Episode 8
543 Words
Unfinished Wounds
The next morning...
Jade arrived at Emerald Motors earlier than usual.
She barely slept.
Brian's unexpected appearance had stirred memories she had spent years trying to bury.
Diana noticed the dark circles beneath her eyes.
"You didn't sleep, did you?"
"I'm fine."
"You always say that when you're not."
Jade sighed.
"I just need to focus on work."
Diana smiled gently.
"Then let's bury ourselves in work."
---
Meanwhile...
At Larson Automotive...
Kyle stood in the testing facility, watching engineers inspect the prototype.
Verona approached him with a tablet.
"The next joint meeting with Emerald Motors begins in thirty minutes."
Kyle nodded.
"Let's go."
---
The conference room was unusually quiet.
Engineers from both companies waited nervously.
They knew one thing...
Whenever Kyle Larson and Jade Jordan were in the same room, an argument was almost guaranteed.
Jade walked in first.
A few seconds later, Kyle entered.
Their eyes met.
Neither looked away.
The meeting began.
"The battery cooling system needs improvement," Kyle said.
Jade crossed her arms.
"My engineers have already solved that issue."
Kyle calmly reviewed the report.
"You solved part of it."
"And the other part?"
"I'll show you."
For the next hour, they debated every detail of the project.
Surprisingly...
Instead of becoming angry, they began challenging each other's ideas with facts and calculations.
The engineers exchanged confused glances.
"They're... actually working together."
"I never thought I'd see the day."
When the meeting ended, the prototype had improved more than anyone expected.
Even Jade had to admit it.
Kyle's suggestions were impressive.
Likewise...
Kyle couldn't deny that Jade's creativity made the design even better.
Neither said it aloud.
But the respect between them had quietly grown.
---
As everyone packed up, Jade accidentally dropped a folder.
Blueprints scattered across the floor.
Before she could kneel...
Kyle bent down and helped gather them.
Their hands touched as they reached for the last page.
For a brief second...
Neither moved.
"Thank you," Jade said softly.
Kyle handed her the file.
"You're welcome."
Diana's eyes widened.
Did...
Did Jade Jordan just thank Kyle Larson?
Verona smiled to herself.
Progress.
---
Outside the building...
Brian stood across the street, watching Jade leave.
He took a step toward her.
"Jade..."
She stopped but didn't turn around.
"What do you want now?"
"I know you hate me."
"I don't hate you."
Brian's eyes brightened.
"I simply don't care anymore."
Those words struck harder than any slap.
"I'm sorry for what happened in college."
"So am I."
She finally faced him.
"But your apology doesn't erase what you did."
She walked away without another glance.
Brian remained standing there, crushed by regret.
Hidden behind a nearby newspaper stand, Layla watched everything unfold.
A cruel smile spread across her face.
"Perfect."
"The cracks are beginning to show."
She picked up her phone and sent a message.
Phase Two begins tonight.
Far away...
A black SUV slowly pulled away from the curb.
Inside sat the same mysterious figure who had been watching Jade for days.
He lowered his binoculars.
"Protect her."
He spoke into a small earpiece.
"No matter what happens... don't let her get hurt."
Who was he?
And why was he secretly guarding Jade?
The answers remained hidden...
For now.
End of Episode 8
- Writer
