“I won’t let him do this Angel. I’ll figure something else out, the old man has officially lost his damn mind”. Jade rants angrily gulping down her mimosa before ordering another one. After that disastrous brunch and Mr. Knight’s ultimatum of we get married for at least a year and Jade gets the company now, or she gets nothing ever, not even in his will.swearing to leave everything for her sibling and grandkids if she disagrees. It’s obscene and excessive and psychotic, but it’s also Jade’s dream job.

“Jade…”

“I can’t believe it, actually yes I can. I should have expected this”.

“Jade…”

“The fucking audacity of that man thinking he can control me and my life. I am a grown ass woman, I don’t get controlled, I’m the controller. He won’t get away with this shit”. The waitress stands terrified of Jade’s anger, trembling in her shoes, not that I can blame her. Jade can be scary when pissed, but I’m starting to learn that her bark is worse than her bite, at least to me.

“Jade”.

“What?” Her tone is harsh but I don’t take it personally. I’d be pissed if I was in her position too. I reach across the table, prying her clenched fingers apart and sliding my hand onto hers. It’s a good photo op for her and her parents and an even better excuse for me to touch her. I shake away thoughts of what her hands are capable of and focus on her now, she’s not okay and I have to find a way to ease her anger and worries.

“We have 3 months to figure this out and I trust you. And if for some reason we can’t…then I guess marriage wouldn’t be that bad, it wouldn’t have to be any different”. Other than I would be around her more often, I don’t mind that. Jade gives me a considerate look but doesn’t seem any calmer.

“You would succumb yourself to a loveless marriage out of money and fear?”

“Of course not, but I’d do it for you. I know how much this job means to you Jade, look at the lengths you’re willing to go to achieve what you want. I meant what I told your dad, but I also know you love the company. If this is your dream, then I’d love to help you get that job and stick it to your dad in the process”.

“Even at the expense of being married to me?”

“What’s so bad about that? You’re Jade Knight after all”. I smile, relieved to see her relaxing more at my words. Maybe she just needed some reassurance that I’m really in this, after last night I’m surprised that I’m not drooling over her. She scoffs leaning back in her chair.

“I’m not exactly wife material, shit I’m barely girlfriend material”.

“You should give yourself more credit. I mean…I think you’re pretty good at the whole girlfriend thing”. Aside from leaving me, which she more than made up for, Jade has been sweet, attentive, caring, affectionate, how could she not think that she’d be an amazing girlfriend. I feel my face heat under her gaze and I have to look away and bite my lip to stop the stupid smile from spreading across my face. It should be illegal to look at someone like that. Cliche butterflies erupt in my chest and I’m sure I’m looking at them with utter adoration but I can’t help it.

“That’s something I never thought I’d hear”.

“Please I’m sure women tell you how great of a girlfriend you’d be if you gave it a try”.

“Never anyone that mattered”. My mouth goes dry. I know I’m staring like an idiot, but did Jade Knight just tell me I matter to her? As if I’m more than the innocent little employee she could get to do her bidding.

“Jade…” I trail off because I don’t know what to say, between her sweet words and that smolder, I’m helpless. There’s no denying my feelings at this point, I like Jade, and I didn’t have to have sex with her to know that. She gives me a smile and wink that leaves me breathless, wow.

“We should get going, Leya will be waiting”. Jade pays for our food and drinks before we leave the cafe and head to Cash’s house to pick up Leya. In rare form, he wanted to pick up Leya today and keep her while I was at brunch. I’m sure it’s to impress the club owner he’s been seeing but as long as Leya is cared for I won’t bitch about it. I made Logan and his secret crush tag along to make sure that Leya is safe. There’s no way in hell I’m letting Cash keep her alone, he doesn’t know what he’s doing.

“What prompted her father to step up today?” Jade asks as she opens the car door, I wait until she’s inside to answer her question.

“Pussy?”

“Excuse me?”

“Cash has a thing for a club owner, so I’m sure he’s using Leya to seem like a decent guy and earn brownie points”.

“And you’re okay with that?”

“Of course not, but when I asked Leya she said she wants to go with her dad. I can’t hinder her relationship with him because of our problems. I’ll never stop Leya from having a relationship with her dad as long as she’s safe and taken care of. Cash has done a lot of things, but he’s never hurt her or neglected her when he has her. He’s just immature and refuses to grow up. Besides, Logan is there”.

“This Logan guy, you and he have never fucked or anything? You two seemed close when we first met”.

“Gross, Logan is like my brother and I’ve never seen him that way and vice versa. He’s the male protector of our group, when we were all young most of us were idiots. Cash and I being the worst since we couldn’t seem to stay out of trouble. Logan kept us in line, bailed us out, protected and beat our asses just the same. Cash, Logan, and Taylor were my family after I got disowned”.

“I apologize for my father bringing up your history and invading your privacy, it was out of line, though I should’ve expected it”. I sigh, watching the road as she drives down the street.

“I wasn’t expecting it, but it’s not like it’s some big secret. I mean it’s all public knowledge, have you read my file?”

“When you were first hired, yes. I didn’t know why our bar would employ a fresh 21 year old bartender. You had barely been legal to drink for a day, I was sure that there were ulterior motives on your boss's behalf. That was the only time I read your file, though I didn’t know about your parents, aside from what you’ve told me”. I look over at Jade, thinking back to how far we’ve come since we first met. I didn’t think I’d ever be comfortable enough to talk to her, let alone ride in her car, go to her family house, go on dates alone and with my daughter.

“Does that bother you?”

“No, but it does make me wonder why you decided to still pursue me knowing that I could tarnish your reputation”.

“You do not tarnish anything Angel, you are an enhancement in my life. If you haven’t noticed, both of our popularities have increased since our first outing together. People aren’t just curious anymore, they like seeing us together and I have to say I agree that we look damn good together”. My face heats at her reassurance, that even after her family’s opinion, she still wants me, genuinely. I no longer have to question if Jade wants me, and knowing that I still have that appeal after we had sex makes me more hopeful than I probably should be.

“Have you seen your socials lately?”

“No, I’ve been avoiding going online so I don’t have to read what your fan club has to say”.

“I’m sure the pictures from last night have been posted, see what they have to say”. I take out my phone under Jade’s instruction and look for a recent photo of us both. Just as she said the photo of us in our dresses last night, walking into the venue is the first picture on a celebrity gossip page. Most of the comments are about the different people that were there and her father getting an award. Others say how good our dresses look or how sexy we are together. I went to one of her fan pages, surprised to see even more photos of us, even from the cafe we just left. There are some haters but it’s mostly curious or jealous bitches wishing they had a chance.

“Wow”.

“What?”

“They have photos up from like ten minutes ago at the cafe. They really don’t miss a beat do they?” I say more to myself as I continue to read the comments. People are curious about who I am and when we started dating, others aren’t surprised that it's been a secret because Jade Knight is notoriously mysterious. I snicker at that and keep scrolling. A few people question if Jade and Nikita are dating which starts an amusing string of arguments. It’s funny how people can become so invested in the lives of strangers. They speak as if they know Jade, someone even mentions that they’ve never seen Jade smile or look at someone the way she stares at me. I laugh, shaking my head and putting my phone away. That’s a bit of an exaggeration, but I guess it’s good they assume, it means we’re pretty convincing.

“What’s so funny over there?”

“Someone said that you’ve never looked at anyone the way you look at me. They speak as if we’re in a movie”.

“I command attention everywhere I go Angel, my life is a movie to those people, and you’re my love interest”. Jade smirks as she stops at a red light, licking her lips as she looks at me over. Her heated gaze sends heat rushing to my core and I glance at her lips. I wonder if I still have permission to kiss her when I please. She turns away and begins driving before I have the courage to make the move and I scold myself. I should be more confident. Jade said that I was hers, that had to mean something, unless it was just the heat of the moment speaking.

“What is it, Kitten?” I gather my thoughts first, trying to find the best way I can gauge if she’s feeling the shift in this thing between us like I can. Or if it’s just my feelings beginning to cloud my common sense. I can’t tell her that, she’ll think I’m falling for her because of one night of amazing sex, that’s just embarrassing. I push my feelings aside, as usual, to deal with later as another thought strikes me.

“My parents don’t have social media but my mom’s friends do and they’re chismosas, gossipy and nosy as hell. It must be strange for them”. Seeing the daughter they disowned now in the public eye.

“Do you want to speak with them?”

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“Not really, but I do miss some of my other family, mainly my grandmother. I wish I could see her, I doubt anyone told her about what happened. I wouldn’t be surprised if they fed her some lie about me wanting to leave”.

“They’d do that?” I give Jade a sad smile and shrug.

“Possibly, they cut off my aunt when she refused to disown me. Of course, that was just my parents' decision. My aunt still goes to see the family and her mom. Anyway I’ll be back, wait here”.

“Don’t want to be seen with me, Kitten?” Jade’s tone is teasing and sends a rush of red to my face, why? I don’t know, I guess I’m not used to playful Jade. It’s crazy how one night can change so much.

“You know that’s not true but you guys don’t exactly get along”.

“That’s because he’s an immature brat”. I give her a pointed look, shaking my head. I don’t feel like playing referee between them right now, dealing with her parents was draining enough. I get out of the car and head to the door, ringing the doorbell. I can feel Jade’s eyes on me from the car and shake my head unable to stop the lovestruck smile on my face. I understand more than ever why women are obsessed with Jade. It doesn’t take for Logan to open the door, his greeting fading from his lips as he sees the giddy smile on my face.

“Why do you have that look on your face?” He opens the door wider letting me breeze past him. Jade has this way of making me feel like I’m floating on air. I felt so low and dejected before that dinner and now I feel untouchable.

“I don’t have a look, where’s my baby at?”

“With Karla washing up from painting”.

“Karla’s back?” Karla is Taylor’s best friend and always looked out for me and Taylor like an older sister. She was always a lot older and more responsible than us just like Logan. I knew they had a thing for each other but since she left for school neither of them acted on their feelings.

“Mhm, she got back yesterday. She wanted to surprise you but I told her you had a date? Speaking of…Jade Knight, your boss, when did you two start seeing each other? And why did I have to learn from social media?”

“It’s a long story”.

“I have time”. I laugh and shake my head.

“Good for you but I don’t, she’s waiting for me”.

“She’s outside right now”. Before I can even nod, Logan is darting to the door. I laugh and quickly pull him back.

“Stop, you’re gonna be weird or do something to embarrass me”.

“Shit, forget you I’m going to ask for a job” we both laughed as I hit him in the shoulder. We both looked out the window to see the gorgeous business woman posted on the side of her luxury car, looking sexy as hell, on the phone, security I hadn’t noticed posted not too far away. Fuck she looks like she’s straight out of a movie. Her face screams business and I know she’s likely on a work call right now, even on her day’s off I catch her checking emails and messages, she just can’t help herself. But I admire that about her.

“Damn Angel” my blush darkens and I nod, moving away from the window.

“Yeah I know” It’s hard for me to believe too. “Where’s Cash?”

“Him and Gloria went to get lunch, we weren’t sure what time you were coming to pick Leya up. I told them to go get something”.

“Mm you just wanted to be alone with Karla”.

“Damn right I did, have you seen her?” Logan’s enthusiasm makes me laugh but I am happy for him. He deserves someone good, not these stupid bitches that his friends like to chase.

“My ears are burning” Karla says with Leya close on her heels.

“My baby” my smile is wide as I go over to Leya who quickly drops Karla’s hand running over to me.

“Mommy!” I pick her up and she wraps her limbs around me in a close hug. My heart swells as I pick up my daughter kissing her head.

“Did you have fun?” Leya immediately starts cheering about her day and tells me as much as her vocabulary allows. I listen intently before she disappears to get her painting.

“Thank you so much Karla, why didn’t you tell me you were back?” I hug her close to my chest and when we pull away she’s beaming. She holds my cheeks with a proud smile on her face.

“I was going to but you looked a little busy last night, I didn’t want to interrupt. You’re dating a Knight? They say the coldest one at that, you’ve always had a type mija, is she treating you well?” Karla, always the protector, is ready to confront Jade right now if I tell her.

“I missed you” I pull her into a hug again making her laugh.

“That’s not an answer, should I be worried?”

“No, Jade is amazing”.

“Yaay, Jade!” Leya comes running in, struggling to carry her open backpack. I laugh as her things fall out, helping her pickup everything before scooping her and her things in my arm.

“Would you like to hang out with Jade today?” Leya yells a big yes and wiggles in my arms, to run out the door and I send a glare to the sheepish couple.

“How much sugar have you given her?” Karla laughs, coming over to kiss my and Leya’s cheek.

“Don’t be mad, I had a lot of time to make up for it, she’s just so cute. Pictures and videos did no justice, she’s impossible to say no to”. I roll my eyes as Leya starts throwing a tantrum because I won’t let her down.

“Now I have to deal with this, thank you” they both laugh waving me off saying that she’s not that bad. She starts kicking her legs and crying and I give them a pointed look before turning my attention to my daughter.

“Keep it up and we’ll go straight home, do you understand me?” Leya immediately stops kicking and wiggling and I set her down crouching to her level, wiping her face. “You can walk on your own, but you’re going to hold my hand, do you understand?” She nods and I shake my head, at least she’ll crash around nap time.

“Next time use your words when you want me to do something. I can’t understand if you don’t take a breath and use words, okay?” I demonstrate for her and she nods and I give her a kiss on the cheek before standing. “Say thank you to your auntie Karla and Uncle Logan” a much calmer Leya runs over to the couple giving them both a hug.

“Be good for your mommy and mommy call me later, so we can talk”. Karla says and I nod as Leya comes over holding my hand.

“Tell Cash I said thanks”.

“You don’t have to thank him for watching his daughter” Karla rolls her eyes. She’s even less of a fan of Cash than Taylor but they both always put up with him for me.

“Hey, at least he watched her, I’m willing to say thank you for that” Karla shakes her head and with promises to talk later I leave Cash’s house. Leya begins to cheer and jump when she sees Jade. Hearing us Jade gets off the call and her stoic, cold, professional mask completely disappears at the sight of Leya. Leya tugs me to go faster and I laugh, finally letting her hand go so she can run to Jade. Cash pulls into the driveway as Jade lifts Leya in her arms and I can see his glare through the car. Even still I won’t let him sour my mood. He gets out of the car with Gloria, both of them holding bags of food in their hands. I go over so I can meet the woman he has around my daughter. At least she looks more put together than his usual shoes.

“What the hell is she doing with my daughter?” I roll my eyes ignoring Cash and giving the woman a smile. She nudges him with her elbow before giving me a nervous smile. She’s more respectful too, at least right now.

“Hi, you must be Gloria, it’s nice to meet you”.

“Nice to meet you , you have an amazing daughter”. I smile as her and Jade talk about what Leya wants to do today.

“Thanks, and thanks for watching her Cash”. He stops glaring at Jade to give me a shocked face. I don’t usually thank him but I’m in a great mood. Jade has me floating above the clouds right now. He straightens up and tries to play it off, wrapping his arm around Gloria’s shoulder.

“She’s my daughter too you know, it’s just what I do” I smirk at his words because I know he just wants to impress the older woman that’s clearly out of his league. I laugh and nod, not raining on his parade.

“Sure Cash, I’ll see you later”. I go to the car where Jade is strapping Leya into her seat. We all load into the car and I smile thinking about the day ahead with my daughter and the woman I’m quickly falling for, nothing can get better than this.

‣‣‣‣‣‣‣‣‣‣

“You think the relationship isn’t real?”

“Think about it, since when a Knight randomly starts dating an ex- employee there’s got to be a scandal there. Nobody has ever managed to get a story on the Knight family, this could be it”.

“You have to remember this is Jade Knight, she doesn’t take kindly to people snooping around her life”.

“Come on, think about it, this could be the big break we need”.

“Hey Shana, Jade Knight and her girlfriend were just spotted at the aquarium with her girlfriends daughter”. Shana smiles already seeing the money coming in from getting a story on the Jade Knight. As an up and coming journalist this is the story she’s been waiting on to advance and move up. To prove she can be editor one day, not just some lowly employee.

“Come on Miles, what do you say? Who is this girl? Where did she come from? Is this blackmail or manipulation? A gold-digger? Con artist? Think about it, Jade Knight has never been exclusive. Besides I have sources as well, they said they saw Jade Knight with another woman last night”. Her one and one friend in the office and paparazzo sighs.

“Do you have proof of that?” Miles asks to become invested and interested in the mysterious business mogul and her new “girlfriend”.

“Don’t I always?” Shana waves her phone with a smirk on her face.

“If we get our asses sued I’m coming to live with you”. Shana hugs her friend and quickly grabs her jacket, lucky pad and pencil. She can feel her luck changing already.

“You worry too much, riches awaits us my friend”.

‣‣‣‣‣‣‣‣‣‣

“Mommy look!” Leya excitedly points to a shark swimming up to the glass.

“I see, it’s a shark” she repeats the word and I can’t help but gush over her as I take photos. We’ve been at the aquarium for about an hour but it doesn’t look like we’ll be leaving any time soon. Leya has always loved animals even in my belly. I spent most of my time at the aquarium or zoo to get away from Cash. It was a calm and safe place for me and Leya and happened to have most of my cravings in one spot. Of course back then there weren’t people taking photos of us and gawking at our presence. Though I’m sure it’s courtesy of Jade, she used to be a bit recluse most of the stories about her adventures were for clubs to elite for most to enter into, now she’s at an aquarium. The shift would cause anyone to notice and it has me snickering.

“What’s so funny?” Jade asks, sliding next to me as we follow Leya to another exhibit.

“People are probably so shocked to see you here, it’s not every day you see a celebrity at the aquarium. People always viewed you as someone completely untouchable and ethereal, which is true, but now you’re here somewhere so common. I understand why people can be so fascinated”.

“It’s true that I never spent time in many places like this, even as a child we didn’t come to public areas like this unless it was for an event. The majority of my time was spent studying and partying. I’ve never done something so…normal, it’s nice”. The illuminates Jade’s small smile and it suddenly is the brightest most beautiful thing to look at in this place, probably in the world. I hold back the desire to kiss her and force my eyes away.

“I know that look, what is it?”

“You really are beautiful Jade” I speak with confidence despite the burning on my face and she stops walking, prompting me to do the same, telling Leya to wait. Luckily the little girl is distracted by fish and Jade has plenty of security because Jade has my attention right now. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to kiss someone so much. Should I just go for it? Or is that overstepping?

I don’t know who moved first but I find myself in her arms and she’s staring at me with the softest most endearing look she’s ever shown me. I feel my heart stutter and reset in my chest, cliché flurries erupt in the pit of my stomach, and a blanket of warmth envelops me, making me feel safer than I ever have. She tucks my hair behind my ear and I look down trying to stop the stupid smile I’ve had on my face all day, feeling my cheeks heat. What is this woman doing to me? This is probably all for show for her but it seems like the more time we spend together the more invested I become. The more my feelings grow. She places two fingers under my chin tilting my head up so I’m staring into her piercing and stunning green eyes,

“Mommy, we see a show”. Leya came over tugging on my hand breaking me from my trance. I let my smoke break free and turn my attention to Leya.

“Of course baby, let’s get you some food first”. I begin walking towards the food with Leya but stop when I realize Jade isn’t following. I look behind me to see her staring after me with that guarded expression she uses when hiding her feelings. I smile as a spark of hope flutters in my chest. If she’s trying to hide her feelings that means she’s feeling something, right?

“Are you coming Jade?” She mumbles something to herself before walking over, placing her hand firmly on my back. My body reacts to her touch instinctively and I’m sure I’m going to be a puddle on the floor soon.

“Lead the way, Kitten”.