“Happy birthday” Lair said with a broad smile.”Thank you” Blake replied with an equal smile.”And thanks for coming, I didn’t think you’d make it, giving the fact that it was impromptu””It’s fine. I see you finally joined your grandfather’s company after all” Lair said.”Yeah I did” Blake replied with a nod. “I definitely can’t run away from my destiny” Blake added, making them burst out in laughter.”You certainly can’t” Lair said admist laughter.”And you are one of the best doctor there is. A medical genius at that” He praised Lair sincerely.”Come on that’s not true. I still can’t measure up to you” Lair said with a smile.”Don’t be modest Lair. I read your thesis and they are mind blowing, not to mention your medical achievements. I’m so proud of you that I just want to tell the whole room that the great doctor Lair Walker is here and above all, he is my friend” He said with a proud smile on his face.”I guess you haven’t changed then” He said as they laughed. This was Blake’s usual hype line while they were back in college.Lair and Blake had been roommates in school when Lair was having his first degree as a pharmacologist. Blake had been his roommate for four consecutive years and they had bonded quite well. But somehow they had lost contact a year after graduating.He had been surprised to have seen Blake at Acrosoft, since he had always kicked against working for his family. He had always wanted to do something different other than programming even though he was a computer genius.Blake had lived low key all through his stay in school and only Lair and a handful of people were aware of his capabilities.”What’s there to change?””By the way where’s your sister? I remembered you mentioned she worked with us. Did she come with you?” Blake asked curiously. He was curious to know Lair’s sister who worked in the same company with him. Maybe he knew her?”Yea, she came with me” He turned around in search of Amy, while Blake followed his line of sight.Amy who was approaching them with a smile, frowned when she saw Blake’s contenance changed into a dark glare. She didn’t understand why his look had suddenly turned gloomy. He was just laughing with Lair, so why the sullen look? Was he not happy to see her? Or did he not like her gift? Amy asked herself.She nervously walked closer, she didn’t like the look on Blake’s eyes. He suddenly held a cold glint she had never seen before.”Hey” Amy said with a small wave as soon as she walked up to them.”I’ll be back” Blake hurriedly said with a slight frown before walking away.”What’s she doing here?” Blake muttered under his breath as he walked past Amy.~~~~~~Jade stood in front of the mirror in the restroom nervously. She had been standing there for about 10 minutes, encouraging herself, but she still lacked the courage to step out of the Ladies room and join the party.What if she bumps into him again? Or worse, what if he tries talking to her in front of Amy and Lair? How was she to explain knowing someone like him? He was rich and one could smell his wealth oozing off him, from miles away.How had she found herself mixed up in something like this? Now she wondered how those hookers felt when they bumped into someone they’ve slept with. That doesn’t happen in reality Jade! She scolded herself.Why did he have to show up every where she went to? What was happening to her? Was the heavens punishing her for engaging herself in premarital sex or what??A myriad of such questions kept taunting her mind, that she didn’t notice no one had walked into the restroom in the last 10 minutes.”Jade, you don’t have to be scared or worried. You don’t know him, so pretend as such” She said to herself, still looking in the mirror.She took a deep breath and brushed through her hair with her hand, picked up her clutch and walked to the door.Her heart started thumping nervously as her hand rested on the door.She had only taken a step out of the restroom, when her eyes suddenly caught the person leaning on the wall opposite the restroom door.’It’s him!’ Jade screamed in her head, before rushing back into the restroom and shutting the door in shock making Jake smirk.What’s with her and bathrooms? Jake asked himself. He vividly rembered how she had locked herself in the bathroom the first time they met, and now he had been standing there in the last 10 mintues, preventing other ladies from stepping in. Because he knew she might find out he was there waiting for her, and she might refuse to come out.But if she loved staying there so much, then he’ll let her take her sweet time. Afterall he had all night to wait.______What was she doing here!?Amy’s heart sank into her stomach as she recounted his words in her head. He had only muttered those words under his breath, but she didn’t miss it.Did he not want her here? Did he really just aviod her, without even sparing a glance at her? Was she that awful, that he couldn’t even respond back to her? Then why had he invited her?Amy turned to watch him walking towards the entrance of the hall with a sad face. Something in her told her there was a misunderstanding, but she didn’t want to buy into that silly excuse. She felt crushed and his words were messing with her head. She didn’t like the feelings that were building up in her, maybe she shouldn’t have come.She felt a storm of anger brewing inside of her. She was beginning to her regret all her efforts towards getting his attention….she shouldn’t have done all this. But the more she got vexed by Blake’s actions, the more she hated herself for even letting him have such effect on her.She wanted to leave right away. There was absolutely no reason for staying there.*******”What are you both doing here?” Blake asked Hillary with disgust hinting in his voice and eyes, as he looked from Hillary to the man standing beside her.”That’s no way to talk to your mother” Hillary chided with a smile not quite reaching her eyes, while Blake scoffed in disbelief. Mother?, who was she kidding?Blake looked from Hillary to Kyle and a scowl formed on his face, as his balled hands into a fist.”It’s not what you think. I just bumped into her in the elevator” Kyle explained, he didn’t want Blake to misunderstand the situation talk more of Jake.”That’s none of my business. You have to leave” He said with a straight face, his anger was evident in his eyes, as they flashed red in anger.”I want to see Jake please” Kyle pleaded. Blake snorted and looked at him incredulously. He really had some guts showing up here and even wanting to see Jake. He must have a death wish.”Just leave! I won’t repeat myself again” Blake said angrily.”Blake…””You don’t have a right to call my name” He said interrupting Hillary. The sight of this woman repulsed him greatly. He still hasn’t forgotten what she had done to their family. Why had she returned back anyway?”And don’t show your face to my brother ever again” He warned, staring coldly at Kyle just before he walked away.”Still as feisty as ever. He didn’t let me wish him a happy birthday” Hillary muttered before turning to look at Kyle, who was still standing there staring at Blake’s back.”There’s no need hanging over this. They’ll get to forgive you someday” Hillary said to Kyle.”Do you want to get out of here?” Hillary asked with a small smile.”I think i’ll pass” Kyle replied indifferently before leaving her there.*********Jade was beyond shock to have found Jake waiting outside the rest room. What is he doing there?Jade was no sure where she had gone wrong. She thought when she asked for forgiveness from God after a wrong doing, she’ll be forgiven. But why does it seem like she was been punished.How was she going to get away from this? She leaned against the door as she tried to think of several ways of getting out of this mess.Maybe she should call Amy and ask her to come help her out, but she immediately dismissed the idea. That wasn’t a right move.She frowned when she suddenly realized she was missing something. She looked at her hands and at the sinks in the restroom. She was sure she had her purse a while ago.Her eyes widen in shock, when she realized she had dropped it by the door.Shit?! She cussed out loud. She couldn’t call Amy or Lair even if she chose to.It seems there was only one way out of this, and that was tackling this matter immediately. She took in breaths and braced herself before turning on the door knob.Jake lifted his head when he heard the door open. ‘Finally’ He said in his mind.He looked at her intensely as she stood in front of the door. He looked at her from head to toes. Her little black gown revealed a reasonable amount of her smooth fair thighs, and her lips were glossy, and every inch of him wanted to take a taste of that lips of hers. He envisioned himself snaking his hand around her svelt waist. He wanted to take her right there.It was like he couldn’t control himself when ever she was within sight. He didn’t know why this was happening to him.Jade was becoming uncomfortable with his intense gaze on her. She subconsciously took a step back when Jake took a step towards her.’What’s with that look in his eyes? And why is he coming closer?’ Jade asked herself alarmingly.”I believe this belongs to you” Jake said stretching out her clutch to her. Jade lowered her eyes to look at her purse before slowly reaching for it with an affirmative nod.Jake stood two steps away from her, but he could feel her sweet and soothing smell wafting through his nostrils, making it hard to keep his thoughts straight and sane.”Thank you” Jade said with a small voice which made Jake almost lose his senses. Jake couldn’t help but take a step closer, covering the space between them. He stood only a breath away and he could feel her breathe hitch. He could tell their close proximity was making her uncomfortable as she moved from foot to foot and her eyes kept darting back and forth, but that was not the case for him. He really wanted her close to him….her presence was euphoric.Jake’s piercing gaze bore through Jade’s eyes, making her throat go dry. His eyes fell on her lips and he could remember that sweet smile she had flashed at that guy back at the party. She had smiled so beautifully at him that he had wanted to yell at her not to.Jade didn’t like the way he was staring at her lips. “Wh..at are..you do..ing? Jade stuttered under Jake’s gaze.”I don’t know” He replied with a husky voice, that made Jade’s ears burn.”Can you stop?” Jade said with a pleading voice. She had lost all the courage she had mustered in the rest room minutes ago. She always fell short of words under his gaze. There’s was something about him, that made her act differently.”Stop what?” Jake asked subconsciously, with his eyes searching deep into hers.”Stop…staring at me like that” Jade said a bit more normal than she had sounded earlier as she tried avoiding his gaze.”But I can’t” Jake replied shamelessly. He wanted to get a hold of himself, but the more his eyes looked at her, the more he lost his self control.”I’m sorry but you have to stop following me about or trying to talk to me” Jade said in a serious tone.”What happened is past, and I believe we should let it remain that way” Jade added. She noticed a brief change in Jake’s eyes as his emotions flickered in them, but it was only for a brief moment.”What if I want more?” Jake asked as he pinned her to the wall. He could remember how soft her body was from the night they spent together. And he also remembered how she had let that guy at the Karaoke hug her as much as he did, and how she had been smiling at that guy who had been clinging to her all night.”More of what?” Jade asked in irritation.”You” He replied moving his head closer to hers.”Please stop” Jade said with a serious tone, as she wriggled out of his grip.Jake didn’t know what had come over him. He wasn’t usually like this. He tend to lose his moral compass when ever she was around. He didn’t want to give her the impression that he was a perv. But he was sulking solely at doing that.Jade gave Jake one last look, before taking a step to leave. She wanted to get away from him as quick as possible.”Wait” Jake hurriedly said, gripping her hand from behind her. Jade lowered her eyes at his hand holding hers, it seemed this was an habit of his.”I’m sorry for acting this way” He apologized.”Please tell me your name” He demanded softly.”That won’t be necessary, since we’re not familiar with each other” Jade told him as she set herself free from his hold. Jake stared at her in silence, as he closely observed her expression.It was obvious whatever feeling he was having towards her, wasn’t reciprocated by her. He had played around with a lot of women enough to know that she wasn’t attracted to him. He didn’t know exactly what he felt or wanted from her…he just couldn’t tell.”How much?” Jake suddenly said, making Jade raise her eyes to look at him intently, trying to fathom the meaning of his words.”What?” Jade asked with a frown. She was at a loss.”How much would it cost to have you tonight? Are you acting this way because they paid better and I didn’t?” Jake blurted out in anger or rather in jealousy. He didn’t know what had come over him.Jade could not believe what he just said. She stood there like a pillar whose plinth was running deep inside the ground. Her ears started burning and her eyes started welling. She decided not to say anything and took to her heels.His words were hurtful!Jake was mortified with his own behavior. He couldn’t believe he had said that to her. But before he could feel sorry about it, or apologize to repair the damage he had done, she took to her heels and left.’What the hell had he done?’ He asked himself in anger.
WATCHOUT FOR EPISODE 25
