Meanwhile, Zale had still not gotten any news in relations to where Jade might be.
He had sent his men to Star Cross City in search of her only for him to return so quickly with nothing to write home about.
"Give me one good reason why I should not cripple you right now?" Zale Anders hollered at the man who was kneeling on the ground in the centre of the living room.
"Forgive me boss, but there was nothing much I could do."
"What do you mean by that?"
"He came all of a sudden when I was talking business with Mr Bronze. The meeting had barely started when he started causing trouble."
"What? Why would Xander do that?" Zale almost yelled out.
"He said rules are there for a reason. He should be informed before any foreign meeting whatsoever is carried out. Also that you did not seek his permission for entry."
"What!"
"He came in anger looking for you and my himself."
"This is bullshit!" Zale exclaimed. "What nonsense permission?"
"According to him, rules are rules that I should return and not until things are done properly, he does not want to see anything relating to your family in Star Cross City."
"What nonsense is this? He humiliated me in front of Bronze."
"Yes."
"I wasn't talking to you so shut up."
"Sorry boss."
Zale peeled his eyes off the man and began to pace in the living room. It was one thing to be queried and another to be sent out of a place.
"He is biting off more than he can chew," Zale muttered to himself.
"Boss. If I may," the man tried getting Zale's attention and he did.
"Yes? What is it, Jamie?"
"I suggest you do as he said and follow protocol in this case."
He was happy about his suggestion as he knew Zale would have no choice but to agree with him.
Right before his eyes, Zale's already vexed face dropped completely and all that remained was pure and utter rage.
If Jamie had thought Zale was angry before, then he was sorely mistaken.
"Can you hear yourself?" Zale bellowed at him while stalking closer to where he still kneeling on the ground.
"Since when have you seen me or my family undergoing protocol? Huh? What stupid protocol? Do you think I do not know about the already existing protocol before I sent you, huh?"
"I am sorry Boss. I thought..."
"I do not pay you to think, Jamie. You have a job and all you have to do is follow my orders and leave the thinking for those who have brains to do it."
"If I wanted protocol, I knew who to have gone to. Protocol be damned. While I am here waiting to follow due protocol, Frost's daughter is out there and probably plotting her revenge and how she wants to take over the city. This is why we do not have time for a protocol. So you understand?"
"Yes sir. I do."
"Good. Still, keep in touch on calls with Mr Bronze and find out what he knows and how he can help us out in our search secret;y without you know who butting in. While that is in place, apply for the due protocol and send the mails necessary."
"Sure boss."
"While I, I would venture into another city to supervise the search there."
"Okay boss."
"Now get up and get out of my sight."
*******
Just like that, Xander came to pick her and they went to a flashy restaurant. It was one of the best in the city, known for his great cooking and its hospitality.
Without saying much, they got there, went to their reserved seat and placed their orders. In no time, they were served their dinner.
"Eat up. You would absolutely love the dish." Surprisingly that was the most Xander had said to her since he brought her there.
For some unknown reason, he had been quieter than he was on a regular and that had seemed to worry Jade.
'Perhaps he is not feeling it.' Jade thought but her guess about him not feeling the date was wrong.
For a long time now, Xander did not really go out with any girl and if it was just pleasure he wanted, he could easily get that from all the girls throwing themselves at him but never once did he think of doing this with them.
Except for a business dinner where he wanted to win the other party to their company, that he would agree to dinner when they were playing hard to get.
Apparently, they would later succumb and fall under his charm, wanting him.
So when Jade had spoken of being friends, he wasn't too sure how or what she meant about it.
The only real friends he had were Jay and Sky. Those two had been with him since they were babes.
So their friendship was automatic and unavoidable. It wasn't like he went to them to befriend then, no. It came naturally that now he sees them as his brothers and not friends.
He had never needed to make friends as the so-called friends wanted to make him theirs.
That was why he was at a loss of words when she said that. 'From friendship to relationship, huh. Okay, not bad.'
For Jade she was special and he did not know why his heart yearned for her this way.
OIt was surprising though at how much he did go just to get her to be his but he was willing to go the extra mile till he got her.
Was it love at first sight, he just could not figure it out. He had never fallen in love with anyone, so he was not sure exactly how he felt. That was one of the things he envied about Sky.
Out of all three, only he found love and was happy with his girlfriend.
"How does he taste?" Xander's voice broke out, surprising her yet again. His voice sounded soft and yet cool with a sense of care in them.
Jade looked at him through her lashes and smiled at him. "It is nice, thanks."
"You are welcome."
Just like that, they had a nice dinner while Xander did his best in trying to know her and she did ask a few questions of her own as well.