Sweet Revenge: Jace & Emerald

The ACEGame building is buzzing with workers who are ready to meet their boss, whom they haven’t met for four years. Employees have been curious about how he looks since he lives in Europe. He avoided getting caught on camera, so no one actually knows his face except their boss for operation, Creep, and his wife, Elise.

“Do you think the boss is handsome?” A few females asked the other while they lined up in front of the entrance door of the first floor.

“I hope so. I want to see a handsome face when working to motivate me.” the girl replied with giggles.

“Get ready,” the one in front of them said before looking at the entrance. Then they saw their boss come in with Creep and Elise. But they wondered why a woman was in the middle of their bosses.

Emerald was walking along with Creep, Elise, and Daryl, and she was creasing her forehead when she saw how their employees lined up. “What’s all this, Creep?” she asked in a low voice.

“I don’t know either,” he replied. After they pass through the employees, Creep decides to be left behind and talk to them. In contrast, Emerald and the others continue walking to the elevator.

The ACEGame building is a 10-story building that Creep bought from a closing company after he had an engineer check it. Emerald didn’t want a high-rise building because she wanted to work closer to her employees while working with camaraderie.

The company’s setup is very informal, and anyone can come to work in their house dress. But none of them do that; they still want to feel the ambiance of being in an office and flex their OOTD.

“What was that about, Elise?” Emerald asked as soon as they entered her office.

“I have no idea either. Maybe the team leaders were excited to meet you, but since they had no idea what kind of boss you are, they decided to do that.”

“Inform Creep to tell them not to do that again,” she replied. She took her seat before she began looking into some documents on her table. After a few minutes, Creep came in, apologizing.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“I’m sorry about that, M. They were all overwhelmed. I told them not to spread the news about you or even take your pictures and post them on their social media accounts if they want to keep their jobs.”

“Don’t scare them with their work, Creep,” young Morgan said, smiling while shaking her head. She knew her friend didn’t mean it, but she was worried that their employees might overthink.

“If you say so.” Creep replied, “Have you seen your schedule for next week? I know that you just arrived, and if I could make you rest first, I’d do it. But you have jobs to do.”

“I understand, and I’m ready. You don’t need to worry about jet lag or whatnot because I’m fine. Even Ace is very energetic this morning.”

“That’s good to know.” After a few discussions about company adjustments, Emerald was left in her office alone and continued what she was doing before her friend arrived.

Emerald’s first day at work had been very hectic. She halted everything Creep had to do because she wanted to do it herself. “Hey, it’s time to go home,” Daryl said as he opened the door and got in.

“Yeah, I’ll just clean up,” young Morgan replied and started organizing her things on the table. “Let’s go?” she asked after she was done, and then the two went out and walked their way to the elevator and out of the building.

“Mommy!” Ace greeted Emerald happily before hugging her, to which she returned with warmth.

“How are you?”

“Very fine, Mom. But it gets boring since nanny Keng didn’t let me study coding.” the boy replied,

“It’s because I told her to. We just arrived, and I want you to rest as much as possible.”

“But I am not tired or anything.” Ace reasoned out, pouting.

“Oh dear, mommy only wants what’s best for you, right?” Emerald asked, making Ace nodded. “Even if you think you don’t feel tired, it doesn’t mean that you’re not. Your body needs more rest than adults do.”

“But you even go to work.” He complained.

“That’s a good argument, but what did I say about talking back, young man?” She asked, raising a brow. Ace became quiet while Daryl and Nanny Keng were holding their laughter.

As a mother, Emerald made sure that she spent quality time with her son after work or on weekends. She wanted him to know and feel the love of a mother, something she longed for and would surely not deprive him of.

After a week of working nonstop, Emerald decided to bring her son out for some mother-son bonding. “Are you really going to buy me a new console, Mom?” Ace asked while they were in the car, on their way to a mall.

“Yes. Is it hard to believe?” Emerald asked, confused. As far as she can remember, she never forbade him from any kind of games he wanted to play as long as it was not an adult kind of game.

“You said I need to focus on my studies since I will start attending school.”

“You’re responsible, so I don’t need to worry about your studies. And I am here to remind you when you forget about it.”

“Thank you, mommy,” the boy said and hugged her tightly. Emerald engulfed him with her embrace as well. At the same time, Elise, sitting in the passenger seat beside Creep who was driving, and Nanny Keng, who sat beside them in the backseat, looked at them happily.

“What do you think about this?” Ace asked his mother. Emerald looked at the console his son was pointing at, and she thought it was okay, so she nodded.

“Make sure that it’s what you like.” She suggested.

“Then let me have a look again.” The boy replied, scratching his head with a hesitant smile.

“Go on, dear. Take your time.” Emerald told her son, and the boy started looking at the display.

“How about you? Are you not going to buy anything? Your things from your house in Europe won’t arrive until next month. Why don’t you buy some clothes as well?” Elise said, and Creep seconded the motion. So, after giving a smile and thanking them, she asked the couple to look after Ace, who was engrossed in the display with his nanny.

“We’ll take care of him,” Creep assured her, so she started walking out of the toy store.

Meanwhile, Jace and Jack were together on the other side of the mall. “Tell me, why did you bring me here? Can’t you just ask your assistant to buy the gift for you?” young Higginson asked, confused.

“Are you busy?” Jack asked, and Jace shook his head. “So what’s the fuzz? You have nothing to do, and I need someone to accompany me.”

“I’m just asking why it has to be me?”

“Why not you? You’re available. Do you need a reason to come with me?” Jack said as they continued walking until they reached a jewelry store.

“Why here?” Jace asked.

“Are you going to question everything?” his brother asked while he looked at the display.

“Hi, sir. Is there a specific jewelry you’re looking for?” the saleslady asked.

“I’m looking for a necklace,” Jack answered, making Jace crease his forehead.

“We have new arrivals.” The saleslady replied happily and showed them the necklace.

“Who are you going to give that necklace to?” Jace asked.

“Who else? To my wife!” Jack exclaimed before shaking his head, looking at him, and added, “If you only give yourself time to look around, you might have found someone that will catch your attention. Is that what staying in your office did to you? Come on, little bro, get a life!”

“That’s easier said than done,” Jace replied as he averted his gaze to the necklace. He remembered that he didn’t give Emerald anything when they were together. It’s not that he didn’t want to; he even bought her something, but he just didn’t give it. And he was still doing it.

The sibling stopped talking about the young Higginson, and Jack continued looking until he decided to order a customized necklace, which the store also offered. They just went out of the store after making a down payment when Jace looked at the other side and noticed someone.

“Emerald?” he said unsure.

“Who?” Jack asked, looking in the direction that young Higginson was looking.

“Wait for me here,” Jace said, running towards the other side. But he needs to run in his right direction and make a U-turn at the end of the hall to go to the clothing boutique where he saw Emerald. Jack followed him with his gaze and then looked in the direction his little brother had been looking at earlier.

‘Did he just say, Emerald?’ he asked himself. For the last five years, he has seen how Jace is after his sister-in-law leaves him. Although he knew that it was Jace’s fault, he still couldn’t help but feel pity for him. He had found the love of his life and loved him back, but he let himself be consumed by anger and revenge.

Jace, who had reached the clothing boutique, looked around in search of Emerald, whom he thought he saw. His eyes landed on the elevator going down, and he noticed a retreating figure of someone he mistook for his wife, so he ran there as well.

Just as the woman reached the next floor, Jace stopped her by her wrist and said, “Emerald,” the woman looked at him, confused.

“Excuse me?” the woman asked.

“I’m sorry. I thought you were someone I knew,” Jace replied, letting go of the woman’s arm as she continued walking away.

‘Where are you, Emerald?’ Jace asked himself again. A question he has been asking for five years that is yet to be answered or couldn’t find the answer. With slumped shoulders, he returned to where he had left his brother, who was looking at him with pity.