Chapter 12 - Case Closed
Jasper's POV
"You're telling me you got to lock lips with that sexy secretary of yours but you didn't even have sex?" Lucas asked wide eyed, sitting beside me as I drove to work the next morning.
"Luke!" I growled irritably. "For the last time, I have no intention of sleeping with her!"
At least, not yet.
"Whatever you say, Jay! You are so whipped, my man," he teased me further.
"I thought kissing her would be satisfying enough but I want more," I sighed.
"Well, go and get more then!"
"Easier said than done." I muttered recalling the feel of her slender fingers slipping through my hair, her soft lips colliding with mine so passionately.
It was clear as day that I had feelings for her, but did she have any feelings for me?
Yes, she kissed me, but she looked absolutely disgusted with herself as she threw me out.
"Like I said - whipped." Luke spoke, eyeing me strangely.
"Maybe I should speak to her about it or at least -"
"No, give her space. You shouldn't make things any worse for yourself."
"That shouldn't be too hard considering she works for me!" I snapped sarcastically as I pulled up outside the building before getting out of the car.
I walked inside not taking notice of anybody or anything - I just wanted to see Scarlett.
Making my way up to my office, I opened the door, expecting her to be stood there with my coffee or filing some documents but the office was empty.
Where the hell was she?
Regardless of whatever happened last night, she needed to grow up and stop behaving so childishly! She still had the duty to perform her job for Christ's sake!
Storming out of the office, I made my way back to reception to find out just where the hell my secretary was.
"Christine!" I snapped.
"Yes, Mr Queen?"
"Where the hell is Scarlett?"
"Mr Queen, we had been notified that she would not be here today, she said that you would know the reason behind her absence." Christine replied confusedly as I realised where she was.
Her father's hearing was today and I'd promised her I would be there.
"Luke!" I called out to him from the reception as he was leaning against the balcony chatting up another one of my employees no doubt.
"Yeah?"
"You're in charge!" I yelled as he gave me a mock salute.
"You would do well to look after her Mr Queen, the girl really is a gem." Christine said quietly before I left. I gave her a faint smile and got into my car before I drove off.
I knew I shouldn't have given Smith a holiday.
Checking my watch, I saw that I had just over an hour to get to court before the hearing officially began. As I drove frantically around the city, I tried calling Scarlett a dozen times but to no avail, I knew for a fact she was going to be avoiding me like the plague.
Upon finally reaching the court, I jumped out of the car and rushed inside to look for her. She was stood with her back against the door reading through some papers. She was wearing fitted black pants with a tight white blouse and her usually flowing blonde hair was pulled back into a tight bun.
She looks absolutely divine, I thought, admiring that pert and perfect ass of hers.
"God, I think I'm going to faint," she spoke as her friend, Melissa gave her a hug.
"Mr Queen," she spoke, glaring at me.
What the hell was her problem?
"What?" Scarlett asked as Melissa told her to turn around. "Mr Queen?"
Great, the professionalism was back.
"Yes, Miss Valentina?"
"Why are you here?" She asked angrily.
"I'm going to wait outside," Melissa told Scarlett as she walked past me, glaring at me once more.
Seriously, what the hell was this woman's problem?
"I told you I was coming with you, Scarlett, don't start that again," I pleaded sincerely.
"I don't want you here." She huffed folding her arms, something she did when she lied.
"You make the world's most unconvincing liar, Miss Valentina," I smirked at her as she looked the other way, irritated.
"Seriously, what are you doing here?"
"I made a promise to you, it's only fair that I kept it," I told her honestly as she smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.
"It's time, Scarlett," her lawyer appeared at the door.
"I'll meet you in there," she said breathlessly.
"Hey," I said placing my hand on her lower back. "You'll do amazing Scarlett, you really will."
"I'm scared, Jasper." She whispered, fear evident in her eyes. "How ironic is it that he hasn't seen me for five years yet this is the most scared I've ever been?"
"I know you're scared Scarlett, but you have nothing to fear at all. You're bringing the man who was supposed to love you and look after you, to justice. You're doing nothing wrong, nor were his actions your fault in any way. Understand?"
"Thank you," she said, smiling slightly as I held her hand, guiding her towards the courtroom.
"Ready?"
"Oh, God," she murmured closing her eyes before she strode in confidently.
Judge Martin signalled for the defendant to be bought in as I looked up at Scarlett, pain etched on her face.
Minutes later, two security officers dragged in with them a very dishevelled Oliver Cameron by the handcuffs as the double doors opposite the hall opened.
I glanced over at Scarlett, watching her swallow visibly, keeping her eyes on the ground.
It was in that very moment that I had decided if her father won this case, I would kill him with my own bare hands.
Scarlett's POV
He looked a mess.
He looked absolutely awful.
Gone were the sharp suit and tie he would parade around in, courtesy of his drugs raids, instead he was dressed in a dark blue boiler suit and sewn on was his identity number.
His dark eyes, once filled with hatred and evil, were replaced with dull and lifeless orbs of a person who had lost touch with reality, along with his now rugged beard and choppy hair.
Inhaling sharply, I stared at the ground, wanting it to swallow me whole. He was seated directly opposite the me and as I looked up I noticed he was staring at me, but not with any trace of evil, rather with a trace of failure, which he had every right to feel.
"Miss Valentina, you are present here today to give evidence against the accused, Mr Oliver James Cameron, of inflicting severe physical, mental and emotional pain towards you, is that correct?" The judge confirmed.
"Yes, that is correct." I replied, surprisingly confidently.
"Mrs Reed, you may present your argument."
"Thank you, your Honor." Catherine stood up from where she was sitting beside Jasper. "Your honor, I have known Scarlett as not only her lawyer but also as her friend for six years now and I can safely say that this vicious criminal seated right in front of us left her a damaged good for life. Above all else the physical pain inflicted by-"
"Objection, your Honor!" Conrad Smith, Oliver's lawyer yelled loudly.
"Mr Smith?" Judge Martin asked expectantly.
"Your Honor, if I may, does her client actually have proof to make such an allegation?"
"Your Honor, here are the photos." Catherine said quietly handing them over to security. I pressed my lips into a thin line, trying to hold myself together as the judge scanned the evidence thoroughly.
A few silent tears escaped down my cheeks as I wondered just how the hell my life would pan out after today. As if the court case hadn't been enough I'd been receiving countless voicemails and texts from Vincent begging me to meet him and to forgive him.
And to top it all off, there was still that goddamn kiss occupying my every thought; I did not know how I was going to get out that one once this was over.
After what seemed like a lifetime, Judge Martin began the vigorous process of throwing question after question around the court room followed by a series of documents, photographs, legal statements and witness evidence â it seemed the case was so very close to ending once and for all.
I just hoped to God it was going to be a good ending.