Chapter 178 - Let's Dance
"You lie, Jacky. Jane is gonna become your wife and there is nothing you can do about it," Mrs Smith said sternly.
"I...,"
"I called you because I wanted to inform you beforehand about your engagement announcement with her that I am gonna a make tonight...,"
"What?" Jackson asked subconsciously standing up from the chair.
"Mum, I have told you that I see Jane as my little sister but marrying her is not an option. I have someone I love so deeply so marrying Jane is just one impossible thing...,"
"The marriage between an heir has always been arranged since time immemorial but it was never based on love so whether or not you love her or not doesn't matter," Mrs Smith said with a tone of finality.
"Mum, if you stubbornly go ahead with the engagement announcement then just know that you have lost your only son. I will not only cut off all contact with you but I will cut off all ties with you," Jackson threatened before he walked away in anger.
"You look upset, what is wrong? What did Aunty say? You rarely get angry with your mum...,"
"I am sure you are gonna see us fight very often so try to get used to it," Jackson said coldly as he sat beside Jeff. His words made Jeff and Steve exchanged puzzled glances. Since they became friends in childhood, they rarely see Jackson got mad at his mother. He could get mad at every other person except his mum which is to show how much he loves and respect his mother.
"JK, what exactly did Aunt said to get you this worked up?" Jeff asked with so much concern written over his face.
"Can you believe that mum said she wants to announce my engagement to Jane at today's event? The most provoking thing is that she did not even discuss this topic with me beforehand. Just because she loves Jane, she came up with this without even asking for my opinion," Jackson relayed angrily as he stares into space.
"What?" Jeff remarked. His eyes almost fell out of their sockets.
"Aunt, want to get you engaged to whom?" Steve who knows how much Jackson dislike the said lady asked in astonishment.
"Why do you both have stunned expression on and why does Ice Prince have that angry expression. Did something happened?" Jasmine asked the moment she reached their table. From their expression, Catherine could notice that something was wrong with the guys too.
Jasmine sat down beside Jackson while Catherine sat down beside her. Jeff quickly changed his position when he saw that Catherine deliberately choose to sit beside Jasmine instead of with him.
"What the heck is going on? Why is none of you saying anything?" Jasmine asked as she focused her attention on Jackson sitting beside her.
"Did your mum perhaps scold you for leaving your party to hang out with me?" Jasmine asked still staring at him. Since she has always stared at him like this she completely forgot that they were over a hundred people there apart from the five of them.
"Actually, Aunt did not scold him but she said he should marry you," Jeff said in a serious tone in a bid to help him out. The two of them knew that Jackson wasn't in the mood to talk now. From how he kept quiet despite her questions they knew he was stopping himself from talking because he was afraid he will get angry with her.
"Do you think I am stupid?" Jasmine asked rhetorically.
"Although this is the first time seeing his mum and his fiance in the same space, I can tell from first glance and the way they interact that his mum loves her. Why would she choose me over the person she loves?" Jasmine asked in a serious tone before she shifts her gaze to Jackson.
"I can tell that you are lying without having to stress my head to think," Jasmine added. Before she could talk again the host announced that it was dance time. The moment the host climbed down from the podium slow classical music began playing.
Jeff who has been anticipating this moment quickly asked Catherine to dance with him. Her plan to avoid him became impossible after he stood up and extend his hand. The smiling Jane previously talking to Mrs Smith find her way towards Jackson's seat after the music began to play. On her way there she shunned every guy who asked her for a dance.
"Let's dance," the moody Jackson said as he stood up and offer Jasmine his hand. Jasmine stares at him for a few seconds not uttering any word.
"Are you rejecting to dance with me too?" Jackson asked when Jasmine did not take his hand. It was at this moment Jane reached their table.
"Are you sure you want to dance with me first?" Jasmine asked with a confused look. She did not understand why Jackson was suddenly acting this way towards her when his fiance was there.
"I wouldn't have extended my hand to you if I wasn't certain about my decision," Jackson said as he made to retract his hand but Jasmine quickly placed her hand on his palms and stood up to full height.
"I don't know what she did to you to make you this upset but count me in on this mission of yours to make her jealous. Jasmine is always there wherever there is excitement," Jasmine said smiling as she follows Jackson's lead. Before they walked away from the table she winked at the fuming Jane whose gaze was centred on her.
"Damn that slu...," A hand place around Jane's shoulder disrupted her words. The angry lady turned around to lash out at whosoever touched her. She swallowed back the despicable words she wanted to say when she saw who it was.
"What took you so long, Rose?" Jane asked angrily.
"I left home quite early expecting to arrive early but unfortunately I was caught up in traffic. I am sorry I didn't keep my words" Rose quickly apologised.
"You look very upset, what happened?" Rose asked when she saw Jane's frowning expression.