Blake was infuriated to have seen Hillary and Kyle at his party. They were indeed bold to have showed up here together, and most especially Kyle who had asked to see Jake.He didn’t think it was necessary to inform Jake about their unwanted appearance tonight. He didn’t want to upset his brother.Blake almost cussed out loud when he remembered the lady he had seen a while back. It was the girl he had been waiting for all night, and now he had just walked past her without saying a word.It was at this point that it dawned on him, that the lady he had been desperately waiting for was Lair’s sister.’So she was Lair’s sister? Small world indeed’ He thought to himself as he craned his neck in search of them.He weaved through the crowd of guest as he paid little or no attention to the greetings and wishes of his guest as he gently pushed past them.He absentmindely replied with a curt nod to some people wishing him ‘Happy Birthday’. He only had one thing on his mind right now, and that was finding Lair and his sister.His mind flashed back to how Amy looked minutes ago. His eyes had caught a glimpse of her look before spotting Hillary and Kyle. He could swear she was the most beautiful girl at his party tonight. Her blue sapphire gown suited perfectly, which made her look so elegant.He frowned when he couldn’t find Lair or his sister, at the spot they had been all night. This was all Hillary’s and Kyle’s fault.He had missed the opportunity to thank her for her gift. He had been looking forward to her arrival, and now she was gone? He sighed in annoyance as he continued his search, while he responded to some greetings here and there.~~~~~Amy didn’t know if she should be angry about Blake’s attitude towards her. She didn’t know of what to think of the situation. Blake had just walked past her while he said those words. She was certain his words were directed at her. But why did he invite her if he wanted to act like a snob?This was the attitude she hated so much from guys. When you pay attention to them, they begin to feel smug.What annoyed her more was the fact that she had spent night before looking for a gift for him and how she had begged the owner to sell to her. Not just that she had spent so much time on her looks tonight, and he had just said those words to her?She felt angry that she nurtured such feelings for him for such a long time without knowing the kind of person he truly was. But the more she thought about all this, the more her heart wanted to convince her that there was surely a misunderstanding somewhere. Because Blake had always acted differently, so it was difficult to accept that he could act this way.She felt more irritated when she realized Jade taking so long to come back from the restroom. She really wanted to leave as soon as possible, she wasn’t comfortable staying at the party anymore. She had just started for the restroom when she caught sight of Jade returning. Her frown deepened when she saw the fallen look on Jade’s face. It seemed something had happened to her and she was trying to hold back her tears. She stretched her neck to look behind Jade, if she could get a hint of what or who might have offended her.”Let’s go” Was all Jade said to her before walking past her as she headed for the door. Amy looked at her back with a concerned frown before walking up to Lair who was engrossed with his conversation with a pretty blond girl he had met a while ago.”Can we leave now?” Amy whispered into Lair’s ear, making him give her a questioning look.”I think something happened to Jade” She said with concern, while Lair immediately craned his neck to look behind her in search of Jade.”Where is she?” He asked returning his gaze back to Amy.”Outside. We’ll be waiting for you by the car” She informed him before giving a brief nod to her brother’s acquaintance who politely responded back with a nod before walking away.”It was nice meeting you Emily. If you’re ever in need to talk about nutraceuticals or pharmaceuticals care products, I’ll be giving some lectures at the department of pharmacology at the Presbyterian University next week” Lair said to Emily.”I’ll keep that in mind” Emily replied with a small smile.”Okay. I’ll see you around then” He said before taking his leave. He had been surprised to have seen a lady who was really interested in nutraceuticals as much as Emily did. He thought ladies were not interested in such field, but Emily had given him a new perspective about that.He smiled when he recalled how they had met and started talking. It was funny how it all started.He hurried out of the party hall to the car park where Jade and Amy were waiting impatiently. He frowned when he observed the sad look on Jade and Amy’s face.”What happened?” He asked as he approached them.”Let’s go home” Jade said as she tried avoiding their gaze. Amy had been pestering her to tell her what happened, but she didn’t feel like talking about it. She was too hurt to say a word, and she didn’t know how to tell them that someone might have indirectly called a ‘prostitute’…and he might have been right._______Jade stepped out of her room the next morning all dressed and ready for work. She was shocked to find Grace and Kelvin by the door.She looked at both of them suspiciously, wondering why they were keeping watch by her door.”Mom?” She called with her brow raised.”We were just checking up to see if you were fine” Grace replied with a concerned look while Kevin nodded in affirmation.”I’m fine, thanks” She replied, but they remained on their spot still staring at her intently.”I think you should tell us what happened last night” Grace said while Kelvin nodded again in agreement, making Jade frown at him. He was concurring to whatever their mother said. It was either he had found a new habit or he had neck problems.”Nothing happened” Jade replied nonchalantly as she walked past them. It was obvious they were not ready to step out of her way.”What do you mean by nothing happened. You ran into the house looking like you were upset and..” Grace paused to look at Kelvin in a way that asked him to remind her of Jade’s appearance last night, as they followed her.They were excited about Jade’s decision to go to a party, since that was a rare occasion. Jade never liked crowded and noisy places, neither did she like socializing with people as much as her friends, Lair and Amy did. They had both stayed up late to ask her all about the party, but they were surprised when she came, running into her room, without as much as a word to them. And it was obvious she had been crying.Grace ran after her but Jade had locked her door while she sobbed quietly.Grace rushed outside the house to ask Lair and Amy about what might have happened to her daughter, but they too were oblivious to what might have happened.She had practically stayed up till past midnight before retiring to her room, hoping she would get to talk with Jade by morning. And here they are…”Crying” Kelvin added.”Yes crying” Grace confirmed.”And you locked yourself up again” Kelvin quickly added, while Grace repeated his words.”Yes you did, and we knocked but you didn’t reply””You sobbed all through the night” Grace said looking at Jade, who was secretly glaring at Kelvin. She knew Kelvin was concerned about her, but she thought it wasn’t necessary to always concur to their mother’s every word or add more to the already piled up list.”And she has black eyes again” Kelvin said with a frown making Jade desperately wanting to knock his head. His words were going to make it hard for her to brush off this matter and her mother’s worry would only deepen.”I don’t have dark eye circles” She chided with a glare targeted at Kevin.”Yes you do” They replied simultaneously.”Jade what’s wrong? You can tell us. Did someone get you vexed last night?” Grace asked worriedly. She had only one suspect in mind. And if her hunch was right, then she’ll have to pay that jerk a visit right away.”Tell us who made you angry. I promise to pick up a fight with them” Kelvin said with a serious expression. Jade didn’t know whether to laugh or cry by his current posture. Grace stared at him and she tried to stop herself from laughing.He was just 17 and he lacked both bisceps and triceps, which made Grace wonder why he was always eager to fight for them, most especially when it was obvious he would be at his opponent’s mercy.”Mom believe I’m fine. And I’m sure nobody will be bold enough to upset me, not when I have Mike Tyson for a brother” The latter part of her words were hinted with sarcasm.”Are you sure?” Grace asked.”Yes I am” Jade replied with an assuring tone.”I’ll be heading out now” Jade said as she picked up her bag.”Without breakfast?” Grace asked with crease between her brows. She never liked sending her kids off without breakfast, because that was the most important meal of the day.”I’ll grab something to eat at work, don’t worry” She said before placing a kiss on her mother’s cheek and gave a quick hug to Kelvin.”See you later kiddo” She waved at Kelvin.”I’m not a kiddo” Kelvin called out in annoyance.”Keep telling yourself that” She said before walking out of the house, making Kelvin frown at her back as he hissed.In his fight against age and time, it seemed he’d never win.He turned to look at Grace, “Why wasn’t I born a little earlier? Or maybe why wasn’t I the first child?” He asked with a deep frown.”Well I don’t mind rebirthing you now as well” Grace replied.”But that would make me far younger” He replied in anger.”Well that’s the plan” Grace said as she walked to serve breakfast. She couldn’t understand Kelvin’s problem with his age.People wanted to stay young forever, but here was her son, who’s sole desire was to be older than he is.Different individuals, different problems and different heart desires.Jade arrived at work a little early. She wanted to bury herself with work till she completely forgot about those mean words Jake had said to her last night. She didn’t want to brood on them, so her only escape route was to work herself to the bone.She was about logging into the system, when she saw the last person she wanted to see slowly approach her desk.
WATCHOUT FOR EPISODE 26
