Chapter 8: The Contract

"Well, BB Company will become Ace's. Of course, that includes BB Mall. There's no reason that you must be my successor, after all. Since you aren't originally my grandson." Stephen Alejandro eyeballed Jade, with a Stern look on his wrinkled face.

Meanwhile, Jade was already feeling defeated. It's what he had to work so hard for but this old man wasn't giving it to him.

"Actually, I called Ace over. I want to hear what he has to say on this issue."

"Did you call me and Ace over to try and compare us? How dare your grandpa?!" Jade felt buttered.

A smirk appeared on the Chairman's face, knowing that Jade has no option than to dance to the tune of his music. He looked away from Jade, avoiding his stares.

Jade scoffed and huffed abruptly. He stands up to his feet while Lucas do the same.

"Fine, Mr. Chairman! You've managed to find my weakness, but I'm not nice enough to just seat and take your bait. Therefore, let's take this opportunity to negotiate things."

"What? You're really going to marry her?" Lucas asked, surprisingly.

"Hell no! Like I said, I won't even consider marrying that teacher or anyone I don't even love."

"As if I don't know that already. The chairman hissed. So?"

"I'll date her at least. As if Jade felt unsure with his words. I'll seriously date her for just three months. And if it doesn't walk out, I'll chalk it up to date. And this would be your last arranged marriage or forced relationship for me.

A soft smile spread through the Chairman's lips." One year."

"Five months." Jade muttered.

"Six months."

"Uh?"

"It would be hard to win her over even if you have six months."

"It's not like she's incredibly find of him right now, either--" Lucas murmured, but Jade cut his words with a "Shut up!"

"Well, I know that she doesn't like him. That's why I'm saying a year isn't enough time. Sapphire would definitely object to this. You'll definitely need time to win her over." The Chairman felt bad.

"I don't want to do this either, grandpa! Why don't we forget all of these and pretend it never happened."

"No, You're going to date Sapphire! I know you don't like her now, but you won't be feeling this way for long.

"So, you two are settling for six months?" Lucas muttered happily. "That's that for your contract, then."

It is clear that Jade wasn't happy. His contract relationship of a thing could be his worse nightmare.

"Congratulations, Grandpa. It's like you've won this time. For now at least."

Stephen wore a smile across his face.

"And it'll continue to be this way, I'm sure."

Just then, Ace walked in.

Oh, that's my other grandson!" The chairman retorted. Ace bowed to the chairman respectfully as he stared at Jade. He remembered their last meeting. Ace and Jade wore an annoying look at each other as the avoided each other's gaze.

Ace went to take a seat right next to the chairman as the housemaid served them tea. A ghost-silence reigned through the room as the chairman decided to kill it.

"How's BB Mall doing these days?"

"This year isn't over yet, but we've had fantastic sales so far."

"Even if you've had good sales, it means nothing if your profit isn't high. Your profits should increase annually with the number of goods sold." The chairman advised.

Ace nodded as if he got the gist.

"What about the hotel?" Stephen asked Jade.

"That's confidential information regarding our company." Jade said boastfully. "I see no reason to tell you that information."

Ace looked at him on a disgusting look. 'Who did he think he is?'

"I'm asking, as the owner." Stephen said.

"So far so good, Mr Chairman. Hotel has broken free from BB Company as if lady year. Our company has secrets that must be kept, even among family members. It's not like this is a stakeholder's meeting. I see no need to give a report based on the company's performance before that. That's our hotel's policy."

The chairman dropped his cup on the table and faced his grandsons.

"You two! You're delusional if you think I'll hand over my company tobyou. Just because you're related to me! If you can't do the job right, then you'll have to quit. I don't owe you anything, put that at the back of your minds. I'd soon entrust my company to a bum if you both were skilled enough!"

"Does that mean you won't leave it for anyone?" Ace asked, interestedly.

"That's right. But, you two both have a chance."

Hearing him say this made Ace think. 'What have they discussed before my arrival? Did I miss anything?'

However, Jade didn't want Ace to know about the contract, will or anything that has to do with him getting part of the BB Company. So, he cut his grandfather's talk.

"I'll be going now sir, I'd, you're through."

"Again, don't forget about what we discussed skills. I won't stand for it if you blackmail me with something bizarre again." Jade rolled is eyes at the chairman and walked out.

Lucas bowed before taking his leave to while Ace wondered what it was all about. Looking at the Chairman's excited face, Ace saw it was an insult to his grandfather, but he's smiling.

'How possible is the fake grandson more recognised?' Ace asked himself, pondering on the disturbing thought that won't let him rest.

***

In the Music Room.

Sapphire was doing a cholography with her students. They were dancing to a classic hip-hop, Shape of You by Ed Sheeran. Apart from Gabby's new songs, It is one of the favorite. Well, Sapphire loved everything hip-hop, whoever the musician is. She has a talent for facing too so, she takes her students free dancing classes just 30 minutes after their daily activities.

There was a small mirror hanged on the wall, just to see their reflections and the way they take their dancing steps but with all of these, it seems they weren't doing it well.

Sapphire went to turn off the speaker as her students faced her with curious and stopped dancing.

"I'm so sorry lovelies. It's be nice if we had a bigger mirror right?"

"Yes!" They chorused.

"Why can't out school afford one?" One girl from the back roll asked.

"That mirror is too small! I can barely see myself!" Another girl cried.

That would be all for today. Sapphire smiled. Your parents would be worried if you're late." She opened a bottle of water and gulped it down her throat.

No... Miss Sapphire, please let's continue." Another girl whined. Others blushed at her as there took their bags and lunch boxes out and walked out of the music room.

"Come on, let's go." Sapphire helped the kids out.

They were about fifteen students in her class. As it is, she used to take them to their houses, herself since they always followed the same routine. And again, the school doesn't have a school bus, so she would have to do the trekking, alongside her pupils.

Well, the school doesn't know about this. It's not compulsory for the teachers, bits just what Sapphire does out of love for her pupils. Perhaps, their safety comes first in cases like this.

Just then, they walked out if the black, opened school gate.

"Goodbye, Miss Sapphire!" Some students following the other route based her as she waved them goodbye.

A minute later, Jade's white Jeep swerved into the school compound. He wore a designed black and gray suit that fitted him perfectly. Taking off his dark shades, he pocketed his hands into his trousers the way he usually does and walked majestically into the school building.

Getting into the staff room, he met the school admin.

"Hey! Um, is Miss Sapphire Blac here by chance?" He asked.

"She left not long ago." The young lady replied to him. "I can call her if it's so urgent."

"No, it's fine. You don't need to call her. It's not that urgent." He said and walked out of the office.

"I'm here, grandpa. So, I did as much as I could. This just means we're not fated to be together. We're not meant to be, grandpa!" Jade said to himself as he stepped out of building.

On the other side of the boat... That very minute, Sapphire stopped to check her bag.

"Oh no! Not again, Gosh! She cried out in frustration.

What's it, Miss Sapphire?" One of her pupils asked.

"I left something in school. You guys should walk together, okay? And don't follow strangers. She warned.

"Okay Miss Sapphire!" They replied to her obediently as she checked her bag properly, but it wasn't there.

"Geez! I left my wallet on the table!" she turned and ran back to the school.

About to zoom out, Sapphire ran into the school compound. Jade stopped his wheels and horned. She turned back, wondering who it is until Jade came out of his car.

Mesmerized to meet her again, a smile appeared on the sides of his lips. Sapphire couldn't help but to wonder why he was alone this time and also smiling at her under the burning sun. It felt so awkward as she quirked an eyebrow at him.

Realizing he's been smiling, Jade dropped the smile and puts on a frown. And that was the first time he smiled to a lady in a very long time.

A voice in his head asked...

'This is just a coincidence. Not fate, right?'