
“I’m all ears sir,” Jasper had responded oblivious of what they wanted to inform him about.
“As you can see for yourself,” his father had begun. “You’re no longer a kid. Very soon, you’ll want to get married to someone.”
“Of course dad, why won’t I?” Jasper had interrupted blushing at the mere thought of getting married to Caitlyn and his father nodded in accordance.
“Anyway, your future wife has been chosen, I guess.” Jasper was confused.
“What do you mean?” he wanted to ask but kept quiet as his father was still talking.
“You’re going to take a look at Mr. Hanswort’s daughter. I’m sure you’ll like her. She’s a beauty, just like you want your girl.” his father had completed giving him space to digest what he said.
“I don’t get you, dad. Why would I want to take a look at her? I…..”
“You can take your time to think about it. Just know that you both are getting engaged next two weeks. Then you can decide when to get married after that.” Mr. Callaghan had decided before walking away with Mr. Hanswort Grey who was grinning widely.
Jasper wanted to confront his father right then and there about why he would have to make such a decision against his will, yet he accorded him the utmost respect and kept mute as the party was still going on. Although, he paid less attention to anything else after then. He was so engrossed in his thoughts asking himself a series of questions, but couldn’t come to a conclusion.
Later that night, when they arrived home, he paid his mother a visit in her room informing her about the situation and pleaded with her to speak to his dad about the idea.
“How do you expect me to marry someone I don’t know? I know nothing about her. She might be a beauty, but might not be to my taste. To crown it all, I have someone I love and want to get married to.” he had cried his heart out to his mum.
She had embraced him and expressed how she felt upon hearing it too, but there was nothing she could do.
“You will have to get married to her, son. That’s a tough decision you can do nothing about. Just obey your father. I’m sure you’ll like her.” his mother had uttered to his surprise.
“You too? Mum, you knew about it all along?” he felt shattered and angrily left home to God knows where. For days, he didn’t return home neither did he show up with his friends.
His parents tried searching for him, but it was all in vain. All they knew was he is safe and healthy, which depleted their worries.
Two weeks later, Jasper decided to return home to talk about the situation with his father.
‘Sooner or later, he would have to face the fact. Hiding would do no good.’ so he had thought.
Going home, he had the thought of persuading his father and probably showing Caitlyn to him in order to change his mind. Getting married to someone else would mean not fulfilling his promises to his love and he didn’t want that.
However, upon getting home, he met his parents arguing furiously in the sitting room. He slipped into the house without them knowing and waited behind a curtain to hear what caused their argument.
“Look, Valerie, you have no say in this. The company is at stake here and only his marriage can save us from going down. You have to look for him and speak some sense into him.” Mr. Callaghan shouted at his wife.
It was very evident how much angry he was. Mrs. Callaghan broke down in tears and held on to his wrist pleading with her husband to reverse his decision.
“Please my dear, he’s still so young and needs to live his life happily. Burdening him with such a responsibility would do him no good at this age of his. Moreover, it’s a marriage we’re talking about here. It’s no child’s play.” she had pleaded, all to Mr. Callaghan’s deaf ears.
“You’re right woman, but he could get a divorce later if he doesn’t like her still.”
“What are you saying, dear? You got threatened with your company and your son has to get married forcefully. How sure are you that we won’t get threatened again when he files a divorce?”
“At least, marrying her would save the present situation. We can find a solution to that by then.”
Seeing his mother pleading on his behalf with tears streaming down her cheeks hurt Jasper so much that he announced his arrival suddenly with little or no curtsey.
“I’m back and I’ll marry her okay?”
“Jas…. per” his mother was surprised at his decision, but he only smiled at her and moved closer to her, cleaning her tears.
“Are you sure about this?” his mother asked wanting him to think about it again, but he stood by his decision.
“That’s my boy.” his father had patted his shoulder and left the room.
Months later Jasper and Cassandra got engaged and a year later, the wedding was held as scheduled by the two families and the newly wedded couple drove to Jasper’s mansion which was newly built.
Days and weeks passed by and the duo didn’t talk much to each other, they only greeted, ate, and headed for their different workplace.
Then suddenly, Jasper’s father sent a message saying he wants to pay them a visit, while his mother would be staying with them for a few weeks.
It was during this period that the couple went intimate bringing about the birth of Jasmine. Then, Jasper’s father had made it clear to his son that he won’t tolerate any kind of disregarding or disrespecting act from him regarding his married life.