****

About to enter the dinning room, the owner of the hotel who also knows Jade greeted him.

“Oh, CEO Jade! You're here?” A pleasing smile formed on his lips.

“Yes, Good day sir.” Jade greeted respectfully with an simple handshake.

“How's everything. How's the chairman too?”

“We're all fine sir." Jade replied him.

“It's nice to have you here.” The man mouthed. “Let's run into each other again some other time.”

“Yes sir, hopefully.” Jade replied him as they shake hands and parted ways.

They took their seats at the best and most silent dinning room in the hotel.

Seated facing each other, Lucas watched his friend with so much happiness in his eyes.

“Jade, you know.... This is the most you've ever talked to me about a woman.” Lucas started. “I guess you don't completely hate Sapphire, after all.”

“Yeah, I don't hate her.” Jade admitted with a cute smile on his face.

“Really?” Lucas leaned forward, interestedly. “Tell me more.”

“She's the same she was on the first day I met her. And I feel she's going to be like that 10 years later. That's what I like about her. Her simplicity and transparency.”

***

Meanwhile, Sapphire went to Zoey's boutique. Everything about what Jade said earlier played on her mind like an old memory. She won't rest or get settled until she changes his thinking.

“She's not that bad. She's definitely a teacher, though. She's inexplicably tacky sometimes and so old-fashioned.”

Determined to change Jade's thought and perspective about her, Sapphire walked through the doors of her besties shop. Her eyes searched through the boutique until she met Zoey, who was arranging some new clothing's that morning.

“Welcome, my valued customer.” Zoey greeted as if she'd read all the thoughts on Sapphire's memory. “You've come to the right place. Come this way, please.”

Zoey led her to a room where she gave her stylish a coloured dress and shoes to match. Sapphire took off her white, pleated skirt and the pink, silky top she was wearing.

***

After A While...

“She hasn't come yet?”

“Yes, she's late. And she's never been late before.”

“Are you worried?”

“No. I bet she's lost again. There's no privacy, that's why we don't use my hotel so much. She's stubborn though, but she'll never admit that she's lost.” Jade admitted.

“I don't think I'll be able to see her today.” Jade muttered hurriedly as he stares at his watch.

About to stand, Lucas eyes caught Sapphire.

“Wow!” Lucas got mesmerized by the beauty in front of him. “Amazing.”

Jade turned to the direction without noticing, then he turned back to her again, dumbfounded.

With her hand resting on one side of her curved hip, Sapphire waited to watch their reactions first before she walked towards them.

“I've kept you waiting, didn't I?” She said sarcastically.

“What's this, Fire?!” Jade's groggy voice sounded as he quickly takes off his suit for her. He was wearing a light, grey suit and white long sleeved shirt beneath as usual.

“No, I'm fine. Sapphire muttered as he takes off his suit.

“Well, I'm not!” Jade retorted immediately.

“Please... Let her be.” Lucas pleaded as he stopped the argument as Sapphire took her seat.

Jade couldn't believe his eyes as he stared open-mouthed at Sapphire. She looked so different. He just couldn't believe she would ever dress like his, yet, his eyes couldn't leave her.

Sapphire's hair was well-packed in a low ponytail, and she wore dangling earrings instead from the studs that she used to wear before. She wore a five inched heels instead of the flats or sneakers, that she's used to wearing. But there was no makeup on her face. It was just the dressing she'd changed.

“Are you crazy? Why are you dressed like this? Why did you come here dressed like this?! Huh, tell me!”

“Because we promised to. And what's wrong with this?” She admired herself. “Isn't it beautiful?”

“No, it's not! You're looking so ugly and weird, just take it off!” Jade vexed.

“No, Sapphire. You look stunning.” Lucas complimented.

Jade glared directly at his friend with a vulture-eyed look. Lucas gently looked down to the water placed before him and sipped a little to calm his nerves.

"Why don't you dress as simple as the way you normally do, Sapphire? Are you going to see someone else?"

"This is actually pretty plain, Jade. And I'm not going anywhere else. I came to meet you as planned. I wonder why you're always complaining. Since how I dressed before was a bit old-fashioned, right?”

A waiter walked to their table.

“What may I offer you?” The waiter asked.

“Orange juice, please.” Sapphire replied as he took her order.

I liked what you wire before, much better. This outfit is inappropriate for a teacher.” He corrected, pointing oat her as if he was disgusted.

“I'm not at school, Jade. I don't mix business with pleasure like you. It's a date after all.” She smirked at him, adjusting her dress properly.

“Stop it already, Jade. You're making Sapphire feel awkward and uncomfortable.” Lucas corrected.

He faced Sapphire with a wide, hold smile. We've met before, right? I guess this is the third time... But seriously, you've got so beautiful than how you were when we first met.” Lucas admitted.

“Awwwwn... That's so sweet of you, Attorney Lucas. You're as fashionable as ever, too.” She smiled and Lucas joined her.

It looked as if they were having a good conversation together while Jade kept on drinking water to cool down his temper. Nothing was funny to him.

“Did you start a new skincare regimen?' Lucas asked in concern.

“No... Not yet.” She replied.

Ten minutes later and they were still talking. Jade's mind wasn't settled. He wasn't comfortable, either.

“Hey, aren't you leaving? I thought you said you had plans!” Jade stuttered.

“No, it's fine. I'm late anyway so, I'll do it next time.” Lucas looked at Sapphire again with a smile.

Just then, his phone started ringing.

“Oh geez! Just a moment, guys.” He grabbed his phone and walked to a corner to receive the call.

Jade looked at her, still pissed off while Sapphire looked away.other guests passing by stared at Sapphire lovingly, but she didn't notice nor did she give them an eye. The only one that gave them an eye was Jade. He looked at them with an angry, annoying look. As if he was trying to say 'This is a no look area.'

Jade quickly placed his suit on her shoulders, but she jerked off.
“It's hot in here, I don't need your jacket. Why would I wear a jacket indoors when I'm not you, Mr. CEO.”

“You think I'm giving you my jacket because I'm afraid you'll be cold?! People are side-eyeing you!” He blurted out.

“What are you saying? They're just looking at me, that's all.” She blushed.

“Just put it on.” Jade pleaded.

She pushed his hands away as he tried to place his jacket on her.

“No! I told you I don't want to!” She cried in her usual whinny voice. This doesn't go with my dress, don't you get?

“Who cares? Just put it on!”

“I said no! What's wrong with you, Jade?”

“Put it on. If you don't, I won't stand for it.” He placed his jacket on Sapphire's body and wrapped her in it like a gift.

Lucas came back. Seeing Jade's jacket on Sapphire, he tried not to laugh.

Jade gave an eye at Sapphire while she looked away. Too bad, he wasn't even glad she's changed for him. He won't allow her to feel at rest either.

“I have to go somewhere right away. I'll take my leave now,” Sapphire smiled as Jade grabbed her arm.

“Where are you going dressed like this? I thought you said that you aren't going anywhere?” He placed his hands into his side pockets.

“Are you going to see your friend's brother or your brother's friend again this time?” So much bitterness laced his voice.

“No, I'm going to see my friend, Zoey! She cleared out and handed him his jacket.

“Just keep it!” Jade stuttered, placing it over her shoulders again.

“No, thanks!”

“Where are you going dressed like this.”

“I just explained that to you!” She rolled her eyes at him and swiftly walked out angrily.

“Wow! She's so sexy.” Lucas told Jade.

“I told you she's usually not the sexy type!” Jade corrected. “She's totally plain, old-fashioned and--”

Just then, Jade remembered what he said in the lift. Thinking about it and the way she acted, it's clear that she must have overheard them or something.

“Oh, damn it all!” Jude let out a soft sigh as he held his head.

“What's up now?” Lucas looked confused.

“I'll be leaving too. See you later.” Jade said as his eyes caught Sapphire's peach-coloured handbag on the chair where she sat earlier.

He took her handbag and walked out, hoping her would still meet up with her.

“What about me?” Lucas said to himself. Now that both of them were gone, he could smile comfortably. In fact, he laughed out loud.

Then he stopped abruptly and said to himself.

“Well, Chairman. It looks like Jade is finally dating a woman.”