Can’t Win Me Back

After a while, Alyssa realized Jasper had disappeared. Leaving the party on her own, she ran into Mrs.

Rosie in the corridor. "Mrs. Rosie, have you seen Jasper?"

"Mr. Jasper went back to his room. I knocked on his door for a long time, but he wouldn't open it,"

Rosie replied, shaking her head. "With everyone here tonight, enjoying such a lively occasion, I don't

understand why he's isolating himself like a depressed teenager. It's so lame of him to call it a night this

early."

Alyssa frowned, her smile wry. She felt concerned, aware of how downcast Jasper could be on his

mother's death anniversary. Moreover, the confrontation with Javier at the cemetery likely brought back

painful memories. Returning to such a lively home must have stirred up his emotions.

"Mrs. Rosie, could you please entertain our guests on the balcony? I'll go check on Jasper."

a brief pause before gently knocking.

there?"

There was no response.

the delicious food outside. Everyone is

Jasper was silent.

today. I understand that you must be missing

way when I visit my

panel, her voice as gentle as a dove. "Don't worry. I will

know you've always

Grandpa, Mrs. Rosie...

family with you. Family, friends, the

anyone could have."

finish, the

pulled into the darkness. In

pressed her against the door in

slowly warmed up.