Coloured squares of light, checkered the carpet of the aisle. There were tons of guests in black. About thirty or forty. The arriving guests took their rows. It was a tall glorious church with beautiful construction and giant status. There were white daffodils and red roses placed on his coffin placed on a huge, marble table.

"...not merely because of the desirability of life but because of same exercise at once to live and die well. Much more is he who says that it were good not to be born, but once one is born to pass with all speed through the gates of heaven...." The priest in flowing, white and gold robe muttered.

Kate was crying, wiping tears away with a tissue. Jade looked sick but didn't weep. Denver and Stephen Alejandro's daughters came from Paris for their fathers burial.

The choir ladies started singing. Ruby and Jade helped kate to her feet, with denver on the other side. Jade didn't give Denver a look, he just acted as if they were strangers. With the priest leading the way, the guests followed four men in Black, shiny suit as they carried the box down the aisle.

After the prayers and last words, the Alejandro's family walked down the aisle with everyone watching as they emerged out into the sun. A big black car was parked in front of the Church. men lowered the box and slid it into the back of the car. I started to breath quicker. The sisters held themselves together in tears. They looked shattered by his sudden death. They thought he would at least, stay longer. Kate joined them as she placed her flower on his coffin.

"I won't ever forget you, father-in-law." Her words sounded like a promise but she felt water lingering down her eyes.

A great tremor overtook her as she buried her red face into her sister-in-law shoulders. They held themselves in a tight hug and cry louder. One could feel by the heaving of their chest by just watching.

His coffin was lowered six feet below the ground where he was finally buried.

***

A month later...

The night was misty and dark. It was just 11:00 pm. A time when everyone would be with their families but, Jade was still in his office. Feeling a little pressure on his executive, leathery chair, he stood up and took off his jacket. Hanging it in a stand in the corner of his office. A tired look firmed on his very sad face, but he pulled out his neck-tie. Taking his seat, he scrolled through what he'd written for a couple of hours, but his eyes shimmered. As if everything weren't clear to him. As if he was confused for a minute. His hand grabbed a black folder as his eyes scrolled through the pages . He closed it abruptly and held his phone to check what time it was and if possibly, he had any message.

Opening his phone, he saw Sapphires pix he took when they last shared a passionate kiss in her apartment. He zoomed the picture closer to see her, better.

A worrisome look clouded Jade's face. As he kept staring.

On the other hand, Sapphire was having dinner with her family. It's been a while since she last had ate with them. About 5 years now but... Home was still home.

"So, how are you feeling now, Fire?" Her mum brought up.

"Fine. B..better." Sapphire replied bluntly. The way her eyes sparkled was evident that she was trying to his something from them.

"What's it dear. You're free to tell me anything." Fiona assured, reading the look on her daughter's face.

It's the nightmares, mum. She finally let out.

"What?" Fiona shrieked. John slowly placed his cutlery by the side of his plate. As if he'd lost appetite.

"And... How long have you been having these... Nightmares?" His baritone voice asked.

"Ummm... I'm not sure but I think it's after the incident."Sapphire explained herself, scratching the nape of her neck, confusedly. I'm so scared, dad. I don't know what to do." She explained. "I'm trying to figure out what my life was before the incident but, the more I try to, the more I get lost in it. It's just like, playing a puzzle that doesn't even fit."

With this, there was a silence that reigned in the room. A cold silence that made both her parents list as well.

Sapphire looked up to them in curiosity.

"I feel there's something I'm missing." And then turned to her dad. Knowing that yes more sincere. "I feel I was forced into something dark, not the contract. Like I had a relationship with someone else, not Jade."

"Come on, Fire. Can we just forget about that now?" Fiona hissed, grabbing their attention. What is important now is, Jade and the contract are gone. They're now past tense so why don't you try and forget about the past. Don't stress yourself at least. Perhaps my dear, the Alejandro's are dangerous. Things would only worsen if you get tangled with a family like theirs. My lovely daughter. One one of your dad's friend has a son. He's an agriculturist. I don't know if maybe you could work things out this weeke-"

"No, mummy. Count me out, please." She dropped her spoon into the cup of cereal and it made a clingy sound. Like a key deepened into an ocean, it made a little burbling sound of sinking.

"I.. can't. I just can't do that right now, mum. I need to get myself together first. My heart feels heavy anytime I think about love. As if something is pulling me down, I can't stand. As if something is pushing me back, I can't move. I don't think I need that right now, mother." Her voice shivered to the words. Fiona and John caught a solemn tear trickling down her cheeks.

She wiped it off immediately with the back of her hand and sniffed. Trying to bare the weight of the heat, burning her heart. But more tears filled her eyes instead.

"Excuse me." She pulled her chair aback and went to her room, barely taking two spoons.

Sapphire banged the door close and blocked it from behind. Not wanting any of their questions, again.

She claimed her bed and hugged her pillow, tight to her chest. Sapphire cried into it, really hard. Tears stained her face as soft moans escaped her lips through the suppressed sound of hiccups.

Broken and shattered, Sapphire wasn't afraid to cry and let out all of her anger and fear that kept on welling up inside and pulling her down. Yes, she was alive. Yes, she got a successful heart surgery but it always felt as if something was missing. And Sapphire couldn't connect the dots.

John tried to eat but it looked at if he'd lost appetite as well. Fiona who stood by her door side, listening to her daughter's silent, yet, disturbing weeps and sobs couldn't hold it any longer. The more Sapphire break down like this, all she want is to wreck that family somehow. She knew how happy her daughter used to be before the awful relationship contract. And how willing she used to be whenever she goes on arrangement dates. Too bad everything is upside down, now.

***

BB Hotel.

6:05 p.m.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk..." Lucas lips made the sound so perfect, as he sat opposite Jade, watching him closely.

Jade continued trying a on this computer system. Not bothering about Lucas's present, sitting in front of him.

"You've been my friend for over 20 years now but I don't still understand you, Jade. Looking back at times, it's exactly two months since you took Sapphire to a bar and I was wishing... I thought that you of all people would never let go of Sapphire Blac, the way you were so obsessed with her."

Jade listed but he kept on typing, instead.

"I thought you two would get married and I will finally be your best-man. I thought your love could overcome any obstacle." Lucas explained looking so disappointed.

"With this, Jade stopped typing. He rubbed his hands together as a smile formed on his serious face. He narrowed his eyes at Lucas, who was sitting before his desk."

"I am the CEO of Blue Bird Hotels. I know I had feelings for Sapphire and all but I wasn't obsessed. I'm not into any damn relationship right now, all I want is the improvement of my hotels and I'm good to go. Speaking about Sapphire, she don't even remember me. She don't even remember you, or the chairman who started this first so, is it really my fault?

"Despite the fact-" Lucas wanted to convince him but Jade cut into his words.

"Even though Chloe teamed up with my cousin to get back on me by kidnapping Sapphire. What is the guarantee that something like that won't happen again?" He paused and made a painful smile. Anyone watching him wouldn't be able to tell the amount tormenting thought and heartbreak going through his head

"What you don't understand is... Sapphire is like a delicate flower and I'm just so toxic. Let's imagine we get married do you think she'd be able to live my lifestyle? As my spouse, their would be parties, meetings, more gossips from friends, the press, my family, and our enemies. The pressure of living a luxurious lifestyle and impressing people that care less about you. Odd comments about your reading and hairstyle. Sapphire is a simple lady. She lives a very happy life before she met me. But with me, people would keep watching her. She'll be unsafe an unsecured. What I'm trying to say is... I'm unfit for Sapphire Blac. I'm so flawed and imperfect, Lucas." A shiver ran through his spine with a million thoughts, but he expression looked so relaxed and settled.
Even though everything in his life were contracting in opposites.

"But still... With you by her side."

"Me?" He let out a soft chuckle. "I can't even give her enough happiness. Wealth is not everything, dude. The time, the trust, the love... I don't think I'll be able to give her any of that but, if there's anytime or chance for her to meet a good man. Maybe it's now. Maybe we weren't meant for each other. Maybe we need to move on with our lives, Lucas. How could I possibly ask her out or make her remember those little fights? And that word, love? It still battles me what it really means. Destiny is a gown we must all wear. I've accepted my fate and I'm living with it. Satisfied or not, I'm going through it."

Lucas's mood went from excitement convincing to sadly confusing, after hearing from Jade.
'How unfortunately, indeed.' Lucas thought as he stood up.

Okay dude. It seems you've made up your mind. See you later." Lucas wore a smirk before walking out. Still disappointed.

Alone, Jade's fingers ran through this thick, black hair. It looked messed up as usual but still brought out his handsomeness. Jade stood up with his left hand his his pocket while his right hand held his phone. Walking towards the transparent glasses window and watching through the busy night streets that felt mysterious. Like the puzzle in his head. Jade couldn't help but to think about destiny. What if destiny brings us together again. Maybe. Just maybe...this dream would somehow end.

As if a thought played through his head, Jade looked at his phone.

His thumb scrolled through his contact list as he searched for her name. Fire. Jade longed to hear her voice over the phone.
'Maybe I should just dial her number.' He thought and pressed the call button.

***
I'm not sure how they bury people... Never seen or witness one before but, hope I tried just now? So... Sapphire is back home with her parents and Jade is with his usual life. How he used to before the contract.

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