Jake felt angry with himself for saying such words to Jade. He had to admit that he was totally attracted to that girl. But why?, he still didn’t know.It was shallow of him to have said those terrible things to her last night. How he wished he could turn back time and refrain himself for speaking such hateful words to her. A pang of guilt had hit his heart, when he saw that look on her face last night. He was totally mortified by his own actions. Maybe he should have said what was really on his mind, instead of blurting out such rubbish from his mouth. That was totally unlike him. He had never been so brash in his entire life.He hadn’t been able to control himself after remembering how that guy had hugged her so tightly and how she kept smiling sweetly at the other guy at the party. Those memories were taunting, that he had momentarily lost himself in anger, most especially when it seemed like she wasn’t comfortable with his presence.He had gone in search of her last night after she had left, but he was too late, because he couldn’t find her. He was absent-minded all through the rest of the party as he kept thinking about her and ways for him to rectify the problem.”Jake you messed up big time” He scolded himself as he recalled all that took place last night at the party, while getting ready for work.He stood in front of the mirror with his hand on his neck tie, as his mind kept flashing back to Jade’s disappointed look. He was lost in space that he didn’t notice Blake walk in to the room.”Do you intend to choke yourself with that?” Blake asked pointing at the tie with his chin, as he observed Jake through the mirror.Jake jerked back to reality, as he let go of his neck tie, before turning to look at Blake who was surprisingly dressed up for work, which made him look at him suspiciously. Blake has been acting odd recently. He could tell Blake had developed a sudden enthusiasm for work, which he found disturbing.Not that it wouldn’t be great if Blake took things a bit more serious, but it felt…odd. When had Blake ever gone to work early?Just yesterday, he had gone to work on his birthday, which had definitely not happened before. He tilted his head to look at the table clock standing on his bedside table…it was just 6:59, which was way more early than the time he had left for work yesterday. Something was definitely not right.”What are you doing here? And why are you dressed up for work so early?” Jake asked suspiciously.”What do you mean, why am I dressed for work so early? Why are you dressed up for work so early?” He asked back in a defensive manner.Jake was surprised by Blake’s sudden question. He turned back to his dressing table and picked up his wristwatch. “So why are you here?” He asked looking at Blake through the mirror.”I want my keys” Blake said stretching out his palm to him.”What keys?” Jake asked back in confusion.”My car keys” He said with a mock-glare. Hope Jake wasn’t trying to pull a fast one on him. He had promised to give him his Maybach Exelero as his birthday gift, so why was he acting dumb?”But I don’t have it. Do I keep your car keys?” Jake asked back in a serious tone. He knew what Blake was talking about, but he was having a hard time letting go of one of his babies.Does Blake have any idea how much effort he had put into getting that car? It was an exclusive…that he had paid 3 times the usual amount for it at the auction 2 years ago. And to make matter worse, he hasn’t even taken the car for a spin.He had planned taking it out once he returned back to the country, but unfortunately he had been swarmed with work.”Are you joking with me?” Blake asked with an incredulous look. Jake was not one to forget anything….so this only means he was trying to act dumb.Jake almost chuckled at Blake’s countenance, but he held himself, since he still wasn’t ready to part with his cute black baby. He knew he had promised to give him the car as a gift, but couldn’t he just take his words back? He really didn’t’ think this through, before offering his car as a gift. He loved all of them equally.”Okay fine, it’s by the bedside table” Jake murmured out with a sad pout. He really wasn’t willing to give that…”Thanks bro… You’re the best” Blake said as he sauntered over to pick the keys. He excitedly kiss the keys to his new car. He almost bellowed out in laughter when he saw that pained look on Jake’s face.”I’ll treat you to a meal later” Blake said cheerily while trying his best not to laugh at his brother. Jake glared at him when he saw that amused look on Blake’s face. How could be compare a meal to his car? Jake hissed at him before turning back to face the mirror.”I’ll see you at work bro” Blake said as he hurried out, while Jake turned to him. But before he could open his mouth to say something, Blake had already rushed off.”Something’s definitely up with him” Jake said to himself.He had alot of things to do at the office regarding his project. Today he was supposed to get a list of the gaming companies, who were ready to bid for the newly developed software.. But above all, he needs to fix the mess he created last night.__________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.Never did Jade think that the first person to approach her on a Monday morning would be Cale Stuart. She felt her stomach churn by the sound of her name from his lips. She felt chills on her back when she heard him call her name as he usually did.Jade rose up from her seat and turned to Cale who was slowly approaching her desk. Though she’d love to act like she haven’t heard him, but she also knew he was still her boss, and that was a fact she couldn’t change. She hasn’t forgotten the fact that she was still an intern in the company. One look at him and she could tell, he had fully returned back to work. But why was he here?Something in her wanted to blame him for her present predicament, but she knew that was a low thing to do. She knew it wasn’t right to put the blames on someone else. All this had been her own decision. She was never compelled to give herself to a random guy, she did all of that because she loved him, therefore she only had herself to blame.Yes, she wouldn’t have done what she did if Cale hadn’t been in a precarious situation. But then, she might have done the same had it been her mother or brother. It had only been hurtful when Cale treated her the way he did. She was thankful he had no idea about it, because that would have been worse.Right now, with Cale in front of her, she was beginning to have wavering thoughts about her decision to keep working in the same company as Cale and Stephanie.”Jade?” Cale called out again when Jade looked like she was lost in thoughts. She jerked back from her trance when Cale called out her name again.”Good morning Mr Stuart” Jade greeted indifferently, which made Cale stiffened. He knew Jade was really hurt by his actions, but he didn’t think she’d go as far as being too formal with him. She had just called him Mr Stuart…and that felt really sad.He stared at her in silence, as he began having second thoughts about saying what had actually brought him over.Jade stared at him uncomfortably as he continued staring at her without saying a word. She really didn’t have the time for all this. If he had something to say, which obviously she expected to be work related, then he should hurry up and say it, because she’d love to return back to her desk.”What can I do for you?” Jade asked when it was obvious he wasn’t ready to state his reasons for being there at the moment.”Can…can we talk somewhere private?” Cale asked her anxiously. Though he knew what he was about to say could be viewed as shameless, but right now he really had no choice.”I can’t. I have work to do” Jade said with a serious face. She didn’t think Cale still had the right to talk to her privately, since there was nothing left to talk about between them. She’d only listen to him if it had something to do with the company, but that also excluded doing favours for him as she stupidily used to.Well she didn’t think he’d be shameless enough to still ask her for such favours right?She was about returning to her seat when she felt someone’s grip on her forearm. She lowered her eyes to see Cale’s hand on her forearm. Cale followed her gaze and he slowly withdrew his hand.”Jade please let’s just talk outside” He said with pleading eyes. Jade stared at him silently for a few seconds before saying, “Okay.”Cale’s lips slightly parted as he revealed a small smile on his face. “Thank you” He said, before leading the way to the emergency exit, since that was the best place he knew they could have some privacy to talk.Cale took a look around as they both arrived the emergency exit. He looked up and down the stairs to ensure there was no one who’d listen in on their conversation. When he was certain of no other presence but theirs, he turned to Jade who was looking everywhere else but at him.Sincerely, she really wasn’t comfortable being around him in private. So many memories of their time together came rushing back to her, making her sigh regretfully. She remembered times when Cale would send her a short text to meet him there, and he’d always wait for her with a box of chocolates and some files to help him sort. All this years she had loved and slaved for him, and all she got back for a reward, was a broken heart.”Can you be quick with whatever you have to say” Jade said impatiently as she lifted her gaze to him. There was something about the way she looked at him, that made him uneasy. Her gaze was simply empty and indifferent, which made him uncomfortable. He still remembered how softly she looked at him when ever he was around, but now all he could see was… indifference.Cale looked at her silently, as he struggled within himself to say what he wanted to say.The silence lasted for a couple of seconds, before he opened his mouth to say something when he noticed Jade was getting really irritated and impatient with his silence.”I’m sorry” Cale said as he took a step closer to her, making Jade instinctively take a step back.”I know I’m a jerk and I’ve hurt you beyond words, but I swear I didn’t mean to. I know it won’t be easy to explain what you saw at the hospital, and I won’t say you had seen wrongly, because you didn’t. But believe me Jade, I have nothing going on with Stephanie. That kiss just happened, and I don’t know what had come over me at the time. Maybe it was because I had almost died, and I was overwhelmed after regaining consciousness after the surgery that I impulsively kissed her. I was too excited to be alive and well, and that too was all because of you. I know you paid for my surgery. Thank you for that” He paused as he attentively observed her reactions, before he continued.”Jade you’ve been so good to me and my mom, and I know I haven’t done enough for you, that’s why I can’t lose you. Please give me a chance to be good to you, just as you’ve been to me. I care about you and I miss you alot. Jade please forgive me.” Cale pleaded softly with sincere eyes.Jade looked at him as her emotions flickered in her eyes. She wondered if he was being sincere with his apology as she looked at him intensely, but something in her heart kept telling her, she shouldn’t fall for this. She would have loved this to be true. Him apologizing in such a sincere way had almost felt real, but she wasn’t going to let herself fall for his lies anymore. She didn’t believe Cale was being earnest with his apology.What about the part when he had talked about marrying Stephanie? His level of excitement was mind blowing. Cale must see her as a fool. Jade noticed he had something else to say, when she saw him pinch his temples. She had been with him long enough to know that was an habit of his when he’s struggling to say something. And whatever it was, she wanted to know. Because that might have been the main purpose of him calling her here.”Will you forgive me? I need you back in my life….Please Jade” Cale pleaded anxiously. Jade glanced at him silently, making Cale extremely anxious. He was scared she’d reject him, and he wouldn’t know what to do if she did. He wouldn’t dare to ask anything of her, if she refused to forgive him.”I forgive you” Jade said with a small smile suprising Cale. Though he was being hopeful about gaining her forgiveness, but he didn’t really think Jade would actually forgive him so easily. It seems she still wanted to be with him. The thought of that made him smirk in his mind. He knew Jade was not completely over their relationship. He knew she was just too naive.Jade looked at Cale suspiciously as he opened his mouth to say something else.”Jade…I have a favour to ask” Cale said in a low and embarrassed tone as he lowered his eyes to avoid her gaze. He didn’t want to be too forward, thus, he picked the ‘I’m too embarrassed to ask’ role, as he looked away from her.’There it was. The sole reason for his so called apology’ Jade said to herself.Jade stared at him silently, as her mind kept trying to guess what this so called favour was all about. She had an inkling it was work related.Cale slowly raised his head and he met her gaze urging him to continue. “Can you please help me in acquiring the deal for the newly developed gaming security software?” He said in a pleading tone. His eyes were fixed on Jade as he tried to read her expression, but her look was blank. He didn’t know what to think of her expression right now.Jade stared at him with an unreadable expression. She couldn’t believe that Cale would be this shameless to ask such a thing from her. Though she had expected his request to be work related, but wasn’t this too much? Hasn’t she made alot of sacrifices already?So this had been the reason he had been with her for four years. She had been nothing but a toy that he used to achieve his goals. She couldn’t believe she spent the last few years of her life loving him. This was all she meant?For a moment she had wanted him to sincerely mean his apology. Maybe she might have reconsidered having their relationship…or maybe not. Jade was utterly disappointed.”Jade?” Cale called softly, as he shook her arm when he became uncomfortable with Jade’s piercing look on him.Jade looked at his hand on her arms and subconsciously took a step back. She glanced back at him, but she couldn’t find the words to say. There was just one question on her mind.Did he ever love her?A frown flashed across Cale’s face when Jade took a step back from him. He was slowly becoming anxious as Jade remained silent.She revealed a mischievious smile when an idea popped into her head. “I’ll help you” she said with a nod as she smiled at him, Cale looked at her in surprise.”Really?” Cale asked in disbelief. He didn’t think it would be this easy. He had thought he’d make a lot of effort in coaxing Jade to help him. But…”I will help you, afterall it’s for our future right” Jade said with a deeper meaning.”Of course” Cale replied hastily, making Jade widen her smile. He was about to go in for a hug when Jade said, “If that’s all, I will see you later””Okay” Cale replied as he stopped himself from taking a step further.”Alright” Jade gave him one last look before turning to the door with a smile on her face.. If Cale wanted to use her, then he’s welcome to try.
WATCHOUT FOR EPISODE 27
