Chapter 42: Chapter 42

Chapter Forty — Two

Ava's POV

I woke up to the sun shining inside my bedroom and the alarm ringing in my phone. Blindly, I reached over the night table and felt for the phone on the table. When I found it, without opening my eyes, I turned it down.

I hated this. I hated this.

I hated waking up in the morning early.

And more than hating waking up in the morning to my phone's alarm, I hated waking up to my bladder full and pressing down. Which was precisely what was happening at the moment. My bladder was screaming at me to relieve myself.

Groaning, I pushed myself off the bed and threw the blankets away and ran to the bathroom. After relieving myself and washing my hand, I leaned up against the sink. Wondering if I can take a leave for the day. I really wanted a day off. Well, actually, I did not want a day off from work but from the people. And if I went to the office, that was the only thing that was going to happen. I will meet people if I go to the office today.

However, in order to that happen, I needed to ask Jasper or at the very least, I needed to ask my direct boss a.k.a. Charlotte or I needed to inform her about my leave. That was the last thing that I wanted to happen. I prefer not to see Jasper at the moment, but I legit Hated to face Charlotte at the moment. Therefore, I had to go to the office.

Now that I think about it, it did not seem that bad. I will just focus on the work and ignore them both. It will be the best strategy. I would die out of boredom if I stayed in this house and did nothing. And since most of the chores were already taken by Maria, I would do nothing and waste  time. Wondering if I should have chosen the office work instead of taking a leave.

Therefore, I decided to go to the office.

Already making up my mind, I began my daily routine and got freshen up. I showered and cleaned, changed into more formal clothes and got ready. After I was completely dressed up, I walked downstairs and almost immediately was met with the owner of this house.

Jasper.

He was buttoning his white t — shirts' cuff when we almost collided.

I was surprised to see him here. One for that, I never had seen him outside his room and certainly never for breakfast. And second because of what he had said last night. About leaving early in the morning. So, to say that I was surprised was an underestimated reaction to what I was actually feeling.

And that too, catching him cuffing his shirt from on his wrist. His Coat was on his arm, draped over the arm that he was working on.

Watching me come out of nowhere, he halted in his movements.

He stopped mid-cuffing his shirt and looked at me and my sudden appearance. At once, there was a hint of surprise on his face but just as the look of surprise appeared on his face, it disappeared just as quickly.

So, I guessed he still did not want to talk to me or face me either. The look on his face reminded me of a human version of cat annoyance. Who could not bother with the annoying humans. Thinking about it actually brought a smile to my face, but I stopped it before it reached my lips.

Jasper was still staring at my face with displeasure. I thought about asking him his words last night, of him leaving in the morning for his alleged morning meeting. But one look at his face and I cancelled that question. He was pissed at me as it was, who would not be if somebody finds out about their secret like an affair, and therefore I felt it would be better not to enrage him any further.

Soon enough, our little stare down contest became awkward and both of us diverted our gazes somewhere else.

Without a word to each other, we both moved at the same time, in the same direction. Not saying a word, we both walked side by side in sync. I felt him glance my way before turning his face to see forward. This time, right as he glanced ahead, I took it as an opportunity to steal a glance at him.

He was looking gorgeous as always. Showered, fresh, clean, and he smelled so … good. I did not know it was because of my stupid crush on him, that I had developed on him over this short period of time, or because he was originally built this good-looking.

It was a plus that he went to the gym that had his body built so well. He did not need to take the shirt off for me to see his muscles underneath it. He was all nicely built. I did not care if he had six packs or not. He would look good with or without them. Moreover, his dressing sense. No damn matter what he picked or what he wore, he rocked every single outfit. Sweatpants, shorts, coats, shirts and bare …

I stumbled in my steps and almost fell down when Jasper caught me by waist, saving me from my mid-fall. As a reflex, I caught his forearms to stabilize myself. Although unfortunately, it also brought both of our faces way closer to each other. For a second, both Jasper and I froze, staring into each other's eyes. It went on for a few seconds, but I jolted myself to reality and jerked to stand up in a rush. Unable to wait to break off the physical contact between us, before I ended up doing something that I regretted my whole life.

Jasper too, stood up and we both resumed our walk nothing had happened. I thought about thanking him, but then I decided against it. He did not speak either and both of them reached the dining room and entered inside it.

Internally, I scolded myself for getting lost in thoughts so much that I lost the sense of footing and ended up almost falling again. This was the third or fourth time. I even forgot the counting of this scenario happening over and over again. It was like this had become a trend. Me stumbling on my footing and him saving from going down. It had happened so many times that it was ridiculous now.

Still, I could not ignore the fact that he had saved me all that time. Even this one. Especially this one. When none of us were on speaking terms.

We both pulled out our chairs and sat down. Jasper placed his coat over the empty chair next to his before sitting down.

“Maria. Please hurry.” Jasper called out as he flipped his plate and put a napkin on his lap. I did the same. I put a napkin and flipped the plate that was on the table in front of me.

“Just coming …” Maria called out. After that, a heavy silence descended on both of us. We both pretended that the other person did not exist and stared off in the distance. This silence did not seem foreigner, but it was not familiar either. I was subjected to silence before with him, but that did not bother me. This one did. It was not the quiet of comfort, it was the quiet of ignorance and awkwardness. We both were doing anything to fill in the emptiness that surrounded us. Looking at my nail, he leaned more back on his chair. Me straightening my hairs and him checking the dust on the table.

Finally, breaking this awkward silence, Maria finally arrived with our breakfast.

“Here honey. Sorry, I overslept today. So, this breakfast took a little time.” She told us while serving our food.

“No problem, Maria …” I said.

“No problem, Maria …” Jasper said.

Both of us spoke at the same time and glanced at each other when we did. Maria appeared surprised and amused by our responses.

Jasper straightened.

“Thank you for the breakfast, Maria.” Jasper told her.

“Yes, thank you, Maria.” I thanked her.

“Oh no, dear. Eat up before it gets cold.” She instructed us. I nodded my head and Maria scurried out of the room, leaving us both alone.

The rest of the meal was quiet. Both Jasper and I ate in silence and only focused on our meal. Finally, when both of us were done with our food, we stood up. Jasper picked his coat and I picked up my bag. I followed him outside to the car.

I was not certain if he was going to send me off in another car because of our beef, but when Max opened the car door for me, I relaxed. Thank goodness, he was not one of those people who become petty when angry at someone. Jasper was mature.

I had to give him that. No matter what, he always acted on his manners and never let his personal feelings get in the way. He treated me just as respectfully, even when he had a reason to be petty. A real mature man. And a rare one, since I had not one seen a man like him, who can even come closer to being like this.

Anyway, I walked over to the car and settled into the back seat of the car.

“Morning.” I greeted Max in a whisper. Max as always just gave me a curt nod, acknowledging my words. Max shut the door from my side. While Jasper walked on the other side of the door and climbed into the car.

Max climbed on the driver's seat and started the car. He pulled out of the parking lot and on to the driveway. Soon, we were on our way to the office. Jasper and I were busy doing our normal work. I was looking out of the window while Jasper was staring at his phone, probably checking his emails. However, one could not ignore that this scenario was different from the other ones. The awkward tension was palpable in the car.

It was like Max also noticed it because I saw him glancing in the rearview a few times, to look at both of us. At one time, I caught Max's eyes in the mirror and when I raised a questioning brow at him, he tore his gaze away to back straight ahead. After that, he did not try that again. Which I was thankful for.

During the car ride, I saw a flicker of movement on my side. When I glanced to my side, I saw Jasper holding out my phone that I had handed over to him in his office, to talk to Maria. His face was blank as he sat there with my phone extended in his hand. I, too, took my phone back from his hand as quietly as he was. With that, both of us glanced outside the window. I swiftly slid my phone in my handbag.

Soon, the car reached our office building and Max parked the car in the private parking lot.

Max opened his door and walked over to my side of the car and opened the door for me before going to Jasper's side. I had noticed this as well. Whenever I travelled with Jasper in that car, Max or any other driver, came to my side first before walking over to Jasper's side. I did not know if it was merely a coincidence, or it was intentional and on Jasper's orders.

I stepped out of the car and glanced on the other side of the door. Jasper was standing with his phone on his ear, and I decided that it was the perfect opportunity to run without making things awkward.

“Did something happen between the two of you?” A voice came from my side. Max was looking for me to hear the answer. I forced a smile and shook my head.

“No, there is nothing wrong.” I told him before glancing at Jasper one more time. He appeared to be in a deep conversation.

“Are you sure?” Max asked, looking at me staring at Jasper.

Shit.

“Yes, yes. I am pretty sure. I have to go. I will see you later.” I told him. He gave me a look that called out my lie and told me that he did not believe a single thing about my answer. So, I spun around and left the place before I said anything more than I should have.