Wade would stay at his friend's tonight as he didn't wanna intrude during our family time. I think its because Alice was gonna be there. Its been almost five months I had seen them, not after I had joined the monkey's business.

I had prepared a special dinner for my family. By 8:00, I was ready to welcome them. Just as I was applying some eyeliner, the bell rang. Grinning, I ran and open the door.

"Hi Alli!" Alice came first and hugged me, throttling me.

"Hi, Al. How are you?" I hugged back. It felt great to see her after so many months.

"Wonderful. Mom and dad are driving me crazy as to when they are meeting their lovely perfect daughter," She sang.

"Alice," Mom scolded and kissed my forehead, "Hello, Alli. I missed you darling."

"Hi mom. Hi dad," I smiled as dad hugged me.

"How are you sweetheart?" Dad asked.

I knew he was speaking about Jared. Of course they heard everything. I admit I didn't speak much about this, but they knew I was troubling from inside.

"I have been better," I mumbled.

The three of them looked sadly at me. I didn't want their pity, but I guess I was gonna get loads of them.

"Forget everything. Alli, come on. We have loads to gossip," Alice pulled my hand.

"Wait, mom and dad.."

"They can chat later. I got loads to tell you," She beamed with joy.

~¤~

It was 8:45 pm. We have had our dinner. Now, Alice and I were bickering over something not so important. Mom was playing the referee while dad laughed and watched the TV.

"I tell you. The Lord of the Rings is way better," Alice said.

"Sorry, mate. I prefer Harry Potter," I said.

"You are only saying because Tom Felton is there."

"You are saying because Orlando Bloom is there."

It would go on if Wade hadn't called.

"Wait. Its Wade. The battle is not over yet," I warned Alice and picked up, "Hey, Wadey! Wassup?"

"Open the E5 channel. Now," He cut the call abruptly.

Huh?

"Dad? Can you please switch to E5? Wade called me. He didn't even shout when I called him Wadey. Must be pretty urgent," I said, frowning at the sudden call.

Dad switched to E5. It was Jared's interview. Live. He was speaking about the economy, giving tips on business models and answering questions on future overtake of his father's company, being one of the youngest entrepreneurs.

"It's Jared!" Alice said.

"Thank god you said it. I was going along the lines of Loch ness monster," I rolled my eyes.

"My my. The boy has grown so much," Mom said.

"I agree. It still seems yesterday when he was a young boy and took our Alli to dates," Dad quipped.

I wasn't arguing or contributing to this conversation.

It was about to end when another reporter cropped up.

"So, Mr. Grey. A personal question. Recently, your engagement got cancelled as Ms. Schoff said 'irreconcilable differences.' Care to elaborate?" A reporter asked.

Why can't these morons stick to business questions? These reporters would do anything for TRP because everyone needed gossip. Gordon, who was next to him, interrupted saying they were done and I was mentally thanking him when Jared held a hand up to let it go.

"Well, yes. We were not meant to be together because we were both on different paths," He smiled.

"Dude, if you aren't sad, at least pretend to be sad. He looks really happy that it got over," Alice snorted, "Not that I am complaining. Of course they wouldn't match together."

I knew that smile as I concentrated on the TV. It was a 'I-am-going-to-do-something-big' smile, not the usual one.

"Hmm. Any message to give before we finish?" Another asked him.

Jared looked suspiciously ecstatic. And that made me even more suspicious.

"Why is he smiling like an idiot?" Alice asked, shaking her head,"Is he high? He is creeping me out."

I shrugged, "I am not getting a positive vibe. Why am I feeling he is going to say something inappropriate?"

"Well, now that you said it, I would like to say something indeed. Where is the camera?" He asked as his eyes landed on the main one.

The whole hall went quiet. Only flashes of cameras were the source of sound. He turned towards the camera i.e the TV screen. I felt unnerved and apprehensive. Why did I feel he was about to do something which he would be forever reminded of?

Oh no. Don't say it. Don't say it. Don't you dare open your mouth, Jared Grey. Don't you-

"Jared, I don't think that-" Gordon started but Jared again shushed him off.

"Business and career is good and you should always think of it practically. However, there is a fine line between a heartless machine and a successful person. A successful person is nothing without the support of a dedicated team and his loved ones. I am no genius with a brilliant brain and I don't accept the opinion that business means no emotion. Maybe upto a certain level, it doesn't but you cannot go far if you have angered people around you. I have and I would like to say it isn't a particularly complacent feeling. So, given the choice I would rethink and redo some 'decisions' I have made. Its okay to make mistakes but it takes guts to admit it and not repeat it. I am admitting to it so I wish for an apology," His face became serious, "I hope I get one."

But that was nothing compared to our reactions. Dad's hand had frozen on the remote. Mom's mouth was hanging open. Alice and I had identical looks of shock.

Our eyes were glued to the TV as he spoke on.

"A thanks to my friend who helped me with the interview today," He added, motioning backstage.

What friend? What-? Wade? I bet this was an indirect way of telling me.

"Um... that's it. Thank you for giving me a chance to share it," He regarded the reporters who looked as if he had stripped naked in front of them.

Nobody spoke or moved a muscle.

And then the whole hall erupted in cheers and claps. The TV cut to an advertisement as I felt my blood turn cold.

The commercials started. It was over. My family did not speak for a whole minute.

"Oh my freaking god!" Alice finally broke the silence.

"Did that boy just apologise on national television?" Mom asked, looking at us, "It was meant for you, right?"

"He just did. Alli, will you give him a chance?" Dad asked, turning towards me. Alice and mom stared at me waiting for my reaction.

I blinked stupidly, "I-I...um...uh..." I scratched my neck awkwardly.

He did not apologise on national television. He did not. I was killing him. Again, news were going to break out. Thank god he didn't take my name. It would've been catastrophic if that happened. I cherished my privacy a bit too much.

Alice took out her phone, "Oh wow. Its news already. There are some behind the scenes footage of someone asking of its a girl, a business partner or a family member. They are asking how could he forget Cecelia so fast or was it a fake relationship?"

Yippee! Drinks all around.

"Um... I am going to the terrace. Need some air," I said and without waiting for an answer, went out grabbing my jacket.

It was a cool night. I rubbed my arms as I came up and walked over to the edge.

First, I had to kill Jared.

Second, I had to kill Wade.

Long ago, whenever Jared spoke something truly I could never say no. He was doing the same thing now.

Aarrgh! I hate him for confusing me. He always did this! First commit a mistake and then give that puppy face and apologise.

I stood at the edge and looked down at the streets and people.

He was confusing and I was confusing as well. What a sick, confused bunch of people.