Chapter 20

HARPER

I woke up, curled on the floor in front of the door. My neck was stiff, and my throat was still dry from crying before sleep consumed me mercifully. I glanced toward the window, through the part in the curtains, I could tell the sun had sunk below the horizon.

"Oh no, I missed work." I groaned.

I hadn't missed a day since I started there years ago.

My phone dinged loudly with alerts from the messages and calls I missed. There were thirty-two missed calls from Aster, seventeen text messages that consisted of threats and desperate pleas for me to answer the phone, and one voicemail waiting from Old man Frank.

When I continued to scroll I saw a missed call from an unknown number, and a shiver ran down my spine. Pushing through the panic, I dialed out to Aster.

"Harper! Are you okay?" Aster pleaded through the receiver when she picked up on the first ring.

"Yes, sorry I was sleeping," I said with a groggy voice.

"Asleep! Are you joking? Harper, what's the matter?" She demanded, not accepting silent disregard.

"Old man Frank called me when you didn't open the store this morning, then you didn't answer the phone, I thought maybe you were sleeping, but as the hours passed, God Harper, I was so worried!" She rambled frantically. She took a deep breath to prepare herself for the inevitable, interrogation.

"Harper, what's wrong? Did something happen? Should I come back?"

"No! don't be silly. Maybe I'm coming down with something, I was just really exhausted." I lied.

"I'm already feeling better," I said, with a smile she couldn't see. I didn't know if I was trying to convince her or myself that I would be okay.

She sighed loudly, "Okay, but would you tell me if something was wrong?" There was a break in her voice as she questioned me.

"Yes, I swear." Before I could say anything else, I heard a man's voice calling out, telling her the car was ready. I used the opportunity to hurry her off the phone. I hated lying, especially to her. I don't think she believed me anyway, but with the distance between us, I don't think she had much choice.

"I'll call you tomorrow," I said.

"Okay Harper, call me if you need me. I'm always here."

"I know you are, " I whispered.

When I put my phone down it started to vibrate again.

I looked at the unknown number, instantly feeling panic rising again. My breath quickened, and my head was reeling.

Who could be calling me blocked and right after seeing what I saw?

I stood up, looked through the peephole of the front door that I was still commanding, and then nervously searched for the ‘Armed' signal on the security system panel. As if they could see me through the screen, I looked back to my hand where my phone vibrated another round. It flashed the unknown number, taunting me. I knew I shouldn't have answered, but curiosity won. I held the phone to my ear, and waited silently, holding my breath.

Only seconds later a familiar husky voice came through the receiver, and a sense of relief filled my body, but it was quickly replaced with a new feeling that I couldn't explain.

"Hello, Is this Harper?"

"Yes."

"Hey Harper, it's Jasper. Are you okay?" he asked.

Jasper? How did he get my number? Why did he want to know if I was okay?

Confusion fogged my brain in a rush, I didn't know what to do with it.

"Yes, I'm fine, why are you calling me, Jasper?" I snapped, with more intensity than I even realized.

"Well, I went to the bookshop this morning to thank you for recommending Into the Water, with a coffee, but when I got there the owner said you never showed up. He was worried something had happened to you. He gave me your number, but only under the condition, that I let him know once I've heard from you," He said nervously.

"I was worried about you too." he hesitated.

He was worried about me. Why? He asked me out a couple of times, and I turned him down. so, why even bother?

He cleared his throat pulling me from my thoughts where I was aggressively doubting his intentions.

"That's very sweet of you, but I'm okay," I said, unsure why it came out more of a question than a response.

"Hmm, you're not fooling me, but I'll leave it for now." he chuckled.

"It's nice of you to check up on me, but I'm okay, truly," I said unconvincingly.

I didn't know how to respond to that.

Still confused, I looked down at my phone screen again.

"Was it you who called from an unknown number earlier too?"

"Unknown?" he repeated slowly, as if deep in thought.

"Oh, yes. When I'm working I block my number. I must've forgotten to unblock it. My apologies." I could almost hear his kind smile behind his words.

"Forgive me for prying, but why didn't you show up for work? Are you ill?" he asked with concern. Concern I didn't fully understand.

Ordinarily, I'd tell him it was none of his business. For some reason, when I opened my mouth, the truth came out.

After vaguely explaining the morning's events, I impulsively announced that I would be home alone for a week, the moment those words escaped me, I immediately wished I could take them back.

I slapped my palm to my forehead and whispered "Shut up you idiot," to myself.

Jasper must have heard me because a light chuckle crossed the line. I nervously rambled, "I don't know why I just told you that. I don't have a lot of friends and Aster my roommate, is in London so I didn't want to bother her with all of this. Oh God, shut up Harper, you're still doing it!"

I used to ramble when I was a kid, anytime I got nervous or excited. My mother would get so mad at me because my father hated it, and since my mother praised my father, I had to be kept quiet, and out of the way. I usually avoid rambling, but Jasper's pleasant laugh in response caught me off guard.

"Sorry. I'm sure you're a busy man. I'll call Old Man Frank, I don't want him worrying." I continued to ramble."Thanks for your concern, Jasper!" Just as I was about to hang up, Jasper cut in.

"Harper, please don't hang up. Look I know you are nervous being alone after your ordeal this afternoon, would you mind if I put you up at a hotel for the week? I know one with great security." I gasped at his offer, shocked at the kindness behind it.

"No sir, I appreciate the gesture, but I'm certain I'll be safe here. My home is equipped with a state-of-the-art security system that Aster's parents installed. No one is getting in here without me knowing, and the police being alerted." I made it clear, for my peace of mind and to put it on record in case I underestimated Jasper's intentions, although I had a feeling that wasn't the case.

He let out a laugh before replying. His laugh was deep and pleasant. The sound made butterflies flutter in my stomach.

Weird.

"That's great to hear. Harper if you feel uneasy or unsafe at all the offer stands. You call me. okay?"

"Thank you, I appreciate your generous offer," I stated graciously.

"Good night, Mr. Whitlock."

"Oh God, please don't do that. It's Jasper. It's always Jasper," he said with feigned irritation.