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CHAPTER 57

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"He won't be able to. Regardless, I would be out of the city for some days." Arctic words stuck a chord in Jade's heart as she felt like a knot suddenly tied in her stomach.

Something obviously was not right.

"Why, what happened? Can't you send someone to look into it? Must you go?" Jade's voice quaked a bit, betraying her emotions and letting him know how worried she was.

"I am sorry, boss. This is important and requires my attention. I would go and throw them off trail and make them feel like you are there. What better ways to do it than to allow them see me in that city?"

"Arctic, this is risky."

"I sleep with risks every day, Jade. You are well aware of that."

"I know." She cleared her throat before continuing. "It is just, you are all I have left, Arctic. You and Macy. I would not know what to do if anything happens to either of you."

"Which is why I need to go. I checked after your report the other day, there is no activity involving searches relating to you. It was all just normal small stuff that did not pertain to you."

Arctic knew this was the only thing or way he could calm her down. Give her the assurance she needed and her strength and faith would return.

Jade neither spoke, she only breathed and from how short and deep her breathing was, Arctic could tell just how she was feeling.

"Perhaps Ander's men came here for a business meeting and nothing more," he added. "Relax, nothing will happen to me or her. I would just make my appearance known by leaving a clue and they would think you are there and focus their search on that city while you can live your life peacefully here."

"There is nothing peaceful about this life anymore."

"That shouldn't be coming from you, Jade. Your father would have been mad hearing it."

"Too bad father is dead now," she cut in sharply. Arctic sighed into the phone and she knew she went overboard with her words. Both of them were hurting and he also hurt most than she did.

He had lost friend and an employer. He lost his wife and his daughter. She lost her parents but he suffered as well. It would be bad if she took it out on him but Arctic understood her fear and did not take it to heart.

"I am sorry."

"I know. I would do anything and everything to protect you, Jade. Even if it costs me my life, I would. Never forget that."

"I do not want you to."

"My first and topmost mission is to ensure your safety, Jade."

"I understand," she cut in quickly. She did not wish to hear more of the lectures.

"Good. Besides, I can see you have been meeting with this guy a lot these days."

"It is business-related, Arctic. Nothing more."

"I know. I never said anything." Jade began feeling stupid for opening her big mouth and defending herself before he spoke. "All I want to say is that it has been more than three times you have been seeing him. Be careful."

"I will. As I said, it is business and I also want to see what his relation is with Anders, if there is any, at all."

"Okay. I would let you rest. Tomorrow morning, I would leave."

"Be safe." With that, she hung up and let her phone fall loosely unto her bed.

She raised both hands and used her palms to cover her face, letting them drop slowly, taking in a deep breath alongside.

"Please be safe."

She hated the idea of him doing this. Not because he could not take care of himself or anything but because he was the only one left and she could barely bear with the thought that he was leaving her side.

It made her feel like how she felt when her parents had died. EMPTY!

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As the days rolled by, Jade and Xander met quite often. Sometimes they met twice in one day and at other times, Xander would use calls to complete the times he could see her.

He was beginning to grow on her and Jade was already getting accustomed to his presence around her and subconsciously yearned to hear his voice and calls.

She knew she was beginning to care for him but he was just her friend, so she still classified him.

To Xander, that was a really big levelling up for him and the day she agreed to it that he was her friend, he felt like a firework shot into the sky.

His smile never dwindled that day and he prevented her from going back to work but pleaded with her to accompany him for a stroll in the park instead.

Although Jade felt happy and cautious, for her this was helpful as it helps take her mind off her fear for Arctic and put her at ease.

It was as though Xander was slowly filling the void that was left in her heart by her parent's death and she was grateful for it.

On the other hand, Jay was left to himself. He wanted Macy, but she never seemed to be off of Sky and the pair seemed to be inseparable.

It had got him worried as he could not talk to her like he wanted and things only get more awkward between them.

The pair in question found out that they shared so much in common. That only further strengthened their bond with each other and made their business meetings fun.

They were getting closer by the day and spending so much time with each other. It was either they were out to survey one or two things or they went out for lunch to get talking about the progress of the work.

Jade was amazed at how well their bond and friendship was blooming unlike hers.

Well, she made hers so. You cannot blame her.

"Hey Jade," Macy called out to her friend who was busy on the phone with Xander that she filed to notice Macy walk in.

Hearing her name and the familiar voice, she rolled her chair around so she was facing the door. Her eyes landed on Macy and she mouthed for her to give her a minute, then returned to her call.

"Yeah, sure. Okay, see you later in the day?"

"Yeah. How about we go and…"

"Nope, no outing today, Xan. Besides, I would have to leave work later by 5 pm. You can see me by then. I have a lot to do thanks to you."

"Ah, sorry about that. I would leave you to it then."

"Sure. Bye."

Immediately she dropped the call, she came face to face with Macy's 'You were saying?' eyes.

"Wipe that smug look off your face, Macy. Like I said…"

"It is all to check if he has any link with Anders and just business nothing more," Macy cut in, concluding for her.

"get out you."

"Haha haha. It is so cute. This is the first time I have seen you this way. I got to hand it over to Xander."

"Macy."

"Pff. This is a breakthrough. Welldone, Xander. Well done."

"Macy!"

"What?"

"Don't you have somewhere you are supposed to be?" Jade raised her brows at her and gave her that quizzical look.

"Well, I have a lunch meeting with Sky. Other than that, nope I am good." Macy shook her head and walked in to take a seat.

"And what time is the meeting?"

"3 pm."

"Time?"

"I know. It is fifteen minutes to 3. He would come and pick me up, then from there we can finalize everything and go make a report separately, then get back to you two, Xander and yourself, I mean."

"I understand. So, how is it between you guys? Tell me, I am interested in knowing."

"Aren't you supposed to be working like you told Xander? Look at you been eager for a gist, tsk, Jade is naughty."

"Wow, I am naughty?" Jade placed a hand over her chest and let her mouth drop open a bit.

"Huh-uh. You are."Macy nodded at her friend to show her point.

"Okay. I would take my naughty self and get back to work. Oh and, stop calling me Jade. We do not want anyone else finding out, you know."

"Noted. I would try, Quinn."

"Better. Now off you go before pretty boy grows impatient." Jade teased and watched as her friend clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth in a fast motion then turned around and left.

Not wasting time, she returned to her office, picked her things and headed downstairs to meet Mr Pretty Boy.

It wasn't time yet and Sky was already waiting outside to pick her up.

"Hey," Macy casually greeted him, stalking closer to him.

"Hey. Ready?" Sky asked, his hands already fumbling with the door.l and he pushed it open, allowing her entrance.

"Ready."