Amy was having a hard time focusing on her job. Her team had been given a deadline in developing the new software. And of course the CEO would be coming to the development department this morning, and they still had a couple of codes to run before he shows up. But she hasn’t been able to work since the thoughts of what happened last night kept running through her mind.She was torn between confronting Blake and just letting things be. Maybe she should try her best to stop liking him. Asking him why he acted the way he did could reveal that she liked him, and that she was very much affected by his actions last night.Sincerely, she really wanted to know why he had invited her, if he knew he was just going to ignore her and make her feel so little and unimportant. Somehow, she still didn’t want to believe that Blake could act like that, or turn out to be a snob. She really wanted to convince herself that Blake was way better than that.”Hello beautiful” Amy snapped back to reality when she heard that smooth and ear tingling voice, that she liked so much. She raised up her gaze to see Blake flashing a smile at her, revealing those cute dimples. She felt her lips twitch, and her heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. She was struggling to keep a straight face at him, when all she wanted was to smile back at him.One look at him and all her pent up anger had almost completely dissappeared.”Good morning sir” Amy greeted with a straight face, but with much difficulty. She could see the eyes of her colleagues fixed on Blake as he kept smiling at her.”Good morning to you too” He replied with a smile still hung on his face.”Sorry I missed out on talking to you and Lair last night. So Lair is your brother?” He asked as he took a seat in front of her desk. Amy frowned slightly as she heard his words.So he had come to talk to her because of Lair?! He really was a big time snob just as she had thought.__________Jade returned back to her desk after meeting with Cale. She thought about all the things she had done for him, beginning from their days in college till a few weeks ago, when she had slept with a random man just to save him. She had never held herself back from helping him, neither had she said no to any of his requests.The fact that she had agreed to work in the same company as him was because she had wanted them to spend more time together and for their love to blossom, little did she know she was been used all along. She hated the fact that Cale had made a fool of her for loving him.Jade was infuriated by his request. How shameless could he be? She should help him get the contract while he gets the glory again!?What had she gotten in return, from all this years of helping him. If Cale thought she was dumb because she had loved him selflessly, then he must be a bigger fool.Jade stood up from her seat and headed for the elevator. She waited anxiously for the elevator to arrive at the elevator lobby. She tilted her head sideways when she heard the clicking of heels on the floor. She frowned slightly at the sight of the person approaching, it was Stephanie.Why were they popping up everywhere this morning? She was already in a foul mood, thanks to that jerk she met at the party, and then Cale who had appeared with his outrageous demand, and now here comes another one.Jade was surprised when Stephanie stopped by her side and she didn’t miss the hateful glare Stephanie threw at her. Jade looked at her blankly with no expression in her eyes before returning her gaze to the elevator which had just chimed at arrival.She was about taking a step into the elevator, when Stephanie suddenly pushed past her and made her way into the elevator, as she muttered under her breath, “Bitch”.Jade’s lips twitch in amusement as she cast a quick look at her before stepping into the elevator. Just as she was about to press the number to her floor, Stephanie stepped forward and brushed away Jade’s hand to do same.Jade knew what Stephanie was up to. This were childish tricks done to instigate her, but right now she wouldn’t mind but ignore her, as she have better things to do right now. She had to prepare herself for what laid ahead of her.Jade didn’t bother putting her floor number, since Stephanie had already done that, it seems they were heading for the same floor. She stood by the side as her mind wandered back to the plan she had in mind. She was feeling a bit nervous as she thought about it, because what she was about to do, would probably get her queried or fired.She took in deep breaths to calm herself as the elevator arrived their floor. She waited for Stephanie to step out of the elevator before she did. The fact that she didn’t want to say a few words to Stephanie to chide her, didn’t mean she liked the fact that Stephanie kept brushing her body against hers just to spite her.Jade watched as Stephanie walked ahead of her and walked into the Vice President’s office, which was the same place she was headed.A frown appeared between her brows as she thought about the possible reasons that would bring Stephanie there. She decided not to think about that, afterall Stephanie had a good position at the Company, same as Cale, thus, going to the Vice president’s office wasn’t unusual to them. She was the only one with the short end of the stick between all three of them. But that was about to change.Jade stood in front of the Vice president’s door nervously after meeting with his secretary who told her to go in. She wondered why she wasn’t asked to wait for the person who had gone inside to come out first.She looked herself over carefully before knocking on the door. She turned the door knob when she heard a voice asking her to come in.Jade nervously walked inside. She could feel her palms sweat due to her nervousness. This was her first time coming to the Vice President’s office, since she had never had a reason to do so, but today she does.”Good morning ma” Jade politely greeted the gorgeously looking woman, who was seated across her huge office desk when she walked into the office. She was dazzled by her beauty and her powerful aura. Mrs Tracy Lim was the vice president of Xenox, and heaven knows how much Jade admires this lady.One look at her and one would believe she was in her twenties, when actually she was in her early forties. Jade loved how successful and passionate she was, and she was driven by this. She’d love to be like her someday too.Jade was suprised to see her Supervisor there as well, who she quickly greeted. But what suprised her the most, was the two people who stood in front of Mrs Tracy’s desk. It was Cale and Stephanie.She quickly averted her gaze like she hadn’t seen them, before returning her gaze to the Vice President who was waiting for her to say whatever had brought her.”I heard you had an urgent matter to tell me regarding the new project” Mrs Tracy asked, making everyone in the room turn their attention to Jade. Mrs Tracy was in charge of the project since the President had traveled abroad to oversee the operations of other branches. Securing this software would be a major break for their company and this would further solidify their position at the leading gaming company in the country, so she was very attentive to issues regarding it.”Yes” Jade replied.”Let me hear it” Mrs Tracy said as she leaned back on her seat.”I want to be given the opportunity to go secure the contract for the new security software” Jade said boldly. She paused and observed Mrs Tracy looks before she continued…”In return for a position as a permanent staff in the company” Jade said with seriousness.Jade looked at Mrs Lim nervously as she could feel her heart race under the woman’s scrutinizing look. She couldn’t guess what was going through her mind as she kept looking at her silently. Jade knew she shouldn’t reveal how nervous she was, so she had a straight and determined look on her face.She would love to see Cale’s expression right now, but that wasn’t as important as the vice president’s reply.Cale stood with his mouth agape and his eyes widened in surprise. He was shocked, when he heard those words come out of Jade’s mouth. What was going on? Why was she doing this? No, why were they doing this? He thought as he glanced at Stephanie who was standing beside him with a surprise look. It was obvious she didn’t expect such a move from Jade as well.Mrs Lim carefully looked at the young lady before her and she could tell Jade was nervous, but she was doing a good job masking it. Jade reminded her of herself 20 years ago. She had been this bold at her age too. She didn’t forget how she had walked in to the chairman’s office and demanded for a promotion from him while he was still alive, claiming she was long overdue for it. She loved it when young ladies were this bold and courageous.Tracy Lim was a chinese-american who had made her way to the top on her wits. She had created a good name for herself in a foreign country against all odds, and she was pleased to find another young lady who was ready to do the same.”You’re an intern?” Mrs Lim asked Jade after a short period of silence. She had known that from Jade’s words.”Yes ma” Jade replied with a nod.”What’s your name?” Mrs Lim asked.”Jade Peterson” Jade replied her. Another brief moment of silence ensued, making her nervous all over. She had heard rumors of how the vice president could make one sweat with her silence and cold look, and she just had to experience it for herself. But if truth be told, she thought Mrs Lim still looked beautiful even with a stern look on her face.Mrs Lim turned to look at the supervisor who had a dumbfouned look on his face as he stared at Jade. He was surprised to see Jade acting this way. He had always known her to be a quiet person who never made much decisions for herself as she always agreed to others requests and opinions at the office. He never knew there was a side of her, that could be this bold. He was aware of Jade’s intelligence and capabilities, as a matter of fact, she was his favorite intern and he had always wished she could be more outspoken. He really didn’t expect this at all.He caught Mrs Lim inquiring look on him, and he could guess what she was implying. He cleared his throat and said, “Madam, Jade is a very capable person. If she says she can do it, I believe you should give her a try.” Fortunately he was there to vouche for her proficiency.Mrs Lim nodded at his words as she returned her gaze to Jade. “Do you think you’re capable?” She asked Jade with a serious look which could make one shudder, as she leaned forward on her desk.”Yes” She said confidently, making Cale ball his hands into a fist. He was finding it too difficult to control himself right now.Mrs Lim turned to look at Stephanie, “And you’re sure you can do it too?” Mrs Lin asked making Jade turn to look at Stephanie.So this was why she was here? It seems they were both here for the same reason.”Yes” Stephanie replied. For some reason Mrs Lim thought Stephanie was not capable of something like this. She didn’t like the way Stephanie always presented herself. But for Jade, this was her first time meeting her, but she could see the determination in her eyes. She could see something in her eyes that was fighting to let go. She had seen that look before. She had had that look some years back.Mrs Lim looked at the both of them properly before turning to Cale who was looking at both women with a distorted look on his face. Mrs Lim thought that he was probably weighing his competitions, since it had turned out to be one.She had wanted to appoint a staff who’d bid for the contract, but now there are 3 people fighting for it, when the main competition was supposed to be between their company and that of others, aiming for the contract as well. It wasn’t unusual for staffs to compete against each other, but there was something different about this one.”Mr Cale you also want to go for this right?” Mrs Lim asked snapping Cale out of his thoughts.”Ye..yes” He stuttered slightly. He had come here to request going for the contract because he had thought Jade had agreed to help him. So what was all this?”Alright, I’ll be giving you all a week to sign that contract with Acrosoft. Who ever gets it, can then make their request” She said the latter part looking at Jade.”You can all leave” She said dismissively. She watched as they all turned to leave, except the HR supervisor. Her eyes stayed on Jade as she walked out of the room. Somewhere in her heart she was rooting for her. There was something about Jade that was appealing to her.She’d have to wait for Jade to prove how capable she was, if she really wanted that position.Jade could hear Cale calling out her name as he hurried up to her. She didn’t think she was obligated to answer him whenever he calls her.Jade heard his steps closely approaching and she slowed down her steps but she didn’t stop walking. She knew there was no point of escaping him.Jade stopped when she felt a hand forcefully stop her. She didn’t need to look at those hands to know who it was.”What was the meaning of that?” Cale asked angrily with a deep frown on his face.”Let go of me” Jade said coldly as she eyed at his hands on her arm. Cale removed his hands from her, but his looks didn’t change a bit.”Jade what did you just do?” Cale asked again a bit more angry than he was seconds ago.”What did it look like?” Jade asked back defiantly.”You promised…””I promised what? Being a fool?” Jade asked. Cale could feel his anger slowly dissipitate when he heard her. He didn’t know what to say as his word got stuck in his throat.”I’m not a fool Cale. The fact that I loved you does not mean I should be treated like one” Jade said.”I didn’t see you as one. Come on Jade, I apologized didn’t I?” Cale asked softly. He knew Jade was still angry at him, and he could only try to coax her.”This is not about you or your… supposed fiancee” She said as she turned to look at Stephanie who was approaching them. “This is for me. I know I deserve better and that’s me reaching for it” Jade said with a serious expression.”But what about us? What about you agreeing to help me?” Cale asked anxiously as he took a step closer to her.”Have you ever loved me?” Jade suprisingly asked. She had no intentions of asking such a question, but right now, she felt she deserved to know.Has Cale ever meant the words he had said to her while they were still together?Was this ‘Us’ ever real?She couldn’t have been too daft not to have noticed that she had been used all this years right? There must have been a point where he must have loved her, because that could be the reason why she had loved him back so blindly.Cale was shocked by Jade’s abrupt question. She had taken him unaware by asking him that. He lowered his eyes slightly as they darted back and forth.Jade paid attention to Cale’s reaction and she noticed his hesitation, which made her heart squeeze tightly. Indeed she has been a fool!Cale knew he shouldn’t have hesitated if he really wanted Jade to help him. Securing this deal was definitely going to land a promotion as a director, thus he had to play his cards right. He cussed himself inwardly for making such a slop.He gazed back at Jade, “I’m…””Save it. It’s good things happened this way. But just so you know that contract is mine””Says who?” Stephanie said as she walked past Cale and stood in front of Jade, eyeing her dangerously.Jade didn’t bother to reply her. She didn’t think she was worth the stress. In fact, none of them were. She turned to leave when Stephanie opened her mouth and said, “If you really want to know Cale never loved you. It has always been me and never you” Stephanie said spitefully.”Stephanie!!” Cale tried to stop her from fueling Jade’s anger. But Stephanie didn’t mind him.”You mean nothing to him. Absolutely nothing. And if you think pulling such a stunt would make him love you…” She paused and scoffed, “Then you must be dreaming, because he is mine and so is that contract” Stephanie added in a threatening tone.”Then you can keep him as long as you want” Jade said indifferent before walking away.. She didn’t bother to pay one last look to them, most especially Cale who was fuming with anger with his fist balled. Stephanie didn’t know that Jade had been a helping hand to Cale to win contracts all this year….What can you say about this game by Jade?
WATCHOUT FOR EPISODE 28
