Chapter 77 -Forgiven Epilogue-

After returning from China, Jay met with Amber to go on a shopping spree. He wanted to have this little free time he had before going to the FL headquarters to pamper his fiancee.

"Are you sure about this? Aren't you tired?"

"No I'm fine Amber." Jay replied drowsily, after so much walking a carrying everything, it seems like his fuse had finally burned out. He fell asleep right on a bench in the middle of the mall.

When he came too, he was not in the mall anymore. He can hear distant voices.

"He'll wake up anytime now."

"Shut up people! He's waking up."

Jay's eyes lazily opened, he was just about to close them again when he heard loud pops. For a second, he thought the pops were gunshots but he calmed himself down. A gunshot doesn't sound like party poppers!

"Someone wake him up!" He heard someone shout, what in the mother of god is happening?

"What?" Jay finally managed to get his eyes open, but he was still a tad bit soporific. He found the room decorated with the most child like decor, and he was surrounded by everyone. Literally every face he can remember from the top of his head, was in the room.

"Happy Birth Day!" They all said in unison.

"It's a few weeks away. Isn't it a little too early?"

"This is just a early birthday party with close family. On your real birthday, there's gonna be a huge grand celebration party. Or should I say gala?"

Jay's mouth formed a small 'O' in recognition.

"C'mon man tonight's all about you!" Michael lead him to the counter where he ordered Jay's go-to 50 year old whiskey. "Cheers to 18!"

Jay enjoyed himself. He hadn't had this much fun for a while now. It seemed today was the night all the pressure from his life flies away, even if it's just temporary. He was enjoying another shot of the 50 year old whiskey when someone informed him that Jace was looking for him.

Jay gave himself a big pat against his chest, encouraging himself. He quickly made his way to the study. When he arrived before he even knocked, he heard a 'come in'.

"Grandpa Jace, I heard that you're looking for me?"

"Yes, sit down first Jay."

Jay sat down in front of Jace, and it was then that he noticed Gun in the room. He was enjoying his own glass of booze.

"So, what is it grandpa?"

"I have been debating over things, your job in China has shed light on you. So, Gun and I as well as the others decided that on your 18th birthday...you'll be going under my wings to officially become the next in line for the business. Also, to take over my position as N.1 of the Four Legends." Jay met Jace's gaze.

"What's the catch?" Jay asked, his gaze not faltering. "I mean to do all that, you'd probably send me off into some 'training camp' for sometime!"

"Always the smart one Jay." Jace signed for Gun who came over and took a seat beside Jace.

"You'll be going to Russia with me. We are starting a branch in Russia."

"Then will I have to part ways with Amber...again?" Jay was stoked to be with Amber for the rest of his life! He didn't want to part ways from her, never again!

"It's just a few years."

"A few years to you! Not to me! I'll be spending my youth in a foreign country! I'll be spending the time span saved for youthful love in Russia! IN RUSSIA!"

"Jay...The old you would think this through." Gun said, it hit a bruised part of his heart, maybe it will become a bleeding bruise.

"Well...I guess the old 'him' is replaced by someone more cowardly."

Jay rose up from his seat and slammed the door open he was about to slam it closed, a call out from Gun stopped him.

"Happy Birthday Jay."

Silence filled the air, it was not stifling nor comforting, it was just...a calm stillness. Before Jay continued his way and shut the door.

Jay didn't want this. He didn't want to be this 'new' Jay. He wanted to be the Jay everyone wanted back. It was like he suffered from amnesia, and he became a different person, except he still had his memories. He wondered if it was him that was just overreacting.

He was in his thoughts when someone pulled him by his arm into a room. He was about to strike when he heard her voice.

"It's me Jay." It was Amber.

"What are you doing here?" Jay asked.

"Nothing. Anyways, you look down in the dumps." Amber sat him down beside her on the couch.

"No I'm fine just a little sullen I guess." He laid his head down on her lap. "I may need another comforting session."

Amber gave a sweet silly chuckle. "C'mon Jay what's bothering you?"

"I don't know. Everybody seems so...obsessed about me. About the old me."

Amber ran her fingers through his hair. "They're not obsessed."

"Yeah. Right." He answered sarcasm dripping from his tone. "That totally explain how everyone looks at me differently, like I'm some kind of pitiful creature."

"Pity isn't necessarily a bad thing. It tells us that they feel sympathetic towards our situation."

"Do you love me?"

"Of course I do."

"I mean the 'new' me."

To this, Amber sat Jay up and pinched his cheeks.

"I love you just the way you are. The 'old' you and the 'new' you. It's all the same to me. You're Jay Xaiver the one who has the keys to my heart."

It was at this very moment, that Jay knew Amber was the world's best fiancee he'd ever had.