His texts and phone calls to Jade had been ineffective, so he’d come up with an idea that would ensure she’d at least listen to him even for just a few minutes. And it was the perfect plan.
He’d kidnap her bunch of flowers.
He’d already asked his mother to do a bigger than usual bunch for Jade today, which Ruby didn’t have a problem with after learning of Jade’s part in Thomas and Lucas’ reconciliation process. Then he’d carry the flowers for Jade while they walked back to her building. Except that he’d take a detour to the five-star hotel along the way and have a quiet coffee or two. Surely Jade would have to give him the time of day then? He already had his father’s permission to keep Jade from work for longer than her usual lunch hour. As long as she was back before two thirty, when Thomas needed her, it was fine.
His heart lurched when Jade walked in. With Gordon.
Fuck.
He felt something shatter. Oh—that was his heart hitting the ground.
“Lucas!” Jade said. “I didn’t know you’d be here today.”
“Hi,” he said, forcing a smile on his face.
“Hello, Lucas,” Gordon said. “I didn’t know you work here.”
“It’s my mother’s shop,” he said, annoyed at the man for talking to him with familiarity.
“So this is where you get your flowers from,” Gordon said to Jade, surveying the place and nodding with approval. “I guess I can’t surprise you with roses if I buy them from here, hey?”
Lucas had never wanted to deck a man so badly before.
“How long do you think Ruby’s gonna be, Lucas?” Jade asked softly.
“I don’t know. They should have been finished fifteen minutes ago.”
Jade checked her watch. “Maybe I’ll come back when I finish work.”
“Hey, it says here they do express delivery,” Gordon said, pointing to a nicely painted sign by the counter. “Why don’t you get it delivered to the office, Jade?”
“I’ve always just taken it with me.”
“I can bring it over,” Lucas said. At least he’d have another chance to see her then.
Gordon frowned. “Oh. Are you the delivery guy as well?”
“No,” he said with feigned politeness. “But this one will be a special delivery for Jade.”
“No, I think I’d prefer to come back and pick it up later,” Jade answered.
“I’ll come back with you,” Gordon said.
“Sure,” Jade said with a smile.
Ouch. Jade had just stomped on the pieces of Lucas’ heart that were still scattered on the floor.
They heard Ruby say goodbye to her client, looking exhausted.
“Will she be ordering?” Lucas asked when the customer finally left.
“She’s still undecided,” Ruby said with a frustrated sigh before turning to Gordon and Jade. “Hello, I’m Ruby. I’m so sorry to keep you guys waiting.”
“No problem,” Gordon said. “Jade’s told me so much about you that I just have to see your shop for myself.”
“Oh. I see,” Ruby said.
Lucas felt a pinch in his chest. Gordon had heard a lot about his mother and this shop, but Gordon hadn’t known he was Ruby’s son. Obviously, Jade didn’t even mention him to the man.
He couldn’t breathe, so he excused himself, pretending he had somewhere else to go.
*
Lucas came back to the shop, relieved that Gordon was gone but sorry that Jade was, too. He found his mother sitting at the corner table, staring out the window, while Fely attended to customers.
“What’s wrong, Mum?” he asked, sitting down next to her and glancing outside to where Ruby was looking. “Do you see anyone suspicious?”
“No,” Ruby said, smiling at him. “Just taking a bit of a break. Bridezilla drained me of my energy.”
“I say don’t accept the job even if she offers it to you.”
“I know,” Ruby said with a sigh. “The money would be good since it sounds like it’s gonna be a big wedding. But the three times she’s been here, it was to interrogate me about whether I’m up to meeting her additional requirements. Yes, I think I’ll pass if she decides to give me the job.”
“Good idea.”
“Lucas, moving on to a different topic—that man with Jade, who is he?”
“He works at Bilton Machineries, in the marketing department.”
“I mean, are they going out?” Ruby asked softly, reaching to touch his arm.
“That’s what it looks like,” he said flatly.
Ruby smiled. “Did you wake up one day then, bang, you’re in love with her?”
He took a sharp intake of breath. “I don’t want to use the term love, Mum,” he said a little harshly.
“Not using the term doesn’t change the fact, darling.”
“Using the term doesn’t change facts either, Mum. Jade doesn’t want to see me again. That’s a fact. She’s seeing someone else. That’s a fact, too. What’s the point of labelling it love when it’s not likely to go anywhere?”
“What do you plan to do?”
He sagged on his seat, his eyes watering. “Frankly, all I want to do is keep trying until she takes me back. But what if she never will?”
*****
Lucas flashed his invitation to Ann, the receptionist at Bilton Machineries, who was manning the entrance with two other colleagues.
“Hello, Mr. Renner. Welcome to our Staff and Partners Halloween Dinner.”
“Thank you, Ann.”
“Please dip your hand into that men’s cauldron and pick out the mask you’d like to wear for a particular game tonight.”
Lucas walked towards the large vessel indicated by Ann and peered at its contents. He chuckled. Whoever organised this party had a great sense of humour.
Even though it was Halloween, the theme for the night was ‘elegance’ and the dress code was black tie. But the masks to choose from were cardboard cutouts of horror and cartoon characters... and Thomas Bilton.
He pulled one of his father’s images.
“You’re game,” said Ann. “You’re the first one to choose that mask.”
“Really? I bet it’s because everyone wants to suck up to the boss, and wearing his face won’t help their cause,” he said with a cheeky grin.
Ann giggled. “You could be right, Mr. Renner.”
“Whose idea was this?”
“Paul Chow's. A business development manager who’s moving to China to work in our new branch there. Some of the guys dared him to do something outrageous for tonight. This is what he came up with. But he’ll get away with this. He brings in a lot of work to Bilton Machineries.”
“Well, I do hope I’ll be the only one to wear this mask tonight.”
“I’d say your chances are good. Anyway, people usually place the mask on the seat of their choice so others will know it’s been reserved. The tables near the stage are the most popular.”
He thanked Ann and walked into the ballroom, decked elegantly in black and red motif.
“Lucas!”
Lucas grinned as he walked towards Rick, who’d been invited to this event a few times now due to his company being Thomas’ car dealer of choice.
“Hey, bro,” Rick said as they man-hugged. “Good to see you. I still can’t believe you’re here attending one of Bilton’s parties. I’m still recovering from shock after what you told me yesterday.”
Lucas chuckled.
“I’m really glad for you, Lucas. But I hope you find out who’s behind this whole insane deception. Any news from the investigators?”
“Nothing concrete, although they assure us they’re getting somewhere.”
“Right,” Rick said, noticing the item in Lucas’s hand. “Trust you to pick that mask,” Rick said with a laugh.
“What did you pick?”
“Jack O’Lantern. It’s Halloween, after all. Are you sitting with Thomas tonight?”
Lucas shook is head. “People will just wonder who I am and why I
’m sitting with the Biltons.”
“What’s your official story, if anyone asks?”
“That I’m advising Thomas on some special, top-secret project.”
Rick chuckled. “I can see that working. I’m sitting over at that table. I saw a couple of attractive girls reserve their seats there. Wanna join me?”
“Actually,” Lucas said, looking around, “I’d like to sit at Jade’s table but not let her know until it’s too late for her to switch seats. Can you help me?”
“Sure,” Rick said. “It’s the least I can do for planting thoughts in your head that she hadn’t been honest with you.”
He patted Rick’s shoulder to let him know there were no hard feelings. “Did my dad cancel the car order?” he asked.
“No. He just asked for it to be delivered in December instead of now.”
Lucas nodded.
“I saw Jade arrive just a few minutes ago with another girl. They placed their masks over at that table. Give me your mask and I’ll save us seats next to them.”
“Great. In the meantime, I’ll make myself scarce so she won’t see me.”
*
Lucas lurked in the background as he observed the party goings-on. Almost everyone was milling around the room, feasting on canapés and sipping wine.
He hadn’t seen his father arrive yet. Apparently, he and Diana usually turned up right before dinner was about to be served.
He had to say he was impressed with how Thomas ran his company. From what he could tell in the several times he’d visited the office, Thomas was a well-respected, somewhat feared boss. It was clear from how people interacted with each other that they generally liked working for Bilton Machineries.
Even tonight, he could see that the employees enjoyed socialising not only with their workmates but also the company’s business partners.
His gaze didn’t stray far away from Jade, though. She looked stunning in her crimson evening dress. Another glamorous woman was constantly by her side. It was most probably Lexie.
An announcement broke through the excited chatter in the room. It was time for everyone to take their seats. His father must have arrived.
He waited until Jade had gone to their table and sat.
“Time to surprise her, bro,” said Rick, who appeared behind him.
Lucas lagged behind Rick, letting Jade see his friend first.
“Rick!” Jade said. “What are you doing here?”
“Hi, Jade,” Rick said, taking the seat next to the woman who was probably Lexie. “I do business with Mr. Bilton. I’ve attended twice before.”
“Oh, right. I haven’t heard you mention it.”
“No,” Rick confirmed.
“Lexie, this is Rick. He’s... uh... Greg Carmichael’s cousin. Remember I went to Greg’s birthday party?”
Lucas decided it was time to show himself as Rick and Lexie exchanged pleasantries.
“Hi,” he said, settling himself on his seat.
Jade stared at him, aghast.
“You look great, Jade,” he said softly.
“Hello, everyone,” came a male voice from his other side.
It was Gordon.
“Good to see you here, Lucas,” Gordon said, although Lucas didn’t miss the ice in his tone.
“Hi, Gordon,” Lexie said. “We were wondering when you’d get here.”
“Yeah, I got held up. Anyway, there are a couple of spare seats over at my table. I thought you girls might want to join me,” Gordon said, looking at Jade questioningly.
Lucas saw the play of indecision on Jade’s face as she glanced at Lexie, then at Rick.
“Your choice, Jade,” he said softly, his heart constricting from what it was going to be.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Jade forced herself to calm down and think clearly.
She knew Lucas’ name was on the guest list because she’d specifically checked if it was there. But since she didn’t spot him at all during pre-dinner drinks, she’d thought he wasn’t coming.
She glanced at Gordon, who was smiling at her encouragingly. If she went with him, Gordon might think she was warming to the idea of them moving past the friendship stage. She didn’t want to give him that impression.
But to sit next to Lucas all through dinner?
Her heart and body said yes. But her head said no. So what the hell should she do?
“Hello, guys!”
Paul, who was moving to China soon, pulled up a chair next to Rick.
“I think I’ll join this table with the two loveliest ladies who work at Bilton Machineries,” Paul said, grinning at Jade and Lexie. “And I’m glad to see you again, Rick,” Paul added.
“Thanks, Paul,” Rick responded.
“Welcome to your first Halloween dinner with us, Lucas. Hope you’re enjoying it so far.”
“I am, Paul. Thank you,” Lucas said.
“Where’s your mask, Gordon?” Paul asked.
“Uh, it’s over there.”
Paul frowned. “Well, get it and sit here with us. There’s a chair here with your name on it.”
“Good idea,” Gordon murmured, leaving to retrieve his mask.
Jade breathed a sigh of relief. That solved the Gordon problem. Now she just had to keep her cool beside Lucas.
More people joined their table, introducing themselves to Lucas and Rick, and allowing Jade to get her bearings back.
“You okay?” Lexie whispered.
“Yeah.”
“I see why you hardly came home when you and Lucas were together. He’s freakin’ hot.”
“Lexie!” Jade said. “You’re supposed to be helping me forget that bit.”
“Just remember that with that hunky look comes a bevy of girls lining up to warm his bed,” Lexie said gravely.
She felt a prick in her heart. That fact hadn’t stopped hurting.
“This guy next to me is hot, too,” Lexie declared.
“Forget it,” she said flatly. “They’re birds of the same feather.”
“Oh, really?” Lexie asked, a little disappointed.
“I believe so.”
“Gordon’s back,” Lexie whispered.
Jade looked in time to see Gordon’s stony face as he sat on the only chair left available—next to Lucas.
She sighed. Even though she hadn’t told Gordon that she and Lucas had gone out in the past, Gordon correctly sensed that Lucas was a rival for her affections. She wouldn’t be surprised if Gordon tried to make a competition out of it. She’d come to realise he was someone who would aggressively go after what he wanted.
Just like Lucas.
What still messed with her head was why Lucas was still persisting. She didn’t want to admit it to her friends, but it impressed her. Could there be a chance that, perhaps... just maybe... he might care about her, after all?
Paul laughed, diverting Jade’s attention.
“Lucas, I see you were bold enough to pick a Bilton mask,” Paul said.
“Don’t tell me you chose a different one,” Lucas said with a grin. “I heard this was your idea. I would have thought that you, at least, would wear it.”
“Well, I’m joining tonight’s pantomime game and I don’t want to ruin my chances of winning. You’ve been told Mr. Bilton’s the sole judge, right?”
“Oh, these masks are for a pantomime game?” Lucas asked.
“Yes, they add to the fun of it. Your mask would be your character. You act by yourself or with a group, impromptu.”
“Hey, no one told me that,” Lucas said with a laugh.
“No one’s forced to participate, but it’ll be fun if you do. It’s hilarious. Apart from the prestige, the prize is nothing to sneeze at. Mr. Bilton usually shows off his generous side during this party and the staff Christmas party.”
“Right.”
“So, Jade,” Gordon said. “I know the winner will get a gift certificate. But what does the runner-up get?”
Jade shook her head. “You’ll find out soon enoug
h.”
“Did you choose the prize for the runner-up?” Lucas asked.
“Yes,” she said, nervous about what people’s reaction would be to the item.
She was usually a practical, professional person when buying something work-related. But when she passed by a shop selling costume jewellery, a piece by the window just called to her. She couldn’t take her eyes of it.
It was a heart-shaped necklace made from imitation ruby with a big heart-shaped hole in the middle.
It reminded her of Lucas, Ruby and Thomas—three people whose lives were turned upside down by a mystery person for reasons still unknown.
And when she stared at the hole, she felt some hope. Because even though there was an empty space in the middle, no one could deny the object was a heart—still beautiful, still vibrant. It soothed an ache within her.
She would have bought it for herself if she could have afforded it. But even though it wasn’t a real ruby, it was still too expensive. She tried to save her money for Mickey’s needs. It was within the budget Thomas had given her, though.
On a whim—or a rare lapse of judgement—she’d purchased it. Looking back now, the necklace was probably inappropriate as a prize for tonight’s game.
She’d love to win it though. What would be her chances?
*
Jade folded her serviette and wiped the corners of her eyes. How Mr. Bilton would judge the winner of this pantomime, she had no idea. She’d been holding her sides from the antics of each and every single one of the acts, joining in the riotous laughter of everyone in the function room.
She clapped as four of her colleagues from accounting left the stage.
“Okay,” said the MC. “Who’s next? Raise your hand.”
“Here!” Paul called out. “Come on, peeps.”
“I’m not joining you up there, Paul,” Lexie said with a laugh.
“Oh, come on, Rapunzel. Humour a werewolf who won’t be here next year. I need your hair to climb up the stage.”
Lexie rolled her eyes but stood up. “Jade?” she asked.
“I’m Sleeping Beauty,” Jade said. “What can I do?”
“Just sit up there and pretend you’re asleep,” Paul said with a laugh.
“I’m in, too!” Gordon cried, already putting on his Dracula mask. “And I need you for my act, Jade. Please?”
The Unwilling Executive Page 13
