Chapter 65 - One Condition

Jade kept gawking at him with unflinching dedication. Of all people she could have met, it just had to him. His smoldering eyes and intense gaze was scanning her from top to bottom.

Jake saw her standing all frozen near the door. She looked different than he remembered. He looked at those set of blue eyes he had looked into on his first night in the country, and he could tell something was different about them. There was more life and vigour in it which was more better than those doleful eyes he had seen, not to mention how worn out and fragile she was on that rainy day.

"Go..od morning sir" Jade greeted without meeting his gaze.

Jade gently tucked a few strands of hair behind her ears and started looking down in a demure way. Jake understood she was as shocked as he was and a smug smile spread on his face. He was determined not to let his guard down or mess up like he did the last lime, so he recomposed himself and said in a grave tone, "Take your seat" though his eyes kept lurking at her.

Jade glanced at him before occupying the seat which was opposite him. Jake couldn't tear his gaze off her. It hasn't registered with him that the girl who had thrown his emotions into chaos was finally sitted in front of him. This was going to be fun.

"What's your name?" Jake asked in a serious tone. Knowing her name was one thing he had been interested in since the first day he met her. He loathed the fact that he hasn't known her name after several encounters, though it was unlike him to care for a woman's name talk more of the one he'd slept with.

"Jade Peterson" Jade replied.

Jake smiled to himself when he heard her name. He knew her name was something to anticipate for, but what he didn't know was the similarity between his name and hers. To him, it was like a rhyme.

Jade and Jake.

That was unexpected.

"Beautiful name" Jake said with a smile tugging on his lips. Jade glanced at him suspiciously. Everything about him revealed the kind of lifestyle he led. Just now she had heard him and Stephanie, and now he was complimenting her with a creepy smile in his face. Had it been from someone else, she might have seen some sincerity in their compliment. But from him, it sounded like a scam.

"Thank you sir" Jade replied in a flat tone.

"It's Jake Beau"

"Sir?" Jade asked in confusion.

"My name is Jake Beau" Jake informed her with a smile, as his eyes kept staring at her intently. Jade replied with a simple nod, she had no interest in knowing his name. And for the records, she had no intention of addressing by his name.

Jade became uncomfortable with the silence that filled the room.

"So you are?"

"I'm a representative from Xenox Corporation"

"Xenox?" He asked in surprise. Wasn't Stephanie also from the same company? Why has their company sent two representatives?

He glanced back at Jade who was sitted nervously in front of him. He decided not to bother himself about why they had sent two people over. If at all, he was grateful to them for making such a brilliant decision, because finally he gets to see her again and even gets to talk to her.

The trial of questions inside Jade's head was making her restless. She wouldn't miss her chance because of the past that existed between them right? He wouldn't be cruel to use that against her, just like how he had done with Stephanie? Jade thought about what might happen if she missed such an opportunity.

But why has the heaven been so heartless to her lately? People made such mistakes too, but why was her case different?

"So what do you do at Xenox?" Jake asked out of curiosity, as he picked up his pen to note something down, but he was only doddling on a sheet of paper. He had noticed how she kept avoiding his gaze, he could only do this to let her relax a bit.

Jake was curious why she had slept with him for money when she worked with such a prominent company.

Jade was taken aback by his question. She had not expected him to ask her that. She wasn't sure it was good to inform him that her company had assigned such an important task to an ordinary intern like herselt. It would seem like they didn't value the contract.

"I'm an intern" Jade replied truthfully. She didn't think it was necessary to lie about her position.

"You're an intern?" Jake asked in a surprised tone as he gazed back at her.

"Xenox though it best to send an intern to me to sign a contract? That's interesting"

Jade frowned slightly at his words. Was he looking down on her as an intern? Though she had expected something like this from him, but him saying it in that manner was quite condescending.

Jake studied her intensely. He wouldn't have mistaken her for an intern, most especially when she looked like a boss in that outfit of her's.

"No sir, this contract means a great deal to us. Xenox is only creating a platform where all staffs can exert their capabilities and that's why I was sent" Jade replied quickly. As much as she wasn't comfortable being around this guy, she also didn't want to screw things up.

Jake asked her a couple of questions and she answered most of them satisfactorily. Her intelligence spoke for itself and he realized that she was indeed bright and had a good career ahead. He was more than intrigued by her.

Jake looked at a copy of the contract in front of him, he was tempted to almost sign on it, not because this would help him redeem himself from those hurtful words he had said to her the last time, but because he was completely sold out to her performance.

Jade watched anxiously as Jake continued staring at the contract. It was obvious he had something on his mind and whatever it was beginning to scare her.

"How great would it be if I should sign this contract right here and now?" Jake asked with his eyes fixed on her.

"That would be lovely sir" Jade replied with a shaky smile.

"Hmm" He nodded as he continued staring at her.

Jake leaned back on his chair. "I'll sign your contract" Jake announced making Jade's eyes lit up in surprise.

Jake looked at her as her face lit up and her blue eyes shone brightly at his words. He was completely mesmerized by this lady but he didn't why.

"Thank you sir" Jade said with a smile and a courteous bow.

"But..." Jake speech slurred when Jade sprang her head up to a grave look on her face.

"I'll sign this on one condition" He said with a straight face. Jade felt her heart skip a beat at that word 'Condition'. She didn't like the sound of this at all. Jade tensed up when he got up from his seat and started walking towards her.

Her eyes cautiously followed him as he slowly walked towards her with the contract in his hand till he stopped by her side. Jade almost jumped off her seat when Jake took the seat close to her and occupied it.

He watched her every reaction and he almost chuckled in amusement. Jade shifted uncomfortably in her seat under his scrutinizing gaze.

"What is... your...condition?" Jade asked stuttering.

"How well can you play 'Demon souls" Jake asked as he tilted his head towards her.

Jade was stunned by his question. What had knowing how to play a video game got to do with the contract? Jake cocked a brow at her in a way that he suggested he was waiting for her reply.

"Very well" Jade replied tensely. Whatever this was leading to, she had a feeling she wasn't going to like it.

"Teach me"

"What?" Jade's eyes widened in surprise. Her eyelids blinked involuntarily.

"Teach me to play 'Demon souls' and I'll sign this papers"