Is this destiny?

Based on the interior design and a huge playroom with tables for billiards and ice hockey as well as various game consoles which she observed while silently following after Jasper, Ellie concluded that this is his bachelor's pad.

She was impressed by amazing views of Lake Michigan, but she kept that to herself. She does not want to show him the slightest hint that she is impressed or anything that can be interpreted as positive. He does not deserve it.

Ellie took a seat on the sofa in the living room. She sat on the edge of the cushion, indicating that she is not getting too comfortable and looked at Jasper without a word.

"Can I get you something to drink?"

After a long silence, his deep voice startled her.

Only then Ellie realized that she didn't say a word since they left his work building. "I'm not here to drink."

He looked at her stubborn expression and smiled. "I need a drink. Do you want to join me?"

Ellie nodded.

His smile widened while thinking that this is the second thing she didn't reject. One is coming to his place, and second is a drink. Slowly he is cracking that ice fortress which surrounds her.

'Damn it!', Ellie cursed internally. The moment she agreed to something, anything, it means that her defenses are weakened. How is she supposed to stay angry at him like this? But no matter if she is angry or not, she needs an explanation. And she wanted a drink.

She accepted the wine glass. Wine is delicious… the guy definitely knows what a good wine is. And it is chilled just right.

Jasper got himself a glass of amber-hued liquor with one large ice cube. Whiskey? Scotch? Bourbon? She could not guess.

"Ellie. I am glad that you are here.", Jasper said with a charming smile.

Ellie looked at him for a second before mimicking his expression and responding in a similar tone: "Jasper. I am waiting to hear your explanation."

His face fell, recognizing her sarcasm. "I don't want to talk about that woman."

"Neither do I. But she made me feel like I want to destroy your happy marriage. So, I demand to know, what is going on?"

"She is crazy.", he said without looking at Ellie.

Ellie realized that he is trying to brush it off. She narrowed her eyes at him. "That crazy woman seems to be your ex, and your employee, and someone with confidence to come into your office without permission more than once."

Jasper sighed while thinking how he should have strangled Lilian while he had a chance. "She said a lot."

"She didn't say all of that, but I'm good at picking up hints. I don't want to tell you what else I picked up, but if you don't come clean in next five minutes... I. Will. Leave."

Jasper saw that Ellie is serious. He has to explain, and he promised no lies.

"Lilian. A onetime thing about three years ago. Since then I didn't even look at her, but that didn't stop her imagination from going wild."

Ellie listened carefully and felt that some things are missing from his explanation. "There must be a reason for her imagination and for why she is still working close to you even after behaving like that."

Jasper confirmed to himself that Ellie is a smart one. He likes that about her.

"It was shortly after I started working... My father might have insinuated that she is a good daughter-in-law candidate. And he got her that job. I know that she is slightly delusional, but so far she was professional at work. After her stunt this afternoon, she is fired."

Ellie likes that he fired that obnoxious woman, but there is something else that got her attention... "Your father approves of her?"

"My father does not care about her. But he considers her father to be a good friend."

"I see. So, your father said that she is a good wife material, and you never said anything against it, so she grew her fangs."

Jasper knows that Ellie's conclusion is correct, but he has a different point of view. "Why would I confront my father about something that is not relevant? He said that years ago and since then he probably forgot about it. And there is no way I'm marrying Lilian."

Ellie raised her eyebrows. "Not relevant? Lilian does not agree. And she is probably making sure that her father does not forget what yours said. How I see it, if your father approves of any other woman in your life, it will be like he is going against his friend."

Jasper smiled when he noticed that Ellie is upset about this. "You care what my father thinks. Are you insinuating again that you want to marry me?"

As much as she likes his smile, Ellie does not like that he is trying to joke at a time like this. They are having a serious conversation! "Dream on. I am not insinuating anything. I am clearly stating that I don't want to be in a relationship where someone relevant thinks of me like I am the second woman."

Jasper thought about this for few seconds before suggesting: "Do you want to meet my father?"

Ellie firmly rejected. "No. But I would appreciate some assurance that he does not expect you to end up with Lilian. The sooner the better."

"What's the rush?"

"It's easier to end it early on, before things get more serious." Ellie regretted saying these words, but it was too late. She said it. She cursed herself internally. Who talks about ending a relationship before they want to end it?

Just as she suspected, Jasper was troubled.

"Ellie… Who hurt you this much? Why are you always thinking about the possibilities that things will not end well?"

Ellie lowered her gaze and her expression showed how troubled she is.

Jasper understood that she is not willing to talk about it. Yet.

Ellie was surprised when Jasper lifted her up and placed her to sit in his lap. His arms were around her waist firmly, and she could not budge.

Jasper rested his head on her shoulder, ignoring her shock and weak attempts to stand up. He can tell that she is insecure about them as a couple, and he needs to tell her that he is not taking their relationship lightly.

"Before things get more serious? Last twelve days I am seriously missing you. And I am seriously happy that you are here. I am counting days and hours and minutes when I will see you again. For me, it does not get more serious than this."

Ellie was lost for words. She didn't expect to hear anything like this from Jasper. It was nothing too romantic, but she can tell that he really means it. And she missed him too, a lot.

Ellie's heart melted together with any unpleasant feelings because of Lilian. What matters is that she is with Jasper.

She ran her fingers through his hair and wrapped her arms around him.

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