CHAPTER 28

JASPER

"What's wrong?" She asked, possibly sensing my stiff mood.

"Nothing." I managed to give her a little smile.

I was wearing a black pinstriped suit, complete with matching tie and shoes. Her Dad was wearing a suit, too, but he looked comfortable in it, unlike me, who was very irritated with formality.

I loosened up my tie a little. Her father smiled at me.

"You could untie that if you're not comfortable. Just wear your polo shirt or something."

"No sir, it's okay." I said, but deep inside, I wished he would insist.

"What's with the formality, anyway?" He turned to look at Alice.

"Daddy, I want us to be presentable… And you like it formal, right?"

"Sweetie… If it has something to do with James, I don't mind at all. Jasper here seems like a good guy, good enough for you. You didn't have to force him into that suit!" He chuckled, motioning for me to put the suit off.

"No, really, sir, I'm okay with this." I smiled again, but my insides were fuming. How could Alice force me to be like James?

I was really upset. Did she think her father wouldn't like who I really am? Just because of the clothes I wear? That's so shallow. I was hurt.

"So Jasper, what does your father do for a living? I mean, not to be rude… Just curious." Mr. Brandon smiled gently at me, like I was his own son at that moment.

"He's in the Army, sir. General Joseph Whitlock, you might have heard of him. I'm not sure though. My mom's a fashion designer."

"General Whitlock is your father? I didn't figure that out!" He exclaimed.

"Yes sir. Were you acquaintances?" Now I was curious. Why didn't Dad tell me when I introduced them to Alice?

"No son, everybody knows him, though. I always see him on TV you know, and the news." He grinned. "How come you didn't join the army? Why did you end up taking business management?"

"I was about to enroll at PMA, sir. But… When I passed by the school that day, our school, I mean. I felt like something's pulling me inside. Like a gravity or something. I felt like I just couldn't go on and let it all pass, so I entered the school, then enrolled. I was really not sure what course to take, so when I saw a line, I joined it, and yeah… It was the line for Business Management." I smiled sheepishly.

That day, I really wasn't aware of what I was doing. All I knew was that I want to, I need to study in that school, and if I didn't, I'd always feel like something's missing. It really didn't make any sense back then, but now, it was all clear. Had I not enrolled there, I wouldn't have met Alice. I wouldn't be this happy and contented. I would have been in the army, firing bullet after bullet, sentencing rebels to their deaths. That decision was the best I ever made in my life.

"Jazzy, if you didn't pass by the school that day… That means, we wouldn't have met?" Alice said in a small voice.

I smiled a little, feeling hurt all over again. Why did she try to mold me into being like James? I was still upset.

"Yeah. Guess I made the right decision." I said. Her father tapped my shoulder, nodding in approval.

We head back to their house after dinner. Alice went to her room, feeling tired.

"Jasper, would you like to join me at the bar?" Her father asked as I was heading up for the guest room. I didn't mind though, I wanted him to approve of me as me, not as anyone else.

"Sure sir, I'll be down in a minute." I went to the room quickly, took a shower, then changed back to a shirt and a pair of jeans- my type of clothes.

Mr. Brandon was already there when I entered the bar. He poured me a shot of tequila, gesturing for me to sit down.

"Sorry about what Alice did, son." Son. He called me son. The feeling I felt was incomparable.

"Sir… May I ask you something?"

"You already did." He chuckled. I like this man, he's cool. Maybe that's why Alice loves him so much, except for the fact that he's her father. "Go on, son. Don't be scared."

"Uh… How long were they together? And why did they break up?"

"You mean, Alice and James? They were like, together forever. They used to be. I can't talk about the break up though. It's just too hard."

I looked down, worried that I might be just a rebound if they've been together that long. I gulped down my drink, and Alice's dad poured me another.

"I like you better, though. You give me some sense of security. And her eyes… They look different when you're around."

I smiled at that. His words lessened my insecurities, if not completely erased.

"Thank you sir." He gave me a fatherly hug and we called it a night.

The next day, I woke up unusually late. I hurriedly got up and fixed myself, ashamed that I showed my bad sleeping habits here.

"Good morning sir." A housemaid greeted me as I made my way downstairs.

"Where are they?" I asked, giving her a smile.

"They're out for a walk, sir. But they'll be back soon. Your lunch is ready in the kitchen." She bowed, excusing herself.

I mumbled my thanks as I made my way to the kitchen. The cook has prepared quite a lot, considering I'll be the only one to eat. Even if Alice and her Dad were here, I doubt we'd munch down even half of it.

I helped myself with the food, feeling extremely hungry, but lonely, eating alone. I ate portions of steak, fried prawns, and pork adobo, which was my favorite.

I was practically full with the main entrée, but I had to try the yummy looking dessert, a chocolate mousse, so I did. It was really good. I was practically dragging myself up when I finished.

Alice and her Dad arrived at about three in the afternoon. We rushed to get our things organized to head back to the dorm. I still haven't talked to her since last night. I was still jealous of James, even if she's mine now. I just love her way too much.

We rode the bus to Manila. It was a rough four hour drive from her province, and we both stayed silent, except for the occasional stares I got from her. I brushed them all off.

We arrived at the dorm at 8:00, dead tired. I carried off her suitcase to their room, knowing she couldn't carry them anymore.

"See you at dinner?" She asked. Esme said dinner will be served at 9:00. Weird, we always had dinner at around six or seven.

"No, I'm tired." I said flatly.

"Jazz, what's the matter? I'm sorry for what I did…" She pleaded.

"Right." I said, walking out to sleep in my room.

I walked out because I knew that I could not stand being mad at her for so long. But I was jealous, and so she'd have to figure that out. I hate hurting her like that, but I was in so much pain that I've become so selfish.

"Jazz…" I heard her call one last time. Her voice was so resigned. Still, I didn't care.

**

MUSIC: Shattered by Trading Yesterday

Yeah.. LQ for Alice and Jasper, since they've been having it the easy way…. And I'm jealous of them. So I want to make it a bit harder. What do you think? Review!!! Reviews are like cupcakes to me. Hell yeah, cupcakes with frostings… They make miracles! They move mountains! HAhAHA