First Assignment (1st Version)

Seven

I smiled all through the evening, and thankfully nothing much happened.

Jade remembered everything I told her, and played the girlfriend role perfectly. Until Louisa arrived.

"Hey, Eric. What's the occasion?" She tried to look flirty, but failed miserably.

"It's more of a social gathering so I can introduce Jade, my girlfriend, to everyone." I tried not to laugh at her baffled expression, but I failed. To her, it probably looks like I'm just so happy to just be here with Jade, which was fine by me.

"I thought... I thought we were together!" She screeched. "How could you do this to me?"

"I'm sorry, Louisa. But we've never been together, and never will. If you cause any more problems, I'd have to call the security guards to drag you out." Sometimes, she acts like a spoiled five-year-old brat, so I have to treat her like one.

She "huffed", tilted her head up defiantly and walked off, not before giving Jade the nastiest glare I've ever seen.

"So she's Louisa. About what Alice said before... I agree, completely." Jade scrunched up her nose and glared at Louisa's retreating back.

"Why did you invite that witch?" Alice glared while she stalked towards me.

"I didn't. It's probably Mom who invited that witch's parents, so she came along." Jade was eyeing the desserts table, so I used this as a way to escape Alice's death glare, "Jade, let's get something to eat."

"Wha- What?" She slightly blushed, but recovered quickly, "Okay."

I found out that she likes chocolate, almost everything she got is either chocolate or chocolate flavored. Wait. Why am I paying attention to what she eats? This was supposed to be just an act, and strictly business.

I drank the rest of my wine in one glup, wanting to get rid of the unnecessary thoughts. I barely know anything about her, for goodness sake!

"Eric!" Jade sang as she waved her hand in front of my face, seeing that I responded she continued, "Who are those people Louisa is talking to?"

Looking over at the direction she pointed, I saw several strangers talking with Louisa. Time to kick some people out of my house.

"Wait here. I'll be quick." I instructed Jade, then went up to the group of people with a deadly smile.

"Oh hey, Eric. We were just talking about you!" Louisa quickly latched on to my arm, "Guys, this is Eric Reinhardt. Eric, these are my friends."

I shook her off me, and turned to face the uninvited guests, "Who the hell invited you guys?"

After a few moments of silence, one of them answered me, "She did."

"Louisa? Get out of my house, and take your friends with you." That's one of the reasons why I dislike her greatly. She thinks that she can do whatever she wants, and get away with it.

"Or what? Call one of your security guards? Your girlfriend?" She laughed, then quietly said, "I know she isn't your girlfriend, but your personal bodyguard."

Turning on her heels, she left with her gang of "friends". As I was going after them, wanting to find out who told her, Alice came up to me. Worry written all over her face.

"What's wrong?" I looked at where Jade was sitting, but saw no one, "Where's Jade?"

"That's the problem. She's gone." She took a big breath and continued, "One of Mom's friend said that she saw someone similar go through the back door, but a man was following her."

Running my fingers through my hair anxiously, I slipped out through the back door. Thankfully, the party was in full swing, so no one was out in the hallways.

Quickly texting Victor, my best friend and co-worker, I headed out to the back garden. As soon as I stepped out, I heard the sounds of fighting.

"Let me go! Let! Go!" A female shouted.

"Stop fighting, you stupid girl.... Ugh." A male groaned. Good job, Jade.

Quickly running into the hedge maze, following their sounds of fighting, I saw Jade wrestling with a guy I  recognized as Louisa's brother.

"Let her go this instance." I demanded. Surprised, he lost his concentration on Jade, giving her a chance to land a blow on his gut and quickly coming towards me.

"I'm so sorry, Eric. I just wanted some fresh air, when he suddenly attack me. My instincts kicked in." She apologized, looking down at the ground and fidgeting with her hands.

"It's okay." I walked to Evan and peered down at him, "Don't mess with my girlfriend. As you experienced a few moments ago, her punches actually hurt a lot."

"Hah! You gave up my sister for this tomboy? You're even more stupid than I thought!" He spat.

"And there you are, lying on the ground, beaten by this tomboy that you speak of." Jade glared from where she's standing, "You're the one that's stupid, not Eric."

For some reason, I felt proud to hear that. What is wrong with me? She flipped her hair and headed back to the party. As soon as she's out of earshot, I glared back at Evan and smirked at his pathetic state on the ground.

"I know you're trying to unite our companies through Louisa, but that's not happening. If you, or Louisa, dare lay one more hand on us, you know what's going to happen. Leave now, if you want to save your dignity."

Grumbling a few curse words under his breath, he picked himself up and left the maze with his head held high. After a few seconds, I proceeded to go back to the party.

Soon after, the party ended and everyone went home. My parents also left, but not before congratulating me. "Well done, son. It's about time you got a girlfriend, your mother and I are both happy and proud of you."

"My baby! How much you've grown! I should expect a wedding soon, shouldn't I?" Mom hugged me, leaving with Dad soon after.

Looking at Jade, who was standing next to me, I saw a faint blush on her downcast face. "She's just joking. After the contract is over, you'll get to go back to your usual life."

"That's like a year later!" She exclaimed, "I don't think I'll be able to stand all this drama."

"You'll be fine. Next time, either me or Alice will be by your side. A year will pass by in the blink of an eye."

I didn't know how true my words were back then, but it turns out that I didn't have enough time to cherish each moment that I spent with Jade and Alice.

So, so, so sorry I didn't update in such a long time. School started, and I don't have that much time to write anymore because of the homework. I'll still update, but not as frequently compared to before. Also, I'm trying to add more details (and words) into the story, so it'll be some time before I finish writing one chapter.

Hugs and cookies,
- Erelaveth ✖