30: Jade

Awi and Cora had already left so I also left the restroom. Ziyad was waiting inside the car.

"Are you okay?" I'm a bit dumbfounded by my thoughts.

"I saw Cora and Awi. They were together..."

Ziyad was silent. "I'll have Awi investigate."

Tumango ako at muli na namang napaisip. I'm not overthinking about what I saw earlier. I was busy thinking of things that I would want to do with Cora.

Out of the many men in the world, Jacob is the one. Damn it! All my life, I trusted him. She knew my frustrations, struggles. And she knew that I really like Jacob since we were young.

That scheming bitch! I will make her pay a high price.

We went home to one of Ziyad's penthouses. Here in NCR he has three large towers that he owns in addition to the units and penthouses he has purchased in various towers throughout NCR. He's one of the most influential and successful billionaires at a young age.

His parents are in another country. His Daddy has a fuel business while his mommy is the owner of a famous university there.

I haven't met his parents yet, because I hate it. I don't want his parents to think that we are. I don't want them to hate me because after this, Ziyad and I will part ways.

I went to my room to organize my things. Ziyad, on the other hand, has lawyers to talk to. He left a lot of work here because he went abroad with me.

What is he thinking? I sighed. I shouldn't think about him, because my plan will just get messed up.

The next day, one of Ziyad's assistants showed us a video that went viral. This was yesterday. Cora while yelling at the mother and daughter because of her stained clothes.

"You did it?" I asked the assistant.

"No, Ma'am." I looked at Ziyad. Wondering why something like this has come out, when we haven't even started what we plan to do.

"Looks like we're not his only enemy," he commented..

I didn't think of that yesterday, eh. But whoever released this video, he or she did a great job.

Many criticize the woman. It is said that it was thought to be kind. Cora is active on social media. He fine-flexes the things he has and his achievements in life. She's really proud of it, even though she didn't work for it. Or not. He worked hard. He must have planned everything for years. He's really nauseous.

"I'll be leaving a little later, Jade. Are you okay here?"

"I'll be fine, Ziyad. I'll just work on my laptop." Then I can't be left alone. I have ten bodyguards to spare. And besides that we also have a housemate with us.

I stalked all of Cora's friends. I listed all their names and gave them to the private investigator. I also checked for some loans that I can mess up.

Until I got to Awi's social media account. I remembered again how close we were to each other before. I can't imagine that he will betray me too. Well, who would have thought, even Cora I didn't even suspect at the time.

Cora often accompanied him on his walks from out of towns and out of the country. They seem to be getting along whereas before, they almost insulted each other to me.

I stared at the picture of Jacob in Cora's account, while drinking wine. The man I loved. I scoffed.

Our paths haven't crossed yet but I already have a plan.

I thought of going to Daddy's grave. I heard that Cora's mother buried him then. How is the old man? Does he know something about what his son did? And what is his stand here? Could he also have something to do with his son's plan?

When I arrived at the cemetery, someone preceded me. Awi! She's here. He was sitting across from my grave and my parents.

I didn't even come close. I wonder what he's doing here.

Soon he also left. He didn't notice me because I had my back turned while facing another grave.

When I got close to the graves I saw the candle and flowers that he brought. It's my birthday today, but I'm not celebrating it from now on. My date of birth is different.

"How are you, Daddy, Mommy? I'm sorry if I only came to visit you today. I've gotten stronger. I'm sorry if I lost all the things you've planted. But I promised, I'll take back all of that, and I'll also pay them back sins."

The head of my bodyguards said that Ziyad was on his way home so we went home too.

I was surprised when Ziyad's gift reached me.

"I know you don't want to celebrate your birthday... So I thought you won't mind if I bought you a gift."

"Thank you, Ziyad. You shouldn't have bothered."

I opened it in front of him. This is a jewelry set. Sparkling and colorful.

"It's beautiful..."

"Yes. You deserve every beautiful things..." I fell silent. I don't want him to tell me things like this, because I don't feel comfortable when it's like this.

"Sorry..." he apologized.

"It's all right." Everything must be started and finished.

I'm at the mall right now and I'm following Cora and Awi. I entered the jewelry shop they entered.

See jewelry on display that I can buy.

"I want to see this please..." I said to the sales staff. This is the latest and one of the most expensive designs in this shop. Cora looked at me. I got his attention even more and I was wearing Ziyad's gift of earrings. This is one of the most expensive earrings in the world.

He stared at me, so I deliberately flaunted the earrings I was wearing.

The sales staff approached me to measure my chosen jewelry. And all this time, Cora was watching me.

I looked at him and smiled. And when he couldn't stand it, he spoke to me.

"I like your style..."

I smiled sweetly. "Thank you..." His clothes will be loved, but everything I wear on my body is worth more. And I know it bothers her. He's a social climber and an eater, and he shouldn't be bounced around by anyone.

She loves spending my family's money. And according to my source, she and Jacob often fight. Jacob is good at business and he doesn't want Cora to be wasted.

Jacob built a house and they live there now.

"Nice ring," I said smiling at him, even though the truth is I really wanted to cut off his finger to take the ring he was wearing. The thickness of his face! The diamond was the pendant of mommy's necklace that was displayed in daddy's room then. When Cora and I were kids, she always said she loved him. And now he's wearing it.

"Thank you..."

"By the way, my name is Cora."

"My name is Jade..."

"How much is this?" I asked the sales staff.

"Fifteen million, Ma'am."

I looked at myself in the mirror. I smiled and said I'll take it. I reached for my black card. It made Cora shocked. Jacob did not give him a black card because of his spending habits.

After buying, I went to another shop. Cora followed me. I got his attention forever.

"It's like I just saw you..."

"Oh..." I turned to him and smiled. "I just came home from another country. My family and I have a business there, so..."

"What business?" I just smile. Go ahead, be interested in me and stick with me.

"Sorry, I'm being so nosy."

"It's okay."

He didn't really care about me until he got my number. She even invited me in her house. They said there was a party the next night there, but I refused.

"Let's meet a day later," I said. He called now, even though it was late.

"I will give you something."

"Really?" He was very happy.

"Yes. I'm kinda busy, so, I'm going to hang up now. See you..."

"Okay, Jade. See you friend!" I grinned when the call ended.