Chapter 10
Jasper
I hated seeing Alysa wince in pain each time the SUV encountered a pothole in the road. We were traveling as slowly as possible, but the roads were in horrendous condition. It was something I wanted to fix when I got into office, but unfortunately, infrastructure wasn’t at the top of my list.
The journey to my home showed the poverty Tabiq still faced. We needed a way to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. Things had gotten better since New Hope had opened, but it wasn’t a Tabiqian-owned company. The only ones getting rich off that were the Hendersons.
“Are we almost there?” Alysa asked through gritted teeth.
“Just around the next bend and you will see my home.” It wasn’t as grand as Ocalla’s, but she would be comfortable there. And protected.
We turned the corner and my home, high on the hill, appeared. “That’s where you live?” she asked.
“It is. The home has been in my family for many generations.” But there was a long period when my family had not been in residence, having fled when it was taken over by corrupt politicians. For years my family lived without because of what had been taken from them. My older sister Reesa and I had never set foot in this home before the bastards had been overthrown. This is my home. It just doesn’t feel like it.
“I see why you wouldn’t want to stay at New Hope. You must have a spectacular view from here. It makes you not want to even go inside,” she said.
I chuckled. “It is still early in the day. You might feel differently when the sun begins to beat down on your delicate fair skin.”
“I won’t mind getting a tan.”
“I’ve never kept sun protection in my home. Did you pack any?” I asked, not wanting her to burn. She had enough to deal with already.
“No, but we can stop at a store and I’ll purchase some.”
“Unfortunately, that is not an item you’ll find in our stores. Many of the comforts which you are used to, we simply do not have.” She didn’t look like she’d ever worked a day in her life. Alysa was tiny and fragile looking with smooth, uncalloused hands. What would she know of having to work the land, reap the harvest, and work outside for pennies, providing barely enough for your family?
I didn’t want to be bitter for what America had, but the truth was, it was they who had taken the little we had. Including our pride and respect.
As though Alysa could read my mind, she said, “Don’t be fooled by how I look. I haven’t lived a cushy life. My fun growing up was going camping with my parents. And before you think that was in some luxury trailer, it wasn’t. We slept in a tent on the ground.”
Her tone reminded me that I was being a judgmental ass. As we pulled up in front of my home, I turned to her and said, “I’m sorry. It’s been my experience that only people of extreme wealth come to Tabiq and many times, it’s only to flaunt it. I’ve grown tired of my people being endlessly reminded of what they don’t have. If you continue to live in that mental state, how can you move forward with what you do have? You will never find true happiness.”
Alysa’s blue eyes darkened and said responded softly, “You really care about Tabiq’s future.”
“If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be risking my life to run for president. And if I don’t succeed, then someone who thinks only of their own pocket will run this country. And he won’t care who suffers, as long as it isn’t him.” The man should be rotting in a grave, but I am not judge and jury. It was an American phrase I’ve come to respect and live by. But until someone has the power to take him down, he will continue his life of exploiting those less fortunate than him. And I’ll continue to do what I can to stop him. Alysa yawned and I realized this journey must have been exhausting for someone who had surgery just a few days ago. “Enough talking. Let’s get you inside and Carmella will show you to your room.”
“Carmella?” she asked warily.
“The nurse I have hired to help you while you recover.”
“I don’t need a nurse. I’ll be fine,” she replied.
“I do not know how to care for someone who has had surgery. Logan stressed you must be watched closely.” What he actually said was I should have her return to New Hope where she could be looked after by the Hendersons. I might not have any medical knowledge, but neither did the Hendersons, outside of Logan. It felt like another ploy for them to keep Alysa away from me, and I had no idea why. She needs protecting from them, not from me.
“Jasper, you’re so kind to do all this for me, but really, I’m going to be okay.” Alysa reached over and with her left hand gently touched mine. Softly she added, “Thanks to you.”
I snapped my hand back as though her touch burned. In a way, it did. Gentleness wasn’t something I’d had in my life for a very long time. It was dangerous. The last thing I needed was to be softened just when I needed to stand firm and do what was needed for Tabiq. You’re not going to be a temptress to me. You’re here to help me, even though you don’t know it. Not to bring me down.
“You have already said thank you. No need to mention it again.” I opened my door and got of the SUV. Walking around, I opened hers. Because it was high, I offered her my hand as support while she stepped out. Alysa didn’t take it. Instead, she held onto the door and lowered herself. I could see the discomfort she was in as she did so. Just as stubborn as me, I see.
I led the way inside and there we were met by Carmella. She wasn’t one of the nurses that had been trained by Logan - she had the old remedies that had worked for us all these years.
“Carmella, this is Miss LaHouse. If you don’t mind showing her to her room and getting her settled in,” I instructed.
Alysa didn’t bother to argue and thankfully followed her to the room next to mine. I might have Carmella to care for Alysa, but if anything happened during the night, I wanted to ensure someone was close by to go to her aid.
I walked into the study and was tempted to pour myself a glass of wine. This was the first time I’d had a woman stay with me who wasn’t family. Alysa wasn’t just any woman, though. She wasn’t just another employee, either. There was something about her that had me feeling things I had no intention of talking about. She didn’t really care about Tabiq or its future. The only reason Alysa was here was because I was paying her to be. If the paycheck stopped, I’m sure she would be on the next plane back to the States.