Chapter 35: Another Step Forward-1

▪ J A D E▪

Back in Aelbank City, in one of the more expensive boutiques, I sat patiently next to Cristiano as we waited for Blaire to try on yet another dress.

"I'm so glad that you were able to fly down for my birthday party this weekend. I've really missed you these past few months. How are things with your family? Is your mom doing alright?" I asked with a small smile.

"Things are still a bit hectic where mom is concerned; some days are better than others. Trust me though, I would not miss your twenty-first birthday for anything!" Cristiano smiled back, his eyes briefly looking at the bodyguards that were scattered around the shop, "Security as tight as ever I see?"

Chuckling lightly, I nodded, "You know Dom, always one for safety. But hey! At least he lets me drive my Panamera, most times."

"Well that's progress," Cristiano commented before his head motioned in the direction of the two large Irishmen dressed in dark leather jackets, "I see Blaire has got her own goon squad as well now."

"Indeed! But she's lucky James isn't as overbearing, although Blaire still hates the fact that they have to accompany her anywhere she goes. She's always trying to convince me to outrun them so that we can just have some time to ourselves without being watched," I confessed in a softer tone towards the end.

Cocking his head to one side as he fingered his smooth chin, "And have you? Tried to outrun them that is?"

Lowering my voice even more, I replied, "We haven't yet, but it shouldn't be too hard right? I do drive a Porsche after all."

"Think you, Blaire, and myself can ditch them sometime?" he asked with a mischievous grin.

"Sure! Like I told Blaire, we'd have to make it count though, so whatever you two have planned, make sure it's worth me losing my driving privileges for a bit," I giggled softly.

Cristiano shook his head as he said more seriously, "I was just kidding, I wouldn't want to encourage you to do something so reckless. I definitely don't need Dominic coming for my head."

As I was to say something, Blaire's voice interrupted.

"You guys! I think this is the one!" she eagerly exclaimed as she suddenly stepped out of the dressing room.

With a big smile on her face, she came and stood in front of us, giving a slow twirl so that we could see the black dress from all angles.

"Damn!" Cristiano and I said at the same time.

The black, long-sleeve bodycon dress had mesh inserts with solid coverage along the shoulders, bust area, as well from the waist down. There was black mesh in between the cut-out areas and down the long sleeves. The svelte shape was perfect for showing off Blaire's sexy 5ft 6in figure.

"James is going to love this!" I gushed, my eyes roaming over my best friend's body.

"Yea?" Blaire asked as she looked at herself in the mirror, her hands cupping her bust area, "I wish I had a bit more up here though; your breasts would look amazing in this Jade."

"Agreed!" Cristiano quickly pipped in.

Blushing slightly, I shook my head, "Not this year, guys. I'm going for a more minimalist look this time."

Looking at me with his eyebrows raised, Cristiano said, "You? Minimalist?

Wow! A lot has changed in the last year!"

"You have no idea, Cristiano," Blaire said as she wiggled her eyebrows while grinning at me.

"Oh, leave me be you two!" I complained before pointing at Blaire, my eyes telling her to shut up as I said, "You, hurry up and change so we can go get some food."

Waving over to Jee-min, Blaire called out to him, "Hey Ji, how does this look?"

The Korean pulled his dark shades down a bit, giving Blaire a once over,

"Eh..." before going back to his original position.

"Ass," she grumbled as she ran a hand through her short black hair then disappeared in the dressing room.

Shaking my head at Jee-min and Blaire's typical sibling-like exchange, I turned back to Cristiano and asked, "So how has school been, do you miss coming on campus?"

"The online courses have been fine, but I admit, I do miss the traditional classroom setting. Needless to say, I definitely miss being on campus. I especially miss being able to hang out with you guys," Cristiano admitted.

"Even though we barely see each other, I'm happy that we were able to remain close friends," I said while wringing my hands in front of me.

Putting his arm around my shoulders, Cristiano brought me in for a small hug, "You're a very important person to me, Jade, and I rather be your friend than not have you in my life at all. Besides, a long-distance

relationship really would not have worked, and given all the drama that's been going on with my family, I'm glad we ended things when we did. It would not have been fair to drag you into my mess."

Nodding with a smile I leaned my head on his shoulder. He had never really told me what his mother was sick with exactly, but I respected his privacy.

"So, what's your next move once you finish your summer classes and graduate? Are you thinking about applying to do your masters or will you take some time off?" Cristiano questioned, as his fingers gently stroked my purple hair.

"Well I'm supposed to be joining Dom's organisation," I said with a hopeful tone.

Sputtering slightly as he removed his hand from around me so that he could

look down at my face, "W-wait, what? I really thought that you were joking about that. Isn't that dangerous?"

With a slight shrug I replied, "I've been training for years for this; besides

I'm not asking to dive right in, I'm willing to start small."

"Yea, no!" Cristiano frowned slightly, "If I were him, I'd keep you far away from any danger."

Inwardly groaning, I rolled my green eyes in slight annoyance, "Ugh, you sound just like Dom. As my friend, you're supposed to support me!"

"I do! But come on Jade! You're so good with numbers, and I know you said that you don't want to sit behind a desk, but maybe you can go pursue something else? I was always curious as to why you didn't pursue music

instead, you would have been a great violinist. It's just I don't think the mafia is a good place for you." he said sincerely.

Blaire left with the black dress in her hand. She managed to catch the last bit of what Cristiano had said and, with a puzzled expression on her face, she asked, "And why not?"

"Come on, Blaire. Would you really support Jade joining the Calvetti mafia? You two are aware of some of the things that Dominic has done right? I mean I've heard some stories..." Cristiano's words trailed off.

Everyone in Aelbank City knew how vicious Dominic Calvetti could be.

Of course, I more than anyone else knew of some of the things he had done. Hell, the first time I ever saw him he had blown a man's head off right in front of me and I had only been six years old. I was no stranger to the brutal actions Dominic was capable of doing.

While he did try to keep me sheltered from most things, if I asked him a question, he never lied to me about what he did. There were many layers to the enigmatic man, and I loved the darkness that resided in him.

The sound of Blaire scoffing pulled me from my thoughts.

"Are you sure that you're Jade's friend? Have you not seen the way she handles a gun? Given the chance, she would be more ruthless than

Dominic! She's a little demon just waiting to be unleashed," Blaire stated with a grin.

Pursing my lips slightly I made a face as I said, "Gee thanks, Blaire..." I turned to Cristiano and added, "Yes, I'm aware of what Dom does! I know that there's a lot of blood on his hands. But he's more than the monster that people make him out to be, and he's done so much for Aelbank City. I just want to be a part of that."

Raising his hands in surrender, "Alright, alright, I can see that your mind is made up. Just promise me that you'll be safe."

"I promise," I said with a smile.

"Don't worry about her, Cris, it's Dominic we're talking about. He wouldn't let anything happen to his precious Jade, after all, he loooves her!" Blaire sang out.

Unfortunately, I was unable to get a word in as she continued on.

"A person would have to be pretty stupid to want to get on his bad side.

Besides, as much as I'll miss her around campus when she graduates early, I know that she can more than handle herself!" Blaire stated as she began walking towards the cashier.

Frowning slightly, Cristiano asked, "In love? Wait, are you and Dominic an item?"

I gave Blaire a look that said 'you and your big mouth' to which she

wordlessly apologised while cringing as she turned away to make her purchase, clearly running away.

Looking back at Cristiano, I said, "Sort of. We're not official or anything..."

From the look on his face, I knew that he was slowly piecing things together. A part of me wondered if he thought that I had cheated on him with Dominic. For in a sense I did, well, emotionally at least. As I fumbled

with what to say, his next words caught me off guard as he suddenly spoke.

"Does he make you happy?" Cristiano asked me as we stood up.

Looking him square in the eyes, I replied honestly, "Very much so."

Rubbing a hand behind his head, he nodded, "Well, that's all that matters.

I'm happy for you. He will keep you safe."

I breathed a sigh of relief at his words. I had not meant to keep my relationship with Dominic from him, but things had just happened so fast after he left. I did not want to hurt Cristiano's feelings more than necessary, and as the months flew by I just never brought it up.

"I'm sorry that I didn't tell you sooner–" I started to say before he cut me off.

"No, it's fine, you had your reasons. You don't owe anyone any explanations for how you live your life, Jade. I'm just happy that you're happy, trust me," Cristiano said sincerely as he smiled down at me.

Nodding my head, I answered, "Let's go eat!"

We linked our arms together as we walked towards the front of the store to meet Blaire.