***

00:12 a.m

Sapphire had cried herself to bed when she heard a sharp knock on the door. She woke up immediately but what she saw was just unbelievable.

Lucas holding Jade to stand upright. With stains of alcohol, puke and blood on his white shirt. As if she was dreaming, a line of shiver ran down her spine. Sapphire felt like floating in an ocean of water, seeing Jade in that state.

"Oh my!..." She went dumfounded. "What happened to him?"

Sapphire allowed Lucas to held him in while she closed the door behind them. Her lips shivered in total shock as she watched him from the distance. She couldn't help but her eyes caught hot tears, streaming down his sad eyes that were half opened.

"F...fire." He muttered and dropped to the ground, unconsciously

"He got drunk and almost killed a stripper." Lucas explained before he placed Jade on the bed but he fell off, hitting his body on the cold marble floor.

Sapphire rushed to him immediately to help him get up. Just then, she noticed the bleeding on his hands. Jade groaned in pain while she helped him sit upright. Tears covered her eyes then, she saw a tiny piece of bottle that had stuck in his palm.

"Did he stab her? Is she alright?" Sapphire asked out of concern.

"I don't really know how she is now but an ambulance came for her before we left. Did you two fight? What happened exactly?"

A pool of tears flooded in Sapphire's blue eyes. Making it look like an ocean flowing within a storm, before it streaked down her cheeks. She couldn't help but to break down in tears but Lucas walked up to her.

"Are you alright?"

"It's all my fault he got drunk." More tears lingered down her pink face. Making it redder like that of a tomato.

"No, don't blame yourself for other people's mistakes." Lucas consoled her. "Come let's discuss things outside." Lucas muttered as they walked outside to talk.

Sapphire placed Jade back to the bed and carefully laid his back on the bed. Then, she followed Lucas outside.

"I met a guy today and he decided to drop me home. I don't know how he dropped a phone into my bag but somehow, Jade saw it and picked up a call. He introduced himself as Denver." Sapphire snot while she narrated.

"What? Denver dropped you off?!" Lines like waves formed on Luca's forehead while he frowned. He couldn't believe how respirate Denver would go. It's just his first day in the Alejandro's family and he's caused enough drama already...

"I don't even know who this person is?" Sapphire tried to explain more but she stopped in between.

"Didn't he tell you?"

"Tell me what? I'm confused."

"Didn't Jade tell you that his brother was found. I mean... The real grandson of the Alejandro's. His name is Denver. Denver Collins. He's the CEO of  CBRE group."

"What? How is that even possible?" Sapphire quirked an eyebrow in disbelief. "Wasn't he dead long ago in an accident? I mean-"

"Investigations had been carried out already but it was reported that this news is indeed true. There are proofs and evidence about these already. It just took us so long to get to him. Actually, on that faithful day, Jaden escaped and was taken to the hospital by the real owner of CBRE. Then, he got adopted but Jade had Memory lost die to that accident. Not untill two years ago when he regained it all. Too bad we thought he's dead but no, he's back. And everyone needs to know."

"I've hard heard about CBRE group so many times but what are they into exactly?"

"They're into property management, investors and occupiers. CBRE is the leading full-service real estate firm and it's also one of the biggest investment organization in the world. Google it and you'd know what I'm talking about." He expantiated.

"So... Did the owner hand him all his fortune or what?"

"Exactly. Denver is stinky rich even without the Alejandro's name or B.B Company so... I don't know why he came back. It must definitely be for a reason." Lucas explained.

"That means he bumped into me, purposely?" Sapphire grabbed her hair from the top as she tried to think about it. Tears of regret distorted her vision as she felt really guilty.

"Don't stress yourself too much, Miss Blac. I've been Jade's friend for over twenty years now and I've never seen Jade so broken. That's why I brought him here. He was calling your name throughout, Sapphire. I don't know about love or romance... because that shit fails at times. I'm a true believer of destiny and I think, with or without the relationship contract, you two are destined to meet."

"W..what? What are you saying?" Sapphire narrowed her eyes at him in confusion.

"No, don't worry. Just take care of him till tomorrow. And at least. Let him spend the night here." Lucas then looked at his wrist watch. "Oh! I'm so sorry but I'd like to leave now."

"Okay then, I'll accompany you." She suggested.

"Get inside already. Jade needs you more right now. " He smiled as he watched her go in. Lucas left afterwards.

Getting back inside, the snore of Jade was what grabbed her attention.  She quickly went to the kitchen to get ice-water from her refrigerator. Sapphire took a soft towel and careful wiped out the bloodstains in his hands. She applied a methylated balm on it and wrapped a bandage to cover his wounds. Sapphire also cleaned the tears, sweat and sticky, red-rosy lipstick Brit had glued to his skin like stickers.

More beads of sweats were forming on his forehead. Jade had a beautifully fair, caramel skin but it still looked a little darker than Sapphire's.

"Are these even sweat or heat?" She paused for a while. Her sad eyes were already forming red and puffy as she tried to hold her tears by cupping her face into her palms.

"I'm so sorry, Jade. I should have stopped you earlier. No, I should have picked your call. Maybe if I'd done that this wouldn't had happened." She quietly rasped but her tears get on the words making her mouth more watery.
"I'm sorry for causing you more pain. You should have been in office working by now if not for me. I hate myself... I feel terrible. Maybe I'm not so perfect, after all. I should have done better. I should have treated you better." Sapphire's head fell on the bed beside him.

Jade silently opened his eyes and turned to her with a little groan.
"You're perfect, Fire. Please... Don't blame yourself." His voice sounded like a whisper in her ears.

"Oh, you're awake?" She cried and gently brushed her fingers through his messed up hair.

Trying to smile in between her tears but it was difficult. Her tears took a better hold of her actions as she tried to stop her runny nose, but Jade held he closer, placing her head on his chest. Sapphire could clearly hear his striking heartbeat but she wept at that moment.

"Sometimes I feel I'm wrong for you.... And I want to be right." He muttered. "I really wish I could protect you but I think I might not even have the strength to." Jade tried not to hold his tears back but his voice cracked instead. Sapphire caught the tears distorting his vision while another rolled upon her checks.

"Come here Jade." Sapphire sat on the bed and gently placed his head on her lap. I know you didn't tell me about Denver because of your personality but, don't worry. Everything would be fine. Let's hope tomorrow would be brighter, huh?"

Lost in thoughts, Sapphire heard him snore again. Just then, she realized that he'd slept off. She gently placed his head on the soft pillow and admired his cuteness. Then slept placed a soft kiss on his forehead and laid right next to him, patting him at the back as if to ease off his worries.

As Sapphire watched him sleep, a small smile lightened up her teary eyes.

'The truth is...  I love you, Jade.  So much that, I just wish you know this but... What difference would it make if I tell you or not? It looks like I'd have to keep this to myself since we'd be breaking up in a couple of days. And perhaps, I could tell you tomorrow morning.' She closed her eyes as sleep clouded her blurry vision.

The night was cold and gentle. The couple slept with their arms, wrapped around each other in love, comfort and protection.

***

The morning was cloudless and warm, till suddenly, as if the window had been opened eastward, the sea breeze stroked through the white curtains, making Sapphire open her blue eyes.

It was a bright, sunny day. The morning bird's chirping, announced the coming of the day as Sapphire slothfully stretched out of bed.

Remembering what had happened last night made her stretch her eyes wide-open to the side where Jade had slept but he wasn't there.

"Jade! Jade!!" She called him but the place went quite. Sapphire jumped out of bed immediately to check around. Since there were only 4 rooms in her apartment, she knew he wasn't around. She checked the wall clock and it was exactly 9:00 a.m.

"Oh no, he must have gone to work." She muttered and quickly grabbed her phone from the top of the table. She quickly dialed his number and placed the phone to her ears while it rings.

Jade was already in office typing a presentation he's to make in an upcoming meeting. A smile played on his face as he saw her contact...

My Fire🔥

He quickly picked up the call.
"Hello sunshine. You're awake now, I guess."

"How would I call you if I'm still asleep!" She angrily hissed over the phone but Jade made fun of it. "Why did you leave without informing me?! Like seriously?"

"Don't blame me, dearie. You were sleeping like a baby and... I think it's so gentle-manly of me not to wake you up. Perhaps. I made coffee for you. It's in the flask, on your reading table."

Sapphire's eyes looked at the table immediately and she saw a flask and a mug cup in a server which he had placed on a small serving tray. Seeing this made her calm down a bit.

"How are you? Have you eaten? How's your hand? Is it still bleeding?" She asked in concern.

"I'm fine, fire.' Jade muttered silently as if he'd suddenly felt emotional. "Ummm... About yesterday. What really happened?"

"Well, you got drunk and Lucas brought you here." She covered up.

"Oh, no wonder. I was wondering how I got to your apartment though. I feel something more serious happened yesterday but... I can't remember."

"Don't worry, Jade. Everything is fine." Sapphire muttered. "I'll visit you later today. Let's grab lunch at another restaurant." She chuckled softly over the phone.

"Yes... It's been a while. Call me whenever you're around. Okay?"

"Okay. Bye now." Sapphire replied and ended the call with a bright smile across her face.

She walked to her reading table and served herself from the hot coffee Jade had prepared. She then, motioned to the kitchen to take some slices of bread and mayonnaise with it, which she ate for breakfast that morning.

"I'd have to tell him today." Sapphire reminded herself.

****

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