Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Alyssa's heart was still racing. She played it cool and asked, "After that... You've never tried to look for that woman?"
"I've never stopped searching for her. But I don't even know her name or what she looks like. There's no way for me to look for
her." Jasper chuckled to himself. "I gave her a nickname—the White Dove. It represents hope. I was able to return from the
battlefield alive all because of her. That was how I began to hope again."
Alyssa's eyes welled up again. At this point in time, she was content regardless of whether he knew of her identity as the White
Dove.
Jasper and Alyssa tidied up the kitchen and the living room. They took a bath together and changed into a clean set of matching
pajamas.
They were about to go upstairs to rest when Xavier returned.
"Welcome back, Xavier. Have you had dinner? I'll warm something up for you if you haven't eaten," Alyssa asked in a concerned
tone.
The way she spoke to him wasn't like an employer speaking to an employee at all. Instead, she acted like his caring elder sister.
"I. I'm not hungry."
Xavier shook his head repeatedly. The look in his eyes was dark. It was rare to see him with a troubled look on his face.
Alyssa and Jasper looked at one another. Without having to say a word, they knew what the other person was thinking. They had
a mutual understanding.

"Xavier, I haven't been sleeping well these two days. I feel like having some red wine to help me fall asleep. Come and have a
drink with me," Jasper invited casually.
Naturally, Xavier wasn't going to turn him down. "Sure, Mr. Beckett."
"I'll leave you two to drink. My back is killing me after all the cooking today." Alyssa frowned.
Jasper's eyes turned dim. He wrapped his arm around her waist and caressed her gently. He whispered, "Is it hurting more than
when we're in bed?"
"Jasper, my dear, too much action isn't good for you. Don't forget how Raphael, the painter, lost his life at a young age."
Alyssa poked Jasper in the chest. Her cheeks blushed pink. She nudged him softly, "Alright, go and have
a good chat with Xavier. Im going to bed."
Jasper opened a bottle of fine wine. He sat across from Xavier.
Xavier saw that Jasper was pouring wine for him. He jumped to his feet immediately as he wasn't used to being served like that.
He held his glass up with both hands.
"I'll help myself, Mr. Beckett. I don't deserve to have you pour wine for me!"
Jasper continued pouring the wine without showing any emotion on his face. "Oh, knock it off. There's just the two of us here.
There's no need for formalities."
Xavier was speechless.

They drank in silence for a while. Then, Jasper asked, "You've gone to look for Maggie these few days?"
Xavier froze. He answered in a low voice, "Yeah..."
"So... What are you planning to do?" Jasper went straight to the point. He was never one for beating around the bush.
Xavier pursed his lips. A myriad of emotions came over him, and his eyes were beginning to turn red. "Mr. Beckett, do you
believe that I could develop feelings for a woman over just a few days?"
"I do."
Xavier's jaw dropped.
The Jasper he knew was someone who couldn't get a grasp on romantic relationships. Other than with Alyssa, he was someone
who always doubted other people's feelings.
"I'm such a terrible person, but even Lyse could fall in love with me at first sight. So, why would it be impossible for you to fall for
such a striking lady like Maggie?"
Jasper let out a bitter smile as he looked at him with a dim look in his eyes.