Jade couldn’t hide the smile on her face as Jake drove them back from the game house. His face was as red as a tomato due to the game, and he couldn’t bear to look at her.Jade was amused by his childish behavior. He was literally whinning by the fact that he had lost to her.He has lost such a good opportunity. A one in a lifetime opportunity.Should she call his name? That would heighten his level of embarrassment.Jade was trying really hard to hold herself from laughing out loud. She had remembered how confident Jake had being back at the game house. He was so sure that he’d win the game.”I promise to go easy on you miss Jade” Jake said, smiling confidently. This was the only game he was truly good at. The level of difficulty attributed to the game had challenged into playing the game in the first place. He has always loved challenging himself and at the time when the game hit the commercial market, he was actually just in need of something challenging.What assured him of his success was the fact he had always won against Phil and the rest. So it wouldn’t be so hard winning against Jade.He didn’t look down at his opponent, but he was confident in himself that he’d win and earn Jade’s friendship.”By all means don’t” Jade said as she picked up the console.”I know you work with a gaming company, and I have seen you in action, but believe me, I’m not lacking behind””Mr Jake, why don’t you save yourself the energy and focus on the game” Jade adviced, she was amused by how confident he was.”Okay. I promise you’ll be my friend by the end of this game” Jake declared with certainty.Jade had watched Jake while they played. The man was utterly serious. He played like his life depended on it. She had at a point almost decided to let him win, because it really seemed like he truly wanted to be friends with her.Jade had thought long and hard about Jake wanting to be friends with her. She didn’t know if it was a good idea. They had an unpleasant history between them, one she couldn’t forget.How would she feel about being friends with Jake, a man she had slept with, not out of love, neither was it consensual, but because of money. She didn’t know how Jake saw her. Whether as a cheap girl who willingly gives herself out to men for money, or if he just saw her as a girl. Jade was truly confused about what to think with the whole situation.Yes, Jake had said those things while apologizing to her, but she also didn’t miss his words, when he said that he had thought about sleeping with her. Could this be because of what had happened in the past?Maybe being friends with Jake would turn out to be a wrong idea.If Jake won the game, that meant they were friends right? Then what if he lost?If he lost to her, that would be an indirect decline to his request right?Jake had a victorious grin on his face as they made it to the final level. He was sure he has won the game already, and there was no way Jade could win now. He could already envision them becoming good friends. Being friends with Jade would be spectacular. He cheered in his head.Jake’s joy was short lived when Jade suddenly became intense. He snapped his head to look at her, and he saw her nibbling on her nether lip with a serious expression on her face. He knew she was putting her best not to lose.Jake returned his attention towards the game, he intensified the rate at which he was playing, but no matter how hard he tried he was still no match for her.To his dismay, he lost.Jade took a quick look at him and she saw his bewildered look. The guy looked shocked, his eyes glued to the words displaying on the screen; GAME OVER.”Mr Jake?” Jade called out softly, but Jake was too lost in thought to her speak.”Mr Jake??” Jade called out a bit more louder, snapping Jake out of his thoughts.”Hmm” He turned to look at her. His eyes were dull and troubled. Jade could had really taken the fact that he lost to her.Was he thinking that they couldn’t be friends after this? Jade thought.”You’ve passed the bus stop” Jade said looking out the window. Jake also looked out the window and noticed it was true.”I’m sorry” He apologized as he quickly pulled over. Luckily he hasn’t driven that far.”It’s okay” Jade said.”Ermm are you sure you don’t want me to drop you off at your place? I still know the place” Jake told her. He still didn’t her reason for always insisting to be dropped off here.”I prefer it this way” Jade noted.”Okay” Jake didn’t know what else to say. It seems this was it.He might never get to see her again right? There was nothing left to be said or done.Jade observed the gloomy look on his face. His brows were creased and she also noticed the hesitation in his eyes. She was certain he had something to say, but he was trying his very best to refrain his words. So she decided to say something first.”Mr Jake do you have something to say?” Jade asked.He glanced at her, “No” was his reponse. Jade raised a brow.”I thought you promised no more lies”Jake stared at her silently. Indeed he had promised to always be honest with her, but he just lied again.But what was he supposed to say? He stated the condition himself, but now he had lost.He alot to say at the moment, but he also didn’t want to influence her thought or decision, and prompt her into making a decision she wasn’t comfortable with. He’ll rather hold his tongue.”I do have something to say, but I’d rather not say it” Jake told her.”But why?” Jade asked in confusion.”Because I don’t want you to do something, you would not want to do” Jake replied, lowering his head so he could avoid her gaze.”Something like asking for a rematch and being your friend despite the outcome of the result?” Jade’s eyes were watching the man like a hawk. Her lips broke into a smile when Jake’s subconsciously nodded. “Yes””No..I mean no” Jake shook his head when he realized what he has done. Jade almost chuckled out loud. At this point, Jake action were somewhat cute to her, and the smile on her face widened.”I see” Jade nodded.”Wait! Do…you…think that co…uld be possi..ble? Jake stuttered, as he looked at her with nervous eyes.”What could be possible Mr Jake?” Jade wanted to use this opportunity to mess with him. It wasn’t everyday someone would have the opportunity to mess with a big boss like this, and she will use this opportunity to get even with him for lying to her.Who said she couldn’t be petty.”Like we…have a re..match and we being friends” Jake voice reduced by every word he said. His heart raced like crazy after saying those words.Jade purposely kept quiet longer than necessary. She looked ahead like she pondering on his words, when actually she was staring at him from the corner of her eyes.Jake looked like he was about to die and only a positive answer from her will give him to live again. Jade found all his reactions to be very amusing. She didn’t know that Jake was indeed passionate about being friends with her. But does she have? More like what could she offer in this type of friendship? She only had herself, work and family.She had no fame, neither was she from a socialite family. So what could she offer in their friendship, if she was to consider it?Jade took one last look at him and she suddenly felt like she was thinking too much, and that her worries were unfounded, because Lair and Amy were also from a socialite family also, and they’ve been friends for years…good friends.What could she offer her? Same thing she has been offering all her friends… Her best!.Friendship shouldn’t be based on what one could gain or give right? At least that’s what it meant to her.”Mr Jake, I don’t think their will be any need for that” Jade said with a mischievous glint in her eyes. Jake’s eyes suddenly turned dim when he heard her. His face suddenly turned gloomy again. Looking at him, Jade couldn’t bring herself to say no.”Because I think all that’s left to do, is to pick up your friendship form” Jade smiled brightly._______Jake had a cheerful grin as he whistled while driving into the compound. Tonight he felt so happy and his joy knew no bounds. Looking at him one would think he had won a lottery, actually to him, he just won one. A friendship lottery.Few hours ago, he had been so scared, that Jade might get angry at him and would never want to talk to him again, but miraculously, things had turned out differently. Things had worked out for his good.A scary day has turned out to be a good one. The only thing he wanted was to spend more time, hanging out with his new found friend, Jade Peterson.But what felt more thrilling to him, was that smile which Jade had shared with him tonight. It was the very one he had always wanted to see her flash at him. It was miles away from the usual stiff, forced and lifeless smile Jade always had on whenever he was around.For some reason, he less resented that guy that Jade always smiled so beautifully at. Jake’s mood suddenly fell when he remembered that he had to share that smile with that other guy.Something in him was beginning to feel uncomfortable…He couldn’t explain what he was feeling right now, but the thought of sharing Jade with some other person was not sitting well with him at all. He was suddenly feeling more resentment towards the guy.His mind flashed back to the intimate way Lair had talked to Jade back at the party and at his place the other day, when he had taken Amy home with Jade.Maybe he should find out about Jade’s relationship with Amy’s brother? They weren’t friends right? He was only her best friends brother, there shouldn’t be too much familiarity.No! he also didn’t think so. There was something else. The way that guy kept talking so casually with Jade suddenly felt suspicious. Maybe he should really look in to it. It’s not like he could easily ask Jade about it. She just agreed to being friends with him, and he doesn’t want to go mess things up by upsetting her with such silly questions. What would she think of him?He probably would have gotten the answers to his question, if Blake had not been so stupid to mess things up with Jade’s best friend, Amy.That fool had just burnt a very good bridge, he could have used. Stupid!! Jake cussed in his mind as he stepped out of the car.Well, he shouldn’t dwell so much on that. Something good has happened to him, something worth celebrating. Therefore he shouldn’t spoil his mood by pondering on things that would dampen his mood. Jake’s smile returned to his face and he continued whistling happily as he made his way into the house.”Welcome back. I guess it went well” His grandfather’s voice came from behind him, surprising Jake. Jake turned around to see his grandfather staring at him with a smile.Seeing Jake smile so broadly, he couldn’t help but smile. His smile felt contagious.”Good evening grandfather” Jake greeted with a happy tone as he retrieved his step from the stairs and sauntered over to where his grandfather was sitting. His grandfather noticed his mood was far better than it was before he left earlier.”I see you’re in a good mood. All went well I suppose?” Grandfather Beau asked curiously. He already got his answer from Jake’s expression. He was whistiling so happily that he didn’t even notice his presence.”I guess it did” Jake replied with a contented smile as he lolled back on the sofa.”So she’s going to date you now?” Grandfather Beau asked in his fully gossipy mode. Jake instantly sat up straight the moment his grandfather spoke.He turned to look at the him…why was everyone in his family such noisy people?”Nobody is dating anybody. You know how those things are for me” Jake replied.”You should try dating soon. Don’t forget your age. And I’m sure this girl is a good girl. So do you like her?” Grandfather asked again, his ears were desperate for his reply.Jake chuckled amusedly. His grandfather was even worse than Blake.He had wanted to say something when Blake to his rescue or so he thought.”Grandfather why would you ask him that!” Blake’s voice came from the stairs as he hurried over to sit beside Jake, sandwiching Jake between him and his grandfather.”And why can’t I ask him?” Grandfather Beau asked defiantly.”Because it’s my place to ask such things . You can’t poach my role grandfather” His eyes were serious as they stared at his grandfather. He turned to look at Jake who couldn’t believe this was happening. Was there any need to ask why Blake was such a gossip? Of course not! The apple has never fallen far from the tree.”So bro, do you like her? Should I call her sister in-law already?” Blake asked with a teasing smile.Jake looked from his grandfather to Blake. He sighed when he observed the anticipated look on their faces. Gossips!”Firstly, she’s not your sister in-law” Jake noted in a firm tone.”And secondly she’s just my friend” His lips quivered as he tried hiding his smile. Just saying the word ‘friend’ was making him happy. Pfft…Sister in-law his foot.He liked hanging out with Jade, and that was just it.”Grandfather, isn’t that how a good romance start?” Blake asked.”Of course” Grandfather Beau nodded.”You see, even grandfather agrees. Now bro tell me is it true? You know you promised to tell me” Blake asked with much interest.”Is what true?” Grandfather Beau and Jake asked simultaneously.”Grandfather this isn’t for you” He told him.”Come on bro, don’t act dumb okay. Just tell me if you don’t want grandfather to know” Blake pressed. He has been so eager to know the truth. Jake finally understood what he was talking about.”What has that got to do with you? And shouldn’t you be focused on making up to the poor girl who’s heart you broke?” Jake stood up before they threw more questions at him.He was yet to understand Blake’s interest in Jade’s virginity. He sighed as he walked ahead. It must be his nosy nature.”Hey you what am I nor supposed to know?” Grandfather Beau said pulling closer to Blake.”Grandfather why are you becoming nosy? Let youthful things for us youth okay” Blake said with a mischievious look on his face, while grandfather Beau scoffed, eyeing Blake.”You dare insult me? Don’t forget you’re still working in my company. I can still make you jobless by the flash of my finger” Grandfather Beau stated with mock-anger.”Grandfather you seem to have forgotten something, my brother runs the company now. My Very Own Blood Brother.” Blake said as he ran after Jake. There’s no way he’ll let him sleep without getting some juicy information from him.Grandfather Beau watched as Blake ran up the stairs, his mouth slightly gape. Did Blake just say that?’That silly punk’
WATCHOUT FOR EPISODE 65
