Chapter 20: Zero Commitment
Chapter 20: Zero Commitment
Jason was relieved when he eventually got into his room. The party was too loud. He was not bothered
that his presence would be missed because he knew that his sister was more than capable of taking
care of things. She had always been the perfect hostess, so he was sure everything was in control,
though he knew he would have to come down eventually and bid his guest farewell and thank them for
honouring his invitation like the ideal host. Else, it would really be very rude of him.
He changed his clothes and went down to the hall where the party was going on. He was just in time
because alot of people were already getting ready to leave and had been asking of him.
Sally looked up and smiled.
'Well,here he is. I did tell you that he would be right down'.
'You did, indeed'. They said smiling up at Jason as he climbed down the stairs.
After performing his duty as the ideal host by wishing his guest farewell,he slumped on a chair
exhausted. The smile he had pasted on his cheek and all the stress of the party was getting to him.
Sally wanted to know how it had gone with Phoebe but looking at her brother, she could see that he
was exhausted and didn't want to bother him. So, she advised him to go to bed and they would have
their chat the next day.
Jason and Phoebe started seeing each other but Jason made sure that it was not on a regular basis
and to make sure that Phoebe did not start having ideas, he dated a few other ladies by the side and
Phoebe was aware of this but of course she could not complain or show her disapproval since she had
pretended to accept the condition of having a 'no strings attached' relationship with Jason. He had
made it clear to her that he was not ready for any commitment and they were just two adults who
enjoyed each other's company.
That was the situation of his personal life when he hit and nearly killed Nancy with his car.
Jason felt that Nancy was being usually stubborn. She was poor and had no one to help her and
considering her condition- her pregnancy, she needed all the help that she could get. Yet her pride
would not allow her to accept help. She considered all that charity but thank goodness that he had
been able to eventually convince her.
He would just have to create a place for her in his firm. That way she would earn her wage and not feel
that she was living off him or that she was handing down charity to her.
But he felt that the job he would have to give her would be one that would not stress her overmuch
giving her pregnant condition.
He got home that day, tired and stressed
The fear of a near manslaughter charge was beginning to get to him because that was what he would
have been charged had the girl died. But thank goodness she didn't and her baby had also not been
affected.
He got under the shower, his servants asked him what they could get him but he had lost his appetite
and told them he didn't want anything.
He had to start arrangements to ensure that the poor girl was employed because that seemed to be the
only way she would accept anything from him and he felt drawn to help her. He felt sorry for her
because he could see that the villain that had made her pregnant had abandoned her, possibly for
another leaving her to fend for herself. The vagabond must be very heartless.
After his bath, he was about to prepare for bed when the door bell rang. One of the kitchen maids went
to answer the door and soon there were voices in the hall.
Jason wished he had asked them to tell anyone who calls that he was either not at home or that he
was fast asleep and had left strict instructions not to be disturbed but it was late now.
There were footsteps coming up the stairs. Who could have the guts to climb the stairs to him rather
than stay in the sitting room downstairs?
Since his sister Sally went back to the city to be with her family after assuring herself of his recovery, no
other person had come up to his room except the maids who come to clean up or bring his his tea or
coffee anytime he did not wish to come downstairs for his meal.
He remembered how Terry, his former best friend had had the freedom to come and go as he pleased.
He didn't think that he could trust anyone that way anymore.
But enough of that. Who was this person with do much guts?
The maid came up first.
'Excuse me sir, I tried to tell Miss Phoebe that you were tired and was having your rest but she would
not hear of it'. She was clearly afraid that this would annoy Jason and could make him ask her to quit
working for him.
'That's okay'. He said when he heard what the maid had to say and ty he person in question.
'Phoebe, it is indeed you. But you could have waited for me downstairs and I could have come to you'.
Jason said after giving the maid the signal to leave.
'Why all the formality? We have been together for sometime now and you feel that I should obtain
permission before coming to you?' she asked incredulous.
'Our relationship is a special one but does that mean you should come to me at odd hours?'
'I could leave if you so desire. I realize that ours is a mutually understanding relationship with no
commitment but there is still a level of commitment because of the joining of our bodies. I had come to
spend the night with you. I didn't think that I should have announced it. I am sorry if I made you angry'.
'I am not angry just that I could have been with someone else and it would have been awkward for the
both of you if you had come in like that and at this time'.
'I am sorry again. But I had been watching and waiting for you because well, I missed you and wanted
to be with you this night. So I saw you come in and knew that you were alone. I also noticed that you
were feeling stressed and I thought that was why I decided to come help you get over your stress. I
must have miscalculated'.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.