Chapter 53 - I Forgive You

Cale took a look around as they both arrived the emergency exit. He looked up and down the stairs to ensure there was no one who'd listen in on their conversation. When he was certain of no other presence but theirs, he turned to Jade who was looking everywhere else but at him.

Sincerely, she really wasn't comfortable being around him in private. So many memories of their time together came rushing back to her, making her sigh regretfully. She remembered times when Cale would send her a short text to meet him there, and he'd always wait for her with a box of chocolates and some files to help him sort. All this years she had loved and slaved for him, and all she got back for a reward, was a broken heart.

"Can you be quick with whatever you have to say" Jade said impatiently as she lifted her gaze to him. There was something about the way she looked at him, that made him uneasy. Her gaze was simply empty and indifferent, which made him uncomfortable. He still remembered how softly she looked at him when ever he was around, but now all he could see was... indifference.

Cale looked at her silently, as he struggled within himself to say what he planned to say.

The silence lasted for a couple of seconds, before he opened his mouth to say something when he noticed Jade was getting really irritated and impatient with his silence.

"I'm sorry" Cale said as he took a step closer to her, making Jade instinctively take a step back.

"I know I'm a jerk and I've hurt you beyond words, but I swear I didn't mean to. I know it won't be easy to explain what you saw at the hospital, and I won't say you had seen wrongly, because you didn't. But believe me Jade, I have nothing going on with Stephanie. That kiss just happened, and I don't know what had come over me at the time. Maybe it was because I had almost died, and I was overwhelmed after regaining consciousness after the surgery that I impulsively kissed her. I was too excited to be alive and well, and that too was all because of you. I know you paid for my surgery. Thank you for that" He paused as he attentively observed her reactions, before he continued.

"Jade you've been so good to me and my mom, and I know I haven't done enough for you, that's why I can't lose you. Please give me a chance to be good to you, just as you've been to me. I care about you and I miss you alot. Jade please forgive me." Cale pleaded softly with sincere eyes.

Jade looked at him as her emotions flickered in her eyes. She wondered if he was being sincere with his apology as she looked at him intensely, but something in her heart kept telling her, she shouldn't fall for this. She would have loved this to be true. Him apologizing in such a sincere way had almost felt real, but she wasn't going to let herself fall for his lies anymore. She didn't believe Cale was being earnest with his apology.

What about the part when he had talked about marrying Stephanie? His level of excitement was mind blowing. Cale must see her as a fool. Jade noticed he had something else to say, when she saw him pinch his temples. She had been with him long enough to know that was an habit of his when he's struggling to say something. And whatever it was, she wanted to know. Because that might have been the main purpose of him calling her here.

"Will you forgive me? I need you back in my life....Please Jade" Cale pleaded anxiously. Jade glanced at him silently, making Cale extremely anxious. He was scared she'd reject him, and he wouldn't know what to do if she did. He wouldn't dare to ask anything of her, if she refused to forgive him.

"I forgive you" Jade said with a small smile suprising Cale. Though he was being hopeful about gaining her forgiveness, but he didn't really think Jade would actually forgive him so easily. It seems she still wanted to be with him. The thought of that made him smirk in his mind. He knew Jade was not completely over their relationship. He knew she was just too naive.

Jade looked at Cale suspiciously as he opened his mouth to say something else.

"Jade...I have a favour to ask" Cale said in a low and embarrassed tone as he lowered his eyes to avoid her gaze. He didn't want to be too forward, thus, he picked the 'I'm too embarrassed to ask' role, as he looked away from her.

'There it was. The sole reason for his so called apology' Jade said to herself.

Jade stared at him silently, as her mind kept trying to guess what this so called favour was all about. She had an inkling it was work related.

Cale slowly raised his head and he met her gaze urging him to continue. "Can you please help me in acquiring the deal for the newly developed gaming security software?" He said in a pleading tone. His eyes were fixed on Jade as he tried to read her expression, but her look was blank. He didn't know what to think of her expression right now.

Jade stared at him with an unreadable expression. She couldn't believe that Cale would be this shameless to ask such a thing from her. Though she had expected his request to be work related, but wasn't this too much? Hasn't she made alot of sacrifices already?

So this had been the reason he had been with her four years. She had been nothing but a toy that he used to achieve his goals. She couldn't believe she spent the last few years of her life loving him. This was all she meant?

For a moment she had wanted him to sincerely mean his apology. Maybe she might have reconsidered having their relationship...or maybe not. Jade was utterly disappointed.

"Jade?" Cale called softly, as he shook her arm when he became uncomfortable with Jade's piercing look on him.

Jade looked at his hand on her arms and subconsciously took a step back. She glanced back at him, but she couldn't find the words to say. There was just one question on her mind.

Did he ever love her?

A frown flashed across Cale's face when Jade took a step back from him. He was slowly becoming anxious as Jade remained silent.

She revealed a mischievious smile when an idea popped into her head. "I'll help you" she said with a nod as she smiled at him, Cale looked at her in surprise.

"Really?" Cale asked in disbelief. He didn't think it would be this easy. He had thought he'd make a lot of effort in coaxing Jade to help him. But...

"I will help you, afterall it's for our future right" Jade said with a deeper meaning.

"Of course" Cale replied hastily, making Jade widen her smile. He was about to go in for a hug when Jade said, "If that's all, I will see you later"

"Okay" Cale replied as he stopped himself from taking a step further.

"Alright" Jade gave him one last look before turning to the door with a smile on her face.. If Cale wanted to use her, then he's welcome to try.