JAYDE'S DESIRE (TWENTY)

"Just go home, you don't have to wait for me like usual. Today I'm giving you the chance to go out and have fun with Rachel."

"Are you sure? Who will take you home?"

"Tsk, I'm not a toddler. I can call a taxi or Uber. Go home, mend your relationship with Rachel. I don't want you to go through the same thing as me. You have to be happy."

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Jayde grabbed Ivy's wrist as Ivy was about to step back to her room. Jayde's face turned sad to see the sincerity that radiated from Ivy's eyes.

"Thank you. You will surely find your happiness after this. Whether it's with Axel or the others."

"Hmm, I'm not sure," Ivy replied sarcastically.

"Come on, let go of my hand. I have to get back to work."

Ivy walked away leaving Jayde without even looking back. Her body was lost in the lift as the doors closed. To be honest, Jayde felt guilty and concerned about Ivy's problems. Unfortunately he can't do anything right now to help her.

"Okay, time to go home and have a date with Rachel," Jayde muttered excitedly.

Before arriving home, Jayde stopped by the flower shop to buy Rachel some red roses, then he went to the gift shop to buy a music box. Rachel likes romantic things like that. They once watched a movie where the main female character received a music box as a gift from her boyfriend. Rachel then begged him to buy a music box too. But at that time he didn't give it to Rachel and they then started to forget about it after months passed.

After buying the presents, Jayde booked a place at an outdoor restaurant with a great view to have lunch with Rachel. Today the weather is very nice. They can look at the beautiful blue sky while eating delicious dishes from the restaurant. This time he will prepare many surprises for Rachel so that she will be happy and they can make up again like before.

"Jayde? What are you doing here? Where is Ms. Ivy?"

Rachel stared at him in surprise as Jayde arrived home and came over to her as she was picking up fallen leaves in the yard. Rachel popped her head toward the car, trying to find Ivy.

"Ivy is working in the office."

"Then what are you doing at home? Are you going to retrieve the documents that were left behind?"

"Nope. Today I'm going to ask you out on a date. Ivy gave me two tickets to the musical. She told me to go with you. Do you want to go with me? I'm sorry for my attitude lately. I shouldn't have neglected you and cared more about your feelings as my lover."

"Jayde..."

Rachel covered her mouth in disbelief as she looked at Jayde with teary eyes. She was about to cry seeing Jayde who finally apologized to her after what happened to them. She didn't expect that Jayde would be so romantic with her and give such a beautiful little surprise like this.

"I do, Jayde! I want to go on a date with you. Thank you."

Rachel immediately hugged Jayde and was jumping up and down in Jayde's arms because of the unexpected surprise. Thousands of butterflies seemed to fly out of her stomach because of the euphoria she was feeling at this moment.

Jayde was very happy to see Rachel who was finally cheerful again and forgave him. He had harbored feelings of guilt towards Rachel since yesterday, but he was too cowardly to apologize. He doesn't even have the idea of ​​asking Rachel out until Ivy gets him tickets to the musical.

"We will go now. Dress up beautifully and wear your best clothes."

"But what about my job?"

Rachel stared wearily at the dry leaves scattered in front of her. There are still a lot of yellow leaves that need to be swept away.

"Eee… wait a minute."

Jayde craned his head around, looking for someone who could help him. He then took over the broomstick held by Rachel and smiled broadly.

"Don't worry, today James will clean up the rest. You hurry up and get ready."

Rachel was thrilled. She kissed Jayde's cheek quickly with a shy smile, then darted into the house.

Jayde smiled a little to see Rachel who was very childish. It's his first time. So far, Rachel has always been an independent and mature woman. She rarely shows her childish side because in this place she can't express herself too much. And Jayde feels guilty about that. He should have paid more attention to Rachel and given her gifts more often. Thanks to Ivy for giving her the idea to improve his relationship with Rachel.

Ten minutes later Rachel appeared in a short knee-length dress and denim jacket that wrapped her slender body beautifully. Rachel's long hair was left loose, and she added a cute butterfly hairpin to her hair. Jayde found himself stunned to see the very sweet Rachel.

"You look very beautiful, let's go baby."

Rachel's cheeks blushed because of the affection Jayde rarely showed her. Now she really feels how to be Jayde's lover completely.

"I didn't expect you to have such a dangerous poisonous mouth."

They both laugh together. Rachel clung to Jayde's arm indulgently and followed him towards the black car that would take them on their date today.

-00-

Ivy smiled a little to see Rachel and Jayde who had just returned from their date through the large window in the living room. She didn't deny that she was envious of the happiness that radiated on Rachel's face. It was like this world only belonged to the two of them when Jayde held Rachel's hand, and Rachel rested her head on Jayde's broad chest.

Hey, even Ivy has been in that position and she knows that being in that position is really comfortable. She could hear Jayde's soft and constant heartbeat. So melodious.

Ivy had subconsciously imagined what it would be like if she were in Rachel's shoes. How ridiculous! But she is also happy for Rachel and Jayde's happiness. They deserve all that happiness.

To be honest she felt guilty when she saw Rachel that morning looking at her with teary eyes. She feels responsible for getting Jayde and Rachel's relationship back to normal, without any misunderstandings between them.

"Ms. Ivy?"

Ivy was still standing by the window and was wrapping her arms around herself. She looked perfectly calm when Rachel called out to her with an astonished expression.

"Hey, enjoyed your date today?"

The woman who was only one year older than Ivy smiled broadly at her, then suddenly hugged her so tightly that it made Ivy surprise. While Jayde, who had just entered the house, seemed to smile sweetly at Ivy while muttering thanks through slow lip movements.

"Thank you for the prize. I like it very much. It was a very beautiful musical performance."

"You're welcome. I'm glad you like it and enjoy it. I'm sorry for causing a misunderstanding between you and Jayde."

Rachel let go of her hug and shook her head quickly. Her face was a little red because she was embarrassed by what she did a few days ago.

"Ah about that, don't think about it anymore. At that time I was very childish and too jealous. I'm sorry for making you feel guilty."

"Nope. I'm fine."

"Once again, thank you for the gift you gave. I have to go back to my room. Good night."

Ivy nodded slowly at Rachel and let her go to her room at the back of the main house. It is a relief to see other people's love stories run happily, even though her own love story is quite sad and seems very bad.

"Hi...how was your date? It looks like fun."

"Hmm.. Rachel really likes it, thank you for giving me the opportunity to improve my relationship with Rachel."

"Tsk, don't overdo it, I'm glad to see you and Rachel's relationship is back to normal. I feel guilty that you and Rachel's relationship has soured. Forgive me."

"Alright, forget all the sadness that has happened in the past. How about you today? You're going home by taxi."

Ivy suddenly snapped her fingers, as if she had just remembered something. And the expression on Ivy's face suddenly turned enthusiastic. There was something she wanted to tell Jayde. And it's about Danise.

"What is it? You look really excited all of a sudden."

"You should know that today I came home with Danise Parker!" Ivy exclaimed excitedly.

"So you really like that guy? Your expression looks so happy when you talk about it. You went home with him by taxi?"

"Nope. Guess what I did with Danise today?"

Jayde shrugged his shoulders indifferently and lazily.

"There's no need for such guesswork. Hurry up and say it. I'm tired."

"Tsk, you're annoying. Danise and I went home by bus. Gosh! It was my first time. I really didn't know that taking the bus would be comfortable enough."

"Seriously? Haven't you ever been on a bus?"

Ivy shook her head slowly, snorting in annoyance.

"Don't make fun of me. I've always used the car. My dad wouldn't let me use public transportation for various reasons of safety."

"But public buses or the MRT are very safe."

"Now I just know. And it's really a very memorable experience. Along the way Danise told me many things and protected me from ignorant people who would tease me. Ahh… he really is a very sweet man."

"You're so tacky, you know."

"Why are you cynical at me? Danise is a really nice guy. He is not like Axel who is very stiff and business oriented."

"Don't compare Danise and Axel. Danise is not a company owner like Axel. Their backgrounds are different."

"Screw that. I still like Danise more than Axel."

He was concerned to see Ivy's innocence. She can easily be conned by good looking men out there.

"Don't feel happy just yet, you don't know the true nature of Danise. You used to praise Axel too when you didn't know his true nature."

"I have a good feeling about Danise this time."

In an instant Danise's presence in Ivy's life made her forget about her problems with Axel. That's good, Jayde thought happily. He didn't need to see Ivy's glum face or hear her noisy whimpers around him.

"I'm glad to see you smiling and happy again. Don't Cry anymore. Stay happy," Jayde said softly as he rubbed the top of Ivy's head gently.

Ivy smiled sweetly at Jayde, and reflexively raised her hand towards Jayde's right cheek to caress it gently.

"Thank you, you should be happy with Rachel too. In the future we must be happy with each other whoever our partner is. But I have a hunch that you will marry Rachel."

Jayde smiled a little while holding Ivy's palm against his cheek.

"I don't know. The future is a mystery."

"Don't you want to marry Rachel? She is a good woman, Jayde."

"I don't doubt it. It's just that I still don't know. There are a lot of things I need to do before I decide to marry Rachel."

"Like what?"

Jayde shrugged slightly.

"Maybe have a more stable income. And get out of this job."

"You're going to leave this house and not be a driver anymore?"

Jayde shook his head slowly. Seeing the sadness on Ivy's face made his heart ache, like there were invisible hands squeezing his heart.

"I am your driver. After you get married, I'm no longer needed here. So I'm gonna leave."

Ivy stared at Jayde intensely. Her heart was tight at the thought that Jayde would leave her house and never be with her again.

"Don't go."

Jayde's body jerked back as Ivy suddenly hugged him tightly. Ivy was crying into his chest and literally sobbing there.

"Hey why are you crying now? I am still here." Jayde half chuckled seeing Ivy who hugged him very tightly. He then hugged Ivy back while gently stroking her back.

"As long as you are not married, I will still be here."

"Then I will not marry."

"Hush. Never say that. Your dad will kill me if he hears you say this."

"You can still work with me after I get married."

"Tsk, you will have a husband. Why am I following you again?"

Ivy raised her face wet with tears. They stared at each other intensely like the world belonged to only the two of them and no one else would disturb what they were doing right now.

"I need you. Always need you," Ivy whispered hoarsely.

Jayde licked his lips which suddenly felt dry. His mind suddenly became irrational when he saw Ivy's red lips glistening from the tears that fell on her cheek. It was like he wanted to touch those lips with his, then taste the sweet taste with a hint of saltiness from the tears.

"Jayde..."

Jayde blinked his eyes and cursed many times in his heart, regretting the ridiculousness of his mind for having thought something indecent.

"Don't worry, I'll still be here with you. Now go to your room, and sleep. Good night."

Jayde hastily removed Ivy's arm from his body and walked away towards his room. He didn't look back to look at Ivy, afraid that he wouldn't be able to let go and instead kissed her on the lips the second he started to lose his mind again.

-00-

Abraham pursed his lips at all the sight. He didn't expect that his decision to fetch water from the kitchen would instead lead him to find Ivy crying in Jayde's arms. Axel was right about Ivy needing to be kept away from Jayde. The two are getting closer and intimate. Even their relationship has the potential to develop into a forbidden love affair.

Abraham moved away from the stairs to return to his room after he saw Ivy starting to move towards the stairs to go to her room. Abraham sneaked into his own room silently and stood behind his bedroom door long enough just to make sure that Ivy had actually gone to her room.