PAID

Chapter 11–Confused

The ray from the morning sun penetrates through the curtains straight to my eyes waking me up from my sleep. I pick up my phone to check the time which reads eight o'clock on the dot.

Scrolling through my phone notification. I see a message from a number which true caller Identified as Jade. I open his message and read through it. It says he is so sorry for the way he acted yesterday and that he was willing to make up for it. I do not reply to his message rather, I switch off my phone to avoid any calls till further notice. 

After enough resting from last night's stress, I decided to open up the gifts I was given yesterday. Firstly, I start unwrapping the small ones which consist mainly of pieces of jewellery, accessories, designer bags shoes and clothes. My present job has given me a lot of connections and exposure in the short period which has made me meet with a lot of people especially influential ones.

The sound of my stomach growling brought me back from memory lane. I pick up all the gifts, put them in their appropriate place and head to the kitchen to make myself a nice brunch. 

There's a knock on the door so I lower the heat and check who is at the door. I peep through the eyehole and see a worried-looking Jade dressed in a T-shirt and sweatpants. I would love to see him every day looking so simple and yet so tempting especially that hair that looks like he has constantly run his hand through it making it look rough. While I am still admiring him another knock brings me back to earth and I open up and look like I'm shocked to see him.

"You could have made use of the doorbell."

He strolls in with his hands in his pocket making the shirt cling to his torso showing the result of what seems to be a long time spent in the gym. He releases some air which seems like he had been holding for long. I look up and catch him smiling. I can't believe he just caught me shamelessly drooling at his chest. 

I try to cover up the embarrassment by quickly starting up a conversation. Just as I'm about to say something, my nose perceives the smell of something roasting and I immediately remember what I was cooking. I think he smells it to because he looks at me and we both run into the kitchen. 

"It took me time to put this up and it's burnt all because of you. I say irritatedly. "

"Burnt because of me? What role do I play in this."

"Well, you should have stayed at home to save me the distraction." 

"It's good to know I am distracting coming from you. I find it as a compliment. "

What a perfect way to boost his ego. "To what do I owe this visit."

"I am so sorry about yesterday and I know I acted irrationally but I was jealous and angry. I just couldn't control how I felt."

I should be happy that finally, things are falling into place as planned without much stress but there's this sadness weighing me down by just hearing those statement and the expression that comes with it even makes my conscience prick me. 

"Jade you know we aren't in a relationship. You should be prepared to see other guys, a lot of sentimental gifts and male suitors. That stunt you pulled off yesterday was that of an obsessed and possessive husband which in no way that related are you to me. "

The look in his eyes alone could set my house on fire. Just trying to recap the things I said brings me to the conclusion that it was a hurtful thing to say but it was just the simple truth. 

"You just sent a knife through my chest but I'll let it slide because of how much I care about you. How about I make up for your burnt breakfast. Let's order some food and before I forget can you please turn around and close your eyes, I have a surprise for you."

"Okay." I do as I'm told waiting for the surprise. Suddenly, I feel something cold on my neck. I open my eyes and to say I was flabbergasted was an understatement. It was a neckpiece with a heart-shaped pendant and a gemstone sitting right in the middle of the heart.

It suddenly felt very heavy considering the worth of the neckpiece. "Jai, this is beautiful I say as tears run down my cheeks. Why would you buy me something this expensive? I haven't even gotten over the shop and now this?"

"I like the sound of my name on your tongue plus to answer your question, that's how special you are to me and you deserve much more than that. I want to be the only one who can make you feel that special and I want to double the worth of everything every man gives you. Promise me you will constantly wear it. "

"Jai are you sure this isn't about the necklace I was given yesterday because I can feel this is all about yesterday. I know you have all the money in the world but for you to go this extreme to prove a point makes me scared of the points you'll be proving in the future. Jade, it's the smallest things that count I hope you remember this."

"Just the mention of the future has made my year plus I like it when you call me Jai. Why don't we celebrate with some wine while we wait for the delivery." He says as he brings a bottle of wine and two wine glasses.

"To the future," he says with a bright smile and drinks all in one gulp.

The delivery guy finally delivers our order. Jade takes the food and set up the table while I just stare at him wondering the length he is willing to go for me and all I can do is hurt him back in return. I try to imagine the pain he will go through if he ever finds out what I did to him.

To add more guilt to what I feel my phone beeps indicating a message from his mum. I open the message and see the content stating that she can already see her grandchildren running around her house and how I was a pro to get him as quick without much work. I quickly delete the message.

Unknown to me that tears were dropping from my eyes and that when I spaced out he had walked up to me. Immediately I see him, my phone drops out of my hand due to fear of getting caught. 

"Hey babe what's wrong?" He says as he uses his thumb to dry up my tears. 

"Nothing I just remembered my family. " I say.

"Sorry about that. I am right here if you need someone to talk to," he says as he leans in and drops a kiss on my forehead. How about we check out your workspace after brunch?

Now let's eat up before the food gets cold."