The Acknowledgement

Chapter sixty-one
Jayde
The ringing of my phone jerks me out of my sleeping state.
I woke up earlier but my eyes still felt gummy and I had to close them back and sleep.
I stretch and turn. I feel so sober but my head hurts so much.
I open my eyes and stare at the unfamiliar room. The pink wall tells me I'm not in my room both at my mom's place or at Henry's.
So, where the fuck am I? I dart at the wall clock. It's midnight.
I look down at my body and realize I'm still in the dress I was putting on yesterday. Or so I thought because my memory seems so blurry.
The phone starts ringing again, jolting me out of my daze again. I reach out for it and discover it's my mom.
My heart skip a beat as I stare at the screen. What should I tell her?
How should I explain that I couldn't make it home?
Ok, I told Mom I got a job at Mr. Everett's company and I will be coming home every night.
The phone stops ringing and I start thinking of what to tell her if she calls again. If she doesn't, I may have to think of an excuse later.
The door opens and Declan walks in.
What the fuck is he doing here?
Then everything came in at once. I remember getting invited by Beatrice. She told me I would have to sign the divorce papers.
I was supposed to initiate a divorce three days before I get exposed.
I decided to get drunk. And that was when Declan's call came in. I followed him home and drank more red wine. I merely wanted to get drunk last night.
I was too sad and incapable of thinking clearly.
Today is the second day. So, I only have tomorrow to think of how to initiate a divorce.
I'm going to miss Henry so much.
My phone starts ringing again. I take in a deep breath and click the receiver.
"Where are you Jayde?" My mom hard tone made me shiver.
" I'm at work."
" At work? At this time of the day? Where's your boss! Lemme talk to him and be sure!" She roars.
I look up at Declan helplessly.
He smiles and takes the phone from me. Before I could get up and collect it back, he has already said a hello.
I stay still, frozen to the floor as I stare at him.
"Hi ma, this is Declan," he clicks on speaker so that I will also be able to hear my mother's voice from the other end.
"Declan? Who's that?" My mom snaps.
"Ma, this is Declan Cypher, I am here with Jayde on a business night. Mr. Everett is also here but he's too business to pick calls. I'm doing this as Jayde's business partner."
My mom went silent for a moment, " This is Cypher Declan, Ayles billionaire?"
" Yes," he turns to me and smiles, " I'm also Jayde's friend."
"Wow! I'm so honored to be speaking with you."
" Thank you so much. Can I come over to your place sometime?"
" Sure!" Mom laughs, " I will be so pleased."
" Alright, I will go back to the meeting room now. I will give the phone back to Jayde."
" Alright sir, thank you so much Declan!" She sounds happy. Declan stretches the phone back to me before walking out.
"Mom, I_," I started only for her to cut me off.
"Go back to the meeting room. We don't want to upset Declan."
"Mom, do you know Declan?" I ask surprised.
She laughs, she seems so happy, " Who doesn't know the Ayles billionaire? Henry, Declan, and Weston. I'm also updated. Now, go to work!" She finish and the phone went off.
I walk out of the room. Declan is outside, sipping his champagne.
I walk to him, "Thanks for that."
He smiles, "You were so scared."
I laugh, "Why are you drinking?".
"I'm thinking."
I turn to look at him. He tops me with two feet, "What are you thinking of?"
He turns to look at me, a smile at the corner of his mouth, "Just business. How come you slept for so long?'
I smile, " It's the alcohol."
"I thought you were dead until I took your purse! How can you sleep like that?" He pulls at my cheeks suddenly.
I hold onto my cheeks for a while and reach out to do mine. He moves back, preventing that.
"I'm taller, you can't do that unless you stand on something."
" Are you abusing me?"
He laughs and walks to the bar, " Yes, I am. I just told you what you look like. Mind you, it's the second day. You have to get a divorce today."
I sigh and walk closer. I take the cup he just refilled from his hand. He glares at me for a moment, then reaches for another cup and pours himself some wine.
I will, I must. It's the best thing to do. What if Hattie wakes up today or what if I was asked to leave because she woke up. Won't I do it?
Of course! I should learn to admit it. That Henry isn't mine and he will never be.
"What are you thinking of?" Declan broke into my thought.
I look up at him again, "I was thinking of what I should state as the reason for wanting a divorce."
" You don't love him. That's simple, isn't it?"
I squeeze my head, " isn't that too lame?"
Declan chuckles, " People divorce for lame reasons. You won't be the first and you will not be the last one. And besides, you don't love him, or do you?"
I smile, " I don't," I sip more of the wine, " I just think I need a more tangible reason. The moment we divorce, it will be for the public to see and criticize."
" Well, there's no reason you can name. Henry is influential, wealthy, and doesn't lay his hands on women. Also, the reason I provided is the only one you can say that won't tarnish you guys' images."
I nod slowly at his suggestion. He made a lot of sense. I drop the wine cup, " I must go back home now."
" Isn't it too early?"
"No," I turn around, "I must let Henry know I want a divorce this night. Though I'm sure he won't be surprised about it. He might even be waiting for it already."
" Hey, wait!" Declan calls and holds me suddenly and I turn to look at him, confused, "Is something wrong?"
He stares at me for a while, then he pulls me into a tight hug.
Shock kept me motionless and speechless for a moment, "I don't want you to leave yet!" He says, still holding me so close to him.
What's happening? What's going on with Declan?
Well, I didn't say anything and I didn't push him away either.
After a while of hugging me, he pulls back and holds my hands in his, "Jayde, there's something I need to tell you. I know I've been mischievous recently but what I'm about to say is the truth."
I blink once, unable to grasp what he's talking about.
I decide not to talk. My heart races in my chest. Even with how close we are, I feel a cold shiver run down my spine.
It feels strange staying like this.
"Jayde, from the first day I set my eyes on you. I've always had this feeling towards you but I didn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it was true. So, I tried to stop it. I even went ahead by harassing you. I'm sure you hate me so much now."
I blink once, I open my mouth to talk but decide against it quickly.
"Jayde, I love you so much and I will like you to be my girlfriend."
What! Does Declan love me? He wants me to be his girlfriend? That's unbelievable.
I stare, totally incoherent. I don't even know what to utter. It felt like something drained me of my ability to speak.
I can't believe this is happening to me. Wait for a second, was that why he tried to cover me up all this while?
He even discovers a secret about me. Something that will cause me problems if it gets to the public.
He didn't even let Henry know about it. He only advised me to break up which is what Beatrice has now suggested.
He looks downward, "it's ok if you don't want to reply to me now, " He looks up at me again, " I just want you to know how much I love you."
He smiles and stares for a while. His left hand suddenly found my chin and held it in place.
Then, he moves his head closer quickly. Before I could even stop it, his lips already met with mine.
His arms move around me, pulling me closer.
My eyes went wider but I couldn't pull away, I couldn't even stop him.
Maybe I wanted him as well. Or I'm just too shocked to do anything