836 Awkward Morning
After the interview ended, and they were done chitchatting with Eric and Alicia, they all trooped outside and were surprised to see a swarm of reporters vying for their attention with cameras flashing in their faces.
Not new to this, Harry and Matt covered the ladies, allowing them to get into the car since they had done enough talking for the day, and once they were safely inside, Harry turned to address the reporters who were throwing questions at him and Matt.
"Mr Jonas, what is your relationship with Sara now?"
"Mr Jonas, have you been to the prison to visit your mother?"
"Matt, is Candace Jonas really your girlfriend?"
"Matt, how serious is your relationship with her?"
"Mr Jonas were you responsible for your mother's arrest?"
"Mr Jonas, are you behind what happened to Wilson Peterson? Are you the man that was mentioned in his interview?"
"I thought we said everything already. Why are reporters here?" Candace asked as they all looked out the window of the car.
"You find reporters anywhere there is news, and you my darling made a lot of shocking revelations today. I wouldn't be surprised if reporters hound you for the next couple of days. And speaking of the revelations you made, are you sure law is the right discipline for you? For a prospective lawyer, you sure do make a lot of slips," Jade said as she looked back at Candace from the front seat.
"I was going to say the same thing," Andy said with a giggle when Candace cringed.
"Don't even remind me of any of that. I know I messed up," she said Andy rolled her eyes.
"Don't be silly, Candace.m," Andy scoffed playfully, though a hint of pride glinted in her eyes. "You did beautifully in spite of the slips."
"Thanks. I'm just glad I didn't reveal any major secret. Although, I hope Lucy forgives me for dragging her into this mess," Candace said and Andy raised a brow.
"And Matt?" Andy asked and Candace sighed.
"Matt doesn't mind. He has always wanted to go public with our relationship. I was the one holding back," Candace said with a shrug.
"You were both incredible. You had everyone in the audience laughing and sniffing," Jade said, her voice filled with admiration.
"For a moment there, I thought Candace was going to break down in tears, but she held her own. You did really good, Candace," Andy said in agreement to what Jade had said.
Candace smiled, "I was able to do it because you were there with me, Andy. And thank you, Jade. You know very well that all of these wouldn't have been possible without your quick wit."
"Yes. I played one of the major roles in this reunion. I deserve my own interview," Jade said playfully and they all laughed.
"By the way, Andy. You were wonderful! I'm sure everyone who watched the show can't wait to stream your music," Candace said and Andy grinned.
"Yes! I was going to comment on that before I was distracted by the reporters. Andy, I never knew you were so talented. You are going to have to employ me to be your legal representative when you become a star," Jade said and Andy laughed.
"I am going to have to? Are you asking or telling me? And why does it have to be when I become a star?" Andy asked in amusement.
"Because I'm a gold digger and I love associating with very successful people," Jade said with a wink and they all laughed.
"By the way, are you ready for your vacation? Want us to teach you a couple of sexy moves?" Andy asked and Jade grinned.
"I would absolutely love that. You know I got all that sexy stuff already," she said with a grin and they laughed.
"Because you've been so wonderful, I will teach you for free," Andy said and Jade clapped happily.
"I'm glad you are all having fun," Harry said as he got into the car and Jade turned to him.
"You looked so hot up there," Jade said and Harry chuckled.
"I think I'm always going to look hot to you regardless of what I do," Harry said as he leaned forward to kiss her, and Andy and Candace covered their eyes making Harry and Jade laugh.
"You shouldn't be making out in front of your big sisters," Andy said playfully.
"We were not making out…"
"That!" Jade exclaimed before Harry could finish speaking, "They are both older than you? When did you find out? And why didn't you tell me?" Jade asked, and Harry's ears burned red.
"We found out yesterday. He asked Sara. I guess he was too embarrassed to tell his girlfriend that he is the youngest in the family," Candace said with a giggle.
"Aww. There's nothing to be embarrassed about, baby. That just makes us have one more thing in common, and I think it's hot," Jade said with a grin as she playfully poked Harry's chest and he chuckled while Candace and Andy shook their heads.
"Let's go home," Harry said as he started the car, and Candace looked at him.
"Where is Matt?"
"He didn't come with us, did he? He brought his own car and is leaving…"
"Leaving? He left without saying anything to me?" Candace asked in disbelief.
"He will meet us at home," Harry said and Candace's frown deepened.
"He is driving alone. Why didn't he ask me to join him if he's going in the same direction?"
"Probably because the reporters surrounded us before he could say anything, and keeping you away from them is more important to him than having you ride with him," Andy suggested.
"And you know you can just dial his line and ask him instead of asking me?" Harry asked and Candace scowled.
"Since we will see him at home, let's just go," she said and Harry gave her a nod.
"Yes, ma'am," he said as he drove out of there.
The ride was filled with a buzz of energy. Candace and Andy recounted their favorite moments from the interview, and Jade talked about how anxious she had been on their behalf.
As they pulled into the parking lot of Harry's residence a short while later, Harry reached for his phone, checking for missed calls. A single notification stood out– a missed call from one of his men.
A peculiar feeling settled in his gut as he turned to Jade who was still in the car while Candace and Andy were getting out.
"Everything alright?" Jade asked, sensing his sudden shift in mood.
"I need to make an important call. And I may have to go out for a bit. There has been a development regarding Mia," he explained.
Anxiety flickered in Jade's eyes. "Is she alright?"
"For now she is. But I have to make sure she remains so. Will you wait for me?" Harry asked and Jade nodded.
"Sure."
"Will you spend the night?" He asked hopefully.
"Maybe if you tamper with the clocks, I will," she said and he chuckled.
"I think I'm just going to get rid of the clocks and make a no wristwatch or phones policy when you're around," he said, and Jade giggled as she kissed him.
"Be good," she said before getting out of the car, and Harry let out a deep breath as he watched them all head for the elevator.
Alone in his car now, he returned the call, and a gruff voice answered on the other end.
"Mr. Jonas?" the voice inquired.
"That's right," Harry replied, "What did you find?" Harry asked, his voice cautious.
"The plate number you sent belongs to Discreet Investigations. A private security firm," he said, confirming what Harry already suspected.
Henry Rosewood had heard of Mia and he had hired a private investigator to track her down to confirm if she was indeed his wife.
"Alright. I will let you know if I need your help again," Harry said before hanging up, and he dialed Tom's line, hoping his phone was close to him, since they both had a habit of leaving their phone in a drawer when they were in a meeting to avoid distractions.
Tom, who was in the middle of a meeting but had left his phone close to him because Lucy had left the company premises for the factory, and he wanted to be available if she tried to reach him for anything, looked at his phone when it buzzed.
He raised a brow when he saw the call was from Harry and he rose, "Please give me a moment. This is important," he said as he picked up his phone and received the call.
"Is it urgent? I'm in the middle of a meeting," he said the moment the call connected.
"It's just as we suspected. The car Alicia spotted belongs to a private investigation firm," Harry announced.
"We will proceed as planned but we will have to bring all plans forward. Go see her as we discussed last night. I will take it up from there after you leave," Tom said and without another word Harry hung up.
Away from there, Jeff and Mia were in their respective bedrooms, both feeling awkward about the event of that morning.
That morning, Mia had woken up with Jeff's morning erection firmly pressed against her backside, and his hand cupping one of her boobs.
She had laid very still, trying to fight back her arousal as she waited for him to wake up and leave for his bedroom.
Not long after she woke up, Jeff had woken up and the moment he realized where his hand was resting on and how his erection was pressing against Mia, his breath caught and his heart beat quickened.
Knowing that he was fully awake, Mia stayed still, although his breath that fanned her neck made it increasingly difficult for her to remain that way.
Jeff held his breath as he very slowly raised his hand and shifted away from her, and without meaning to, Mia let out a sigh of relief that took Jeff by surprise.
"Are you up?" Jeff asked as he sat up, mortified by the thought that she had been awake the whole time and knew what had happened.
"Yes. I just woke up. Why?" Mia asked, pretending to yawn as she sat up.
Jeff looked at her, not sure whether to believe her or not, and true to his suspicions, her blushed.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that," he said and she nodded.
"It's fine. After all you did warn me that something like this could happen," Mia said without meeting his gaze.
"I wasn't taking advantage of the proximity…"
"It's fine. I understand. Don't make it anymore awkward than it already is," Mia pleaded, and Jeff nodded.
"I'm sorry. I will be in my bedroom," Jeff said, and without waiting for her to say a word, he picked up his pillow and left.
Since then, he had been in his bedroom, and she in hers. Neither of them had bothered to ask the other about breakfast.
The shrill sound of the doorbell interrupted the awkward tension filled silence in the house as both Mia and Jeff stepped out of their bedrooms to see who was at the door.
They both exchanged a glance, "Did you order for something?" Jeff asked, since Mia was fond of doing that.
"No. Maybe it's Alicia again," Mia offered, a tremor in her voice betraying the hope she didn't quite believe in.
Jeff shook his head, a grim line forming around his mouth. "I saw her leave for work through my bedroom window."
"Oh, you're now spying on neighbors too. I suppose you took over from her to keep watch on the neighborhood in her absence," Mia joked and Jeff chuckled.
When the doorbell rang again, Jeff looked at Mia, "Wait here. I will see who is at the door," he said as he went to answer the door.
He looked through peephole and was both relieved and surprised to see Harry standing there.
"It's Harry," Jeff called to Mia as he unlocked the door, and a wave of relief washed over her.
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