AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I understand what he means; he is thanking me for taking the time to listen to him about his mother.
“No problem.”
Poppy
The next evening, I’m meeting my parents at their mansion in Long Island City. I’m excited to finally have a Sunday dinner with them. I’ve been waiting for this moment since my mother cut ties from me. I’m ready to be invited back into my family like old times.
The driver comes to a metal black gate, and I roll down my window and hit the Call button for the security guy to open the gate. We drive down the pavement. So many cars are here, and my heart falls in my gut. I thought we were supposed to be having a private dinner, at least that’s what my mother made it seem like when we spoke over the phone. Too many people are here, though. Who the hell did they invite? Half of New York City?
“Wasn’t this supposed to be a small dinner just for us?” Jasper asks.
I continue to look out the window as more cars line the other side of the driveway. “Yes.”
“No, we’re getting the fuck out of here.” Jasper leans forward. “Chance, ta—”
“No. I told my mother we were going to show up, so we’re here. I’m not going to disappoint her again.”
Jasper grips my chin so I look at him. “But next time they pull this shit, we’re leaving.”
I nod.
He grabs my hand and brushes his lips against my knuckles, and I shiver on the inside.
I poke him in the side. “What was that for?”
“You look gorgeous.”
My cheeks flame at his compliment. I want to keep my distance as much as possible because I don’t want to get my heart broken again, but the way Jasper is being so nice to me isn’t helping. That’s why I chose to stay away from him, because I knew he was the type of guy I tend to go for. The charming, powerful ones. After the night we spent at the restaurant where he and his mother used to frequent when he was younger, he’s been different toward me. He’s been asking me questions about my life, being more attentive toward me.
The car comes to a complete stop, and Chance gets out to open our door. Jasper steps out and holds out his arm, and I take it.
The suit he’s wearing is made of fine thread and tailored to fit his body to perfection. He looks like a Greek god. Powerful and dominant, as if he’s about to take the world by storm.
I run my hand over the red dress I’m wearing, it flares at the bottom and I have paired it with a small black jacket. It’s a little nippy out here as the sun sinks behind the mansion. I hired a hairstylist to relax my roots, because my curly hair was growing in, and I also hired someone to do my makeup, all courtesy of Jasper who insists I need to enjoy the perks of being his wife.
We walk up the stony staircase, and as I open the wooden door, the smell of fresh wine and hors d’oeuvreshits my nostrils. My parents brought out their big guns tonight. It’s quiet, but I hear music coming from the backyard.
Jasper grabs my hand before I lead him to the double doors and open them.
“I’m ready to leave already,” I whine, then I look at Jasper. “I’m sorry. I really am. If I had known they were going to do this, we wouldn’t have come.”
“It’s fine. Really, Poppy. You don’t have anything to apologize for. It’s their fault.”
I nod as butterflies bounce in my stomach. I step outside to find so many people flooding the backyard. My stepfather hired waiters and waitresses dressed in black suits, and they offer us both a glass of champagne. I snatch one from the silver tray, because I know I’m going to need the liquid courage to deal with my parents’ shenanigans. This is more of a cocktail party than a simple family dinner.
Where the hell did they get the funds to throw such a lavish party?
This is the moment I dreamed of, of being in good graces with my mother. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for. Hopefully, this evening doesn’t turn out to be a disaster.
Jasper places his hand on my lower back, moving it down to my butt, and my cheeks burn.
“You’re really going to grab my ass in front of my parents?”
He brushes his lips against my temple. “In front of all these men who can’t keep their eyes off you, I have to claim what’s mine.”
“I have a million-dollar ring on my finger that says I’m yours.”
He grabs my hand and squeezes lightly. “The ring is fifteen million dollars, Angel.”
