***

Something in a box. Scared of being caught, she looked towards the door. Sapphire could clearly see the shadows of their figures on the floor. They were outside, waiting for her. She knows sooner or later, they would come and drag her back to her room. But, before then, Sapphire's face tuned back to the carton in her hand. Curious to know what was inside, she tore it open. It was a Samsung Galaxy mobile phone.

'It looked so new. Probably Ace bought it recently or maybe he's not in need of it.' Sapphire thought.

She skimmed through it vividly when, the bodyguards suddenly opened the door. Sapphire climbed on the bed so quickly, they didn't notice.
"Come on, let's go." Both of the chorused in their deep, baritone voice.

In obedience, the elementary school teacher squeezed her eyes, shut tightly, trying to force out tears.
She held her stomach in pain as if she couldn't stand properly, but she climbed down the bed, anyway.

Finding her way out, she scrunched up her nose, sniffing it's dryness. With an exaggerated expression making her look sadder than ever. The escort accompanied her as she walked out. The clocked the mighty doors beside them and lead her through. Narrowing her eyes, she saw about ten more bouncers standing downstairs. She couldn't help but to wonder if they stand there all days. The other two that were always standing by her door were there. they opened the door as entered into her room which was couple of steps away.

Make sure you take a shower and prepare for dinner. It would be served in an hour time. One if them with bald head announced.

Okay. Sapphire replied as she sat on her bed, watching them close the door and leave. A smile spread on her face immediately she knows that she'd be alone in the next one hour. Only God knows where Ace went to. She pondered.

Just then, she took out the phone she'd hide from under her chiffon made, black gown. She pressed the on button to see if it was working or not. Luckily for her, it tuned on. The battery was only 50  percent but her eyes lightened with as a thought came up in her mind.

'I'm going to take my revenge on Ace with this. Probably, a few pictures and video would be able to take him down.'

***

Driving on the smooth road along the countryside, Ace increased the volume of the MP3, listening to one of his favorite songs. Jinyoung, Dive by GOT7. Although, it's Korean, he love the lyrics and all. It's the fourth day since he last came to the city. He'd left everyone with the thought that he left the country.

"Well, nobody would doubt that. I'm smarter than Jade indeed. Sapphire is right after all." He said to himself while humming along in his black Keep Wagoner.

A vibration grabbed his attention. Ace took his phone and looked at the screen. It was a message by the chairman.

"All the grandsons of Stephen Alejandro should meet up with him within the next hour. Abroad or not."

"What does that old man wants this time?" Ace hissed and threw his phone on the other side of the passenger's seat. A crooked smirk spread on his lips as he drove up.

Jade received the message too. So did Denver. I'd have to follow you. Kate told Denver as the went together. For some reasons, she wasn't settled. Even though she wanted to get to the root of all this commotion going on within the family.

Jade was on his way there when he received the Chairman's message so he was the first person to get to his grandpa's house.

***

An Hour Later....

All were seated in the Chairman's living room. All dressed in black suit except for Jade that was looking like a sports person. Ace and Denver gave him weird looks but he didn't care. As it is, no body looked more anxious like Jade was.

He was speaking with the chairman when Denver entered with Kate.

"I only invited my grandsons. Stephen muttered, looking at Kate with raised eyebrows.

"I had to see for myself, father-in-law. I have two sons, anyway. I want to see for myself, not reading some documented lies on social media." She explained to him with curiosity in her voice.

It was obvious she didn't want any of the rumours to continue as well, so, the chairman gave her a seat beside him.

About to start, Ace drove in and walked into the executive living room.

"Why I invited the three of you today is to  know your sincere opinion on what had been happening to this family in the last couple of weeks. It's really affecting our family, business name and my company itself. With journalists here and there, I'd not blame them because it's in their nature to be hungry for news even if it's true or not."

"Well, as we all know. Denver here is the first grandson of this family so, I'm handing over to him next year on our 50th anniversary."

Ace rolled his eyes at the chairman with sparks of rage but he didn't talk. He already had enough to say, he just wanted the chairman to finish, first.

"And if I'm unable to make it till next year, I'll assure that I change my will as soon as possible. But before that... I want hear the sincere truth from the three of you. Four days ago, the lady I assigned Jade to date mysterious got kidnapped."

The three of them, raised their eyes at him with an unexpected emotion.

"I know one of you knows about it." The chairman raised his voice to their hearing. He looked pissed off as well.

"I'm wasn't around wh-" Ace tried to speak but the chairman cut into his words aggressively.

"Don't talk when I'm talking. Don't interrupt, Ace Damien. You aren't part of this family after all. Me giving you a part of it is a mere opportunity for you. Just to build you up somehow toll you're able to stand on your feet. At least, it's my company and I brought this girl into this family so... Can you shut up for the main time. Until your words is asked for." The old man bragged, making Ace looking more annoyed. He swallowed hard and kept quiet.

'It would soon be over, my old man. But then, keep on blabbing.' Ace hissed in his mind as he groaned at others with a hateful look. He faked a smile at the Chairman before he continued.

"If she was kidnapped by someone else, they would have asked for a random by now. But no... The person was smart enough that there's no proof or evidence that we can relate to."

"Denver!" The chairman called, facing his first grand son.
"I know you're new into this family and there are lot of responsibilities on your shoulders but... Do you have anything to do with Miss Sapphire Blac or anything in relation with her disappearance?"

"First of all, I'm glad you invited us all to address this issue. Although, I heard about her being kidnapped three days ago in news. I felt surprised because I've only met her once. She's a good lady... I can't imagine someone, would have kidnapped her. Why and how? This news still baffles me grandpa. I have no idea about her disappearance."

"It's a lie!" Jade cut into Denver's words. "You are fucking lying! You and Ace planned this!"

"Shut up else, I send you out. I'm trying to investigate this issue by addressing it. Because you're dating don't mean you're unable to kidnap her to yourself. As it is, I've gotten reports that you attacked Denver and Ace because you had an issue with Sapphire. It's not as if you love her that much that you treated her with so much love and respect. You don't even love yourself enough so what are we saying? I thought with that teacher by your side you would change for the better, but no. Your attitude worsen day by day. Just hope she's not dead, yet. Else, you'll cease to be an Alejandro, Jade!"

"Father-in-law... please." Kate placed her arm on the Chairman's shoulder to calm him down.

"Don't bother saying things to please me because Jade isn't really worth it. I just hope one day, you realize that not everybody is as greedy and selfish as you are. You don't want anyone in and you're unable to share. That's that innocent lady was taken away from you. I'm trying to sought out the issue before it gets worse and you're interfering?" The chairman blurted but Kate tried to calm him down." He hissed and face Ace.

"You, are you involved with Sapphire Blac? I heard you sneak your way to meet her. I have reports about you visiting her charity school in Florida. Is it true?"

"Yes, it's true, Grandpa. I meet up with her once in a while but that was because I was curious about her relationship with Jade. Forgive me, grandpa. But I was only curious. When Jade learnt about our friendship, he stopped me from meeting her so, that's it Mr. Chairman. I'm not involved in this kidnap, whatsoever. As it is, it's over a month since we last met. And that was when I apologized to Sapphire and Jade for the interference.  It's been 4 days now, haven't been in the country. I went to Canada for a private, business meeting. Coming back and getting your message, I had to rush down here right away." He explained with sincerity as his eyes clouded with tears.

"I can't believe she got kidnapped. I just wanted to ask Jade, how? Why? And when exactly did this happened?" He looked at Jade with curiously, wiping down the invisible tears that refused to pour."

"I overheard Chloe! She said you're involved." Jade exposed.

"What?" Everyone turned to him, in extreme shock.

"Ace looked away as if he didn't know what his cousin was talking about. She tried to drug me but her plan failed. Jade continued. Are you going to reject the fact that you and Chloe partnered in kidnapping Sapphire?" Jade asked, Ace. Expecting him to reveal the truth already.

"W.. what? Who is Chloe?" Ace asked, in confusion. "I d..don't know what you're talking about. I wasn't even in the country!"

"Stop using that as an excuse, Ace and spit out the fucking truth to our faces!"

"I have no clue about who Chloe is... I swear!" Ace confessed, facing the chairman in defense.

"Are you sure of what you're saying, Jade? Don't come here assuming things just because you're desperate to put the blame on one of your brothers." The chairman warned.

"Hahaha!" Jade let out a crazy laughter. Their eyes fell on him, dumbfounded.

"So now, I'm the desperate one? I'm the the desperate one, grand father. Now I see you trust your sons over me. You never allow me in anyways, despite all my work and effort to build this family. All I've wanted was just to please you but you're fucking disappointed anytime I try. Why am I here anyways? I'm not even your grandson, right? Don't worry, I'd look for Fire. There's no need calling for a family meeting that isn't heading anywhere."

"Jade... Please. Stop talking to your grandfather like a street boy."

"You can call me whatever you want, Mrs. Kate. I'm no longer your son so cut the pretense. I just want to promise all of you. I'd look for Sapphire, alone. I'd find her and marry her. Will or no will. The contract would be over in 3 days, so I don't fucking care! Inheritance or not! Family or no family. You all can fucking swim in your ocean of wealth and leave me to dine alone in loneliness and Mystery. Sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Stephen Alejandro! As it is, I'm already in love with that gir-"

"You're acting weird, Jade. Just sit down and shut up..." The chairman hissed under his breath. Thinking he is under the influence of drug or something.

"No, I won't!" Jade fired back and stood up, enraged. "To hell with this family meeting! I'm going to reveal everyone's secret. Because that woman is my everything now! And this is just the start." He blurted out and left their presence in tears.

Dumbfounded, everyone fell silent. Especially Kate. She couldn't believe that was Jade. Someone she'd loved and cared for, in the last 23 years. Someone who's unable to love anyone but her and his business. And he's throwing everything away because of one school teacher?

The Chairman's gaze fell back on Ace. "You really kidnapped Sapphire?" He looked super surprised and speechless.

"I didn't sir. I promise! Jade is just making things complicated. He's always against me... I can't believe he's try to implicate me just now." He admitted convincingly.

"Don't worry, Ace. You can now go. But... Just in case. Let me warn both of you clearly because I trust no one. If I later find out that any of you are involved, I'm make sure I take you down with all the power you think you have over me." He warned. "You can now leave."

Stephen went back into his room as Kate helped him. Denver and Ace looked at themselves with uncomfortable faces but Ace walked out first.

•••••

Hello cute reader!

I see you! 🤭😅
Hope you had a nice night? I bet you do! Well, all family has problems. It's normal for the Alejandros to have theirs and try settling it, right?

Jade left the meeting, emotionally. Was it wise enough?

Do you think he would be able to expose Ace and those with hidden secrets within his family? Let's get going, dearie! Muaaaah!!!😘😘😘

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