Chapter 4

Jasper's POV 

As I hastily cleaned up the spilled beer, my eyes were drawn to her. She exuded a captivating aura, as though she belonged on the front cover of a magazine. It was as if a fairy godmother had worked her magic, transforming the unassuming maid into a stunning Cinderella. I found myself filled with regret for not having pursued her romantically instead of just settling for a business deal. Despite her undeniable beauty, I couldn't help but notice that she seemed to have a penchant for high-maintenance habits. She had received multiple calls about unpaid bills in the short time I had known her, and I wondered what she spent so much money on. Perhaps it was food, as I had never seen a woman eat so voraciously. Nevertheless, it was refreshing to be in the company of someone who defied societal norms and didn't care about appearances.

Unlike the other women I had dated, she didn't aggressively pursue me, but she had a knack for spending money just like them. It was perplexing - she clearly needed money, but her tastes were simple. Despite the fact that we would be living together for a year, I realized that I knew very little about her besides her name, address, and phone number.

As my friends were due to arrive soon, I decided to order some pizza and settled down in front of the television, clad in shorts and a t-shirt. However, I couldn't help but keep an eye on my watch, growing increasingly anxious as Cassandra had been gone for over an hour. What if she had changed her mind? Why hadn't I insisted on accompanying her? I chided myself for my foolishness, feeling apprehensive about her prolonged absence.

Suddenly, the sound of the doorbell rang out, and I jumped with relief. "Jasper," David called out with a broad smile, "you won't believe who I ran into outside." Cassandra emerged from behind him, and a sense of comfort washed over me.

"Where have you been?" I asked Cassandra, relieved to see her unharmed.

"I got lost," she responded, causing me to roll my eyes. David looked confused, indicating that Cassandra's poor sense of direction was not common knowledge.

"Cassandra, you really should work on your sense of direction," I said as I closed the door. She attempted to argue, but I gave her a stern look, and she appeared to understand, nodding slightly.

After removing her shoes and placing them neatly on the shoe rack, she hesitated before taking mine as well, and I couldn't help but find it amusing.

"Jasper!" she exclaimed, turning towards me. "How many times have I told you to always put your smelly and dirty socks in the laundry basket? Please don't leave them lying around next time."

I was taken aback by the sudden outburst from Cassandra, but as she tried to hide a smile, I realized she was just pulling my leg. "Oh, I'm sorry, honey. I'll put them away right away," I said, my own grin peeking through my attempt to hide it.

It was obvious that Cassandra and I were engaged in a playful game with each other, and poor David was caught in the middle, silently observing us. "Er, Cassandra," he started hesitantly, "who is this impostor, and where is the real Jasper?"

Cassandra burst into laughter, and I shot them both a fierce look, feeling annoyed that they were enjoying this situation at my expense.

"Jasper, Cassandra was just regaling me with the story of how you both first met. It's quite an entertaining tale," David interjected, trying to divert attention from our banter.

As I stole a glance at Cassandra, my anxiety surged. What had she revealed to David? Would our stories align? Despite my unease, she simply greeted me with a serene smile.

"What? I just told him the truth - that I once mistook you for a pervert and slapped you!" she retorted with a hint of sarcasm.

David's laughter filled the room, leaving him breathless for a moment. I couldn't let her teasing slide without a response. Without hesitation, I grabbed her and planted a fervent kiss on her lips. She blushed deeply, but I persisted.

Finally breaking the embrace, I proclaimed, "That's true. But then I kissed her and asked her to marry me." David's whistle reverberated through the room.

"Whoa, I'm gone for a month, and you're already hitched?"

I draped my arm around Cassandra, who was casting a disapproving glance at the dirty dishes in my sink. If I could win over David, convincing my parents of our love would be a breeze.

"Well, David," I responded, "Cassandra is truly unlike anyone I've ever dated before. She's not only beautiful, but she's also intelligent and confident. She's a force to be reckoned with."

David grinned, clearly entertained. "Ah, I see. Jasper has found a keeper."

Cassandra paid little attention to our banter, busy rummaging through my kitchen for something she needed. When she found it, she let out a small exclamation and quickly put on a pair of rubber gloves before diving into the dishes in the sink.

"Um, honey? Mrs. Madison will take care of that in the morning," I interjected.

Ignoring me, Cassandra replied firmly, "Jasper, this place would be an absolute mess if Mrs. Madison weren't here. You live like a slob!"

David snickered at her comment, leaving me speechless. It dawned on me that Cassandra was one of those meticulous, detail-oriented individuals. She reminded me of Tessy from "The Gossips." But hey, who didn't love "The Gossips"?

As Cassandra diligently scrubbed away, David and I decided to grab some beers and make ourselves comfortable in my living room.

"So, what's your take on Cassandra?" I asked David eagerly, curious to hear his opinion of her.

"Dude, she's absolutely stunning! And not just that, she's also really intelligent!" He exclaimed with a sense of awe, as if he had just uncovered a hidden gem.

I couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm, knowing deep down that Cassandra was so much more than just her good looks and brains. Despite our initial rough patch, I had come to appreciate her fiery spirit and independent nature. If I was going to marry her, she was exactly the kind of woman who would keep me on my toes.

As we waited for Cassandra to join us, I offered David a beer from the fridge, and we settled into the living room, engaging in some casual gossip.