Monday the twenty sixth carried with it a promise of a good week, beginning with snow flakes beautifying the streets, to Esmeralda who for the first time didn't complain about Jade's choice of clothes for a cold winter morning, but behaved herself quite well for a five year old.Perhaps it was because Jade had scolded her for what she had done to Ricky the previous weekend, or that she wanted to fully participate in Halloween the next week, but whatever was the reason, Jade was more than happy not to go through minutes of trying to make her shower. She was inwardly grateful to the little girl for unknowingly helping her make it early for the meeting she had by eight.  Now, stepping out of the navy blue car and muttering thanks to Luke, her chauffeur who opened and held the car door, she took in a deep breath, staring at the tall buildings which bore the words "Mears Corporation" at the centre.Since she said yes to the merge,

"So we have signed the deal with the Mears corporation?" "No, Anna, we've signed the deal with the Jason corporation." She was making reference to Oliver Jason who had gotten involved with Annabelle in the guise of doing business with Jade. He reminded her of Ricky with his asshole cocky personality. But then, everyone seemed to remind Jade of Ricky these days.All it took was a client or an employee to walk into her office wearing a fitted suit, and she would remember how well Ricky's suit had embraced his body, especially the last time they had seen. It took efforts not to think of him, and since she'd found out that the only thing that completely removed her mind from him was work.Well, not completely. She had been going through a document in her study the night before, and suddenly remembered him, his confident smirk and that lingering cologne of his that had refused to leave her senses.He raided her tho

"What time do I have my next appointment?" Jade asked Annabelle, straightening her shirt. "You don't have any other appointment today, so enjoy yourself." "Why do I have this strong feeling that you're lying? You rescheduled my 12:00 appointment yesterday to four o'clock today right? And it's erhmm, three thirty already." Jade checked her small diamond wristwatch as she said the last words. Annabelle stuttered, nervously fiddling with her hair. "Okay truth is, I rescheduled it again" "Why?" "Because I have this feeling, that he is the one Jade. Look at the guy, he's good with Esmeralda and keeps staring at you like he wants to eat you for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Plus he's super hot." "And a playboy Annabelle, you forgot that? You don't play with my business that way, Anna." Annabelle heaved a sigh. "He may have been.. But that doesn'

"He hasn't called or texted since then? Maybe he doesn't have your number, or..." Annabelle listed more than enough possible reasons in Ricky's defence, playing with the frozen doll that lay stiffly in bed, tossed there carelessly by Esmeralda whose voice could be heard from the lounge where she played house with Somto.   Shaking her head in the negative, Jade sat in front of the vanity, applying baking powder on her face while checking if the shade of red lipstick she wanted to wear was provocative.   "He wasn't busy Annabelle, we will only be very busy in the next two weeks when we'll travel to Dubai for the finalisation of the deal."    Annabelle wasn't convinced, she propped her hand under her chin and continued, her expression quite convincing.   "No. Maybe he didn't know how to approach you. Sorry to say boss, but you do look scary at times."  

  "Tell me why we booked this place and you aren't even looking at me." The red haired who sat was opposite Ricky at the English restaurant was pissed off, watching her date gulp down his fourth glass of wine.He ignored her, focusing his attention instead on the task of pouring himself a fifth glass. It was damn better to deal with everything with his mind dull. That way, he could even put up with having sex with the red haired that night without conjuring the image of Jade.She was persistent, and spoke again. "You aren't in the mood to talk? Fine. Let's get out of here, the evening can only get better you know. And, you won't be required to say a word."Her voice had dropped to a whisper, and Ricky wished he could remember her other name; it was better than having another woman named Kimberly in front of him. But that was why he had called her anyway, wasn't it? Now, even in his highly alcohol induced