Chapter 209 – Beginning with a Daring Encounter

“Maybe,” Harry said in the same indifferent tone.

“Maybe? Maybe what? Is it maybe you’re going to give her a call or maybe she likes you?” Jade asked in confusion.

“Maybe both.”

“Well, I know she likes you. She is beautiful, intelligent, and even rich. What else could you possibly want in a lady?” Jade asked matter of factly.

“So what did you both conclude on? Are you going to advise them to go into hiding or are you going to use them as a trap to get Jero?” Harry asked, changing the subject as he wasn’t feeling very comfortable about discussing his private business with his best friend’s kid sister.

“You said no work talk until tomorrow. I’m supposed to be resting today. So? What else do you want in a woman?” Jade asked, taking him back to the subject he was trying to escape from.

Harry sighed as he turned to spare her a glance, “In as much as I appreciate your help, Jade, I think you should let me do my thing. I’m here to help you with your case, not to find a girlfriend. So let’s not get sidetracked,” Harry said, making Jade huff in annoyance.

“You’re unbelievable,” Jade muttered under her breath and then reached into her handbag when her phone started ringing. She smiled when she noticed it was a call from Bryan, and she received the call immediately.

“How are you doing? What’s going on there?” Bryan asked in concern the moment the call connected.

“Benne must have spoken to you,” Jade said dryly.

“Why didn’t you tell me that you were having a difficult time with this case?” Bryan asked in a slightly disappointed tone.

“Because I can’t run to my big brothers every time something comes up at work. It’s one of those things that comes with my profession so I have to face it,” Jade said dismissively.

“How is the reality show coming? I haven’t had the time to see it. And how is Sonia?” Jade asked changing the subject.

“Don’t change the subject. Benne told me Harry is with you. What is your living arrangement like? He isn’t hitting on you, is he?” Bryan asked, making Jade grin as she turned to look at Harry whose gaze was fixed on the road ahead of them.

“Why do you ask? You don’t want him to?” Jade asked playfully.

“I don’t exactly have a problem with it, but…”

“It’s fine as long as you don’t have a problem with it,” Jade cut in before he could finish.

“Why? Don’t tell me you like him already?” Bryan asked with a slight frown.

“What’s there not to like? He’s super-rich, he is very handsome, he is witty, has connections, from good family background, he is honest to a fault…” She broke off with a giggle when Harry turned to look at her with a questioning gaze as if he just realized she was talking about him.

“I see you are having a good time,” Bryan said with a sigh of resignation. Hearing Jade laugh in such a carefree manner was something he hadn’t heard in a long time. Maybe Benne was right. Maybe this arrangement was going to work out well in the end.

“I am. So don’t worry your head about any nonsense. I doubt he even sees me as a girl,” Jade said with a shake of her head as she looked at Harry.

“But you do see him as a guy?” Bryan asked thoughtfully.

“Do you really want me to answer that question? He is right here in the car with me, so think carefully and be sure you want me to answer that question in front of him,” Jade said, making Harry glance at her once again as he wondered what the conversation was about.

“Nevermind. Sonia is here. You want to say hello to her?” Bryan asked, changing the subject as he knew that Sonia was dying to speak with his sister.

“Sure! But before that, I spoke with your best friend, Matt, earlier today,” Jade informed him.

“Yeah, I’m aware. He asked for your number. Is he in trouble?” Bryan asked in concern.

“Not at all. Do you know anyone called Candy? Or how he happens to know her?” Jade asked curiously.

“Candy? Yeah. She is someone he is interested in. Why? Is she in trouble with the law?” Bryan asked, trying to understand what was happening.

“Why do you keep asking if everyone is in trouble? I just wanted to know about their relationship. I know her from way back,” Jade assured Bryan, not wanting to let him in on what was going on.

“Way back? C’mon, Jade. The only people you know who aren’t your friends or colleagues, are criminals.”

“She isn’t a criminal. She was only a key witness in a case I handled two years ago. Now hand Sonia the phone,” Jade said, letting Bryan know that they were done with that subject.

“Hey, Jade! I’ve been longing to talk to you,” Sonia greeted excitedly.

***********

“I still can’t believe he left just like that,” Brandy said with a thoughtful frown after Candy finished telling her how Matt had left.

“What were you expecting? That he would stay after hearing that I was involved with a drug cartel? He is wiser than that,” Candy said dismissively.

“You are sure you didn’t say something to make him leave?” Brandy asked suspiciously.

“It doesn’t matter. He is out of our lives now, so let’s focus on what we have before us,” Candy said, reminding Brandy that they had agreed to tell Jamal the truth about their occupation that night.

It was their night off work, so they were both spending the evening with Jamal who was busy with his assignment inside his bedroom.

Brandy looked at Candy as though she had more to say, but decided not to say anything, “Okay. So do you want me to do the talking? Maybe we can start by saying I’m a stripper, and if he takes it well we can tell him you are too. If he doesn’t, we can just stick to just me being the stripper,” Brandy suggested.

“No. Let’s just…” The rest of Candy’s words trailed off when they heard the sound of the doorbell.

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