Chapter 76: Chapter 76

Chapter Seventy - Six

Jasper's POV

I was waiting for Charlotte to come into my office and fill me in with my schedule for today's work. She was late. I thought about calling again but decided to just give it one more minute. Finally, when even that one minute passed I decided to pick up my office phone and dial again.

As soon as I picked up the receiver to call, there was a knock on my door, before it swung open. Charlotte walked over to me with a few files and came to stand near my table. She gave me the files before I gestured towards her tab, to fill me in with my schedule.

I picked up all the files and glanced at it to get an idea about them. When I realised that she had not started speaking yet. I looked up to find her staring down at me. I raised a brow for her to ask whatever she was holding back and she relented.

"So, what did you think?" She asked me. I stared at her in confusion.

"About what?" I asked her.

"About marrying me. We talked about it yesterday." She reminded me. I rolled my eyes with a sigh. Not this again.

"I'm not going to marry you, Charlotte. It's clear, there is nothing to talk about." I told her. Suddenly, I realised that I did not mention about getting into a relationship with Ava.

"And about that. Ava and I are officially in a relationship. Exclusive. So, I hope you understand that." I gave it to her straight.

"But ..." She tried to counter.

"Don't start again. We're done. It's over." I told her directly. Charlotte pursed her lips like she was holding back from saying something. Probably, yelling profanities at me inside her mind. Honestly, I would deserve it. I hurt her. Although it was unintentional, it did not matter. She was getting hurt all the same.

"So, what's -" I started but was cut off.

"Daniel's here." She said, Taking me off guard for once.

"What?" I asked her, not getting her. Charlotte did not speak up to clarify. Only stared at me. At last, it sank in. My face changed into anger and I felt myself heating up.

"How did he get in here? And where is he?" I ask. I stood up without wasting my time. If he was searching for Ava for another one of his favours then I would kill him.

The door opened and in walked the arrogant jerk named Daniel. The one I was about to go for a hunt. He glanced at Charlotte and then back at me before smiling at me mockingly.

"I guess you were going to come and look for me?" He asked me. His eyes danced with mischievousness as he walked over to my table. Without ever asking for permission, he pulled out a chair and sat down. He was behaving like he owned the place. I gestured to Charlotte to leave us alone.

She took the hint and walked out of the place, closing the door behind her.

I sat down on my seat and studied his profile. He was here for a reason, that much was clear but what it was, I was not sure about it.

"Get to the point. What are you doing here?" I asked him.

"Back off from the International Textile deal." He said.

International Textile deal. It was a deal that could raise a small company to the heights and bring the high one to the brink of collapse. It had brought many companies to new heights and there had been the collapse of many companies. In this meeting, major companies from all around the world come together to raise one company as the major one all around the world.

It was like a council or committee. All companies decide to bid on one company in each field that according to them should be considered best of it's one's field. And once we decide which company it would be, they all only collaborate with it and we all share the revenue from our collaboration.

There were other benefits from it. Like companies exchange datas and helps a foreigner company settle in a your place. This meeting came with major benefits and major disadvantages. It was one hell of a deal. It was not going to mean a massive loss for my company. At the moment, my company was at the height of it's achievement in our textile and fashion designing field and therefore, I could not afford to lose it. No matter what. If I did not attend this deal, then there were more than ninety - five percent chance that I would lose my position. And my company would face a setback. Maybe even a ninety - nine percent chance. And then someone else would take my place.

Like Daniel.

Daniel's company was the only company that could beat me in this competition. There was no doubt that he would beat me in it if I did not attend it. So, there was no chance in hell that I would not attend this deal.

I will.

"No. You are stupid for even thinking that I would back off from it." I told him.

He picked up one of the files of my desk that Charlotte had left on my desk and began to flip through it.

"You would back off from it, if you care for Ava any more than you do." He said. I snatched that file from his hand and placed that file near me.

"What do you mean?" I asked. Not understanding what he was getting at.

"You remember that Ava is carrying my baby? I could lay my claim on it anytime I want. And none of you would be able to do anything about it." He said.

I stood up so fast that I even surprised myself. My hands balled into fists without realising it.

"Are you threatening me?" I asked him in a cold, sharp voice. He stood up and dusted his black coat.

"No. Just a friendly warning." He said. I clenched my teeth so hard that I could feel the pain. He spun around and began walking to the door when he stopped. Halting in his tracks. He turned around, putting his hands in his pockets.

"Or ... I could back off from the deal. And you could have everything from this deal to yourself. But, I want something in return." He said. His words got me even through my fury. There was no way that he would be backing out of this deal. But, I entertained the idea for some time.

"What is it?" I asked him, cynically.

"Give me Ava." He said. Now, my fury bursted out of me.

"You -" I said.

"I mean it. I take Ava and you take the deal. Think about it. If you let her come to me then you and your company will have every last benefit from this deal. You would become way more rich then you are right now. More than a billionaire. Your company would solely rule it's field. On the other hand, if you decided to keep her then I would make sure that you never get what you want. Whether this way or that way. So choose wisely." He told me. His face was serious.

"Why are you so obsessed with her?" I asked him, still controlling my temper.

"You're the one asking me this question? Have you looked at her, yourself?" He asked me, then grinned when I did not say anything.

"She is intriguing to me. She fascinates me." He whispered. With that, he turned around but not before he told me to think about it. And then he was gone.

I stood where I was for a few more seconds after he left my office, then I finally pushed myself into action. I picked up my phone and called the front desk to notify them that they would never let Daniel in. I also told them that if anyone entered the building without a pass next time then the whole floor would be fired. New employees would be given their place and then I cut the call.

Next, I called Ava to come into my office urgently.

And then I sat down in my seat and waited for her to come.

In about five minutes or so, Ava entered my room. For some unknown reason, possessiveness took over me. As soon as she closed the door, I was on her. I kissed her with passion and a burning desire. Before it could turn into more, I stopped myself. We can't keep doing it here.

So, I grabbed her hand and walked her to a chair, helping her sit down. I sat down on her side chair.

"Why did you call me?" Ava asked me. Her eyes wide and half dazed. I was glad that it was not only me who got affected by the kiss.

"Did you meet Daniel today? Or did he come near you today?" I asked her.

"Yeah. I mean - wait. How do you know?" She asked me. I let out a sigh.

"I met with him today. Anyway, tell me what happened?" I questioned her. She smoothed her silky hair and looked outside. At last, she told me that she met with him in the pantry. She told me that he tried to talk to her, speaking nonsense but she ignored him and got out of there. And then she told me that maybe Charlotte saw them together.

Charlotte never mentioned seeing them together but that was not concerning at the moment.

"Ava. Listen to me, carefully." I said to grab her attention. I took her face in my hand and looked into her eyes.

"Stay away from him. He's not a good person. Please just stay away from him. If he tries to come near you or tries to talk to you then call me right away. Don't ever hesitate to do it. But please stay away from him." I told her. I Want her to listen to me and understand me.

Ava's eyes furrowed in concern.

"Did something happen, Jasper?" She asked me. God, her sweet voice. I could not possibly tell her anything about our conversation. She would get stressed if she found out that Daniel had threatened to claim the baby. So, I opted for a safer approach.

I gave her a small smile and shook my head.

"No. Nothing happened. But, I wanted you to keep cautioned and stay away from him. Could you do it for me?" I asked her.

She nodded with a smile and I pulled her in my arms, wanting to protect her from anything that might come her way.

I kissed her temple.

And I will.