Ex-husband Wants Me Back

Chapter 2

Jade's pov

"Congratulations Jade, everything seems to be coming along nicely," my father praised and I blushed under his gaze. I scanned the beautifully decorated room, noting the few people who took to the dance floor in the middle of the room.

"I really put in my best dad," I commented and it was the truth. I had given my all to this celebratory dinner because it marked the twentieth anniversary of this company and I knew how important it was to my father and me. This dinner was one of the ways I could prove to my father that I was capable of handling his company and his investors, a role I had been trained for all my life.

"Well, it's almost time for my speech. I should go and practice. Once again, well done Jade," he stared at me with pride in his eyes before he walked away.

I took a glass of champagne off one of the passing trays held by a server and took a gulp, letting the bubbling liquid run down my throat. Nothing could afford to go wrong tonight and I would ensure it.

Murmurs spread through the hall and I turned to see what that was about and I caught sight of Morgan and Silas walking hand in hand and looking like the perfect couple. Camera lights went off as the press tried to capture the perfect image of them together and Morgan flashed them a bright smile as she leaned into Silas whose face was stoic, as always.

"Good evening," I greeted them as they stopped in front of me. I could feel Silas' gaze burning the side of my face but I didn't dare turn to him and I focused my attention on Morgan.

"Jade, I'm surprised you managed to pull this off," Morgan commented with a small frown as she stared around the room.

"Why?" I gave her a strained smile. Our eyes locked and we silently communicated as we both knew Morgan had tried sabotaging my efforts at different points in time when I was trying to organize this dinner.

"I think I'll leave you two to catch up, I'm going to greet some of my business partners," Silas announced and Morgan gave him a sugary smile.

"Well done Jade," he nodded at me before he left and my heart skipped a beat...For Mr. Thornfield, this was very high praise.

"You know you are a disgrace to your father Jade. Instead of channeling all your efforts to the growth of your father's company, you decided to work elsewhere." Joan, my stepmother, appeared out of nowhere and I had to stifle a groan.

"The only reason I chose to work in Apex Enterprises was for the experience and as time went on I fell in love with my job." I shrugged. “I wasn’t going to tell her I knew about their little secret.”

I had had this discussion before but I knew she wouldn't let it go.

"I don't blame you for your lack of interest in your own father's company Jade. However, what is unacceptable is how you could possibly think you can waltz in and steal a position that should be rightly given to my daughter." Her voice was as hard as steel as she placed her arm around Morgan who was glaring at me.

"I'm not stealing any-" I tried to defend myself but she cut me off.

"I won't sit back and watch you even attempt it. You should stick to your perfect little job at Apex Enterprises, God knows you only got that job because Morgan put in a good word for you." I reeled back at her words, which were farther from the truth than I could have possibly imagined.

"Let's just enjoy tonight Joan," I muttered, not wanting to cause a scene as my father climbed onto the stage and applause rang out through the room.

With a huff, she composed her face and flashed a broad grin as she walked up to meet him.

"Dear friends, family, and co-workers..." My father began his speech.

"Mum is right you know," Morgan commented beside me with two glasses of champagne in her hands and I eyed her wearily.

Couldn't I catch a break tonight?

"Tonight is a big day for Dad, Morgan, it's not about us. We need to put our personal differences aside and let him enjoy this night." I said.

I was too drained to engage in her pettiness this evening.

"Ouch. First of all, I would never do anything to sabotage Dad." She takes a sip out of one of the glasses.

"But you would try to sabotage me at every turn?" I curled a brow at her and she shrugged.

"And secondly, I'm here to call a truce." She continued as she extended the other glass to me.

"Come on, I don't bite Jade." She chuckled when I seemed reluctant to take the glass from her.

"We've fought all our lives and now we are fighting for the company." She commented.

"You are fighting for the company." I corrected it.

"Same difference." She shrugged.

"The point is we don't need to fight, we shouldn't have hard feelings no matter who Dad chooses." She explained and I nodded slowly.

I agreed with her words but I doubted her sincerity.

Morgan grinned at me like a Cheshire cat and I knew instantly that she had something up her sleeve.

"Morgan, you can't do anything to jeopardize this night, if not because of me, do it for Dad. There are a lot of reporters here." I reminded her.

"I'll be on my best behavior." She mocked salute as my father called for a toast.

"To greater wins." He raised his glass towards the crowd.

"To greater wins." Everyone responded with raised glasses before they took a sip of their champagne.

I downed my champagne in one gulp, ignoring the amused glance Morgan threw my way.

I wasn’t feeling myself at this point as I stared at Morgan smirk evilly while she walked away, my vision blur.

I leaned against the wall in the hallway for support as I made my way to my hotel room.

My head was spinning, everything was hazy and I felt nauseous.

"Morgan, what did you do?" I asked no one in particular.

I started to feel unusual after I drank the champagne and from the triumphant look on Morgan's face, I had instantly known something was wrong and had excused myself.

I groaned when I finally reached my door but as I swiped my card to open the door it made two beeps of rejection.

Agitated, I kept on swiping my card but the door didn't open.

"I've got it." A deep husky voice called out behind me right before he swiped a card which opened the door.

"Hey, how did you get the card to my door?" I giggled and immediately slapped a hand over my mouth.

My eyes were unfocused and I could barely make out the features of the man.

What I could tell though, was that his scent was oddly familiar.

"How do you have the card to my room?" He retorted and the smell of alcohol reached my nose.

"This is my room," I argued.

"No, this is my room." He frowned and we stumbled into the room unceremoniously.

We spoke incomprehensible words, and we laughed and shared jokes.

I couldn't remember the last time I felt so free and alive.

"I want you." That deep husky voice called out to me and that was all it took for all my inhibitions to fly out the window as I gave into my basal desires.