The sun dipped below the horizon, the last gasp of beauty before the death of the day. Ace drove into his manor like a bullet crushing against the wind. Still nervous about what might come next, he brought out a park of cigarette from his side pocket and lit it up with a lighter. Smoking it up, burning away this worries and anxieties, inside.

The mafia boss waited a while before throwing the away the burnt out stick. He placed the tip of his shiny, black brogues against the moist grass. Quenching out life, out of the cigarette stick. The wore a serious look, yet, different shades of emotion clouded his black eyes. Ace's thick eyebrows were lowered and pulled close, together. An heavy breath heaved from his breath before walking in.

"Welcome boss." Dylan muttered from the corner. Ace raised is an eyebrow at him.

"How is she? Hope she didn't do anything stupid?"

"No... She's gentle." Dylan smiled. "We would have dinner in 30 minutes. Inform the cook." Ace announced before walking into her room.

Entering her room, it was cold quite. Sapphire was on the bed, having ng a peaceful sleep. Looking at her, he remembered how pitiful she cried earlier that day. He couldn't help but to feel guilty. He knows she's sick but letting her go would be like letting lose of a bird from its cage. He'd definitely lose her, forever.

Ace walked to the bed, staring at her light skin that had suddenly turned pale. The texture of her hair looked soft and inviting, Ave tried hard not to touch her. Instead, he squatted beside the bed, gazing at the sleeping beauty. He gently held her hand into his, with so much love and care. As if he was unable to hurt a fly.

He held her hand with both hands, the only thing on his face was sadness and remorse. Because of his love for her, his dad was fired. Same, he's lost his freedom.

"I don't even know how to ask for your forgiveness, Saph. I don't know if this is actually love or craziness. I'm so sorry for making you go through so much already, Saph. I just want to feel loved too. And I promise... This will never repeat itself again."

In love and sincerity, Jade tilted his head gently and placed a soft kiss on her finger. Her palm was the exact texture of a kitten's paw. She looked so sweet and innocent. With this, he loved her even more.

As Ace raised his head, Sapphire's eyes slowly opened to the dullness in the chandelier's light. Her eyes rolled clockwise till she noticed someone was holding her hand. Sapphire turned to Ace, she shivered in fear, taking her hand off his.

You're awake? He asked in concern. Are you scared of me?" He tried to touch her shoulders but she jerked off before he even did.

Don't touch me! He voice warned. When would I leave this place, huh? Would I ever leave this place?" She begged as tears clouded in her eyes.

Ace just stood there, watching her speechlessly. Sapphire sat upright and raised her gaze at him. She couldn't help but to feel emotion. Somewhere in the stare they share is as dark as mystery. All Sapphire saw in his eyes was cruelty.

"Please, let me go home. I'm tried of staying in this pig-hole of yours. I'm tired of living. You make me tired of living, Ace. You've deprived me of happiness." A single tear rolled down her cheek as she broke down in tears. Her voice shivered as she begged and explained, with the hope that he would listen. "If you truly love me, like you claim, then why? Why can't you let me go. Why are you keeping me here as a prisoner?-"

"No, Saph! You're not my prisoner. He sat on the bed, right next to her. You're my queen!" He cleared up immediately. "And don't dare say I hate you, because I love you. All I've done was to show you care and protection. Don't you it here? It's like paradise."

"This is hell, Ace!"

"I see you've gotten enough strength, darling." He grabbed her weak body and pulled her against the bed, aggressively.

Sapphire tried to let loose of herself but he folded her tiny arm to an acute angle to the back. His body pinned hers against the soft bed while his other hand grabbed her jaw like a piece of care about to be eaten. His lips met with hers, but he tried hard not to take a bite. Sapphire tried to calm down the fear that had was burning inside of her.
His skin against hers felt like that of an hot, burning iron. She hated his touch and how it felt. Even the scent of his skin. And those mysterious lips of his. She hated everything about the mafia boss. Especially for the fact that a monster like him is related to Jade. Maybe they aren't related after all.

"I'm kind and gentle enough to show you mercy, Saph. But don't offend me." He slowly look his lips away from hers. Sapphire could breathe him in even though she tried not to. She struggled hard to swallow down a still-beating heart. 

"You have no idea what I'm into... All because of you, darling. But I'm into this now. We're into this together." He finally let go of her.

"What are you taking about? Sapphire asked in concern. W..what are you into?"

"My dad got fired and somehow, Chloe got arrested."

"What? Y..you mean Chloe Charles?" Her  eyebrows pulled up in curiosity.

"Yes. We were all in this together, so you see my love. It's only you left for me right now. There's nowhere else to go." He explained.

"Okay... I understand. I understand you, Ace. Let me go and I promise. I'd set you free. I'd never mention your name to anyone, Ace. Just let me go, please..." She begged as tears lingered down her eyes again.

In an instant, Ace took his eyes off her.

"We would have dinner together in 20 minutes, so get ready to go downstairs. And wipe off those tears." He wore a stern look at Sapphire but she glared at him with more hatred.

Ace walked out of her room, looking so pissed. She wiped her tears away immediately as he eyes gazed through the the darkness of the day. The sun had already faded away from the the sky like she was in the bottom of a well, and no one would come for her. She walked closer to the window as she gazed through the thick darkness. She sighed, pausing to wipe her nose with the back of her hand. At the pin drop of silence hung in the air, the only thing on her mind was the hope that Jade would come.

As if she remembered something... Sapphire pulled the phone from behind the curtains. She saved the video as a small smile lightened up her eyes.

***

Sapphire walked downstairs. This time, she wasn't in any of the gowns. She wore something different. The dress she hated the most. A short, pink gown that made her look like a doll. She packed her hair in a high ponytail and rolled a hit, red lipstick on her lips. She walked out if her room, majestically. The two bodyguards standing by her door peeled their eyes at her, mesmerized. Then looked at themselves in confusion.

With Dylan awaiting her by the door step, a smile crawled on his lips as his eyes widened.

"You're looking so... Different." He complemented.

"Thank you." Sapphire smiled back as he held her hand and took her outside.

Her eyes surveyed the places, making her eyebrows knott. This time, there were bright lights outside. She never knew there were even there.

Ace raised his gaze at her, stunned.

"Wow! You look awesome!" Ace complemented, making her turn her eyes at him.

She didn't answer, she just rolled her eyes at him. Dylan helped her with the chair and she took a seat.

"Are you still angry at m-"

"I'm famished." Sapphire cut into his words with a smile across her lips.

Ace turned to the cook. An old wan with white apron and long cap on. He served the dishes as the mafia boss look notice of every detail of her face. He couldn't take his eyes off her.

On the long, marble table were chicken fried steak, Key lime pie, Banana split and most of all, catfish soup.

Sapphire smiled to the aroma that hugged her. In front of her was the catfish soup.

She took her spoon and deepened it into the bowl. Placing a spoonful into her mouth, her smile widened.

"You love it?"

"Not bad." Sapphire replied, as they enjoyed their meal.

Meanwhile, Jade was half a mile toAce's mansion.

As darkness crept, Jade stopped this car somewhere around the dark corner. Following the route that Ace followed, into the mansion. Walking along the gentle night breeze, Jade finds his way into the building. He sneaked into the wide compound and hide under a tall masquerade tree.

Peeping to see what was happening, his eyes caught Ace taking Sapphire in. He wasn't close enough to hear their conversation but with the look of things, it seemed at if she's having a nice time. Jade crawled forwards, stretching his eyes to see if it was truly Sapphire or not. But he knows something for sure. She would never wear a cloth like that.

***

Happy birthday to me, guys. I just had to write this part, lol! We're gradually making weaves, guys. Would Jade be successful in this mission or would something go wrong?

Don't forget to vote for this chapter and wish me well. Have a blessed day ahead, darlings.