With sadness and tears evident on Jessica's face, she made her way to Moon Corporation. Her appearance alone would reveal her inner turmoil. Ignoring the calls and messages on her phone, she entered the elevator and headed towards Felix's office. As she stepped out of the elevator, tears streamed down her cheeks, her outfit consisting of a white blazer, wide-leg trousers, and white pumps.
Felix looked up from his paperwork, startled by the sight of Jessica's tear-streaked face. Concern etched lines on his brow as he poured a glass of water, its clinking a counterpoint to the storm brewing within her.
'Felix...' she choked out, the word heavy with unshed tears.
He offered a gentle smile, gesturing towards the water. 'Take a sip first, Jess. It'll clear your throat.'
Jessica placed her extravagant Chanel handbag on the table and took the glass, but she couldn't find the words to speak. Tears continued to flow down her smooth cheeks.
'You look... unhappy, Jessica,' Felix remarked, pouring himself a glass of water. 'Is it because of Michael?'
A barely audible nod was her only response. 'I love him, Felix,' she finally whispered, the weight of the words threatening to break her.
'But love isn't a possession, Jessica,' he replied softly, his gaze steady. 'No matter how desperately you hold on, you can't force someone to reciprocate your feelings. You have to give up now.'
'Give up? Stop it, Felix... Why me? I've been with Michael for so long...' Jessica's voice trembled with anguish.
'Then go ahead and kidnap him, make him yours,' Felix joked, but Jessica didn't find it amusing.
Shame replaced the anger in her eyes. 'He...he despises me,' she confessed, voice barely above a whisper.
'Despises you? Jessica, any man would find such possessiveness suffocating. Even a fictional Romeo would eventually tire of it.'
Her hand flew to her cheek, her touch feather-light. 'What's wrong with me? Am I not beautiful anymore?' Jessica's voice quivered, and tears welled up in her eyes. 'Today, I witnessed him with a woman of insignificance. He abandoned his prestigious status to be with her, a woman with no prospects for the future...'
Felix felt a pang of sympathy, but it was quickly overshadowed by frustration. 'Are you the woman he needs, Jessica? Or are you simply clinging to an idealised version of your relationship? Michael has never been in a relationship with you. Stop pushing something that would never happen.'
'I just love him, Felix,' she pleaded, her voice thick with desperation. 'He's all I have.'
He sighed, handing her a tissue. 'Take a deep breath, Jess. You're clinging to a fantasy, a script from a melodramatic movie. It's exciting to watch, but ultimately unsustainable.'
Jessica dabbed at her eyes, her movements subdued. 'Can you help me?' she asked, a flicker of hope battling the shadows in her eyes.
'No, Jessica. You're my friend, but I can't help you win Michael over... I just hope and pray that you won't become a manipulative person because of this. Let it go. Eventually, you'll find someone else... someday,' Felix tried his best to console her.
'Since you can't do anything, I should go,' Jessica declared.
'Where are you going?' Felix enquired with concern, glancing at his watch. 'It's almost time to pick up Celine from school.'
'Let me do it,' she offered, her voice surprisingly steady.
Felix wanted to refuse, but Jessica pleaded, and considering her familiarity with the Njemanze family, he reluctantly agreed to let her pick up Celine from school. As Jessica left the office, Felix took out his phone and dialled Michael's number, a mix of curiosity and apprehension stirring within him.
'What drama did you orchestrate today, Michael?' he asked, his voice laced with amusement.
'Don't act surprised,' came Michael's sardonic reply.
'How did you know she came to me? Are you psychic now?' Felix chuckled.
'Because she loves me that much,' Michael scoffed.
'And what will you do about it?' Felix challenged, intrigued.
'You already know the answer,' Michael replied, his voice devoid of emotion. 'But tell me, what did she say?'
'She believes you chose someone 'lesser' over her, but refuses to give up. Yes, she loves you very much,' Felix said, a hint of sympathy colouring his voice.
'Give her a lollipop to suck,' Michael scoffed, his voice devoid of warmth.
'Curious about this woman who's stripped you of your usual composure, Michael,' Felix teased. 'Do you have time in the evening? Maybe we can discuss it further over a drink?'
Felix anticipated that Michael would want to talk more later, but to his surprise, Michael refused. 'I don't have time to discuss trivial matters concerning Jessica, but I will tell you more about my woman another day... You still have another high-level executive meeting. After that, go home and rest,' Michael reminded before hanging up.