CHAPTER 67: ONE CHANCE WILL DO
"What's with the sudden invitation?" Jade raised her brow as soon as they settled in an Italian restaurant.
"Because I missed you." He grinned playfully.
"Nice move but try a little harder." She picked the menu and started eyeing the dishes. "You have to pay for my foods today, I forgot my wallet at the office."
"Tsk, were you that excited to see me too?" He chuckled.
"Well, the truth is I left it on purpose." She smirked.
"What a sneaky woman. Tsk, tsk."
They both chuckled as soon as their eyes met. A few seconds later, Zion called the waiter and gave him their orders.
"By the way, I heard about the latest news. Your company and the KSAN sweep the entire country."
"Well, things like that usually happens." She nonchalantly replied. "By the way, are you going to the orphanage this weekend?"
"I was planning to. That's why I came to see you today." He looked at her seriously. "I really need your help before it's too late."
"What do you mean?"
"We really need to find her as soon as possible. Since we are not the only one searching for her."
"Is her life in danger?"
"Yes. Once the other party finds her."
She smiled. "This is a coincidence then. The truth is, I was planning to go the orphanage this Saturday too."
"Do you have a business there?"
"Uhm, you can say that." She grinned. "Well, there's something I need to ask mother Tess about." Her mind suddenly thought about the recent things that happened to her. Maybe, it's time for her to face her nightmares.
Though she has to admit her fears and besides, she's tired. She's tired of suffering about the nightmares of the night that keeps on disrupting her peace. And the only solution is to find out what's behind it. It could be related to her forgotten childhood memory.
"Hey, are you okay?" Zion shook the daze woman.
"E-eh? Sorry. What were you saying again?"
"Nothing. You should eat now. Your break time's almost over."
She smiled. "Right, let's eat. Thank you for the food!"
MEANWHILE, Marcus entered his office but he stopped by Jade's desk when he suddenly heard a vibration sound. Well, she's not that excited to meet that man and forget her phone and wallet, (insert sarcasm). He bitterly thought.
The phone kept ringing and it became a nuisance to him so he picked it up and answered.
"Jade, can you drop by the hospital later. I think Jackie is in trouble." She sounds so desperate.
Marcus knew Jackie but why is she in trouble? He thought before glancing at the caller Id. It's Jasmine from the human department.
"Sorry but Jade isn't in the office right now. This is Marcus, care to tell me why Jackie is in trouble?"
Jasmine gulped nervously when he learnt that she's talking to their CEO. "M-mr. Hanes…." She was trying to calm her heart that was beating abnormally. "Jackie called me last night telling me she's in trouble. Apparently, the man who tried to bribe her into selling the products found her and threatened her."
Jasmine was about to say more but the line suddenly got disconnected. "Omo! What does that mean?" She heaved a sigh of relief before motioning the cab driver to drop her at the hospital.
Marcus also rushed to the hospital as soon as he heard someone threatened the young lady. Not that he cared for her safety but he wanted to know the details of the transaction that happened. It concerns the company after all.
It took him less than fifteen minutes to reached the hospital.
"M-mr. Hanes?" Jasmine was surprised to see the man entered the room. She was listening to Jackie's story when they both heard a knock on the door. And when Jasmine opened it, she widened her eyes in shock. "I didn't know you were coming."
"Sorry to hang up on you without proper goodbye."
"N-no, no… You don't have to apologized. I… I just, uhm… Like…" Jasmine's tongue seemed tied. Look like having a full view of the man's handsome face caused her to lose focus at the moment.
Dang! Jade is so lucky to see the man every single minute! She didn't know she's ogling at the man already.
"Is Jackie alright?" He walked pass her.
"Y-yes, sir." She dreamily followed the man on the couch.
"M-mr. Hanes." Jackie greeted the man but the man can see the trace of sleeplessness on her face.
"How are you? Jasmine told me about your encounter last night."
She lowered her head in fear. "Y-yes, Mr. Hanes…" She was about to continue her story when Jasmine's phone ringed.
"I'm sorry. Go on, please continue, I'll just answer the call." Jaz excused herself and went to the small balcony, a bit far from the two. "Hello?" She answered the phone without seeing the caller id.
"Jaz! I just saw your text message, why do you want me to call you?"
"I've been calling you for how many times now!"
"Oh, really? I didn't see the miscall notifications. Sorry I had lunch with a friend, why are you calling?"
"It's about Jackie. And you won't believe what I am about to tell you."
"What is it?"
"Your husband, Marcus. He's here!"
"Oh, you saw him." Jade gave a knowing sigh. Looks like Marcus is still accompanying Rachelle to the hospital.
"Of course I saw him and I am watching him right now. She's talking to Jackie right now and ----"
"Talking with Jackie?" She raised her brow confuse. "I thought…."
"I told you I've been calling you a while ago and he answered it! I told her what happened to Jackie last night so he came to see her."
"I'm coming over then." She immediately hanged up and picked up her wallet and rushed to the hospital.
"Marcus answered the call?" She was thinking as soon as she settled inside the cab. Then she immediately browsed her phone. She did receive some missed calls from Jaz but her eyes widened when she saw Marcus called her too. And that was even before lunch! Omo!
Worst, it's not just once but four times!
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"I'm sorry president! Please, please spare me just this once. I promise, I'm going to fix this." Manager Ling was pleading the old man while kneeling before him.
"Get away from me, now! You're fired as of this day!" The old man gritted his teeth in anger.
"President, please! I beg you, please have mercy. I promise not to do such a thing anymore. Just please, one more chance, just one chance will do. I promise I wi-------"
"You should have done that in the first place. I won't let you destroy the image of my company, so be gone!"
"Mr. president!" Manager Ling kept pleading but looking at the CEO's face and his brother's face, he knew he won't be able to win their favor. Dang it! Anger filled his heart and an evil intent was formed inside his head.
"You stole their product formula but even if you did it, you should have done it perfectly! Do you know how much lost will the company shoulder because of what you've done?"
'That wench! I'm gonna kill you and your family at all cost!' Manager Ling promised himself before leaving the president's office.