Chapter 15
Golden rays shone through the clouds as the sun began to set. Jasper was slumped in the back seat of a luxury car that was on its way to Seaview Manor.
“I’ve dealt with the social media accounts that spread gossip about Madam Alice, Mr. Jasper. Their accounts have been shut down, and a lawyer’s letter has also been issued. It should be enough for now. But the news about your marriage… We weren’t able to remove it from the trending searches. Things… are looking difficult.” Xavier looked apologetic.
Jasper looked out the window sullenly. All this while, there were multiple occasions when he wanted to contact Alice upon remembering how badly their last conversation had gone. It was embarrassing having to go through Jonah to speak with her. Even if she did answer, what was he supposed to say? Should he apologize for what happened today? He couldn’t do that. The words wouldn’t come. It felt as if he were being crushed beneath a bolder that was so heavy he could barely breathe.
Just as the Rolls–Royce was about to pull into the vicinity of Seaview Manor, he frowned. “Stop the
car.”
1
The chauffeur obeyed and pulled over to the side of the road. Jasper got out before Xavier could ask any questions. His feet carried him across the road to a vintage atelier where well–tailored suits hung by a brightly–lit translucent window. The plaque above read “Eternity,” the same word printed on the box containing the suit that Alice prepared for him.
The wind chimes by the door jingled as he pushed the door open. An old tailor came out to greet him, “Are you here to pick up a custom or would you like to have something tailored?”
There was some slight hesitation before Jasper asked, “Was there a woman in her 20s who tailored a men’s suit here roughly a month ago?”
“Ah, of course! There was indeed a young woman here! She was quite skilled. I remember her very well!” The old tailor’s eyes lit up. “That woman is very talented at clothing design. I’ve been in the business for over 40 years and even I can’t even compare to her!”
“Did she… come here every day?” Jasper asked quietly.
“Yes, she always came on time every morning and stayed until we closed in the evening. I often saw her resting against the desk because she was so tired. She wouldn’t even bother to take a single sip of water while she was here. It was worrying,” the tailor said as he reminisced. “I asked her if she was giving it to her father or her boyfriend, and her face was so red when she said it was for her beloved. I didn’t expect her to be married at such a young age. It made me wonder who the lucky guy was!”
Beloved… The word stung like the thorns of a rose.
“The way her eyes shone when she spoke of her beloved, oh she must love her husband very much. Why else would she make clothes by hand where every stitch is filled with love? Oh yes, and you are? Why do you know this?”
Jasper swallowed as he tried to sound less suspicious. “I’m her beloved.”
The old man was dumbfounded as he scrutinized Jasper. “You two are the perfect match!”
Jasper left the atelier as the sun set. It all felt like a dream. Alice loved him? But why would she act like a completely different person and dive into the arms of another man after leaving him when she used to focus her gaze solely on him? He felt empty. It was a sensation he had never experienced before.
“Why did you visit the atelier, Mr. Jasper? You usually only wear designer fashion. When did your taste for clothing change?” Xavier, the fool, was confused.
“It’s nothing. Let’s go.”
His phone started to ring right theh. The amount of harrowing phone calls he was getting was nearly giving him trauma. Frowning, he checked who was calling before he heaved a sigh. It was his best friend, Landon, the scion of the Harper family.
“Hello?”
“Let’s go out tonight! Everyone wants to celebrate.” Landon sounded jovial, barely able to keep the teasing out of his tone.
“Celebrate what?”
“That depends on you. Are we celebrating your marriage or your divorce?”
“Scram.”
“Haha! That was a joke! A joke! My new venue is opening today. You should come by as a show of support. How long has it been since we last hung out? What? Are you done with me now?”
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