Meanwhile, as they were busy enjoying themselves, Zale Anders was still trying to figure out whether to believe or not that she was the real Jade Frost or she was acting.
He knew something was kind of off about her. It was either that was how she was always smiling or acting just gave her away.
Regardless of whether he was right or wrong, he was still not going to let his investigation go. He would figure out just who she really was and her connection to his missing target.
Quickly, Zale brought out his phone and put a call through to Mr. Howard.
"Hello, yes, it is I, Zale Anders."
"Ah, Mr. Anders, what can I do for you this sunny day?"
"Something. How far is your search for her?"
"Still ongoing. She is looking like a hard nut to crack. She hides pretty well, that is if she is still alive."
"She is alive and that is why we must keep on searching for her.
"Okay. I understand. So why did you call/"
"Yes, have you been able to get a trail on the car plate number I gave you? Could you locate a house where the owner stays?"
"Yes. Ewe have something at hand."
"Good. I think I just found who we are looking for."
"Are you serious, Zale? Do not joke with me."
"I am not so certain but I cannot throw that hunch I am getting away."
"Alright. I understand you."
'Yes. She may not have the same features as the Jade I know but that voice, it is the voice I know."
"OH… But voices can be attributed to different people, Master Zale."
"Yes I know but this one, is so distinct and I do not know but my instincts do not want me to let go of this trail. Who knows, we might find something interesting."
"Alright. If you say so. Anyways, where has this girl being that even my own agents didn't fish her out?"
"Oh, you would never guess who I found her with."
"Who?" Mr. Howard asked, suddenly becoming more and more interested in the conversation.
"The one and only Xander Warner."
"What!"
"My thought exactly. I was so shocked to have found them together and I think they are a thing."
"A thing?"
"Yes, a couple."
"You know this mission just became a whole lot more dangerous," Mr. Howard stated as a matter of fact.
"Relax," Zale replied. He knew where and what he was getting to. He was sounding afraid so that Zale would pressurize him to carry on with the work for an increased price. "I know what you want. The benefits and pay would be increased by thirty percent."
"Thirty?"
"Yes. You do not have to do more than you should. I even made your work easier. Follow Xander's girlfriend and find out all about her. Her work, the people she relates with, her family, all in all. Let nothing be left out."
'Got it. Anything else."
"For now, none. Just keep me posted on any of your findings. I hope that within this week, we would have very useful news to work with. Okay just for good work, I give you one week from today. I need full details on all I have asked you for."
"One week, got it. You would have it all on the sixth day. Thank you for patronizing us."
"No problem."
"Do have a good day, Master Anders."
"You too."
He ended the call and made his way back to his seat to await his next business client.
'Jade, just you wait, the time of your death is at hand.'
By the next day when Jade arrived at the office, she quickly sent for her friend, Macy.
All through the previous night when she got home from her breathtaking session with her boyfriend, Xander, jade could not erase the thought of Zale in her mind.
She had remained with Xander at that point in time to continue her acting and not look suspicious to Zale especially if she had chosen to go home that moment.
Even down to her making out session and all the romance with Xander, she allowed it happen to better remove her mind from the fact that her sworn enemy was right in front of her and given the chance she could have killed him.
"Fuck!" Jade half yelled and banged her fists on the table.
Her veins were clearly visible at the side of her forehead. She had been thinking all night long and although this was an important event and one that she needed to tell Arctic, she refused to.
One of her reasons was due to the fact that if Arctic was to know that Zale had thought her recognizable, he would have probably arranged for her to be moved to a different city or totally let guards surround her and be a watchdog on her 24/7.
It wasn't like his eyes weren't on her or anything but this time, he would be more visibly protecting her.
So she wasn't willing to take her chances.
Secondly, he would get angry that he had always known Xander was trouble, and also he would figure out they were dating, which was worse as he would get mad at her.
So there was a lot on her mind as to why she could not let him know that she had met her enemy. If that was the case, she needed to find a way to kill him.
He was one step in bringing about the total annihilation of the Anders family. He in particular had chased her and he was there on the day her family and well-wishers all died. Seeing him had brought back all that she had tried to conceal.
Her anger, her rage, her pain all came rushing back into her mind, heart, and soul.
"Arrghh!" Jade yelled again, this time she got up from her seat and began pacing.
Knock! Knock!
She turned towards the door and waited for it to open. The moment she saw that it was Macy, Jade heaved a sigh of relief but that had occurred just for a split second as her high alertness and rage rushed back in again.
"Oh no! Jade, what is wrong?" Macy asked immediately the door was shut.
"I saw him, Macy."
'Saw who?" She was confused. She did not understand what her friend meant by what she said.
"I saw him. I saw him again. I saw him." Jade lamented on and on.
"Saw who?"
"I saw Anders, Zale Anders," Jade revealed and combed her fingers through her hair, scattering the lovely brown curls.
"Oh no." Macy looked like someone who just heard terrible news. All color drained from her face instantly. She could understand to some extent what her friend was feeling.
She knew Jade was eating herself up. It was clearly written all over her face. "Where and when?"
"Yesterday, Macy. Yesterday when Xander and I went to the hotel. The annoying thing was that he walked over to us just to confirm if I was the one."
'Oh no. But he is not supposed to recognize you. Wait, have you informed your bodyguard about it?"
"Hell no. I cannot let Arctic know about this. He would go berserk if he hears if it. My freedom would be taken away from me just because of this."
"But you cannot deny that whatever measures he takes to protect you it is to ensure your maximum safety."
"I know," Jade replied with a sad face.
"But what, Jade? Something is holding you back and you and I know that it is not your freedom as you did not have much before when your parents were around. That wasn't because they did not trust you but because they cared so much and were scared."
"True but…" She hesitated again before looking at her friend who was looking sternly at her like a mother hen.
"Say the truth, Jade. Tell me the real reason."
"The truth is that he is wary of Xander. He thinks we are getting too close."
'Do not tell me that he does not know?"
"I am keeping it from him. He doesn't know we are dating and I love him. He would blame my being with Xander as the cause and furthermore, he would want me to stay away from him."
"But you are grown and can make your own decisions yourself."
"True but Arctic and yourself are the only people that I have as my only family."
"And Xander. He is a part of your life now, Jade. You love him and that counts a lot. Xander loves you too and he would do anything for you. Do not break his heart and leave him."
"Who said anything about leaving?"
"Good. Cause you look like you are considering it as an option."
"Not now, not ever. I love him. Anyways, I refuse to let Arctic know. I would tale Zale myself until I find an opening, a weak spot and use it. I would bring him down myself."