Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 26493 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 132(@200wpm)___ 106(@250wpm)___ 88(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26493 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 132(@200wpm)___ 106(@250wpm)___ 88(@300wpm)
Perfect. I’ll drop it off now then.
I grab the box and throw it onto the passenger’s seat of my car. The sooner I get rid of his things, the better, and a good riddance it will be.
I pull into Jasper’s circular driveway, trying not to stare at the mansion he lives in. Although I’ve been here a million times, its grandeur always gets me each time I’m here. After all, my family lives in a nice house, but it’s like a cardboard box compared to Jasper’s. After all, Jasper’s dad Brandon is a real estate mogul, and their home is like a castle. The lawn outside the big grey house is emerald green and there’s a fountain lightly splashing in the circular driveway. The huge windows gleam, and behind the large stone façade, I can just glimpse their eternity pool in the distance. It’s fit to be the setting for a movie.
But I have work to do. With determination, I step out of my car, the box grasped firmly in my arms. But my feet falter before I reach the front door. I know Jasper isn’t home, and his dad, I’m almost certain, is still at work. Their housekeeper might answer if I rang the bell but I don’t particularly want to see her either because she never liked me very much. It’s almost as if she thought I was too plebeian for her little prince.
I ponder my options for a second, shifting the box uncomfortably in my arms. I guess I could try the back door because it’s usually unlocked if someone is home, and that includes the staff. If all else fails, I’ll just leave the box behind a bush near the door. It’ll be fine.
I tiptoe around to the back of the house, trying to ignore the sharp pang of sadness in my chest. This is most likely the last time I’ll ever be here. Jasper and I made some great memories in this mansion, watching movies and enjoying each other’s company, or so I thought. Maybe it’s best that I won’t come back after all.
Walking awkwardly to the back door, I tug on the doorknob and to my surprise, it swings open. For a second, I hesitate in the doorway, but then steel myself and head inside. It’s not like I’m breaking in for a nefarious purpose. In fact, I’m doing the opposite by returning Jasper’s things in a semi-nice condition. At least I didn’t opt for the start-a-bonfire-on-the-front-lawn approach.
I enter into the huge kitchen, which is all silver appliances and black marble countertops. The inside of the house is, as always, spotless. I listen for the footsteps of the housekeeper, and then realize that she could be anywhere. This mansion is enormous, and Harriet could be on the opposite side of the property, or even out running errands. I let out a breath of relief because I don’t want to see that witch any more than she wants to see me.
After a few moments, though, I realize that I don’t have a plan beyond this. Should I leave Jasper’s things in his room? I shudder--definitely not. I don’t need to be flooded with any more memories. I’ll just set them right here, I decide, and plop the box onto the kitchen table. Surely they won’t mind that I came inside? And even if they do, who cares? It’s not like I’m going to see Jasper again any time soon.
The thought crosses my mind just as I notice an odd sound coming from upstairs. At first, I’m unable to discern what it is because the the hum of the kitchen appliances and the ticking of the clock on my left are too loud. Then, I focus, and realize the sound is moaning. Female moaning, to be exact.
My heart feels like it lurches into my mouth. Did Jasper lie? Is he home, after all, having sex with Celine? Was his statement about tennis practice just a ruse? Holy shit!
I’m suddenly dizzy and lean against the kitchen counter for support. My vision blurs and I blink rapidly to clear tears from my eyes. Bursting into Jasper’s room to catch him and Celine in the act would be a victory because I’d be catching him red-handed. But then again, it’s also Damocles’ sword because it would give my mind’s eye a terrible image to replay whenever I’m feeling down. Do I really need that?
I imagine Jasper’s face, handsome yet filled with scorn, and my stomach clenches. Damn the sword. I’m doing it.
Taking a deep breath, I start to climb the cream-carpeted stairs, listening to my heart drum steadily against my ribcage. The moaning gets louder as I approach, and now there are slapping sounds of flesh on flesh too. I swallow bile in my throat, disgusted. OMG, Jasper really did lie to me, and he’s having sex with Celine at this very moment. Even worse, am I going to see them doing backdoor, the way Jasper said he craves?