Sweet Revenge: Jace & Emerald

“Liam!” Emerald exclaimed when she looked up to see who entered her office. Behind the man was Daryl, who excused himself since he had to meet Jace and Kyle.

“Hi,” the man replied, smiling, and walked closer to her.

“When did you arrive?” she asked as she got up from her seat to meet him.

“I just did. I went here as soon as I left the airport.”

“You should have told me that you’re coming. Creep would have got you.”

“I know how busy he is, so I just help myself.” Liam replied, “And I think you are too.” he added, but Emerald shook her head.

“Nothing that I can’t manage.”

“As always.”

“Have a seat,” Emerald said, motioning to the couch not far from them. She was tense because she knew Jace would be talking to Daryl in their meeting room. She also knew that once her assistant told them about the rejection, her ex-husband would never agree.

“I think you already have an idea why I’m here,” he said.

“Don’t tell me”

“Not exactly, but I have a lead.”

“Can we discuss this at home? You didn’t book at any hotel, right?”

“Why would I when there’s a free home with a smart kid who would keep me company?” Liam replied, grinning.

“That’s good. Have you eaten?” It was past lunch, and she wanted to leave the company as well, just in case Jace thought of something else and decided to come and see her.

“As I’ve said, I went here straight from the airport.”

“Then let’s go and eat at home. I’m sure Ace will be very happy to see you.” Emerald replied and got up. She took her bag before she led Liam out of her office and decided to text Creep and Daryl to inform them that she had gone home.

Meanwhile, “Your boss is not here?” Asked Jace. Creep and Daryl were looking at each other when their phones buzzed. They look at it and sigh,

“Apparently, M left with our guest,” Creep said.

“Just like that?” Young Higginson was very angry, thinking they had made a fool of him.

“We’re sorry, Mr. Higginson. If you insist on talking to our boss, we will inform you again about the schedule. That is if you’re still willing.” Daryl replied.

Jace was furious, and Kyle saw it, but he was shocked when he heard his friend. “When your boss is ready to meet me, let me know no matter how long it will take. As long as I will be able to discuss my proposal.”

“I understand. We’ll let you know then.” Daryl replied while Creep started thinking about the alibi they would use next time.

Jace and Kyle left the building and went back to his office. Young Higginson slumped himself on his chair before he closed his eyes. “Jace, do you still want to collaborate with them?” Asked Kyle.

“If I have to follow what head, I will stop here. If they didn’t want to work with us, then fine. What they did earlier was enough reason for me to let it go.” Jace replied before he opened his eyes and looked at his friend.Original from NôvelDrama.Org.

“But?” Kyle asked.

“I don’t know, Kyle. There’s something in me that wants this collaboration to continue. Especially after I see the CEO’s office.”

“Why? What’s in there?”

“The office reminds me of Emerald.”

“How? Maybe you’re just overthinking. Is that how much you missed her?”

“I don’t know, Kyle. Just lately, I thought I saw her in the mall when I was with Jack.” Jace replied, confused.

“You need a break, man. Why don’t you go somewhere where you can unwind and think things through? You can’t live like that. You have to let it go and free yourself of that feeling. You alone can help yourself, which will never happen if you do not allow yourself to meet another woman.”

“It’s because it’s my fault that this happened. Maybe it’s my punishment for hurting my wife.” Jace said in a low voice.

“I think you’re the one who was punishing yourself. I mean, you don’t know what happened to Emerald. What if she already has a family and is happy with the man she loves?”

“No, Kyle. I can’t take that. I love her. She was supposed to be mine.”

“But you let her go.”

“I didn’t file our divorce.” Kyle turns quiet. He doesn’t know what he will say to his friend. For five years, he tried his best to understand and support him in any way he could. When he stopped working after Emerald left, Kyle took all the responsibilities in the company. He was also thankful that Jack decided to step up and manage their bank company even though he was still doing his therapy.

“Are you still hoping that she will accept and forgive you once Emerald returns after you apologize to her?”

“Isn’t that natural?” Jace asked. “If someone said sorry to you, wouldn’t you need to accept it and forgive them?”

“I might forgive them, Jace,” Kyle replied, and young Higginson sighed in relief. “But it doesn’t mean we will be able to return to what we were before,” he added. “It’s a sad reality, and I know you know it too. I am your friend, so I am telling you this.”

“What am I going to do? For five years, I didn’t know how to live anymore. I am living my lifeless life.” Jace said.

“Now, more than ever. You need a break.” Kyle said with conviction.

“Go on a trip, and let me handle things here. I will try my best to collaborate with ACEGame. Just go and try to breathe some air.”

Jace nodded after some thought. He, too, realized that for the last five years, his life had evolved around his search for Emerald. So, he decided to take a month-long leave, and Kyle agreed, hoping he would see a new Jace when he returned.

In Emerald’s mansion, Ace was happy seeing Liam. “Daddy Li.” the boy shouted as Liam carried him while grinning. Although young Morgan is not happy about it, he likes it when the boy calls him that. She didn’t want his son to call anyone Daddy because she didn’t want to cause any more problems in the future.

“When are you going to call him Uncle?” Emerald asked his son.

“It’s fine, M,” Liam said, stopping her from getting mad at her son, who now looks sad.

“You’re not his father, so it’s inappropriate for him to call you that way.”

“But I want a Dad,” Ace said in a low voice, and Emerald’s heart clenched, feeling sorry for her son. She didn’t want to deprive him of his father’s love, but she had no way to give him that either.

“It’s alright, Ace. You can call me Daddy whenever you want to.” Liam said, hoping it would make the boy happy. But little Ace looked at his mother, who was giving him a warning look.

“Dear,” Emerald said, taking Ace from Liam’s arms. “Can we talk about this later? Mommy understands you; believe it or not, I want you to see your father. Can I explain these things to you when you’re a little older? It’s just my life was a little complicated before you came.”

“I’m sorry, Mommy.” Little Ace said, hugging her tight while Liam watched them. He wanted to become part of their lives, but he knew Emerald didn’t feel the same way. He likes her, but he also knows that she doesn’t like him the way he does. He loves her as a woman, but young Morgan loves him as a friend. Although something happened to them, Emerald made it clear from the beginning that they were only friends with benefits and nothing more.

After Emerald put Ace into bed at night, she talked to Liam. “I know what you’ll say, and I just want the boy to be happy. You’re my friend, but the boy holds a special place in my heart. I was there when he was born, and I saw every stage in his life that a father should; please don’t overthink because you know that Daryl and Creep would want Ace to call them Daddy as well.”

Emerald couldn’t say a thing because what Liam said was true. She just stopped her friends from letting her son call them that. “Anyway, as for my visit, although I am on a month-long vacation, I came here with some news regarding your nanny.”

“What do you mean?” Emerald asked nervously.

“A man took her, and after a thorough investigation by my friend here, Merly asked that man to do that.”

“What!” Emerald exclaimed, thinking she was right all along.