****

The environment was cool and welcoming. A couple of guests were sat in the inn eatery, and everyone was busy eating and chatting. By the corner of the eatery were Sapphire and Jade were. He had taken her to lunch, and she was sat right in front of him, unable to say a word. An awkward silence lasted for a couple of minutes until Jade spoke.

“My grandpa wants us to marry.”

“How does that concern me?” Sapphire rolled her eyes at him.

She was tired already. All she wanted was to go home, eat her own hand-cooked food and rest on her comfy bed. To Sapphire, Jade was just a big disturbance.

“Yes, it does concern you! Because you’re the one my grandfather wants me to marry. In our family, whatever the man says is law.”

“Then I suggest you and your grandpa should talk it over. Instead of disturbing others with your family problems!”

“You shouldn’t be acting as if this isn’t your problem, since he wants us to get married. You’re involved in this as well. We’re both involved in this relationship. Me and you. This marriage involves both of us. We need to get married for grandpa’s sake.” He explained.

“What do you mean, this marriage? I told you I’m not interested in you and I have no idea who your grandpa is! How can I do something for someone I don’t even know?! Perhaps, it only takes two to tango, Mr CEO...” She rolled her eyes at him and concluded.

“So what should I do for you to fucking believe me?” He hit his hand on the table, aggressively.

With this, Sapphire eyes flared at Jade as he objected. His face flushed to her serious stare.

“You don’t believe me. Good for you then!” She grabbed her handbag and stood up.

“What are you doing?” He asked in a low voice. “I... I’m not done talking.”

“Let’s go.” She suggested.

“Where?”

“I want the three of us to talk.” Sapphire gnawed at him.

“What?” He raised an eyebrow at her suggestion.

“You said you can’t bring yourself to believe what I’m about to say. But I feel the same way, Mr. CEO! Take me to your grandpa and let’s solve this puzzle once and for all, because I have no more time to waste with you on this issue. And I want you to know that I’m not interested in you, your money, your grandfather, or your business! So, you better take me to meet him right now! Let’s have a talk, the three of us!” Sapphire pointed out.

Jade rolled his eyes at her as his mind delved into her suggestion. He looked through the window and scoffed once more before standing to her. Facing her directly, eye to eye.

“Will that be okay?” He asked.

“I should be the one asking you, sir.” She replied him with a smug little smile and walked away.

Jade was being perplexed by the entire scenario. So much that he believed it was time to face the problem squarely. Looking at the table, he saw Sapphire’s mobile phone. He picked it and walked after her.

“Hey, Miss Sapphire Blac!” He called and handed her phone.

Surprised, Sapphire collected it from him and muttered, ‘thank you’.

Jade gave her a smug look and shrugged at her. Walking to his car, he noticed Sapphire was waking away.

“And where are you going?!”

“Just tell me the address. I’ll take a taxi.” She explained.

“What’s the point of taking a taxi when we’re going to the same place?”

“It’s a dangerous world. How am I supposed to trust you? Who knows what you’ll do?” Sapphire murmured and looked away.

‘It’s so confusing. How can one be so stubborn?’ Jade thought and closed the car’s door behind him.

He walked to her side and watched her from head to toe with both hands, deepened to his side pockets. He couldn’t help but to wonder who she really was. And why he’s involved with her at first.

“And why are you staring at me like a dummy?” She rasped. “Aren’t you going to call him?”

“Call who?”

“Your grandpa, of course! Why do you keep asking me questions like a dummy?”

“Shut up, bitch! And stop calling me dummy!” He tried hard not to say more words, because he didn’t want her to leave.

She’s the only key to get to the Chairman’s fortune. He let out a soft breath to cool down his temper.

“Can you fucking call your grandpa already?! I have a lot of work to do!” She blurted. “Even if he may be your accomplice in your scam.”

“Scam?” Sapphire criticized.

“Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that, right?” She gave him a puppy smile to played along.

Jade simpered at her and dialed the Chairman’s contact.

“Hello grandpa!” He started gently.

“What’s it again, punk!” The chairman replied him with a rather harsh voice.

“The woman you introduced to me wants us to have a three-way conversation.” Jade reported.

“A three-way conversation? And why would I need to take part in that? The girl is yours, Jade. It’s your duty to woo her.”

“She wants to talk to you. She said she doesn’t know who you are!” He whooshed out. Already frustrated.

“Stop blabbing your mouth into my ears, Jade. Project Sapphire is your business. Face it and take care of it! That’s your mission!” The chairman hissed over the phone and cut the call.

A mysterious smirk spread on his lips as he gently placed his phone on his table.

“Jade Alejandro.” Stephen said to himself, in between his smile. “It’s your turn to suffer. Nothing in the world will always go your way, you know?”

He took a cup of water and glanced at his late wife’s photograph once more.

“All I want for Jade is the best. I can’t let him live like this forever. I’m running out of time.”

Reading the expression on Jade’s face, Sapphire majestically walked towards him.

“What’s it? He freaked out when you said I’m coming, right?” Sapphire pointed out, nodding her head in disappointment.

“You should have done some pre-planning if you want to pull off a scam.” Sapphire warned.

“It’s not a scam, Idio-” Jade stopped in between his words. “Why can’t you believe me?!”

“You don’t believe me and you expect me to believe you? How is that possible? Ask people on the streets if this kind of situation sounds normal to them?” She condemned.

“Are you implying that I’m crazy?”

“Maybe.”

“Fuck! Fuckkk! Fuckkkkk!” Jade cried out in frustration, hitting the front of his car with violence.

Sapphire looked at him and wondered if he had actually gone mad. Stopping in between, an awkward silence lasted between them.

Jade grabbed Sapphire’s hand and dragged her towards the eatery.

“What’s it now?! Leave me alone!”

She cried and tried to pull away, but Jade’s hand felt stronger.

“I need your attention!” He pulled her closer.

“I don’t what to get involved with you! I have nothing to say to you, Mr. CEO! Just leave me alone!!” She pushed him away. Then he stopped and turned to her. “Do you want me to wrap my arms around you and force you instead?”