“Good for him” He answered sardonically
Steve looked at him straight eyed, turning very serious “So, how are things going in Adams company?”
His eyes narrowed “Why’re you asking me that?”
“Because you seem quite interested in his company than normal, Jason”
“What do you mean?” He sat on a stool
“Cut it out Jason, I can also act like I don’t know what I’m talking about, you know?”
He tousled and arranged his hair “What’s this about?”
“This is about you returning some money and helping people run their own company secretly”
He stood abruptly “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Steve”
He grabbed his arm “I think you do”
“Let me go”
“Not until you tell me why you’re doing this”
He freed himself, taking a short breath “I don’t know what you’re talking about”
“I still insist you do, that’s why I need an explanation”
He paused, looking around worriedly and took a seat “I just want to clear my own mess”
“It was your mother’s”
“Whatever she does, reflects off on me”
Steve smiled glumly “Why don’t we have a drink, there’re a lot more to talk about”
He filled two glasses just before Mr. Adams appeared before them
“Who’s this gate crasher? Jason or whatever, I thought I made it clear I don’t want you around my daughter”
He stood up “I’m not around her, trust me no one comes around beauty when the beast is near”
He raised his fist to hit him “You punk”
“Wait, I asked him to come over” Steve said
“And why?”
“Just wait, Jason isn’t as boorish as you think he is…”
“I don’t care; I want him out of here this very instant”
Anger rose inside him “He isn’t leaving until you hear me out”
“What are you afraid of, that your company will go down the drain and for real this time?” Jason said facing him
He barked an angry laugh “Who do you think you are?”
“Believe me, with a man like you, your company doesn’t need a Jasmine to go to the ruins”
He threw him a hard punch on the face “You fool”
Karen and her mother came running as Steve tried to restrain him from unleashing his wrath further
“Dad, what the hell do you think you’re doing?” Karen cried out
“Steve let me go; I want to deal with this fool”
“Stop it Adams, stop it now, what the hell do you think you’re doing, huh?” Steve goaded and loosened his grip
“Are you okay?” Karen asked Jason as he cleaned his blood stained lips with a hankie
“I’m fine” He said curtly and moved to lean on the wall
“I need an explanation Albert” Her mother said
Freeing himself from Steve’s grip, he sat on a stool, mad.
“Adams, Jason isn’t what you think he is” Steve tried to explain
“Oh, I think I know what he is, the son of the bitch who tried to kill me, bury my company and take what belongs to me”
“He saved your life”
“Of course, if theft is saving my life”
Jason watched him as he spoke, a sudden gloom on his face
“The day Jasmine tried to kill you, he stood in her way just to protect your life, and he was ready to suffer a bullet wound for your sake”
Adams stared eye wide at Jason, shocked “Did…um, what?”
“Believe me, you’d have been long gone and forgotten but for him”
“I don’t get you,, how is that possible, Steve?” His voice was gruff with guilt
“He had been the one financing your company and all” He looked at Jason as he continued wiping his bruised lip “You owe him big thanks not this rogue attitude you just pulled”
He swallowed, standing up “How on earth? I haven’t been more embarrassed in my life, how can…”
Jason smiled
“I guess I have to apologize before I start thanking you” Adams continued
“Its fine, you don’t have to”
“No, I’m so sorry son; I shouldn’t have acted so rashly”
“Its fine, you didn’t know me so it was okay to judge me by background” He lowered his head “I’m equally sorry for those words…”
“No, don’t be, I deserved them to have acted in such a way toward you” He stretched his hands and Jason received them warmly
Her mother stood up, smiling gleefully “You all don’t move a muscle; I’m just going to grab the best wine over there”
Jason turned to Karen, her face lit up in a smile “Alright medico, I get it, I deserve the bruise on my lip because I hurt you”
“Sure you do” She leaned in, kissing him
Mr. Adams cleared his throats “Um…Jason, what makes you think you deserve my daughter?”
“Actually, I don’t deserve her” He clasped his hands in hers and smiled “But I’m up to the task”
He laughed “Nothing can be more right than what you’ve just said” He shook his hands “you have her, son.”
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