Chapter 15 - Tears And Tantrums
Scarlett's POV
I closed the door slowly as Jasper left, feeling a little guilty but I knew we couldn't continue whatever this was if I wanted to keep my job.
I walked over to the recliner where the blue and white box was sat on the armrest.
Just as I was about to pull the ribbon back I heard a knock on the door.
Was that Jasper?
I opened the door, almost a little too excitedly, before I saw that it wasn't Jasper - it was Vincent.
"Hello, Scarlett," he greeted smoothly, presenting a bunch of flowers.
"What do you want, Vincent?" I asked through gritted teeth.
"You've been ignoring my texts and phone calls so I thought we could meet in person. Now aren't you going to invite your boyfriend in?"
Was this man on crack?
"Vincent," I laughed almost manically. "You stood me up three times, you then tried to attack me in your own home. Call it clever intuition but I think we are far from being in any sort of relationship."
"Do you think any other guy will want you, Scarlett? Seriously?" He asked bitterly. "Look at you. Weak. Pathetic. You think I didn't notice those ugly scars of yours? Everything about you is ugly."
"Well then, I never realised how alike we really are!" I snapped sarcastically. "Now, leave. If I see you anywhere near my property, I'm calling the police."
I slammed the door shut in his face as I breathed a sigh of relief.
Hopefully that would be the last I ever see of him.
I picked up the Tiffany's box once again and peeled back the ribbon. I lifted the lid to see a beautiful diamond bracelet along with a note inside.
It was either this or a trip to Victoria's Secret. Not that I would mind that though.
- J
I laughed aloud at his silly note as I imagined him walking into Victoria's Secret to go underwear shopping.
Smiling to myself, I ran my fingers along the beautiful gems of the bracelet, deciding I would wear it to tomorrow benefit charity. Placing it back into its box, I picked up my phone from the table to text Jasper.
Thank you for the bracelet, it is beautiful. The note was a little unorthodox, I will admit but thank you.
A few minutes later he replied.
Glad you liked it.
Strange. That was a little curt.
I was expecting some smart-ass, perverted comment.
Rolling my eyes, I decided to go to bed as it had been one long day and I would need the energy if I were to attend tomorrows benefit without collapsing.
Jogging up to my bedroom, I turned the lights off only leaving my fairy lights which lit the room dimly.
As soon as my head hit the pillow, I was out like a light.
***
The alarm rang at six thirty sharp as I yawned loudly.
I groaned, getting out of bed before heading for the shower. I threw on a pair of fitted black dress pants and a grey blouse before choosing an outfit for the benefit.
Surveying the contents of my wardrobe, I finally settled on a full sleeved lilac and cream gown embroidered with small dainty pearls. I picked out a pair of cream crotchet heels along with a pearl necklace and bracelet.
I placed my dress and accessories inside a small suitcase which I was going to take to work as I would have to change from there.
Choosing to keep my makeup natural, I placed my hair into a high pony tail, deciding Jennifer could do my hair for me at the office before the benefit.
Satisfied with my appearance, I slipped into a pair of black pumps and bought the suitcase down. I was going to have to drop the dress and probably Jasper's suit to be pressed before this evening.
Sliding my phone into my bag, I wheeled the suitcase out before opening the door.
I arrived at work in ten minutes, carting my hand luggage through the main entrance, greeting my co- workers happily.
I felt great today, mostly because I had managed to get Vincent and my father out of my life for good.
Placing my bag and suitcase beside my desk, I left to grab Jasper's coffee.
"Good morning," I smiled at him as I placed the coffee on his desk.
"Is it?" He muttered, not looking up.
"Is something wrong?" I asked, frowning.
"Absolutely nothing." He replied curtly.
"Oh. Well, will I need to send your suit to be pressed for tonight's benefit?"
"No."
Jheeze, what was his problem?
"Right." I mumbled as I left his office.
Shaking my head, I resumed my seat at the front desk and began to sort through Jasper's appointments over the next few weeks when someone tapped on the window in front of me.
"Good morning. Can I help you?" I asked politely to this beautiful woman stood in front of me. She had thick black hair, forest green eyes and full pink lips.
She was stunning.
"Hi, I'm Elena." She smiled. "I was wondering whether I could see Jasper right now?"
My stomach knotted violently as I tried not to let this affect me.
"Of course, bear with me a moment while I check that he is free."
"Of course."
Sliding off my seat I went into Jasper's office.
"What do you want now?" He asked irritably as I stiffened angrily.
"There is somebody here to see you," I snapped. "Elena?"
I watched as his scowl grew into a slight smile.
A woman who could make him happy just like that, wow, I thought sadly.
"Send her through immediately." He ordered, standing up.
"Of course."
I walked out and smiled at 'Elena' as she proceeded to walk in.
"Thank you, I know he has a very tight schedule most days," she said knowingly.
Twenty minutes later, as I attempted to busy myself, I almost didn't hear my intercom buzzing.
"Mr Queen?" I asked hesitantly.
"Scarlett, would you bring in some tissues please?"
"Of course." I replied, wondering what the hell he did to the girl.
Walking back into the office, I saw Elena sat on the leather seat crying quietly, Jasper holding her in his arms.
"Um..." I started awkwardly as Jasper arose, slowly moving towards the other side of the room.
"What the hell is it with you women? Why do you choose the worst possible men for yourself and then cry about it afterwards?" He yelled, turning to Elena.
"Here," I said softly, giving her a tissue as she smiled apologetically.
"How the fuck do you expect me to look after you when you throw yourself at these men? First Emily, then you!" His voice became louder as Elena started sobbing.
"Jasper!" I snapped loudly as I turned to face him.
"You can leave now, Scarlett!"
"No, you can leave! Either speak to her civilly or get outside and calm the hell down!" I yelled glaring at him as he glared back at me before stalking out of the office, slamming the door behind him.
"Thank you." Elena's voice sounded, cracking slightly. I went and sat beside her, smiling sheepishly.
"What did he do?"
"It wasn't him. It's my boyfriend -"
"Boyfriend?" I cut her off ludicrously. "Aren't you and Jasper...?"
"Oh, good Lord, no!" She laughed. "He's my older brother!"
Wow, I have never heard such relieving words, I thought, happily.
"How have I never seen you before? Sorry, I'm being nosy," I apologised.
"Not at all! I've been living in Spain for the last few years, I was studying there," she explained. "It was there I met Zac... gave half the Spanish men there a run for their money!"
"Sounds dreamy," I noted as we giggled.
"We met during the first two weeks after my arrival in Spain and we pretty much hit it off straight away. He was sweet and kind and funny... I honestly thought he was the one," she said looking at me, her expression slightly embarrassed. "Well, anyway, we were together for two years and I knew he would cheat on me every now and then but I really thought I loved him so I pretended I wasn't aware. Until last week. I came into our apartment and found him with one of the local girls in our bed..." She trailed off, sobbing loudly as I handed her another tissue.
"It's okay," I soothed, feeling a sense of déjà vu as I would always be the friend comforting my high school friends after each and every bad break up they had.
"I love him so much, Scarlett!"
"Listen to me," I said sternly holding her shoulders. "Yes, you love him. You feel like a piece of you has died and that you'll never be able to recover from the damage, right?"
She nodded as I heard the door reopen and close.
"Wrong! You are going to pick yourself up, give him and every other cheating bastard the finger and move on with your life. You're young and beautiful and from what I've gathered quite the personality too, so go enjoy your life and stop searching, what you're looking for Elena, is right under your nose. You just have to let things fall into place sometimes."
"You're right," she smiled, wiping her eyes dry. "Thank you so much, I needed that wake-up call... It was done a hell of a lot nicely than the way others attempted to deal with it!" She said as I turned around to see Jasper stood there smiling amusedly.
Oh, great, how much had he heard?
"Maybe if your taste in men wasn't so bad, Elena," he scolded jokingly as she stood up.
"You say that as if your taste in slutty women is any better," she snapped as I laughed quietly.
"I will have you know -"
"Goodbye, asshole," she smiled rolling her eyes before turning to me. "I'll ask Jay to text me your number, is that okay?"
"Of course. Goodbye, Elena," I smiled as she threw her hands around my neck, hugging me.
"Thank you so much." she said.
"It was my pleasure."
"Be nice to her. She's too good for you. Way too good." she patted Jaspers chest and left, the door closing softly behind her.
"So I've been told," he murmured dryly, giving me a pointed look as I felt my face flush in embarrassment. "That was very daring of you, Miss Valentina, to throw your boss out of his own office."
"Sometimes, even the boss needs to be put back in to his place," I smiled innocently as he pulled me by my waist, my body crashing in to his.
"I can think of a place this boss would like to be in right now."
"Where?" I quizzed looking at him weirdly as he burst out laughing. Only then did I realise what he meant. "Jasper Queen!"
"You are such an innocent soul. It's refreshing to see."
Yes, such a refreshing change from the desperate women you sleep with!
"Is that jealousy I detect, Scarlett?" he teased as my eyes widened.
Shit, I need to stop voicing my goddamm thoughts!
"No, no, don't stop on my account!" He grinned.
"Shut up!" I hissed, trying to wiggle out of his grasp, only succeeding because he'd loosened his hold over me. "Now, I am going to get things ready for the benefit, are you sure you don't need a suit pressed?"
"Take my keys and just pick out something suitable," he instructed pointing to the desk where his keys sat. "The car will be here in ten minutes. I want you back here in forty-five minutes, I have something I would like to discuss with you."
"Okay," I replied hesitantly, walking up to his desk to search for the keys. "Where are your keys?"
"In the bottom drawer."
I bent down as I opened the drawer, rummaging through its contents before I heard the sound of keys jangling from behind me.
"I apologize, they were in my pocket," he smirked, holding the keys above my height.
"Jasper!" I groaned.
"Mm?" He asked as he pushed back a loose bang from my face. "Have I ever told you how beautiful your ass is?"
"More times than I care to remember; give me the keys!"
"Please. Where are your manners?" He teased, throwing down the keys as I caught them.
"Oh, they must have gone AWOL with yours," I smiled angelically, patting his chest. "See you later."
Grinning, I left and got into the car, deciding to update my dear best friend on the recent happenings at the office.
"Hi, Scarlett," Melissa answered, her voice tired and hoarse.
"Melissa? Is everything okay?" I asked worriedly.
"I'm fine, Scarlett. Blake and I are going through a rough patch, I'm just dealing with that."
"Why didn't you tell me? I'm going to come over and â "
"Scarlett, you don't even like Blake," she scoffed as I frowned. What was wrong with her? "I need space to deal with this. I don't want to talk to anyone, I don't want you turning up to my place. Blake and I are dealing with our shit and I am fine."
"Melissa, what has gotten into you?" I asked seriously.
"I need space. Just give me space."
And with that, she cut the call.
Just when things started looking up, I thought to myself, feeling defeated.
I sighed aloud, deciding that, if space what my best friend needed, then space was what I would give her.