Is this destiny?

Ellie was surprised that Lisa didn\'t say anything to defend her husband.

\'Interesting family...\', Ellie mused.

She decided to probe further: "Lisa, do you know that Norman is giving a hard time to Jasper in the company?"

"Did Jasper tell you that?", Lisa saw Ellie nod and continued. "I am surprised that he told you about it. Pleasantly surprised. Jasper usually keeps things to himself."

Ellie was not sure how to react to it. How come Lisa is so calm while confirming that her husband is bullying Jasper? "So, you know about it?"

Lisa smiled. "Your expression is telling me how you don\'t approve that I\'m allowing it to happen."

Ellie didn\'t deny that. She can see that Melissa is a doting mother. How come she is letting her husband give so much trouble to her son?

"I can help him. But that would not be helping him.", Lisa explained. "You see, there are many Normans out there. Me helping him now would be his disadvantage when the next Norman comes for his position, or his money, or his power, or his woman, and later his family as well. That said, I\'m not expecting Jasper to fight these battles by himself, but if he has allies, they should be his allies, connections he made. Not the ones that his mommy provided. I believe that he has a circle of capable and good people, but he stubbornly refuses to open up and share his problems. Nobody can help him if they don\'t know what is going on, and the world is too big to win on your own. The fact that he told you, tells me that he is changing. He is done defending and desire to win is sprouting within him."

"When he told me, he didn\'t know that I\'m behind EY."

Lisa patted Ellie\'s hand and spoke with a smile: "That does not matter. Sometimes just having someone else know about challenges you are facing is sharing a burden, and at the same time it makes you stronger, more resilient. I was surprised to hear that he is stubbornly refusing to re-hire Lily. He never pushed back on Norman so far. But now I understand that recent changes are because of you."

Lisa observed Ellie\'s expression for some time before asking: "Do you plan to help him with the company?"

Ellie\'s silence answered the question.

Lisa exhaled while thinking that she should not ask if Ellie is responsible for latest changes in ownership of shares for K Industries. She has to admit that this young lady is impressive. "Does Jasper know about it?"

"He will. Soon."

Lisa approved. "I can sleep peacefully knowing that he has you by his side."

…

Jasper was happy that he got a chance to reunite with Ellie after what seemed like forever.

They headed to the dining room together.

Ellie squeezed Jasper\'s hand gently to get his attention.

"Do you trust me?", she asked in a soft voice.

"Yes.", he responded without hesitation.

She smiled. "Good. No matter what happens, remember that I don\'t allow people to bully me without a reason."

Norman was already there, and Jasper officially introduced Ellie.

"I\'m glad to finally meet you Mr. Kiani.", Ellie said sweetly with a charming smile, ignoring Norman\'s scowl. "Jasper talks about you often, and I admire you very much. You are a remarkable father and Jasper is lucky to have your guidance."

Both Lisa and Jasper were slightly stunned with change in Ellie\'s behavior.

"Please, Ellie, have a seat.", Lisa gestured to her left.

"Thank you, Mrs. Kiani.", Ellie didn\'t lose her smile. She lowered her gaze shyly and took her seat between Lisa and Jasper.

"I hope I\'m not late.", Mr. Cavadini\'s words made everyone look toward the door.

"Not at all.", Norman welcomed him warmly and looked at his wife. "I know that this is a family dinner, but since we already have outsiders here, I thought that Franco and Lily can join as well."

Everyone knew that Norman called Ellie an outsider but seeing that Ellie didn\'t lose her smile in the slightest, Lisa only frowned and didn\'t say anything. Ellie is not a family member but calling her out as an outsider is a rude thing to do.

"Where is Lily?", Norman asked Mr. Cavadini.

Mr. Cavadini paused. "Lily… has some issues and is not comfortable sitting." He didn\'t want to say that last hour doctor they called to their home was pulling cactus thorns out of her buttocks and she is aching.

As expected, during dinner, Norman mostly ignored Ellie and focused on entertaining Mr. Cavadini, not forgetting to bring up Lily as a topic often. Few times that Norman addressed Ellie, his words were laced with unfriendly and unkind remarks.

Ellie took everything on with a smile while displaying a perfect picture of a young girl who either does not understand that Norman is not pleased to have her at that table, or is not retaliating because she respects elders.

Whenever Jasper wanted to react, Ellie held his hand under the table or nudged him with her leg as a reminder not to get involved.

Lisa was watching the show with interest.

As much as Ellie was smiling while emitting perfect tranquility, inside her the storm was brewing. She was internally chanting that all this is just a preparation for Monday. The more Norman sees her as a harmless girl, the better show it will be.

But it was exhausting. Only in the car she exhaled in relief and cursed few times to let out some steam.

"What was that about?", Jasper asked and glanced at Ellie who finally dropped her mask of ignorance.

"Remember? I asked if you trust me."

"Yes. But I didn\'t know that you will not give a single counter for my father\'s jabs at you. And you stopped me from saying anything."

"Hmm…", Ellie hummed in confirmation. "It\'s not time yet."

"I assume you have some plan."

Ellie smiled. "Your assumption is correct. Be patient just a bit longer and you will see how this will end. Or do you want me to tell you right now and spoil the surprise?"

"Surprise?", Jasper mused. "I can wait a bit longer."

Jasper wants to know what Ellie\'s next steps are, but he can see that she is pleased with the outcome so far, so he decided to wait. He said that he will not push it, and be patient, and he will honor that.

Ellie saw where Jasper is driving and frowned slightly. "Can we go to my villa?"

"Is there something wrong with my place?"

"When Mr. Cavadini tells his daughter that I joined you for dinner, I\'m afraid that Lily might show up. And I don\'t have enough mental energy to deal with her now."

"OK." Jasper doesn\'t care where they go, as long as they are together. "But let\'s make a quick stop so I get few things. Change of clothes mostly."

"Is something wrong with the clothes I gave you?"

"Nothing wrong, but I got an understanding that these garments are more than what I can afford with my income.", Jasper said sarcastically. The words of that woman asking if his business is doing well because he can afford two sets of clothes from EY are still fresh in his mind. He does not dare to ask how much it actually costs.

Ellie laughed and explained: "What people see on the catwalk, and that includes the pieces you are wearing, are samples to spark interest and show general direction of my designs for the season. EY makes money by creating custom unique outfits. And what is unique is not only design, but the fabric itself. So yeah… I charge a lot."

Ellie saw that Jasper is nervously glancing at his clothes and quickly added: "But don\'t think that I am at a loss. I made these for you and having THE handsome CEO Kiani wear EY is… priceless."

"I am touched.", Jasper pulled Ellie\'s hand to his lips and kissed back of her palm. "My girlfriend is brilliant. But I will keep these for fancy occasions and go and grab few plain t-shirts and sweatpants. Also, I don\'t want to ask Brian for toiletries again. You got your stuff in my closet, it\'s only fair that I claim some space for myself in yours."

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