When he said the guest would arrive by eight pm, Jade did not expect everyone to show up on time. However, even before the set time, the already prepared dining room was half full. Like he had said before leaving her bedroom, Jade was in charge of the kitchen. She had met the waiters earlier, and yes, she was right, they were his bodyguards as well, not a single woman in sight.
Just like she used to at the café, Jade had given them instructions on how the table must be served, what dish went with which, and how to seamlessly and neatly plate food. They were quick learners and very organized, a lot different from the ones she had cooked with before, and this made her glad.
While she stood next to the counter, watching the waiters troop in and out of the kitchen with plates, trays, and drinks, someone else entered, someone she had been avoiding. She was right; his name was John, and now she had to go with him to the conference room. Even before he approached her, she said,
"He told me already, so I was waiting for you. Lead the way."
They both left the kitchen and took an elevator that Jade was seeing for the first time. Jade made sure to take a trolley with her, containing plates, cutlery, glasses, and napkins to be used. Inside the elevator, neither of them said a word, just like it had always been. However, to Jade, it was the most uncomfortable and embarrassing ride she had ever taken. John on the other hand, showed no expression.
They arrived on the top floor, and John swiped his card in front of the screen to open the conference room, but it beeped, followed by a red flash. "What the?" he muttered. He was stunned. The bodyguards' card should open just about any door in the mansion, but why not the conference room? In his confusion, Jade stepped forward, took out the card that the boss had given her, and swiped it in front of the screen just like she had seen him do. The green light flashed, and the door unlocked.
"Who did you steal from?" John asked, his voice threatening. But Jade did not flinch, she simply turned and replied,
"Your boss gave it to me. I was surprised too."
With that, they stepped into the conference room. It was nothing like the dining hall below. A long obsidian table ran through the center, surrounded by high-backed leather chairs, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.
Immediately, Jade set to work, arranging plates in perfect symmetry while John stood far from her. He was just there to watch, literally, because it was not like he knew anything about setting up a table. Jade worked fast because she had to return to the kitchen soon. Wine glasses were placed to the right, cutlery and napkins positioned.
When she adjusted the centerpiece for the table and turned to retrieve another tray, John stepped into her path.
"Can you move?" she asked quietly. "I am working."
"So am I," he answered, his eyes dropping briefly to her waist, where she had fixed the card between her dress and belt. "You expect me to believe that he gave that to you?"
Jade's eyes narrowed. She wanted to snap at him, but then remembered that she had a secret with him and calmly replied, "You can ask him when you see him. If it was stolen, I would not keep it where you would see it. Now please, step aside."
Unfortunately, he did the opposite, leaning slightly and lowering his voice. "What you did last night," he said, "do not think I have forgotten."
Jade's stomach tightened. "Why is he bringing this up now?" she wondered. "What does he want?"
"If I had spoken," he went on, his hand brushing slightly against her waist, "you would not be serving dinner tonight." Jade shifted uncomfortably while he tightened his arms around her waist. She was tempted to break a glass over his head since it was within reach, but she had to restrain herself. She was to blame, and she knew it, but then again, did John have to be so stupid?
"What do you want?" she could not believe those words came out of her mouth. "Because I know that is why you did not report me. You want something."
"Smart girl," he retorted, leaning closer. "I want you to complete what you started."
"No," Jade exclaimed, struggling to break free from his grasp. He only held her tighter and closer, so much that they were almost touching noses, although Jade turned her face away.
"Do not tell me no," he said. "You are trying to escape the mansion by stealing a card from me, and I know that. If you refuse, I will not be the only one to know."
While he was still speaking, the door flung open, startling them. John quickly let Jade go, and she stepped back immediately. Her heart was truly racing because he, the boss, had caught them together, and without context, he might assume she was in on this as well.
He did not just stand at the door staring at them. Rather, he walked in like a tyrant. He did not look upset or disappointed, just as cold as always and he approached John first. John did not move, he did not plead either. He simply stood there like the guard he was and accepted his fate because any other action might have cost him his life.
It was only a matter of seconds before the boss's powerful fist sliced through the air, delivering a punch that made John stagger backward. Without further ado, he pulled out a pistol and aimed directly at John's head, and that was when Jade screamed,
"Please no!" Of course, she assumed that he would not listen to anyone, so she simply closed her eyes and waited for the sound of the gunshot, knowing that by the time she opened them, John would be dead. However, that was not the case. There was so much silence that she had to look.
He stood face to face with the gun, the pistol still in position but his fingers far from the trigger. John stood there, head low, as if he knew his boss would not kill him. "I apologize," he uttered, chest rising and falling, so yes, he too was scared.
"Get out!" he ordered, and John did not waste another second before leaving the conference room. He, who had no name, returned the gun to his suit jacket. It was now that Jade noticed what he was wearing. He looked just like a figure out of a magazine, a warlord in a suit and tie, and the second he turned, her heart skipped a beat.
"I…" she tried to speak, but he interjected.
"I saw it on the camera. No need to explain." He paused and looked up at a corner. Jade followed his eyes and saw the camera he was referring to. It was so small that no one would really notice. He turned to her again. "He should have known better. Anyway, the president arrives in ten minutes."
"Everything will be set before he arrives," Jade assured him, even though her voice was shaking a bit.
"I am counting on it." He said and turned to leave. "Nice dress, by the way."