Together they went inside the house, none of them speaking to each other but standing there like pretty little strangers.
"Aren't you going to offer me a sit?" Jade's voice once more pulled him out of his trance and he shook his head, trying his best to get his shit together.
"Umm, please do have a seat. Sorry that the place is a bit messed up. I just huh..."
"Jade only shook her head. He was trying so much but he looked so miserable right now. She did not know he was even as miserable when he thought he lost Asia. Back then he was her pillar bit now, he looked like thrash.
"Thanks." She took her seat and dropped her bag by her side while her gaze remained on him. "How have you been, Arctic?"
"Umm, I have been doing fine. My manners, what can I offer you? I have some wine I think you might like," he offered, moving straight to his dining area.
"There would be no need for that," Jade began, shifting out of her seat a bit.
"Oh, I see. Perhaps cookies or something?"
"Did you bake?"
"Umm, no. I ordered." He scratched the back of his head. There was not much he could offer her.
"There would be no need for that." Her gaze swept through the condo unit, her head shaking in disapproval.
"What happened to you, Arctic?"
"Huh?" Even though they both knew the answer to that question, it seemed only superficial and crazy to be asking but she did. Whether it was to test him or not, he just couldn't put his finger on it.
This wasn't the Arctic she knew. He was always organized. What had happened to him?
"I apologize for how shitty everywhere looked." He cast his own gaze around him. Indeed it looked somehow kinda shitty, his living room and dining table to be exact.
There were bottles of beer and wine scattered around and even worse were the empty packs of bought food lying around on the table and ground.
How terribly had he been living, Jade wondered. "I really wasn't expecting anyone to show up on my doorstep," he added.
"That is not an excuse you know. You were always neat. It was one of the things I admired about you."
"I am so sorry to disappoint you, boss."
"No need. That is not necessarily why I came here, Arctic. Or aren't you wondering why I am?"
"Oh, is that so? Okay, why then?" He quickly bombarded her with questions. His mind was full and so he hoped to get an answer quickly.
"I would tell you. I came here today to tell you this. So listen carefully because I would not be repeating myself."
His heartbeat began to thud wildly in his chest at that moment. What was he going to say? He had just only just started living here what if she asked him to move out of the house and city?
Normally when one betrayed their Lord, it was expected to leave the vicinity of their master once and for all to prevent any bad occurrence. He had failed to go because he hoped that Jade would one day forgive him but now. He wasn't so sure anymore.
"With what you did to me, I should never be able to forgive you. I trusted you with all of my heart and I gave my all to you but what did I get in turn, you readily sold me out on a platter of gold to the enemy."
"I am so sorry. Lie I said, that was not my intention to sell you out. I had planned that once I got hold of Asia, I would come back and fight for you. I just needed your presence to allow me get her."
"Yet you chose to keep me in the dark, right?"
"I am sorry but I was not so sure if you would willingly risk your life for Asia. I was scared and o I acted rashly and selfishly."
"You are wrong. You know Asia and I would have died for each other. It was how much we cared about each other," Jade refuted.
"Perhaps yes, but when it comes to a life and death situation feelings can change and humans. I lost her once, I wasn't willing to do so again. I am sorry I was selfish with my decisions and it was wrong of me. And for that, I would accept whatever punishment I get even if cost me greatly or I have to leave this city."
"Hmm. I love your resolve. Asia is indeed lucky but I cannot afford such mistakes again," saying this, Jade stood up, her face looking very serious.
"It would never happen. I promise you. I would protect you both with my life."
"It is great, this father resolve but to be in the job, you know what it entails. Feelings have gone because your master's safety comes as a priority."
"I know. I am sorry. I am not this divided and I know she can take care of herself but I lost her before and now have a chance to get her back..." He took in a deep breath, letting out another. "I am so sorry, Jade."
"I know. And that was why I came here to tell you this. I forgive you Arctic."
"What?"
"Yes. It is as easy as that. I forgive you."
"Are you?" He blinked severally, not being able to believe his eyes nor his ears.
"I forgive you Arctic but on one condition."
"Anything. Just name it and I would do it. Anything to right this wrong."
"If I would forgive you and allow you to come back, then either you resign for Asia to be my personal bodyguard or Asia resigns."
"What?"
That was it Arctic was taken aback by her statement but with one look at Jade, he knew she was being so serious. There was no smile on her face, not a single trace.
"Yes. It has always been risky having family on the job and not to even say, guarding the same person. I cannot have this matter repeat itself again."
"But. Asia..." he stuttered. "She loves her job. It is her life. She was literally trained to serve you.. It would break her."