***

Sapphire was still enjoying her early morning sleep when someone banged her room door wide open. She jumped out of bed immediately to see who it was. Her red, long hair could never be mistaken, it was Zoey Anderson, Sapphire's best friend.

"Who's that?!” Sapphire cried from her dream.

She looked tall, beautiful and dashing in her outfit. Gazing upon her, she posed, resting her hand on her hips.

“Oh my gosh! You startled me!” Sapphire cried out loud. "You should have called me before dropping by, girl!"

“Why? Why are you so surprised to see me? Am I not welcomed here any longer or are you by chance hiding him from me?” Zoey walked to Sapphire's closet then her wardrobe.

“Hiding who?” Sapphire asked confusedly.

“Don't pretend as if you don't know what I'm saying.” She went to check her toilet and bathroom too. It was empty.

“What are you doing, Zoey?” Sapphire cried.

“Save your breath! I'm looking for the man you're hidden away from us.” She swished awkwardly over the room.

“What? Which man?” Sapphire sneered at her bestie.

“I heard you got yourself a man. Your mum was over the moon about it." Zoey tittered. "Oh yeah, she said you can't live together until you get married, though. She said she'll cut your ears if you do. And she also said she wasn't sure if you're living with the man so, she sent me.”

“Gosh, damn it!” Sapphire cursed under her breath. “If only that stupid guy hadn't talked to her on the phone.”

“Wait!” Zoey dropped on her bed like a doll. “What?! You really got yourself a boyfriend?!”

“Well, what would I say? Yes.” Sapphire awkwardly revealed.

“Amazing! What?! You got yourself a guy?” Zoey panicked as she rushed to Sapphire on bed.

“Whatever, Zoey. You've heard enough. Just leave.” Sapphire fell back to bed and churned herself up into the thick blanket.

****

Jade got to the office that morning. About to start his daily activities, the red phone rang.

Ring! Ring!! Ring!!!

He took off his black suit before picking up the call.

“Who am I speaking with, please?”

“If you don't have any plans for today, swing by and let's have lunch together.” The Chairman's voiced over the phone.

"I have plans, I'm busy. So, seeing you today won't be possible. Also, the red line isn't for unnecessary discussion like this.”

“Exactly. Why did you make me use the red line to get a lunch date with you?”

“Because you're not just calling me over for lunch. I hate your interrogations, grandpa. Also, I'd like to put this out there now before you ask me again. I'm not coming to the main branch.”

“Think of your mother, Jade. That's what she wants for you, you know?”

Jade scoffed over the phone. "You can't say things like that to me. Don't use my mother's name to seduce me just to go on a date with you. After all, you're the one who's given her the most amount of tears. Also, I'm quite preoccupied with an important, serious matter as of late. Bye!” Jade cut the call annoyingly.

“How dare he hang up on me?” The chairman hummed. “How dare he!”

Stephen aggressively returned the call as Lucas watched him.

They both shared an awkward look at each other, but it was clear that the chairman was burning inside.

“Attorney Lucas.”

“Yes sir.” Lucas answered, with his head bowed in respect.

“You're on Jade's side aren't you?”

Lucas cast a brief look at the chairman. “What do you mean by that sir?”

“Mr. Tim is a mole I planted at Jade's company. And you're a double-agent for Jade, am I right?”

Lucas looked confused at the Chairman's words.

“Okay then, if you won't talk you me, tell me. Is he seeing her?”

“W... who are you referring to sir?”

“Sapphire Blac, damn it!” He fired. “How is it that this kid is getting ruder and ruder by the day? What is that teacher doing?! She should be educating him! Ugh!”

****

Checking through the dating contract, Zoey read the agreement one after another.

“Wow! It's not as if you're signing a lease for a flat. A dating contract? Who the hell invented this?! You must feel so annoyed.” Zoey sneered.

"BB Company's Jade Alejandro..."

"Wait! Am I seeing blur or is it a typo? Is he Jade Alejandro?! That prince?! That multi-billionaira CEO?! ” Zoey gasped in amazement and applauded Sapphire.

"Woah! May I ask you a favour as your bestie? Sapphire, it's better you start living with that guy! Trip him and seduce him if possible. Fall for him and get intimate. Yes! Have his baby, so he won't leave you alone, Sapphire, just sleep with him already!”

Sapphire turned to Zoey with the weirdest look.

"What rubbish are you spewing?! And you call yourself my friend?!"

"Okay fine, let's take the tripping part out and just sleep with him. Go for weekend in his apartment. Do you know where he lives? You shouldn't use contraceptives, okay? Just carry his child already!” Zoey begged.

“You're the worst!” Sapphire threw her pillow at Zoey's face, but Zoey caught it in between.

“Stop spouting nonsense, okay? You can become his baby's mother if you want to. I'm not interested. And please, don't tell mum about this else, you're dead!”

“Duh, As if! If your mum knew she'd fall over.” Zoey retorted. “So, tell me. What kind of guy is he?” Zoey leaned forward, interestedly.

“What do you mean?” Sapphire takes an innocent face.

“You've probably kissed, at least. Is he a good kisser? What kind of kiss have you guys shared? Did it feel good? Wait! Was it awesome?! Tell me, how long did it last?”

Sapphire just looked away.

“What? Did you really kissed him!” Sapphire rolled her eyes at her bestie and faced the mirror.

“You? How dare you do that? You kissed someone? A prince at that!” Zoey freaked out while Sapphire just paid deaf ears.

“Wow! I really can't tell your mum about this. No way.” Zoey finalized, still chuckling at the idea.

***

Later that morning, Zoey took Sapphire to Florida to check on the Sparkle Drama Club, Sapphire created. It's been long since she last visited them.

“So, you're going to see Mr. Rich Heir later this evening, right?” Zoey questioned.

“Yeah. Thankfully, he's super busy.”

“Oh, so where are you two meeting?”

“Around.”

“Are you crazy? Like seriously! Is he going to come here or what?” Zoey heckled.

“Yes, he said he's going to come here for a business related issue.

“You're not even used to Florida. Whatever, don't just get lost, okay?”

“I'm not a baby, miss. I can always find my way.” Sapphire smiled at herself. “He gave me an address. I'll just take a taxi there.”

“Wow... You're such a grown up sweetheart now. Good job, teddy bear.” Zoey caress her friend's hair gently.

“Whatever! Just focus on the road.” The both of them chuckled softly as Zoey zoomed off.

Later, Sapphire got to the school. All the students came to welcome her as she bought lots of toys and goodies for them.

She played with the kids and taught them new skills. Before Jade came with his contract, Sapphire used to visit these children once every week but since she'd signed the contract, she had to skip it.

Meeting them brought so much joy to Sapphire and the kids as well. It's been a while since she last visited them, and it's no doubt, she'd missed them a lot.

After the kids left to their various rooms, Sapphire cleaned the building. There, she met Clara, Gabby's mother. She's also Zoey's mother as well. She works as a cleaner in that school so, Sapphire went to meet her.

“Oh my! I'm so stressed."