It was Saturday and Jasper’s mansion was usually silent just like every other day. Jasper did the laundry in a jiffy, cooked and bathed his daughter, combed her hair and packed it into a ponytail for her then left her to pick up the clothes she wanted to wear.
He dressed for her and checked her out after she was beautifully clothed in what she chose for herself. She picked a light pink pop socks with a white top and a short black skirt with decorative lines on it.
“I’m through daddy” Jasmine yelled jumping all about in excitement. Saturday was always a good day for her as she always get to spend the whole day with Jasper. If they don’t go shopping, they would both be in his office together where she also gets to see her favourite uncle Carl to her heart’s content.
Despite having few people in her life whom she can trust, Jasmine was happy and never cared about anything or anyone else except when triggered by someone or something. Such situations were sometimes tough for Jasper to handle but with the help of Carl, such days finally get to pass by.
Jasmine rushed her little body to Jasper’s room and checked him out. Folding her thumb and index finger together with her three other fingers up separately, she blew her father a kiss.
“You’re looking cute dad, you’re so sexy today,” she said.
“What was that Jasmine?. Who taught you that word?”
“Which word? cute?” she teased her father.
“Come on, you know exactly what I mean.”
“Oh, you mean sexy?”
“Just do away with the name, who taught you or should I say where did you hear it?”
“Uncle Carl taught me yesterday. He said I looked fucking sexy in my school uniform. I asked him what he meant and he told me.” Jasmine answered blithely.
“You must not say that word again okay?”
“Why?.
“It’s not for kids.”
“But I’m not a kid daddy, uncle Carl told me I’m now a big girl.”
“Caaarrrrrllll” Jasper gritted his teeth.
“Never mind, let’s get going.” Jasmine held his hand and they both headed out of the building. Stunningly beautiful and handsome should be their other names. Since it was Saturday, Jasper wore a sparkling white hoodie and black brand new Vuitton pants coupled with a sparkling white bouncing sneaker which Jasmine also wore.
Amazingly, he had his silver wedding ring on his ring finger while Jasmine wore a shining kiddies bracelet obviously made of gold. The reason he wore it, no one knew.
The drive to the company was fun for the duo all along. At intervals, Jasper would stop by a candy shop, ice cream shop or supermarket following his daughter’s request. His only joy couldn’t be turned down of such little things so he stopped to get the things she wanted for her until the boot of the car almost got filled up.
Jasmine alighted from the car with the new glasses Jasper got her on the way, and her body sparkled due to the reflection of the sun. Everyone outside the company stopped what they were doing to catch a glimpse of the little beauty.
“Wow,” was all that came out of their mouths while some of the female workers wished they were the boss’ daughter. Some others wished they could be his wife. Since it was the weekend, only a few important employees were available in the company and they were all dressed casually but professionally.
“She’s so beautiful. Exactly like her father.” Jasper’s secretary commented just before Jasmine and her father entered his office.
“Uncle Carl” little Jasmine squealed. Carl carried her up and rolled her in the air while she giggled.
“Do I look sexy today too?” she asked with her hands on her waist as he put her back on her feet.
“Of course darling. You’re looking extra sexy today.” Carl replied and she hugged him.
“I get that you are not married yet, but you shouldn’t teach my daughter words like that. She’s still so young to utter words like that.” Jasper faced Carl with a scary glare and he made an understanding sign to Jasper. He sat beside Jasmine on the office couch and explained to her that she can’t say words like that just anyhow and she asked him the reason he said so.
“It’s because you only tell words like that to people you like okay?”
“Not bad, I like you and my daddy.”
“I mean only the beautiful people you very much like.”
“Not bad too, I really like you and my daddy and you’re both handsome, aren’t you?” she munched the snack in her mouth a bit noisily grinning at Carl.
Carl sighed and made an ‘it didn’t work’ face to Jasper and he also returned with a ‘you shouldn’t have taught her in the first place’ look.
She bade Jasper goodbye and headed downstairs after telling him she was going to her playground which was situated at the far end at the rear of the company. Jasper had built it for her since she began walking to prevent her from getting bored.
“Play carefully, okay?” Jasper said and she nodded winking at him. “Drake would join you there too.”
“Really?!” Jasmine’s face beamed with happiness.
“Of course,” Jasper affirmed his claim and the little girl ran out happily. She was so happy that she would have someone to play with her. After Caitlyn left the hospital angrily, she had forgotten all about Drake and Jasper had put him in the care of Jasmine’s nanny who lived in one of his numerous houses.
Katrina was still in a comatose state and no one showed up at their house making Jasper conclude his decision with Carl on taking up the adoption of the two siblings if no one showed up for them in the next three days.
Immediately after her exit, Carl sat on the swivel chair in front of Jasper on the opposite side of the table.
“Have you spoken to Caitlyn?” he asked. The previous night had ended with Jasper being confused and embarrassed. He had questioned himself over and over if it was a crime to love someone. If it were to be someone else, he or she won’t go scot-free.
The business tycoon Jasper Callaghan got slapped. What audacity does such a person have to do so!.
“I won’t call her anymore. Throughout last night, she didn’t pick up nor reply to my text.” Jasper replied rolling the ring around his finger. Carl was a bit speechless until he caught sight of the ring.
“Like seriously, you wore your ring today because of Caitlyn?”
“No, I wore it to caution myself. Yesterday’s incident made me remember I’m married and I mustn’t overstep my boundaries.
Carl frowned at Jasper and hit him in the arm.
“Why are you acting stupid? You’re obviously hurting here. Who said you can’t talk things out with her?”
“It’s not that I don’t want to be with her Carl, I want you to remember how we departed in the first place.”
“I understand you buddy, but you have to sort things out with her.”
“I think it’s best the way we currently are. Take a look at what happened yesterday, if he is to hear about this, don’t you know what that means?”
Carl sighed rubbing his cheekbone down to his jaw in thought.
“Boss, we have a problem?” Bella barged in on the two friends.
“What’s it?” Carl elevated his head to look at her. She placed the tablet in her hand on Jasper’s desk and tapped the play sign visible on the screen.
The video began playing showing a reporter reporting the incident that occurred in the hospital coupled with clips of the incident. Jasper banged his hand on the desk and stood up angrily.
Carl left the office hurriedly straight for the social department of the company. Surprisingly, the news had spread like wide fire. Every single employee in the company was already aware of the incident and soon, Jasper became the topic of gossip among the females.
On every search engine, the number one most searched keyword on the rank within an hour was Jasper Callaghan’s incident. Every fan of Jasper and the company were asking who the lady was.
‘Is he cheating on his wife?’ so was the question.
Things got out of hand and before Jasper could take any action, reporters swarm in front of his company like bees. His phone rang and he picked it up.
“Come straight to the villa.” It was a command. A command he could and would never refute.