“Not this one” Jayson said as he ran his hands through his hair, tousling his black strands even more. The sales lady took in a sharp breath as she watched various expressions cross this beautiful man’s face. She would have openly flirted but didn’t because first he was choosing a ring for a woman and second he was almost the age as her son.

“I will have the store manager with you in a minute sir” The sales woman said and went towards the back.

Jayson sighed as he looked at the various rings displayed across velvet encased trays but none of them reflected what he felt for Kate. He absent mindedly twirled the previous ring he had gotten for Kate in his fingers.

“Good morning Mr. Reynolds” The store manager said.

“Ah..Mr. Banks…finally you are here”

“My employee said that you did not like any of the designs presented here”

“No I did not. I want something even better than this” Jayson said he placed the ring on the table.

“Sir, that ring is the best design by our company from the past three years.” The manager said as his heart rate increased. He couldn’t possibly lose a client like Reynolds.

“Then design a better one Mr. Banks.” Jayson said raising one his eyebrows and leveled his gaze at the manager who was now almost trembling. Jayson hated bringing out this side of him but he wanted the best for his love.

“Sir, we will call down our top designer from France by tomorrow. I would personally call you and inform you of his arrival and then further designs can be discussed as per your choice?”

“Sounds good” Jayson said he stood up and buttoned his suit jacket and pocketed the previous ring.

The manager merely nodded and didn’t realize her was holding his breath until Jayson stepped out of the shop. He then rushed towards his office to make an international call.

Jayson got into the backseat of his car as his driver/bodyguard held the door open.

“Thank you Peter” Jayson smiled at him.

“Where to sir?” Peter asked as he looked at his boss through the rear view mirror.

“Office”

“Yes Sir.”

Jayson closed his eyes and leaned his head back, a smile playing at the corner of his lips as he recalled the last few months. He was somewhat glad for what happened between him and Kate as now their love and trust were even stronger.

Kate had quit her job at Washington and had moved in with Jayson. The hotel they were working on was a great hit right from the opening day. Kate had taken up a job at The Museum of Modern Art. Jayson’s mom, Rabia had asked Kate to join her business as she loved Kate’s sense and style when it came to selecting art work but Kate had politely declined saying it was not she wanted to pursue. Both the woman got along amazingly and even Lilly, Jayson’s grandmother, adored Kate.

A week before they had completed six months of being together and that night on their date, they had flown to Bahamas for the weekend, as he watched Kate run along the shore, the stars twinkling in her eyes; he knew that he wouldn’t delay putting his ring on her finger. Hence here he was today searching for the perfect ring.

“Sir we have reached”

Jayson got out of the car and headed towards his office building. He nodded in reply to the greeting that came his way when he entered the lobby and made his way to the private elevator that led his office floor.

As he soon as he exited the lobby, a woman came and smashed into his chest and threw her arms around his neck. It took him a second to register that it was Stella.

“Hey Stella, when did you return to the states?” Jayson said as he pulled back gently and smiled at her. Stella had gone to Milan to pursue fashion designing after high school.

Stella took in his appearance. It had been three years since she saw Jayson, the elder brother of her former best friend Kiara Reynolds. Stella noted that Jayson had built up and the suit finely outlined his broad shoulders. He had a more mature and rugged look to him that made her heart skip a beat.

“My god this man has gotten even more handsome and perfect” Stella thought to herself. She was pulled out of them as Jayson spoke up.

“Kiara knows you are back?” Jayson said as he gestured her to come along.

“Nope” Stella said shrugging her shoulder. Though they both we close during high school, the fell apart after that as Stella moved to another continent and their friend circles shifted. They both shared a text now and then but nothing more.

“Hey, is everything all right?” Jayson asked as he turned to face her. She walked over to his desk as he stood by the couch.

“Yes, it is all good JJ. I finished college so I am back in states to see where life takes me from here”

“That is good” Jayson said still wondering why she showed up here at his office. Yes she was like a sister to him but time had passed and he didn’t really know what was going on in her life and Kiara had also never mentioned her except for once here or there. Plus there was the scene with her father where he had wanted him to marry her. That old man had a loose screw.

“You are wondering why I am here?” Stella asked

“I am” Jayson laughed as he sat down on the couch.

“Well I was just passing by so I thought— why do you have picture of Kate here?”

“She is my girlfriend…”

“You guys broke up didn’t you?”

“Yeah it was a misunderstanding but how do you know?” Jayson asked confused. Where was Stella taking this conversation?

“Father had mentioned it. But I didn’t know you guys were back together” Stella said as she kept the frame back trying to control the hurt and anger.

“I have to leave” Stella said and walked out of his office without waiting for his reply.

She couldn’t believe that Kate was back with her JJ.

“I love Jayson and he is only mine.” Stella thought to herself as she wiped tears from her cheeks.

Her stupid stammering cousin had once again taken her Jayson from her and this time she was not going to sit around. She had waited long enough.