****

At B.B Mall

7:54 a.m

“So, they blow your cover away?” Mr Walter started, with both hands, pocketed to each side of his coal-hole trousers.

“You idiot! You can’t even carry out a proper task without being noticed! I’m so disappointed in you!”

Ace bowed his head slightly to the ground, regarding his father. He didn’t mutter a word, but Ace accepted all the blame.

“Seduce her if we’re going to work the will to our advantage.”

“B..but dad. Ace tried to speak up. “There’s no competition in family.”

“Tempt her as a man you are!” Mr. Walter continued as if she didn’t hear what Ace had just said. “Show me you’re my son and not just a robot or puppet who needs to be toyed with!”

“But... I’m not ready for marriage.” Jade muttered in self defense.

“No. Marriage has nothing to do with the will. To Jade, at least. Do you think he’s so innocent? He insisted that the newspaper issue a correction. According to Charles Chemicals, all if that was true. He decided Chloe and went for that lowlife, girl. Don’t you think something is fishy? Well, since it’s clear that you have a fish’s brain... I think Jade is far wiser than you. I don’t know what he’s planning, but he definitely won’t marry that teacher.” Mr. Walter looked at his son, disgustingly and then walked away. Leaving Ace to the thought of what plan to execute next.

“I know I’m having a fish’s brain, dad but don’t forget. I couldn’t be a whale, too.” Ace said to himself as a mysterious smile curved on his slim lips.

***

Jade was about to attend the conference room where he’s having a conference meeting with his business counterparts from Asia and Europe. Just then, Sapphire’s call entered.

“Hello dearie.” He started.

“I said stop it with the dearie!” She fired almost immediately.

“Oh, you’re calling me for the first time. To day must be your birthday....

“No, it isn’t..”

“What’s the occasion?”

“Today’s the anniversary of our school’s founding. Do you have time to check up on me? If you don’t have time, I’ll have dinner with Zoey instead.”

“Where are you?” Jade asked, placing his fine on the large marble table in front of him and the other members.

“I’m in front of your hotel.” Sapphire replied with a cute voice.

“Wait in the lobby for 30 minutes. Don’t wander off and get lost. Okay?” He warned over the phone as others stared at him awkwardly, but Jade didn’t mind. He didn’t even notice.

“Okay. Bye.” Sapphire ended the call while Jade took his seat.

“Take a seat.” He gave his permission as others sat down.

“You really think that we’ll be able to finish the meeting in 39 minutes?” Miss Barabra whispered softly to Mr. George, who sat right next to her.

“I’ll bet you 50,000 dollars. We will.”

Sapphire took her seat by the corner of the hotel as she patiently waited for Jade.

She was wearing a simple Jean and a green turtle-neck sweater that made her look like a doll. On her legs were a white pair of sneakers and she had a white hand bag as usual.

Just then, someone in a navy blue suit walked towards her. The sound of her heels was loud enough and audible that Sapphire raised her gaze to look. It was Chloe.
The annoying smirk on her face was what Sapphire hated the most, but she stood up and greeted.

“Follow me.” Chloe took her outside the hotel where they had a seat to talk properly.

“Looks like you’re waiting for Jade. I’m sure you saw the article about our engagement, though.”

“Yes, but he told me all of that was false. So I didn’t believe the lies the media told.” Sapphire replied with courage in her voice.

Chloe smiled at her sudden boldness, but her smile soon dropped.
Yes, I got ahead of myself this time. I know that Jade and I would legally get married eventually, anyway. It’s just that..  it wasn’t like this three years ago when we were engaged. Look here, Saph! Our families had approved of our fairytale relationship, so... think nothing you have for him can stop this love."

“I don’t really care about what happened three years ago. Because Jade told me you two aren’t engaged anymore, so why bringing up the past that’s long gone?”

“Do you know who it is as that pushed us to get married? It was Mr. Stephen Alejandro, himself. The chairman of BB Company. Someone sure you don’t even know and you’ve never even met in your life. Jade won’t be able to go against the will of his grandfather. And he’s no idiot, either. He can’t keep ignoring the will of Charles Chemicals forever. And there’s a lot that I’ll be able to do for Jade to boast about his business and the whole of Alejandro’s empire. So, why don’t you slowly detach yourself away from my man now? Because you seem quite pathetic, clinging to him like this.” Zoey mouthed with a bit bitterness in her mouth.

Sapphire’s eyes clouded with tears, but she scoffed at Chloe’s words once more and paused for a while. With this, Sapphire looked directly at her in the eyes.
“Okay then.”

She deepened her hand into her bag and brought out her mobile phone. She cooked through the contract and dialed his number. Chloe looked at Sapphire with an awkward look as she couldn’t believe how immature she could be.

“I’m at the Coffee shop with your the red-lipped friend of yours.” Sapphire explained, looking pissed off already.

Watching her speak in this manner had Chloe chuckle a little.

“What are you doing?” Chloe asked.

“You said that I seemed pathetic. But I feel the same about you. And having encounters like this with you is really pissing me off. Jade would be here soon, so have this discussion with him instead of me. And if he chooses you, you can have him forever. I hate men who cheat, anyway.

Chloe laughed once more and then turned to Sapphire with a stern look on face. As if it scared her or something. Zoey grabbed her purse and dashed out.

With a full fist, Sapphire grabbed her arm immediately.

“Don’t go. Are you nervous? It looks you’re running away already.” Sapphire explained to Chloe while she snacked her arm with a spark of anger burning in her eyes.

Just then, Jade walked to where they sat

There was an awkward silence between them as Jade noticed the anger on their faces.

“I’m sorry.” Jade said.

“Sure, whatever!” Sapphire replied him “but you need to choose between us.”

“What?" He raised an eyebrow.

Miss Chloe said there’s a lot that she’s still wants to do for you. That she’s useful to you than I ever will and that you guys still have a connection. In fact, she said that she’s going to marry you. If you’re all right with that, let’s end things between us right here and right now!"

“How could you say something like that to me, Fire. Don’t you care about me?”

“What do you want me to do then, cat-fight it out with her?”

Then Sapphire looked at Chloe with the corner of her eyes.

“I don’t think I’d lose in that kind of battle, but still. I have a little dignity and pride.”

With this, Chloe chucked into laughter as if what Sapphire just cracked was a joke.

“Do you really like an unrefined woman like her? Come on Jade, this girl isn’t even mature, let alone exposed. Why do you even care about her, anyway?”

“Exactly. That care if this, Jade. Will it be me or Chloe?” Sapphire asked.

Jade let out a soft sigh and went to take a seat right next to Sapphire.

“Of course, I’d choose you. We’re bound legally. And we signed off on it, too. So, you can’t go anywhere. Okay?” He wrapped his arms around her with a cute smile.

Chloe watched Jade in awe as they both shared an eye contact.

“What the fuck?...  Jadee!”

Sapphire pushed him aside as it still pissed her

“So, miss. Are you satisfied now? If you’re obsessed about dating Jade, talk it over with him, not me! You’re the one acting seriously pathetic, here. Not me!”

“As if you I’d ever!” Jade replied, making Sapphire turn her eagle’s eyes at her.
Get move!" She pushed him away and walked away.

“Hey, wait!” Chloe stopped Jade but holding his arm. “What do you mean by that just now? You’ve never even looked into my eyes like that! Did you secretly we’d that girl or something?” Chloe wept as tears hanged up to the corners of her eyes.

“That’s none of your business! Jade mouthed. “Also, don’t bother Sapphire. She’s my girl now, got that?”

“Jadee!” she yelled in terror.

“Lower your voice, okay? You’re in my hotel! You can’t come here to boss me around. Perhaps I hate women who throw tantrums when they don’t get their way.” He carried Sapphire’s handbag she’d forgotten.

“You’re really so cruel, Jadee! What do you want me to do? I fucking gave you my virginity. Have you forgotten that?” More tears lingered down her face as she confessed.

“That was your choice, Chloe. We’ve discussed about this repeatedly. Stop bothering me else... I’ll ban you from entering this premises!”

“I love you, Jade. Please, stop rejecting me.” She added, but Jade turned deaf ears.

About to leave, Chloe pulled him back and forced her lips on him in a fast, lustful kiss. With fire in his eyes, he pushed her away as she unconsciously fell into a pool of water.

It was so annoying that some guests were watching and taking videos, but he didn’t care. All he wanted was to stop Sapphire before she stops a taxi. Begging her again is as stressful as her and he’s doing all in his strength to avoid Fire’s anger and silence.