It was ghost silent in the office. In front of Jade, stood Mr. Tim. His head, bowed and his hands, folded to the back as he waited for a reply from his boss.

Jade on the other hand was studying a graphic on the gains and losses of BB Mall, in the screen of his laptop. A stern smirk appeared on his face as he toiled with a fountain pen on his left hand.

"What do you think this could be. Everything on this chart smells fishy. What could be causing this?" Jade asked in his bossy tone. “There was an accident with the bomb last time, too. Now BB Mall prices are increasing in doubles and triples?”

“BB Company's Strategy Planning team said that this issue is now closely monitored by the main branch, too.” Mr. Tim leaned forward and replied.

“Then I'm sure that my grandfather must have heard about this too. He has ears on every wall in is companies and he might be worried. Yet, he won't tell anyone about it even me, his grandson.” Jade suggested

"Well, that's exactly what I'm thinking, sir." Mr. Tim responded, responsibly.

"And maybe he's the one behind all these!"

“Um. The chairman isn't the one behind all these. I can assure you that.” Mr. Tim replied in a defensive tone.

Jade quirked and eyebrow at him, like an eagle scouting for it's prey.
"I understand that you're dedicated to him but don't trust grandpa too much. He might be looking old and sick but he's able to do anything. He attacks like unexpectedly like a snake, don't mind his gentleness."

“Sir!” Mr. Tim stopped Jade from saying any more thing to spoil the Chairman's image.

"Just shut up. I know your trust him than you trust me. I wonder why you're so defensive even in his absence." He hissed.

"I trust you too, sir. I.. I trust you more." Mr. Tim stammered, convincingly.

"Well, I don't. You can leave now." Jade ordered with a bitter mouth. Looking as dark as grave, Mr. Tim turned back and left his boss's office. He looked so worried, he just had to visit Mr. Stephen Alejandro.

***

At Mr. Stephen's Mansion.

The study room was built with fine, expensive wood and glass. There were purple flowers buried in white, ceramic vases standing at the four corners of the room.
Mr Stephen adjusted his reading classes as he studied the file in his hands. It was about, the BB Mall prices and new changes that had taken place in couple of months.

“If this had also caught Jade's attention, there's definitely something going on.” the chairman started.

“Yes. He's been really cautious.” Mr. Tim whispered in all seriousness.

“How amusing!" The chairman laughed. Find out who is dating to mess up with my company. If it's a lion, I'd cut his head immediately. I need a reply on his as soon as possible.”

“Yes, sir.” Mr. Tim replied with a bow and walked out of the room for his new assignment.

Meanwhile, Jade was in his jeep with Sapphire. There was a grave silence as the car zoomed faster, hitting the gentle breeze.
"Are we going to my house?" Sapphire broke the silence.

Jade took a brief look at her before facing the road.
“Yeah. They told me that the renovations are all done, now.”

“Oh, I see.” Sapphire muttered, looking a little bit sad.

Jade looked at her noticing her quiet reaction. For the first time in forever, a shiver ran through his spine a thousand thoughts blew through his mind from the window. For a reason, He Jade hates to see her so quiet he knows they won't be able to spend the night together, again.

Getting to Sapphire's apartment, Jade opened the door for her and walked her upstairs to the top-roofed apartment where she stays. Still quite.

Jade adjust the CCTV camera hanged in a corner as Sapphire admired the pots of rose flowers behind her door step. Without touching, she admired them and noticed the beauty it added to the space.

“You like it?” Jade asked, noticing she was staring at them.
Sapphire turned back at him with the same dull look, without mouthing a word.

"What's wrong with her?" Jade questioned as he watched Sapphire walk to her door. She fixed her key to the door lock and tried opening it but it didn't open.

"Why won't it work?" She whined in a low voice. Then she pulled and pushed the door aggressively until Jade walked up to her.

"Your fingers." He said, pointing his index fingers up. Sapphire did it confusedly, in the same manner.

"Huh?"

"We're going to use your left and right finger." He said to her and held her right hand.

Jade took Sapphire's index finger and gently swiped it against a glassy, button-like pin on her doorknob.

Your fingerprint has been recorded.

It muttered in a female, robotic tone.

Sapphire looked at him, stunned. Jade smile and swiped her finger on it again. It made a king of ring, then he pulled the door knob and it easily opened. Jade pushed her in immediately as she entered.

"Huh? Where am I?" Sapphire cried to the new change in her room. She just couldn't believe it was her's because nothing looked the same. "What's this? What have you don't to my room?!" She cried at him once more.

"What? You don't like it?" Jade followed her to her room.

"Geez! Is this really my apartment?" She clamoured with her hands, cupped to her mouth. "Where's my furnished bed and wardrobe? What have you done to my place?"

"I've made it safer. He replied, in his bossy tone. I've put double locks on your front door and your window. A marble table and chair for you to read and the CCTV outside your doorstep. So, if someone forces their way in, the cops are immediately called. And make sure you have to undo those before you come in instead of trying to force your way in, again." He pointed out.

"But why did you change my bed and furniture?"

"They're old." He replied coldly before walking to her reading space.

"What the heck are these?!" He grabbed Gabbie's poster that was on her tablet. "Why don't you this away?! Fuck! Fuck!! Fuck!!!"

He squeezed it abruptly, balled it with is much hatred and kicked it into the bin.

"No, stop it!" Sapphire tried to stop him but she failed at her attempt.

"You're so wicked! Why did you do that without my permission, huh?!"
She deepened her hand into the bin and grabbed the piece of poster. Immediately, she opened it, trying to make it neat again.

"You ruined my precious Gabbie's face. My darling-"

"I'm being jealous! Throw that away!" He mouthed even before she could complete the sentence.

"What?" Sapphire couldn't believe his last words. "What did you just say?"

"I'm being jealous, Fire! I'm fucking jealous whenever you speak about that kid or whatever you call him, so get rid of that trash, okay?!" He spat. Why do you have a picture of another guy hanging in your room?

"It's not just any guy. It's my teen crush, Gabb..."

I don't care! I don't like it, okay?! Be a fan of that puppy, instead and I'll wholeheartedly support that!" He pointed to a animals chat on her table and hissed.

He washed his eyes off her, with both hands in each side if his pocket as he walked to check the kitchen.

This guy is so unbelievable." Sapphire said to herself as she tried making Gabbie's poster neat again.

Take a look around and tell me if there's anything you don't like! I'll get it fixed before I leave!" He yelled from outside.

"Wow! He's a total player, right? How can he act so kind an innocent? Mtcheeeeeew!" She hissed, admiring her new bed and other stuff in the room.

He even bought her a new, refrigerator and fixed an Air conditioner to her room.

"How nice..." She smiled at herself.

****

At Night...

Jade got into his big, clean mansion. Everything was in his house was either white or silver. Which are Jade's favourite colours. As he entered, his eyes caught the flower pots Sapphire bought for him earlier. He smirked at the green coloured that they flourished. Walking to his room, Jade couldn't help but to feel the presence of himself. He missed seeing Sapphire in a hook or hanging by the corner of his house.

Entering his neat, well furnished room, Jade switched on the lights and lazily took off his and threw it on the bed. He changed his clothes and climbed his master-sized bed. Just then, his eyes struck the date, ‘July 24th’. August 24th is going to be the end of their contract.

On the other hand, Sapphire was still in her room. She wore a pink nightie as she let down her shoulder-length before brushing it.
"How strange?" She muttered, still amazed by everything in it. She stared at her reflection on the standing mirror or a while. A part of her is happy for have Jade by her side but she didn't look happy. Knowing that all of these would definitely end, overnight. She sat on her new soft bed and scrolled through her mobile phone. Staring at the date, Sapphire let out a soft breath and laid down properly on her bed to sleep.

Jade did the same as he closed his eyes, thinking about the time they've spent together. Too bad, he was just starting to have feelings for this special woman but she's someone he's only able to date, not to marry.