Yours, Until Needed
Chapter 36: Meeting

Chapter 36: Meeting

A sunny day, coupled with good weather. It would’ve been a lovely day had I decided to sleep in and eat my husband’s cooking.

But fate just wanted to test us mortals, so here we are.

Today was our meeting with the architect for our business. We’ve been entirely covert about business deals and meetings. For we’ve had some deals that fell through at the last minute because someone decided that it was a good day to fuck with us.

Landowners suddenly backed out, and architects and construction firms suddenly were unable to meet our contract demands—just a few of the excuses we’ve heard in the past.

Now that I’ve got a construction firm tied to me by name, all we need is a design that would work for us.

Rina found this guy through the Sinclairs long before I married Lucian.

I’ve been curious because Rina has had to hurdle over fire for this guy. That girl may seem all fun and games, but she’s tenacious—and she’s tenacious for a reason. So when she said she had to fight tooth and nail for this opportunity, then this must be worth something.

We’re at the Java Junction, a cafe we’ve frequented. We love this place because it has lofts for people who need privacy.

We need that, some salt, and maybe a crucifix. Lucian was right about Jasper’s meddling. The blockhead circled the second floor like some ghost. He’s practically haunting the cubicle entrance.

"Do we go in?" I asked, grimacing at the thought of seeing his face this early into the day. It’s not like any other time would be a good time.

"Up to you. You can opt not to go. Just let him rot there." Lucian said as he gazed towards the building.

"If you don’t want to go in, we can have the meeting elsewhere."

Unfamiliar. A crisp yet nonchalant voice came from behind, forcing all of us to look back.

Just behind Lucian stood a guy sporting a black turtleneck and a brown trench coat, a picture of a male runway model. His two-block haircut was neat and professional.

"That guy’s a problem, right?" He asked Lucian, his hand in his pocket, looking relaxed.

"Annoying dirt," Lucian replied, only to receive a nod as if that explained Jasper’s entire existence.

"Excuse me, by any chance, are you Arch. Idris Ainsworth?" Rina asked, which got her a curt nod.

I was mind-blown.

I had no preconceived notions about this guy, but I did not expect a runway model to be our architect, nor did I expect him to be this young. He’s got a good portfolio, and that could only mean great success as soon as he got licensed.

"Ms. Zellner and Mrs. Sinclair." Took a moment to realize that I was Mrs. Sinclair, but I managed to shake his hand.

"You two know each other?" I asked Lucian, surprised at how comfortable they were while talking to each other.

"Schoolmates." Supplied by my curt husband.

Beside me, Rina’s face had already contorted into various expressions, and she was probably lamenting all the effort she had exerted, only to find out that her cousin knew this guy.

"If you don’t mind encountering trash on the way, then I think it’s fine to proceed as planned." I decided.

Running away would do me nothing. I’d rather face this bastard and see what he’s cooked up.

__

JASPER

His shoes tapped relentlessly, and the floorboards had to bear with his impatience.

What the hell is taking her so long?

Jasper kept on clenching and unclenching his fists. He wouldn’t have faced potential bankruptcy if that rotten woman had just followed the plan.

The Orwells had originally been well-off, but a series of business blunders had their clan looking for a bail-out. So they sought the Thornhills.

But since the Chairman of the Thornhill group arranged the engagement, he ended up assigned to that bland Eliana.

The public adored her for her skills and excellence. But what was the need for that? She’s just going to end up married anyway.

She also sucked as a girlfriend, too serious, too boring. All she was good for was her schoolwork and making him money. So when Alexa started showing interest in him, the choice was obvious.

Why would I want to stay with that plyboard when both were Thornhills?

Alexa was different. She had everything that Eliana didn’t have. She was unique, the ideal fiance. Alexa was definitely not bland. She was hot and ready all the time.

But the Thornhills were imbalanced. When the Anderson Group, owned by Eliana’s nuclear family, detached from the Thornhill Group, problems started surfacing.

In reality, his family already benefitted from the Thornhills, well, from Eliana’s family. But he had to woo Alexa; of course, he needed funding for that. Then there’s the damage compensation for the broken engagement that Matthew Thornhill wouldn’t let go of.

If anyone had to sue for damages, he should be the one to do it for having to suffer sexual repression for his three years with Eliana.

His phone suddenly vibrated, startling him out of his thoughts. And a string of unknown numbers flashed across the screen.

They should be unknown, but Jasper knows this number now by heart. It kept on reminding him that his lease on life was shortening.

Dammit!

He wanted to throw his phone in anger but stopped when he realized that people were starting to look again.

Because he needed funds to maintain his and Alexa’s lifestyle and to shut Matthew up, Jasper borrowed funds from Nicholas Bernard. He did so by leveraging the Orwell assets without informing his family.

Because they didn’t need to know.

No one would have to know.

If only that little bitch stayed obedient.

Nicholas Bernard only agreed under the condition that he’ll end up married to Eliana in Jasper’s place. What’s easier than that, right? Especially considering how Eliana just follows the Chairman’s orders.

Wrong.

After all the effort he put into setting up Nicholas with the Chairman, Eliana decided to grow a backbone.

Who would’ve thought she’d get married before their plans could be jumpstarted? And to that bastard Sinclair, of all people?!

Now Nicholas is after him, Alexa’s been crying over Eliana’s selfish drama queen behavior, and he’s running out of funds.

Nicholas just needs to have Eliana, and he’ll honor our agreement. For what use he’s got on that frigid bitch, he’s got no idea. But he never said what condition he needed her to be in.

He just had to make sure she was divorced from Lucian.

Let’s see how she’ll get out of this now.

From where he stood, Jasper finally saw Eliana. But he didn’t anticipate she’d have three other people with her.

But wouldn’t this be better? The more, the merrier.

Jasper licked his lips as he patted the envelope he’d been carrying since earlier.

They wouldn’t have resorted to this if only she had obediently followed orders. Maybe he could even forgive her melodramatic antics and see to her every once in a while.

Such a woman needed passion, and he could’ve provided her with that if she’d stopped being selfish for once.