I refuse to look at Josh although I can feel the heat of his gaze. And perhaps he even throws me blades of look as it feels like he just slashes me with them. That’s how I feel right now.

He escorts the blond woman named Lana, who takes away my bowl of flowers, toward the elevator. Perhaps he is going out with her at this hour.

I sigh and decide to get to work. Just when I thought I successfully kicked Josh out of my mind, he returns. His expression is like he’s going to burn this office building down. Now what? Did he have a fight with beautiful blondie?

He grabs my arm and drags me into his office.

“Why the hell did you give away the gift I gave you?” he angrily confronts me.

I blink. “Oh, it didn’t occur to me that the gift’s for me.” I feign innocence. “Isn’t it for your Lana?”

He growls, stepping closer to me and trapping me between the wall and his body. “What am I going to do with you, Jade?” His expression is entreating.

Well, I don’t know. Why the hell is he asking me this?

His expression changes into gentleness. “Lana’s just one of my business partners living in Washington, and she rarely visits here in New York. You never met her because I didn’t want you to see her and might get the wrong idea, especially that she’s overly sweet. We’ve been friends since college and I’m telling you now that she’s very married to a mutual friend.” His eyes seem to communicate with mine, and his hand comes up so the back of his fingers gently caress my cheek.

And, well, Lana just disappears from my mind into oblivion.

“I’m sorry that I cannot express well how I feel for you, Jade. I’m just afraid that you’ll turn your back on me. Yesterday, when you reminded me of our one-month agreement is going to end soon, I felt… anxious. Honestly, I don’t want to end it. But it has to.”

My throat goes dry, hearing these words. Of course he’s right. We only have a month deal, so it has to end!

“W-what do you mean?” I hardly bring myself to ask nonetheless.

“I love you, Jade! Can’t you see? That bet, I did it so that I can get your attention and so that you can be with me. It’s the only way that I can think of to have you!” he reveals, emotions play in those blue orbs of his.

And I am speechless!

His fingers lift my chin. I haven’t realized that tears already rolled down to my cheeks.

“Oh, Jade!” His mouth covers mine in an Earth-shattering kiss.

My fingers cling to the lapel of his three-piece suit as I kiss him back, showing him that I feel the same way.

“I feel the same way but I couldn’t let it show and be a loser.”

He smiles at me charmingly. “I’m the loser. I could’ve have you a long time ago if I stepped up my game with you. It’s been ten long years, Jade!”

My chin and heart quiver when I heard it. “It’s okay now. At least, it’s the both of us.”

We both chuckle, and he gathers me into his warm embrace. “Now I feel like an all-time winner,” he whispers, making me and my heart smile.

-- The end --