Her final question

When Jenny and Jason walked into the bedroom, Jenny sat down at the table across the bed to start wiping the make up she had worn all day. Jason was walking around the room, taking off his jacket and loosening his tie before dropping down on the bed. He took a deep breath before he started the conversation that had been long overdue. "I know it is late and you must be tired, but I promised you a conversation and I think it is important we have one. So, all my time right now is yours. Ask me any question on your mind." Jenny turned around on her seat, with the wipe still in her hands and looked at Jason. Wondering what to ask first. "Well since you brought it up, let me start by asking you since when have you started this company?"

Jason thought back to the beginning stages of his company. "Well the idea to start a company started at quite an early age. As we are all taught what the requirements to inheriting the family business is. However, I didn't get serious about it till about the age of eleven I guess and I was quite successful by the time I was twelve. So, ever since then."

Jenny barely responded to Jason's answers and continued asking question after question. "When did you work on the company for the past year or so? How did you hide it from me?"

"Well, as you heard at the presentation, my company mainly deals with software at the moment. At the beginning we weren't sharing a room. So, I could work on company matters while you went to your own room and I was in my room. When we started sharing a room, we weren't in the same class. So, I started doing more than usual at school. Especially during the times I was waiting for you to finish your tasks or during free periods. Or while we were 'doing homework', which gave me an excuse to be on the computer on my side, while you worked on your assignments at your desk. I was still able to hide it from you then. After that you even took on a part time job, opening up even more hours for me to work on it without you knowing. Something which looking back on it, was very helpful as it was during quite a busy period for me.

However, when we became classmates again during this year. Even becoming desk mates, I had to stop hiding it from you because I could only work on it when you were by my side as the time we would spend together was the majority of the day. All the assignments I had, you had as well. So, that wasn't a valid reason anymore either. I couldn't slack off in that period, so I was forced to work on it while hoping you wouldn't notice what I was doing or ask me about it. So, whenever you saw me on my laptop, I was working on the company I had built. During holidays and such, I would work on it after you had fallen asleep or before you would wake up. Which is why I would usually be more tired than you in the mornings. If you remember, I never went on holiday without my laptop. I also made it so that I could work on it using my phone. So, when I had no other options, I would do the necessary work on my phone. Luckily, I didn't have to use that option very often."

"I see. What is the reason you had to hide it from me? What would you have done if I did have knowledge on programming and stuff and had understood what you were doing or asked you about it? Would you have lied to me?"

Jason felt there was something in Jenny's tone of voice, but he couldn't blame her for being a bit upset. So, he ignored it and didn't let it bother him as he patiently answered her questions. "As I said before I was forced to hide it from you by the family rules. This is because usually, the partners of the candidates are from wealthy, influential families. So, if they were aware of the company, they could possibly help them and influence the outcome. If you had knowledge about programming, I would have had to wait on moving into the same room or suggested us being in different classes myself. I would not have lied to you. In the worst case scenario I would have told you that it was something that I couldn't tell you about yet. Hoping that you would understand."

Though Jason's words were simply intended as an explanation, hearing the words 'usually', 'wealthy' and 'influential' reminded her of everything she wasn't. Touching an already sore point for Jenny. Who had struggled with keeping those thoughts out of her mind since the spiteful words had been spoken earlier that evening. Feeling she had discussed most of what she wanted to know, she nodded and ended with her final question. The one that had triggered these feelings of her. "Is it true that I created trouble for your company when I ran away from home to stay at the hotel during our fight?"

Jason had expected a lot of things to be asked during this talk, but not this. He was caught by surprise by this question. He had not told her about it as he had to keep everything regarding the company a secret. But considering he had fixed the damage that had been done, he probably wouldn't have told her about what had happened even if the company hadn't been a secret from her. He didn't want to worry needlessly. So, only if he couldn't work it out himself, would he involve her in company matters. Perhaps he would confide in her if he needed to vent some of his frustrations or problems, but preferably he would try to shield her from all of those struggles and that nastiness. While he thought of how to answer Jenny he kept wondering, how did she find out?