A/N:

I am including one of the beloved characters of TRMD in this story.

Hopefully, I am able to capture her acerbic wit.

Enjoy this chapter and hope you're all having a great weekend

What is my Plan B?

That was the question in my mind as I thought of a way to get Jade's attention without getting in trouble.

I was alone in my silver Porsche Cayenne, with Adele "21" album, singing softly in the background.

I was oblivious to the song.

The voices in my head were louder, aggressive.

I told myself, since I listened to my instincts when I invested the remaining funds I have and succeeded in doing so, getting back with Jade will be as easy as pie.

Right?

But things were never easy with Jade.

The first time I saw her walking down the aisle, in a classy yellow gown, looking beautiful and radiant, and falling in love at first sight, that was easy.

I have no doubt that I found my soul mate.

That she was the one my heart was looking for all my life.

What happened next was another story.

So how am I going to pull this off again?

Do I really want to go through the same ordeal?

Am I willing to throw my company to the ground to win her back?

What does it say about me not only as the boss, but also as a friend, a family member, and a respected colleague in this cutthroat business?

That I am ruthless when it comes to love?

Blind as a bat when it comes to Jade Tanchingco?

My head throbbed from the conflicting thoughts.

As always, my emotions and logic can't agree when it comes to Jade.

I stopped on a red light and rested my left hand on the steering wheel as I massaged my temple with my right.

The charm bracelet caught my attention.

I should have refrained from wearing it years ago but I couldn't bring myself to take it off.

Aside from the memories I have, it was the only concrete reminder I have of Jade.

"Focus, Althea" I said loudly.

"I need a to-do list," My fingers tapped the steering wheel excitedly as an idea formed in my head.

"Think like a CEO," I stepped on the accelerator as the light turned green.

"Strategy," I nodded my head.

"I definitely need a strategy,"

On the next red light, I press the call button on the console and dialed Batchi's number.

I caught a glimpse of the time on the dashboard, 11:11 pm.

She would be displeased that I am calling at this hour but I am sure that she would answer.

After the third ring, she picked up.

"Can you text me the contact information for the detective?" I told her after saying hello.

There was a silence on the other line.

"Batchi?"

"Are you still there?" I asked.

"I'm here," she replied.

"So you are going to do this again?" her voice was stern but it was typical of Batchi.

She's overprotective of me because she knows how I am when it comes to matters of the heart.

"Yes," I replied.

"Alright," she answered.

"I will send it to you right away,"

I said goodbye and drove all the way home feeling excited and nervous at the same time.

***

Strategy No. 1: Detective Work

As much as I'm excited to see Jade in person, I had to wait a week for the detective to send me a report of her routine.

Aside from that, I have to know the details of her visit to the Philippines.

I found out that they only bought a one-way ticket.

That is a good sign.

But I don't want to feel too secure.

The Tanchingco's are volatile.

They could say one thing and do something completely different.

I should know.

I was once a witness to their idiosyncrasies.

Even now that we move in the same circle because of business, I kept an eye on them.

We avoid each other like the plague.

Her family still had lots of money and remained influential.

Although there are rumors circulating that their investments are in jeopardy especially after the 100-million-fiasco Oscar pulled to prove that Jade was a heterosexual, I am wary.

Those remain gossip until proven true.

Once I have definite proof of her routine, the places she goes to, what day and time she goes shopping and whom she's with, I moved on to my next strategy:

Wardrobe Makeover.

I called Batchi and Wila to my office one Friday afternoon.

Both were surprised to see me with a big smile on my face.

"Are you sick?" Wila asked with her usual sarcasm.

I ignored her comment.

I debated whether to let her in on this plan but she remained a friend despite our history.

Besides, she's with someone else now and she said she's happy.

"Will you go shopping with me?" I asked, unable to conceal the excitement in my voice.

They looked at each other, puzzled.

Wila looked at one of the black digital clocks on the pristine white wall displaying time zones for Manila, New York, China, Toronto and Los Angeles.

Each clock representing the offices we have on different parts of the globe.

"I'll treat this as a business matter so yes," Wila answered excitedly.

"You're the boss," Batchi replied with a salute.

I grabbed my brown Louis Vuitton handbag and my car keys.

With a spring on my step, I walked ahead of my friends.

***

"Hoodies and sweatpants?" Wila exclaimed as she frowned at the matching pair of gray outfit I picked from a Uniqlo store at The Mall of Asia.

"What the hell is going on?" her perfectly trimmed eyebrows arched in amusement.

Batchi placed the blue hoodie back on the rack and turned her attention to Wila.

"Why don't we go somewhere else so I can explain everything?" she took her by the arm and led her out the door.

I could only imagine Wila's reaction.

It was a good thing Batchi took her somewhere else because there are a few people in the store.

Wila would throw a fit upon knowing my plan.

I called a saleslady and asked for my size.

When she left, I checked the other selection of hoodies closer to the wall.

I was looking at a purple hoodie when I heard a familiar voice.

I slowly turn around to see David walking inside the store.

I turned my head quickly to avoid being seen.

Panic rose in my throat.

"This is not happening," I thought to myself.

Friday's are dinners at Benihana, that's what the schedule said.

But like what I said, their family is volatile.

Besides, who's to stop them from changing plans or going to The Mall of Asia on the same day I was there to shop for my new clothes?

"I'll be back in a sec, hon" I heard him say to someone I assumed was Jade.

I didn't have time to check if it was her.

My eyes quickly surveyed the store and found a fitting room a few feet away from where I was standing.

I gingerly walked towards the direction of the fitting room, clutching the hoodie and a pair of black sweat pants I snatched from the rack.

With my heart beating wildly in my chest, I entered the room and locked the door behind me.

I leaned on the wall for support, still holding on to the clothing.

My palms were sweaty and my throat dry from fright.

A thought came to me to add to my strategy: Prepare for the unexpected.

***

I dialed Batchi's number and as usual, she answered on the third ring.

"Hello?" she answered.

"David is here," I whispered.

"What?!" The surprise in her voice was palpable.

"I'm in the fitting room, hiding." I confessed.

Batchi told me she would check the store to see if he's still there.

"Okay," I replied.

"Batchi?" I suddenly have a thought and I couldn't resist asking.

"Yes Althea?"

"Can you check if Jade is with him?" My voice was filled with excitement.

She sensed it too and I heard her sigh on the other line.

"Alright," she replied then hung up.

After what seemed like eternity, Batchi called me back.

"It's safe to come out," she said.

"Not that you're not out," she added with a chuckle.

I opened the door but before I went out, I checked to make sure that it's truly safe.

"They're gone, Althea" it was Wila.

She looked upset.

"Why do you keep doing this to yourself? She exclaimed as soon as I was outside.

"You're acting like your twenty-five year old self again!" she lectured.

"Wila, do you mind?" I retaliated.

I was still shaky from what happened and couldn't deal with her at the moment.

"I mind, Althea" she replied.

"You are losing your head over her again, as if you never learned anything from the tragedy that is Jade Tanchingco!" her voice was loud, attracting the attention of the other shoppers.

Batchi stepped in.

"You guys, this is not the place for this," she stood in between us.

"This is the reason why I didn't want to tell you anything," I was getting frustrated at how Wila and I always end up in a confrontation when it comes to Jade.

I knew why but it's been years since we broke up.

Unfortunately, history always comes back especially if Jade's involved.

My remark only fueled her ire.

"You don't want to tell me because you know I'm against this!" she replied.

She turned towards Batchi.

"Why did you have to pursue the search for Jade?" Her face was flustered from anger.

Batchi was about to answer but Wila didn't give her the chance.

"We were doing fine, Batchi!"

"Why did you have to ruin it by telling her about Jade's whereabouts?"

"Because Althea is unhappy!" Batchi snapped and Wila was taken aback.

"Don't you see how miserable she is?" she looked at me.

Wila stared at me and although she recognized my agony, she looked away and ignored what she saw.

At that moment, it dawned on me how this situation is affecting my relationship with my friends once again.

I have stirred the hornet's nest.

I opened the Pandora's Box.

But despite the danger that looms ahead, I couldn't stop myself.

I have to be with Jade.

I need to come up with a better strategy.

I need a Plan C to the Plan B.