loping along through the cosmos

44.5 JADE'S FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE

It was likely for Philip Valentine to tell Jade that he wanted her to have more friends, especially after letting her go to Sinclair Academy. What is unlikely of him was to initiate introducing his daughter to boys - not one BUT two, at that. 

He was always cautious of Jade when she was with boys. 

It took him months before he agreed for Kieran and Fino to be his daughter's bodyguards. Before Justin was designated as a secret personal bodyguard, Philip also observed the young boy as he befriended Jade.

Philip was, in fact, the first one to notice the relationship between Justin and Jade. The secret relationship was never a secret for him. The ones who opposed their relationship were his mother, Jane Valentine, and Justin's parents - all three telling him that it was unprofessional of him, and reckless to involve feelings in a work environment such as theirs.

Leila was not silent in the whole fiasco either. She liked Justin, but she also had the same thoughts as the other parents. 

So, in the end, Philip sided with his wife and mother.

What surprised him was that Justin sided with them too, leaving Jade behind.

Each day after that, he found his daughter alone in her bedroom, a minute after Reverie went home after their classes. It pained him, of course, that as a father, he couldn't do anything about Justin's decision to leave.

Or so he thought.

He could do something.

And he did.

He persuaded Leila to let Jade come out of their mansion. To end her homeschooling and just enroll in her own academy. After all, they both know how unhealthy it is to confine their daughter all her life in their mansion, even if it is what they call home.

Jade doesn't know anything about his father's thoughts. What she knew was that her parents finally felt guilty about having her cooped inside her room and thought that she was too heartbroken to function again, so they let her stay with the Burroughs and enroll in their family's academy.

Tonight was the first night that Philip suggested that she meet two boys.

A potential love interest, they could be.

At least, she and Leila thought at the sudden mention of the opposite gender.

She tilted her head at the question. "Dad, if you're trying to set me up-"

Her father laughed. "No, no. We'll both be behind bars if I do that."

Leila slit her eyes at her husband. "Philip, if you're going to cause a ruckus at a formal event, I suggest you stop what you're planning now."

Philip pouted, placing a hand on his left chest in mock hurt. "Two of the precious women in my life don't believe me."

"Dad-"

"Let's see if you won't regret meeting these boys. I'm telling you two, they're a delight! You'd want to make at least one of them a part of this family." Before the two women could ask for elaboration, Philip waved a hand. "I'll wait outside. Please. Please don't take your time. My colleague will be waiting for me at the venue."

Leila carefully pushed her husband to the door. "Honey, please, please change your shoes. Your loafers aren't dark enough to suit your black fit tonight."

And just like what Philip did to them, Leila didn't wait for his reply and closed the door between them.

It's like they didn't fight about Aunt Astra, Jade thought.