As Tom and Lucy pulled into the compound after their stroll that evening, they found Harry's car parked in front of the house, with Harry and Jade standing beside it.
Tom pulled over beside them. "What are you doing here?" Tom asked Harry as he got out of the car to join them.
"What? You're not happy to see me?" Harry asked dryly.
"I'm always happy to see you. The question is why are you here," Tom said, giving Jade a questioning look as he wondered if Harry was there because she had not gone to meet him as he asked her to.
"He brought me home. We were out all day, so he came to drop me off," Jade explained just as Lucy joined them.
"Hello, HaHa! Hey, Jade!" Lucy greeted with a pleasant smile, "How did the visit go?" Lucy asked Harry and he shrugged.
"She shed tears...."
"Tears?" Lucy echoed in disbelief.
"It was unexpected. She seemed sort of regretful after seeing Candace," Harry said and Lucy snorted.
"She was probably feeling regretful that she lost her opportunity to find Candace before you did," Lucy said and Harry chuckled.
"Candace said the same thing," Harry said, while Tom looked at Jade with a frown.
"Are you both just getting back from the office or did you go somewhere?" Harry asked curiously.
"Tom finished late, and we both went on a stroll afterward," Lucy said while Tom kept his gaze on Jade.
"What I don't get is why Harry is dropping you off here. I mean, you've been at his place for a while now, so how come you are coming back here now when you should be with him? Or did Harry ask to be left alone?" Tom asked, looking from Jade to Harry.
Jade looked at Harry, unable to explain what had prompted her decision to Tom, and Harry shook his head at Tom, "I'm fine. She did more than enough already and I'm feeling much better," Harry assured Tom.
"Take a look at all those shopping bags in the backseat. She got me all of that. I never knew shopping could make someone feel better," Harry said and Jade grinned.
"Welcome to the world of therapeutic shopping," Jade said and Lucy giggled.
"Or maybe you're just too exhausted from the experience to feel anything else," Tom pointed out jokingly, earning laughs from Harry and Lucy. Jade scowled at him playfully.
"No. It was actually the company. Being with her always makes me feel better. Thanks for asking her to cheer me up," Harry assured Tom.
"I didn't need to be asked. If you had come to me first instead of Tom, I would have cheered you up right away. But it's fine you went to him first. At least I got to show you I can cheer you up faster than Tom," Jade said with a wink and they all laughed.
"Why don't I go in and leave you guys to talk? You will call me when you get home, right?" Jade asked, and Harry smiled at her, impressed by how much effort he could see she was putting into being less clingy.
"How about I call you as I drive out so you can keep me company all the way till I get home?" he asked and she smiled happily.
"That's fine too. I love you," Jade said as she leaned forward and kissed him.
"I love you much more," Harry said as Jade stepped away from him.
"I should leave you guys to talk as well. Give my regards to Candace and Andy. I will be looking forward to seeing the interview tomorrow," Lucy said to Harry before turning to Tom, "I will be in the bedroom," Lucy told Tom.
"Don't freshen up without me," he said with a wink and she grinned.
"That was too much information," he said and Tom raised a brow.
"I'm pretty sure I would do the same if I were in your shoes. Maybe I'm clingy too, who knows? But if Harry isn't complaining why are you worried? Or did he complain?" Lucy asked and Jade shook her head.
"No. He didn't. I was just thinking about it. I want to tone it down," Jade said with a shrug.
"Honestly, Jade, if you ask me, I think you are doing fine and shouldn't tone down anything unless Harry wants you to. You are more expressive of your feelings than the rest of us, and if you ask me, I think it's a good thing," Lucy said and Jade looked at her hopefully.
"Do you really think so?" She asked, and Lucy gave her a nod.
"Of course. I wouldn't say what I don't mean to you. But I have one advise though. Or you can call it a suggestion," Lucy said and Jade nodded.
"Go on."
"You know how Harry is. Don't give him reasons to speak to you harshly in public," Lucy said and Jade nodded thoughtfully.
"You mean like how I asked to join him when he wanted to speak with Mia alone, right?" She asked and Lucy nodded.
"Yes. I think as long as you understand your partner, you'd know how to handle your relationship. But other than that, I don't think you're spoilt or clingy," Lucy said and Jade smiled.
"I'm sorry I assumed you thought of me that way," Jade said, meaning it.
"Can I ask why you thought so?"
"Andy and Candace talked to me on Saturday. Although, I already trashed things out with Candace. I assumed that you and Sonia might also think I'm immature..."
"They said you were immature?" Lucy asked with a slight frown, unable to imagine why they would say that to her.
"Spoilt was the word used," Jade said and went on to tell her all they had said.
When she was done, Lucy reached out a hand to pat her hand.
"That must have stung a little. I'm sorry. I'm sure they didn't mean to hurt your feelings," Lucy said and Jade shrugged.
"It' stung more than a little. I was just going to withdraw from you all and keep to myself since I'm too immature to hangout with you guys," Jade said and Lucy nodded.
"I can understand why you'd make such a decision. But we all can't be expected to act the same way. Can I ask you a question?" Lucy asked and Jade nodded.
"Why did you confront me that way in front of others during the party on the yacht?"
"Well, I thought you were picking on me," Jade said and Lucy nodded.
"Why did it have to be right there, at that time in front of the others? Why didn't you do it later in private?" Lucy asked and Jade frowned.
"If you could pick on me right there in front of them at that time, why do I have to wait until later to confront you in private? I should do so in front of everyone too so they know it's not okay to pick on me. I won't let anyone walk over me," Jade said and Lucy nodded.
"I thought as much. You're a reasonable person, Jade. As much as I didn't like it because I really wasn't picking on you and the argument was sort of affecting the mood of the party, your reason for doing what you did is valid too. You are not immature or spoilt," Lucy said and Jade smiled.
"Thanks, Lucy. I feel much better. Although I'm still going to work on myself, but I'm glad to know I'm not as unreasonable or silly as I've been feeling for some days now. Although Harry tried to reassure me, but he's my boyfriend. It's only normal that he would try to make me feel better. But hearing this from you also helps," Jade said and Lucy squeezed her hand.
"I'm glad I could help. And I can assure you that Sonia doesn't think you are spoilt either. And now that I know how you feel, I promise to be more mindful of my words to you and to not shut you up in public ever again," Lucy said and Jade smiled.
"I will appreciate that. Thanks," Jade said and Lucy rose to leave.
"And, I'm very much excited about the vacation," Jade said with a wide smile before Lucy could leave.
Lucy grinned, "I'm sure you are. Good night, Jade," Lucy said before walking out of the bedroom.