Chapter 121 - Ask For Forgiveness

"A Penny for your thoughts" Jake heard his grandfather say as he sneakily walked into the study. Jake looked up at him with a sullen expression on his face.

Jake was still so lost on what to do about the mess he has created for himself. He still hasn't figured anything out yet. Today was a Saturday, a day he was supposed to meet Jade as per their usual arrangement, but he couldn't bring himself to. He has been sitting in the study since he woke up and got himself ready this morning.

"A penny won't cover it" Jake said with a frustrated sigh.

Grandfather Beau observed his grandson's depressed look. The gloomy look on his face was one he hasn't seen before. Whatever was troubling Jake might be quiet serious, because he has never seen him ponder about something this hard. As a matter of fact he has never seen Jake in the study during the day, the man mostly used it at night and obviously there was no file on the desk so it couldn't be work related. 

"I guess it must be serious then. Tell this grandfather of yours what it is, he might be able to help you" Grandfather Beau said with a small smile as he took his seat across the desk. Jake looked at his grandfather as he contemplated telling him about the issue troubling him at heart. Even if he wanted to, where should he start?

Jake sighed again as he tore his gaze from his grandfather and his eyes coincidentally fell on the picture frame of his grandparents hanging on the wall.

'Maybe his grandfather might actually be of help and could render him some words of wisdom' He thought.

"Grandfather have you ever done something you wished you never did?" He asked as he kept his gaze fixed on the frame.

Grandfather Beau followed his line of sight and nodded when he saw what Jake was looking at. "To your grandmother?" Grandfather Beau asked, making Jake snap his neck back to him as he stared at his Grandfather.

"No...Yes. I mean to anybody at all" He said confusedly. He didn't know if comparing how his grandfather felt towards his grandmother and how he felt towards Jade was something comparable. He highly doubted it.

The level of guilt his grandfather might have towards his grandmother and the one which he was having towards Jade were totally incomparable. Because his grandfather loved his wife who happens to be his grandmother. But with him and Jade...he still doesn't know, but he was certain it wasn't love.

He didn't think he was capable of something like that.

Grandfather Beau nodded silently as he observed Jake's struggle towards admitting whatever he was going through at the moment. He didn't know exactly what Jake might be going through, but he had a familiar feeling about it. It must have something to do with a woman.

"Well Jake, it depends on who I'm dealing with. Is the person a business partner? Probably I might not feel much guilt or even nothing at all, because all is fair in business. I taught you that" He paused to observe Jake's reaction.

"But what if it's not a business partner?" Jake asked inquisitively. He was sure he wouldn't be bothered if this was work related. He knew the business grounds well, therefore he wouldn't be so stupid as to feel guilty towards a business partner or rival.

"Jake what did you do?" Grandfather Beau asked with concern. Jake has never been like this before. The young man was acting weird and unnatural.

"Grandfather it doesn't matter what I did. Just assume you did something bad and whatever you did was what the other party hated more than death itself. And this person you don't want to hurt whoever it is...so what would you do?" Jake asked again, desperation was written in his eyes.

Grandfather Beau sighed exasperatedly, he was certain Jake would never explain what this was all about, and there was no need trying to force it out of him. He'd give his candid advice and hopefully that would be able to help him solve his problem.

"If I did something bad, and what I did the other person detests it so badly, and I also don't want to lose this person as well, what would I do?" Grandfather said slowly as if he was in deep thought, when actually he was only trying to get back at Jake for trying to hide the main subject of the matter from him. Grandfather knew his silence was making Jake anxious, and he liked it. It wasn't everyday he got an opportunity like this.

Jake caught onto his grandfather's antics and he growled in a low voice, "Grandfather?" His eyes were somewhat threatening.

"Tch..you're no fun" Grandfather Beau rolled his eyes while Jake's face turned stoic.

"Jake the only solution towards this is facing your problem by coming out clean. Confess to what you've done wrong and ask for forgiveness. If this person really despise what you've done the most in this world, then it's better if the truth comes from you, that way it would be easier to forgive you. Because if the truth came from some other source, it would mean you are a terrible person and forgiving you maybe hard or even next to impossible. So come out clean and own your crime. And most importantly when asking for forgiveness, mean it. Be completely and honestly sincere...nothing moves a woman's heart than your sincerity" Grandfather Beau said hinting on the word 'woman' which he had used, but Jake has suddenly fallen in to deep thoughts that he didn't have much time to ponder on it or probably refute it.

"Would that do?" Grandfather Beau asked cutting through Jake's thought, making Jake subconsciously.

"Thank you grandfather" Jake said with a small smile as he sprang up to his feet. He picked up his keys, bowed slightly to his grandfather before starting for the door.

"Jake" Grandfather Beau called halting Jake on his strides.

He turned to look at him, "She must be a good girl. Don't ruin this one" Grandfather Beau adviced . Jake stared at him ready to refute what his grandfather had just said. 'When did i say it was a girl?' He asked himself. He opened his mouth to deny that it wasn't related to a girl even though he knew ge would be lying, but then he could only say, "See you around grandfather" making Grandfather Beau flash him a knowing smile.

He wouldn't be their guardian and grandfather if he didn't know his own grandsons well.

Jake sent a quick text to Jade asking if he should pick her up at home or at the bus stop as he headed for the garage. And soon Jade reply came.

"Bus stop it is" He said as he picked up the pace. He was dying to rectify this problem at once. What would Jade think of him if she finds out about his lies?

"Jake" Jake closed his eyes tightly when he heard the voice of the person he has been earnestly trying to avoid since yesterday. Jake didn't stop neither did he slow down.

'This stupid gossip'

"Bro wait up" Blake called again as he jogged over. He pulled Jake to a stop.

"What is it?" Jake asked faking annoyance.

"Hey don't do that with me." Blake warned. "How dare you ask your secretary to put me off..it's that how you treat your own brother?" Blake asked slightly raising his voice in mock-anger.

"What do you want now?" Jake asked impatiently as he looked at his watch, which Blake noticed.

"Are you going to see her again?" Blake asked in his full gossipy tone with a small smile tugging on the side of his lips.

"See who?" Jake asked feigning ignorance making Blake eye him evilly.

"You're going to be like that huh?" Blake asked.

"Be like what? Just tell me what you want, I'm in a hurry" Jake urged him.

"Since you want to act dense, then I'll be shameless. You like her?" Blake asked wriggling his brow teasefully.

Jake glared at him before turning away to continue on his path, but Blake ran up and blocked his path.

"Come on tell me. I helped you out remember. Don't tell me you're going to be shameless and not return the favour by telling me the gist right?"

"At least now you know you're not the only shameless person in the family. Now get out of my way before I send to an orthopaedic ward with broken ribs" Jake glared at him.

"You won't dare...Just tell me already. Why was she there? You don't like clingy girls and from the way I remembered things you were the one being clingy...You even have to go to the hospital just to stage an act...bro you're indeed shameless. Wait don't tell me you got hooked" Blake eyes popped in surprise at the realization that his thought might be true.

"Hooked on what? Jake asked in confusion.

"You know what I'm talking about. Don't act so innocent with me. I may be your younger brother but I'm stupid okay. I know this things" Blake said with a confidenf smile.

"I still don't know"

"On whatever she served you that night" Blake wriggled his brows again with a knowing smile. Jake frowned when he finally understood what Blake was hinting at.

"One more word from you and I'll kill you" Jake threatened.

"Okay fine...Just go see her and hurry back. I'm dying to get the full gist okay" Blake chirped.

"Then you just have to die" Jake said as he pushed past Blake.

"What you don't want to return? You want to elope with her? She looks like my potential sister in-law, don't make us miss out on the wedding" Blake yelled behind Jake. He took to his heels when he observed Jake was looking for something to throw at him.

"What a gossip" Jake sighed.