Lawless

Chapter 2

The Dinner

After his father's impromptu visit, the rest of the day was a blur for Jasper. The helpers came in and steamed his "best suit", according to his old man.

A black Giorgio Armani modern fit suit complimented by a black silk button down. He scrutinised every inch of the outfit, trying to find something he could hate about it.

As much as it pained him to admit, it was a fantastic choice on the geezer's part. But he couldn't let him have complete satisfaction.

He finished off the look with a lapel pin of a snake morphed into the shape of a dollar sign. The snake's curved body was covered with three emerald Swarovski diamonds.

It was tacky and he knew that very well. But his father also made it a point to mention how much he despised it when they saw it in the store. So Jasper wore the pin as his subtle way of saying to his dad, "Fuck you".

The thought put a cheeky grin on his face as he straightened out the suit's edges in the mirror. The helpers came running in and out of his room with several boxes of items he was forced to wear. He placed all three on the bed and opened them with a heavy sigh.

Genuine Italian leather shoes, a Fossil watch and his father's prized silver ring with a W inscribed on the inside. Above the precious family heirloom rested a note: "Wear it with pride."

Should've bought me a dog collar while he was at it, he thought as he tossed the note aside. Once his outfit was finally put together he ran a gelled hand through his hair, creating the perfect sleek swoop. He couldn't help but admire himself, he looked fucking good.

A quick sprits of cologne and he was on his way out. As he passed by the helpers, each one took turns to compliment his appearance and he took them with a smile and a wink.

Sitting in his car, an unsettling feeling crept into his stomach. Today marked the beginning of a life to be reformed. And he wasn't sure if he was ready for it.

***

The GPS took him to the the proclaimed "bougiest" art corner of L.A. Across every row of restaurants was a boutique art gallery, neatly lined with the work of the city's most promising artists.

The streets were lit with long vintage lampposts arching over people on the roads. The sound of glasses clinking and high heels clacking filled the air as he took in the sights.

It was an artsier scene than he was used to but it was pretty cool for his first official business meeting. Plus the girls that passed him were all hot and, occasionally, skimpily dressed, throwing only a smirk in his direction as if he couldn't afford their smile. But those obnoxious girls who played hard to get weren't his type. Jasper wasn't a puppy so nothing was worth chasing after. Not even a pretty, little skirt.

He stood before a tall building covered in rectangles of black glass. Through the glass, he caught a peak of a high-end art gallery on the ground floor and Cher was in the room next door to it. He adjusted his lapel pin anxiously as he waited for his father to grace his presence outside of the elevator.

A sudden bustle of noise broke his anxious concentration. He looked up to see a family chattering away to one another. His face softened slightly.

Jasper couldn't remember the last time he'd been out with his family, or even when last he saw them. Their mother looked kind, gentle...