I invested my time in work very generously this week I supposed. Every time Philippe, my boss, would always call for help I didn't hesitate to volunteer to accommodate him. I always made sure that I had put all my efforts in doing my job and I didn't know what had gotten me to become twice as efficient today, but I do have a feeling my unexpected social interaction with Jade a week ago had assisted in inciting this need to keep myself bustling and occupied at all times.

I was already finished making a power point in inaugurating a newly-planned company for Philippe when I saw him knocking on my office door as I allowed him to enter. I quickly scrutinized the details in the power point as I make finishing touches of the design and correct any miswritten words, assuming he was here for it.

"I'm almost done," I told him, typing away with the laptop as he sat down comfortably on the leather seat in front of me.

He smiled and chuckled as he raise his right leg over the other. He crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Don't worry. I'm actually here to inform you that my daughter will be coming here probably soon. Her name is Michelle and oddly enough she asked for a Perrie . . ." Philippe chuckled. "I assumed she meant you considering you're the only Perrie I know in this planet and in the office. I hope you know her . . . ?"

My body had froze when I heard this. Michelle? Michelle the woman Jesy had set me up on a date with? Michelle whom I honestly hoped I won't bump into again because I wasn't ready is actually my boss's daughter? It felt like it was yesterday when I told her I didn't wanna prolong the nonexistent relationship we had. I clenched my teeth in astonishment when my brain processed this unbelievable revelation. Why does it seem like the world is against me right now? What the hell have I gotten myself into now?

I remained calm and collected as I sat straight. I nodded tentatively. "Uhm, yeah, I know her. I, ugh, went on a date with her, sir."

"Oh, well that's great news," he replied, his smile stretched up. He nodded. "She actually told me the same thing. In fact that isn't the only thing I'm here to inform you about, Miss Edwards."

"What else are you gonna say?" I asked curiously. I shut down my laptop and crossed my arms on the desk, studying him and the way he shifts his body on the leather seat makes me think he's going to ask for a favor. And honestly I don't even know if I'm in the mood to do one.

He cleared his throat, subconsciously adjusting his coat as he leans back once again on the chair with a hopeful smile that made him look youthful plastered onto his face. "I . . . I was actually thinking if — since you and my daughter had already met and had already went on a date — I'm wondering if you'd like to keep an eye on her?"

"What?" My eyes widened as the shriek absconded.

Philippe bit his lip and reinforced his statement, waving his hand dismissively. "I know, I know. It's a ridiculous thing to ask a favor like this but I'm leaving to attend a conference in Brazil this week and Michelle is that type of woman who just so happens to be very . . . reckless and has that kamikaze boldness. Do you get where I'm going with this?"

"Honestly? No . . ."

He heaved a sigh and nodded. "It'll be just a week since I'm having another conference here in New York so I'll certainly be back before you know it. I just wanted to make sure Mich is safe and in better hands. My wife couldn't watch her due to her meeting in UK and her sister is basking in her honeymoon week. I'd like to say that you're the only employee I know who is genuinely a friend of mine and is really assiduous regarding work issues."

I stared at him, utterly baffled. "So . . . You want me to . . . babysit her?"

"Sort of like that, yeah," he replied, raking his hand through his hair. "You could just decline if you want but in all fairness, you're basically the only person I know who is very diligent and responsible."

I continued to stare at my laptop for a few moments, deeply ruminating about this. I mean there's no harm in watching out for a fellow, right? And besides, Philippe has been a great boss and a good friend towards everybody, me included. I didn't wanna impose on that and make him think that I was surreptitiously exploiting his patience.

Plus I needed an egress from the turmoil that Jade seemed to propel me into and Michelle seems to be a great woman when it comes to distracting me.

Hopefully it would work.

~•~•~

"Good morning, Perrie. I love you."

"Good afternoon, Perrie. I love you."

"Good night, Perrie. I love you. I . . . I'll make sure you'll come back to me."

I rolled my eyes and slammed my phone against the bedside table, leaning back once again in a supine position as a furious groan slip up from my mouth. This has to be the most aggravating voicemail I had ever received today. And this didn't even happen for the first time!

Jade Thirlwall is the most persevering and persistent woman I have ever met, I don't think ignoring her would even deteriorate her stubbornness even just a little.

I snaked my hands through my hair frustratedly, as if screaming my lungs out wouldn't suffice for me. Who the hell does Jade think she is? A woman who has a personal ownership on me? Unbelievable. If this is the consequence of our anomalous relationship, then I wouldn't even dither to say no to her in the first place.

A knock on my door is what has prompted me to snap out of my thoughts and Jesy had eventually positioned herself, sitting on the edge of my bed.

"How are you?" are essentially the words that a normal friend would say, but Jesy's words had never desisted from easing the pain at least.

"I'm very sorry. I know you aren't okay with what happened but —" Jesy bent forward to pick something up before turning to face me with a plastic bag and tossing it beside me. "— I got you a bag of chips. Wanna watch a movie with your best friend?"

I smiled at my best friend. After several years of friendship with this woman before me, I was still not habituated to her taking care of me in spite of the countless times that she did so. It was times like this I was truly grateful to have Jesy by my side, to have Jesy be the only person who could easily read my mind and discern what was wrong, to have her as someone who isn't willing to leave me alone.

I sluggishly sat up on the bed and grabbed the chips, disposing of the plastic bag somewhere on the floor as it scatters itself. I then proceeded to tear open the package.

"Thanks, Jes," I spoke amidst eating the chips.

Jesy smiled and nodded, her eyes scanned the phone lying on the bedside table and her frown had appeared. She must have known what was going on.

"Jade texted me earlier this morning," Jesy divulged to me. I froze for a moment, feeling my body tense at the information. Jesy sighed, "She said she'd like to meet up with you again."

"Tell her I'm busy," I deadpanned, fishing for the food and tossing it in my mouth.

Jesy sighed and placed her hand gingerly on top of my ankle. "Perrie . . ."

"No, Jes," I snapped as I threw the bag of chips aside and leaned forward, jutting my chin up in a condescending manner. "I totally regret everything I did with her. I regret trying to be enough for her. I regret trying to keep up with her, to fucking invest my time on her. Okay!? So stop prodding me, alright? I'm not talking to her and you and I both know why."

Jesy heaved a heavy sigh and gulped, knowing very well there is nothing in this world that could certainly change my mind to agree to meet with Jade again. I could see the doleful gazes she's holding for me, but I quickly looked away. I didn't have to elaborate on anything, Jesy knew what happened anyway.

"Alright, then," I heard her gentle voice say. "At least I know you're not a zombie anymore."

The transition to the next day went by very quickly for I woke up with a painful headache early in the morning. I sauntered downstairs to find nobody home but was welcomed by a full plate of eggs and bacon. I smiled at the sight, I needed to make a mental note to thank Jesy later today for the breakfast.

It was 10 in the morning when I was ready to go to work, doing the customary turning around to check any discrepancy in my outfit of the day. Jesy must have left to go to work before me seeing as though I've never seen her earlier this morning and right now.

After I was done with my routine, I hastily grasped my stuff and bag before walking out the door. I wanted to say that I've seen worse or might as well better than this, but frankly I don't think nothing could even surmount seeing Jade literally standing in front me, with probably 20 white roses wedged in-between her palms as she clutches them firmly.

I honestly don't think the word 'surprised' would — not even remotely — describe what I'm currently feeling as my eyes took her in. In all honesty, not even 'petrified' would even get to the top as well. There Jade was, her grip on the roses' stems loosening and tightening alternately, her weight shifted to her leg then to the other until she's decided it was time to stand up straight and tall in front of me with her absolute resolve radiating from her.

"You're ignoring my voicemails," she said, her voice dropped down to a whisper as if her statement was confidential and has to be kept that way. And then I felt her presence near me, virtually suffocating me. Her hand then lightly grabbed my waist. "I don't like it when the love of my life ignores me, Perrie. You and I both know that very well."

Her voice was so sultry and suggestive, I felt like I was caught up under her spell again. My body tensed almost incontinently as something deep within her tone had stimulated my nerves and senses. But I immediately sever the tension between us as I kept her hand away from me before I reached the brink of wanting her.

"I don't care if you don't like it. You deserved to be treated that way," I spoke, contempt latching onto my tone.

Jade's eyes flashed with hurt and woe, and I knew I kind of crossed the line when I said that. Contrary to Jade's solemn and hardened personality, within the 3 years I've dated her, I always knew she doesn't get easily offended but livid words could effortlessly penetrate through her. And so I somehow felt a little guilty for my offensive remark. But in this moment I know there isn't anything I could do to take that back. In all fairness, Jade was the reason why I became bitter in the first place.

I watched as she heaved a sigh, but not hearing her say anything. I straightened my back and successfully composed myself. "Please don't waste my time, Jade, I'm late for work."

Jade opened her mouth, and closed it, unsure of what to say. I, too, did not know what to say as well. This was all too unanticipated. I honestly didn't want this to happen. All I've wanted was to steer clear from the woman who ruptured me emotionally and the last thing I wanted to do was to see her in front of me once again.

When I realized there isn't anything else to say in my part, I cleared my throat and gently pushed her aside, but Jade's body did not move a muscle as I felt her intense stare burning through me.

"Have breakfast with me," Jade said. She stretched out her hand with roses in front of me, as if giving me the roses would miraculously change my mind about her.

I rolled my eyes and shoved her shoulder. "Jade, not today."

"Then when?"

"When I'm ready," I answered, feeling restive for this is getting into my nerves already. I attempted to force her to move aside, but Jade just had to be hardheaded once again. I sighed exasperatedly, "Jade, move aside. I need to go to work."

"Not until you agree to eat breakfast with me," she refused.

"Well then you will have to find me a new job because I'm sure as hell I'd be fired if that's the case," I blurted out.

Her eyes widened slightly at my statement, feeling flabbergasted by this for a moment before she sighed and attempted to collect herself again.

"Perrie, love," she started, her hand delicately running down my arm and for some unknown reason the electricity running down through my spine and permeated over my body had me petrified. She leaned closer, a small frown creeping up onto her face when she saw me instinctively leaning away from her. She spoke once again, "I miss you, okay? All I'm asking for is a second chance."

"And all I'm asking for is space," I told her. "So do you mind? My boss isn't lenient as me, Jade."

I obviously lied about this. Philippe is always lenient towards me. But I just needed a reason to stay away from her.

"Perrie, please," Jade begged. Obviously it was a fiasco.

"Can't you see that I don't wanna talk to you right now!?" I snapped.

Jade gulped. I could easily descry her struggling to muster what she has to say next. She chuckled sadly, "It's pretty evident, yes. But I don't need you to talk to me, I just need you to listen." When I didn't say anything, she continued, "Perrie, I'm trying my very best here. I'm trying to change my ways because all I ever wanted was you. I just need you to listen to me. I need you to understand where I came from and what I've been through if you just listen to me —"

"I'll listen to you when I sort myself out," I cut her off. "Because I can't look at you in the eyes without . . . without thinking that I'm not the only one who's affiliated with you."

I watched as Jade's frown deepened further in dejection, and she reluctantly pulled away, stepping aside as to give me some space. I was more than cognizant that what I've done to her was probably out of control but I just couldn't find anything else to do to her that could compensate to what I felt. So instead of saying anything else, I nodded at her and had begun to walk away when I then felt her hand grab my hand.

I looked back at her, so ready to snap once again when she spoke softly, "Hope you enjoy your day. See you next time."

I didn't have anything else to say but "good bye" as I left her. I felt slightly remorseful because of what I've done but at the end of the day the hurt and sorrow would always prevail over the love I had for the heartbreaker.