The entire atmosphere in the room was different the moment Jasper arrived, as it always had been. However there was more tension given their was a competitor in their town, a new business that was building down the block. An immigrant entrepreneur came down and began building a new efficient way to work in the factories. Of course Vivian couldn't understand what it was, nobody told her anything about it. Not even Reuben, who was teaching her daily.
"Tell me what's going on," she insisted one day.
Reuben looked at her with a distant look on his face, obviously he answer wasn't going to be pleasant.
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because, we don't trust you. For all we know, you could be against us too."
"i don't even know anything about the business world to begin with!" she shot back one other time after much dismissal over the next few days.
But Reuben still wouldn't budge, almost sneering at her. "What do you mean? I've been trying to teach you things. Are you deaf?"
"I'm just not understanding it word for word! can you at least right it down?"
"I've tried that. you can't even read past anything basic. It's hopeless with you!"
Vivian frowned, refusing to let the tears of frustration flow. "I thought you were supposed to be the nice guy."
"Of course I am the nice guy. At home, with women. But at work, I have to be the mean one. And under instruction I am here to fore fill my duties so he can restore me to my position one day. I worked so hard to be where I am now. And you just come in and take it all away from me. You have no idea how much privilege you have!"
That shut Vivian up for good for a while. She sat back down and stared a board with pictures and words she didn't understand that much. Her education was limited, but not terminated. Her eyes glazed over the pages solemnly, as she felt her eyes get blurry with tears. It all made sense now.
"I didn't know you felt that way," Vivian murmured under a sore throat.
"Well what do you expect- You think I like doing this?"
"We were getting along okay."
"Okay doesn't mean we're best buds, Mr. Smith. This may not be your doing, but it can't escape the fact that you took what is rightfully mine!"
Vivian stared at him in shock as he shot up from his chair and slammed the door, leaving her in Jasper's office alone. Technically it was hers too, but she didn't feel meant to be in there at all- given she was a filler and not a worker. Only being used to imitate one when push comes to shove so no one files a complaint.
Vivian felt too stupid to be there, and she broke down and cried.
It was a moment later when Jasper came back with some signed contracts, and came for back the file book to keep his records. He walked in silently, automatically hearing the sobs that came from Vivian's sealed lips.
"Not again, boy." Jasper sighed, pulling out the mound of folders. "How many times do you have to cry until you understand that nobody's going to take you seriously if you do?"
"Then how will they take me," she choked.
Jasper looked up with a frown. "As a massive emotional manipulative person, who's weak and too selfish to hold it in. You're not a women Mr. Smith. So Mark my words, if you can't get that emotional crap under control- I'll find another man who will."
Vivian watched him turn away and organize.
"I think you should talk to Reuben."
"Why?"
"I think you hurt him."
Jasper glared at Vivian. "That's nonsense! I had to stand there for years and watch my father give that young boy everything, while he got to treat me like dog shit- ordering me around like a slave for his business and all. For what? Reuben's not even a close part of this family... not since he talked to that Martin girl. And he has the audacity to blame me for my drunk phase!"
Vivian held a lot of resentment at the mention of her father. "What's so bad about- I mean, who are the Martins?" she asked, forcing a smile.
Jasper shrugged.
"A lost cause, perhaps."
"What do you mean?"
Jasper accidentally knocked his folders on the floor and cursed. "Pick that up for me, please," He mustered in frustration. Vivian was already on her knees gathering up everything for him. She looked up at his tall figure and got on her feet. Alas, still shorter than him.
"Would there ever be peace between you and the Martins?" she asked.
Jasper raised a brow.
"I assume you have your differences...but if that ever was a possibility?"
"No," he sighed to himself. To Vivian's surprise he sat back and began talking to her.
"We have a mutual respect for each other in public, but that's pretty much it. Especially since I got someone to fire him from the company. I regret it, however there's nothing I can do. You see, one thing to note about Mr. Martin is...everyone loves him, but nobody likes him. Nobody here wants him. He had to go. I bet you, his poor family doesn't know about his dishonesty in the business. Or the fact he stole money from my father's company in order to create a new mock off just to piss off my father and remove him from the industrialized world. So we had to teach him a lesson. The lesson goes- you can't mess with old money. Not even if our views are the same."
"Surely there's no proof of that!" Vivian exclaimed with sudden hostility.
Jasper narrowed his eyes.
"Pardon?"
"You heard me."
"Don't tell me you're defending this man and his actions.."
"I never said that, I'm just keeping an open mind."
"Don't," Jasper warned. "Open mindedness only leads to more confusion and indecisiveness. You'll learn that soon. Especially relationships, relationships are stupid unless it's for the business. Don't listen to a word my sister says, she doesn't know what she's talking about." Jasper turned and handed her a newspaper. "As for Reuben, he'll get his fair share- if there aren't any more loopholes."
"What's this?" Vivian asked, holding up a newspaper.
"A newspaper... about our business."
"Why?"
"Why not?"
Vivian frowned. "I mean, what's the point in this if I'm not even going to be doing things."
"Just read it...and circle the words you don't know." Jasper said. "Based on Reuben's endless rants about you, I take it he either secretly enjoys or deeply despises your poor ability to pick up common vocabulary."
"Funny," she muttered sarcastically. "I thought you said you didn't want to waste your time teaching me."
"Learn it," Jasper ordered, ignoring her. "If you want to stay at my place, you're going to have to contribute in some way. I'm serious. Do me a favor... acknowledge the opportunity that's being given to you. It's something not even the blasted Martin family could dream of."
*********************
A/N - Thank you, thank you for picking up this story and giving it a shot. I'm astounded this book got 300+ reads, I couldn't have imagined it. Sorry if I don't respond to anybody, there's so much turmoil going on in the world it's overwhelming to see. I hope everyone is staying home and is safe. (:
YOU ARE READING
Hiding from Mr. Billionaire
Romance"You cannot fool me, I know who you really are." His hot breath fanned Vivian's lips as she stared into his hooded grey eyes. "And if you don't reveal yourself to me, I shall do it by force" It is the mid-19th century. Despite society's efforts to t...
