~ Chicago, Kiani family villa ~
Kiani family's villa is located in an upscale Burr Ridge neighborhood.
It's a majestic French provincial all stone villa located on 4 acres of land and separated from the rest of the world with a tall concrete wall all around it and a heavy iron gate at the entry. Lower floor of the villa is covered in marble floor tiles, and some areas are broken apart into intricate mosaics. The floor itself looks like a masterpiece. And what compliments the extravagant floors are large crystal chandeliers, super-tall ceilings and oversized windows which provide amazing views to the well maintained garden. The whole villa is custom made with luxury in mind and most of the lower floor is an open area, perfect for hosting parties.
"What's the rush?", one young lady asked another while stopping her.
"Didn't you hear? Jasper is here." The lady was not very patient. She is on her way to the powder room in order to touch up her makeup.
"Really? He missed last few gatherings." Third lady overheard them and decided to join in the chat.
"Who is here?", Lily approached them. She heard them, but she is not sure if she heard them right.
All three ladies dropped their smiles. They forgot about Lily who thinks that she is the boss of everything related to Jasper.
"Jasper is here.", one of them responded.
Lily didn't stick around to listen. She made her way immediately toward the main entry while adjusting her smile to the most pleasant level.
Lily stopped in her tracks and blinked few times when she spotted Jasper with Ellie. His arm is around Ellie's waist and he leaned close, speaking softly while gesturing around. It seems he is showing her the place. What the…? He is dashing as ever in black pants and a shirt with light blue geometric details, while she is in a light blue knee-length cocktail dress with black geometric details. Why are their clothes matching?
Lily held her breath while walking into one of the sitting rooms in the back.
"Uncle Norman…", Lily sweetly called the man who was relaxing in a sofa chair and listening to two other older man talk.
Norman tilted his head to look up at her. "Yes, Lily?"
"Jasper is here."
"Oh? That is nice of him." Norman smiled and returned his focus to the conversation two men are having.
Lily was frustrated that Norman didn't show more interest, and she did her best not to lose her smile. "He didn't come alone."
"Someone new?", Norman guessed that it might be that woman from Jasper's apartment, but he dismissed that idea immediately. Why would his son bring some cheap woman to this house?
Lily leaned closer and spoke softly: "It's that woman who came to his office to seduce him." Lily does not know that Norman saw Ellie in Jasper's apartment, but she saw Ellie in his office and she already told Norman several times why Jasper fired her.
Norman narrowed his eyes and paused for a second before standing up. He wanted to see who that person is. And he wants to talk to Jasper about other things as well.
Jasper and Ellie made their way through the main level of the house, and it didn't take long for them to be surrounded by curious party guests.
Ellie liked that Jasper held her close to him and she blushed slightly when he introduced her as his girlfriend.
"Are you two wearing EY?", one young lady asked with awe.
Jasper was impressed to see that people recognized Ellie's brand. He nodded in acknowledgement.
"Aye, and it's matching outfits.", another lady voiced her observation and gave a meaningful look to Jasper. "It seems that your business is doing great if you can afford two outfits."
Jasper smiled and looked at Ellie. "Business is doing great. Better than I thought."
"Ah! What season is that?", one woman looked at Jasper's shirt. "I know that EY makes custom requests, but I didn't see anything like this. Simon will love this!" The woman walked away, maybe to go and find that Simon person she mentioned.
Ellie started chatting with few friendly ladies who were interested in her dress and Jasper used this chance to get them drinks.
He didn't expect that five guys and two young ladies from the neighborhood will surround him, asking about Ellie.
Ellie is a new face in a mostly standard group of people, so everyone was curious. And knowing that Jasper usually does not stick to one girl for long, some of the guys got an idea to find out more about Ellie so that they increase their chance in seducing her as soon as Jasper moves on.
The guys were not shy of asking questions such as: "When will you be done with her?", "Did someone already call dibs to be next one?", etc.
Jasper's face darkened. Partly because those guys dare to ask such questions about his Ellie, and other part was that he realized how despicable his behavior was earlier. Even if they don't know that he is serious about Ellie, if he was treating previous girls with respect, these guys would not approach him this openly with such lustful thoughts about his CURRENT date! What the hell?
Jasper took a deep breath to adjust his mood. "Guys, guys… calm down. Show some respect. She is my girlfriend and I'm not playing around. If I hear any one of you thinking about hitting on her, it will not end well. Understood?"
There were few seconds of silence before guys around him started making "Uuuh" and "Aaah" sounds like a choir.
"Don't tell me you are a changed man?", one guy asked mockingly.
Another one snickered. "If that is true, I am even more interested. What kind of girl can make the biggest player change his ways? She must be really…"
Jasper grabbed the snickering guy by the collar and slammed his back against the wall.
"Say that again.", Jasper said through his teeth while his other hand was already clenched into a fist.
"Eh, eh…", Norman's voice came from the side. "Boys, boys… settle down."
Jasper let go and turned Norman. "Father."
Norman shook his head. "You come home after a long time and there is immediately a fight."
By now, the spectators scattered, so it was only Norman and Jasper.
Jasper knows that Norman does not come just to say hi. There is something else. "How nice of you to come and welcome me. To what do I owe this honor?"
Norman saw that Jasper is by himself. He wondered if Lily saw wrongly. "I want to talk to you. Will you join me in my study?"
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