Hiding from Mr. Billionaire

6 Nephews and Entrepreneurs

"Jasper," she breathed in shock. "Jasper is your nephew?"

"Yeah," he cocked his head a little to one side suspiciously as they made their way around crowds of women and men. "Is there a problem you have with my nephew?"

Vivian couldn't help the eyes of jealous women as they eyed her following Reuben around the ballroom. "No, I'm just in shock. You guys are so close in age."

Reuben chuckled. "We're six years apart, his older sister got pregnant with me by a shoemaker when she turned fifteen. She died shortly after giving birth to me and remained an outcast for shunning the family."

Vivian gasped. "Oh, I'm so sorry."

"It's fine," Reuben muttered. "I didn't mean too. I don't want pity."

She nodded her head slightly, silent for the most part of the walk. "You know, people have said many things about Jasper since I've stepped foot in here."

Right when she said that she caught sight of Jasper who was talking excitedly with a bunch of elderly men. The strict look on their faces lit up in laughter when he said something humorously. "You mustn't believe what anybody says," Reuben told her. "Remember how I told you about my uncle? now if I only listened to what he said and stayed away from you because of your no good father; I would've never known as much as I do about you now. And I like what I know. So I suggest you have a go at him for once. Of course you don't have to talk much, but you know, it'll be nice to have you there with me."

Her eyes glanced at Jasper who had now gotten serious with the men. Their voices rose above the tapestry as they began arguing about their different ideals. Reuben's hopeful smile had faded once they saw the men marching away. Jasper seem unfazed by the monstrosity he seemed to have cause, and went over to another group of men that he was friendly with. "Truth be told I was curious from the start about meeting with your nephew," she confessed. "He seems like a complex character from afar, that's for sure."

"He's just stubbornly bipolar," Reuben mused. "That's all there is to it"

Vivian caught Ruby who was staring at her wearily from afar. Her ginger head turned away and began mumbling something to the blond man that she danced with earlier. Without a warning Ruby passed her and patted her on the shoulder reassuringly, winking. If anything, Ruby probably already knew that Reuben was Jasper's nephew. Maybe she had "forgotten" to tell her about it too. Her sister was cleverly evil, taking advantage of Vivian's natural isolating habits from time to time.

"Jasper," Reuben called from afar as they neared him. Jasper looked at him, and only him, his brows raising in surprise. "Nephew," he responded warmly, patting his back in a brotherly manner. "You look good today, I didn't expect you to show up."

"You've mistaken me, Nephew, I wouldn't miss it for the world," he said calmly. 

"How is that start up business plan of yours coming along?"

"It's getting there," Reuben replied nervously. "But it's coming together piece by piece, a little bit more research I have to press on; but once it's complete it'll be more brilliantly executed than I ever imagined, I just know it."

Jasper gave a reassuring smile. "I never doubted you once. The idea of electronically powered rail roads are quite fascinating around here."

"It's most impressive," said the old man who stood next to Jasper. "Especially coming from a young man like you. They've become the new talk of the town."

"And I have a feel they will continue for some time," Reuben said, his eyes flashing to Vivian. "Speaking of some time, there's someone I'd like you to-"

Stealing a quick glance at Vivian Jasper put his arm around Reuben and bid the old man next to him farewell. Without another glance Jasper showed him off to some other ambitious young entrepreneurs. She watched in shock as Reuben left her to get praised. Their obnoxious laughs ringing in her ear as she turned around and left in despair.

Did Jasper do that on purpose? by the look of it it was as if he'd known her already.

For half of the night she waited for her sister Ruby and walked around the mansion without anyone noticing she'd gone. After a while she felt the masses of boredom and found herself at the grand stairs that curled all the way up to the second floor of the mansion. Vivian felt a pry of adventure as she slowly walked up the steps. Pictures hung along the floral printed walls of the Wrights family legacy's and their sons. She took time admiring each one, for she was never one to paint what seemed like royalty.

When she reached the top herd a cough in the distance and saw Jasper coming toward her and walking across the marble clearing. Licking his thumb he furiously rubbed the stain on his blouse.  Clearly too busy to notice her anytime soon. Vivian gasped, picked up her skirt and took off running as fast as she could. It was easy to spot a room at the very end of the hallway that looked unappealing and closed off from all the others.

Without a second thought Vivian threw herself into the dark room and quietly closed the door. She tried to catch her breath but the corset wasn't doing her any favors.

"Hello!" she heard a deep voice bellow nearby. "Is there anyone in there?"

Silence.

Vivian held her breath as the footsteps got closer and she threw herself behind a wooden room divider, almost tipping it off it's balance.