Jasper sat on his chair, the woman sat in the opposite seat in his office. There was tension between them.
"Auntie, have you tried getting to Maya," Jasper asked.
"Really?... I can't believe it, my daughter is doing this to me," the woman said, tears flowing down her cheeks.
"Auntie—" Jasper sighed.
"I have booked an appointment with her several times but it gets declined. I don't understand anymore, what am I doing wrong. I can't see my girl again, is that what she is telling me?" The woman asked.
Jasper lowered his gaze.
"Jasper talk to her, she can't keep running from the world. Does she want to remain alone for life? I'm a mother. I can't keep seeing my only child ruin her life. Please help me," the woman begged.
"Auntie... I can't. I can't control Sophia's decision. She is a woman that nobody can control—"
"That's a lie, you can, you've always been able to change her mind," the woman muttered.
"Auntie, I've tried but she doesn't want to be a part of the family anymore. She doesn't even tell me what she is going through anymore. Every day, I see less of her, I just gather the few of her I can find, I'm sorry," Jasper sighed.
The woman stood up, more tears flowed down her cheeks. "You don't understand, Sophia can't continue like this, she is my daughter I want to help her—"
"Auntie but what you are proposing is too much, I don't think she would accept," Jasper said.
"Jasper I have thought it through, this is the way to save her. Now that he has come to his senses, I can fix what's broken, please," The woman begged.
Jasper shook his head.
"Jasper, if you can't do it, just tell me where she is at a particular time. I will talk to her," The woman pleaded.
Jasper covered his face with his palms. "Auntie you don't understand, Sophia will—"
"Jasper please, let me save my home," The woman clasped her hands together, her eyes pleading. Jasper sighed.
"Fine, Friday night by 7pm. She is in my villa. My secretary will send you the address," Jasper answered.
The woman burst into a smile. "Thank you," she said yipping for joy.
Jasper nodded. "But Auntie,"
The woman's smile faltered. "Yes,"
"You have 2 hours with her, I'm sorry but that's all I can give," Jasper said in a low tone. The woman smiled and nodded because she understood why.
If this doesn't go well, Jasper would get in trouble. Sophia would be so angry with him, she might pull away from him and at this moment, Jasper was the only person getting to her personally. She was lost to the world, so he needed to make sure even though he cracked her emotionally he did enough to help her and enough to prevent her from shutting him out.
" I understand," the woman replied. "Good bye Jasper,"
Jasper gave a slight nod. "Good bye auntie,"
The woman walked out of the room.
Jasper sighed heavily and reached into his drawer, pulling out a picture. He stared at the smiling face in it — she looked so happy, so at peace, so perfect.
"Sophia... please talk to me," he whispered, sorrow clouding his eyes. His expression softened as he traced a finger over the photo.
"I wish I could rewrite life. I would, just to see you happy again... just to see you normal." He exhaled shakily, his voice low and trembling. "I don't want this distance between us anymore. Just so you know, you're safe in my heart. Wherever you are, I'll always be there — ready to embrace you."
He leaned back in his chair, his head tilting against the cold leather. "If you'd just open your door, your gate, and let me in... talk to me. Tell me what's hurting you. I really want to know why you're running away from the world."
His voice faded into silence as his thoughts haunted him. A long sigh escaped his lips, the room falling quiet except for the echo of his heartache.