Three days later
               JAY'S POV
I sat on the couch silently watching him clean the living room, thinking of what I'll do if I found him guilty. He didn't come to work on Monday and Wednesday but he came on Tuesday, if not for the fact that I left home very early on that Tuesday because of the very important lecture I was having, he wouldn't be here today.
I was waiting for him to finish up so we could talk, Dan and Roe were out, I stayed back today because of this. I didn't tell Dan what i suspect, he would flare up and act rashly, Roe's aware though.
I did as Dan advised, I stayed away from Saline and made sure we didn't cross paths even though I miss seeing her beautiful face. I believe when we'll finally meet again, it'll be pleasant but that will be probably next week. She needs time huh? I'm giving her enough time.
I watched him push his chart to the bedroom, that was when I suddenly remembered I saw Diva's photo on Daniel's bedside table, he must have forgotten to return it to his drawer, Wayne mustn't see it. I stood up quickly and entered the room with haste, my eyes located his desk Immediately, thankfully it wasn't there, Dan didn't forget. I looked at Wayne, he was sweeping the floor already, his huge body built was clearly evident even in the janitor jumpsuit he was wearing. That girl must be so stupid, subjecting a guy to this extent, I don't think her dad's aware about this.
"Wayne," I called, he looked up.
"Yes Sir?" He said respectfully.
"I told you already just call me Jay, anyway when you're done we need to talk." He nodded lowly. "Relax, I don't bite." I smiled at him before walking back to the living room.
*
*
*
*
Minutes later he was done, and was sitting on the couch opposite mine, head bowed as he await me to speak.
"Wayne, I want you to answer all the questions I'm gonna be asking you truthfully, can you do that for me?" I asked calmly with a smile. He looked at me briefly.
"Yes, si...Jay." He offered me a shy smile.
"Thank you," I smiled again. "Are you really a janitor?" I asked and watched his reaction. He bowed his head immediately.
"I'm not, I'm very sorry my idol, I'm not here on my will." He pleaded, falling to his knees."She made me do this, I was scared of what she'll do to me if I don't obey, she's very wicked Sir, I'm so sorry."He begged.
"I know, pls get up," he was hesitating. "Get up, I clearly understand your position here, it's not your fault, you only obeyed orders, get up." I smiled. He stood up slowly and bowed before sitting down.
"What's your position in Mr Caden's home?" I asked.
"He appointed me as one of his head guards last year." He said. Wow and that girl had the nerve to subject him to such low extent.
"Lucia's reason for sending you here was for you to spy on us and inform her, especially about Daniel right?" He bowed his head embarrassedly.
"I'm very ashamed of myself, but it's true. That's why I was sent here." He said.
"Lucia's Dad isn't aware of this, is he?" I asked again.
"She threatened to deal with me if I so much as breathe a word to her Dad. He's not aware."
"Thanks Wayne, my final question. Is Mr Caden presently around?" He fiddled with his fingers.
"Yes, he came back from his trip yesterday." He answered shakily.
"Is something wrong?" I asked. He fell on his knees again.
"I'm so sorry Sir, but please don't report me to Dr Caden, I will lose my job and I have my sick mother and younger siblings to care for. Please." He pleaded.
"I understand Wayne, you don't have to worry, I'm not reporting you, I'm reporting Lucia," I stood up and crouched beside him with a smile. "....don't worry, I'll make sure she doesn't harm or threaten you in anyway, relax and get up." I helped him up to his seat, and sat down on mine. "You have no fault on this, and if you get fired as a result of this," I smiled. "... come to me I'll have something much more better for you." He looked up in shock.
"Thank you so much Sir Jay." He  smiled gratefully.
"When you leave now, don't say anything about this to Lucia, I'll handle her myself. If she asks you about us when you get back, tell her we went to class, you can do that right?" He nodded.
"Yes Sir." He smiled, still can't call me by name. It's okay anyway.
"Thank you Wayne, Can I have your contact?" I asked him. He looked at me stunned, for some seconds.
"You are so kind and simple Sir, here is it." He called out his phone number while I punched it on my phone.
"There, it's ringing, that's my phone number you can call me anytime." I was dialing the number with my phone.
"Thank you Sir." He smiled.
"That's okay, you may leave now." He stood up and bowed.
"Thanks for your kindness Sir Jay, goodbye." I smiled reassuringly at him, he turned and walked away as my phone began ringing.
I looked at the caller ID, Kim Lisa my sister. I picked it up.
"annyeonghaseyo Lisa(hello Lisa)" I said with a smile.
"olenmanieyo oppa(it's been a while brother)" She squealed from the other end.
"ye, jal jinesseoyo?(Yes, how are you?)" I asked leaning back on the couch.
"jeoneun jal jinaeyo(I'm fine, thanks) naneun naeil migug-e ganda(I'm coming to America tomorrow)" She shouted.
"What? Are you done with your three months modeling contract?" I asked unbelievably.
"aniyo, dangsin-ui jjagsalang-eul boleogabnida(No, I'm coming to see your crush)" She said laughingly.
"Ya Kim Lisa, jangnan hae?( Hey Kim Lisa, are you kidding?)" Is she really quiting her contract just to see 'my crush' as she said.
"Oppa sarranghaeyo (oppa I love you)" I heard someone else shouted.
"Jian, give up now. He's in love with someone else." I heard her say to someone in English, I chuckled. She's so funny.
"geuge nuguya?(who is that?)" I asked with a chuckle.
"nae gajang chinhah chingu jian geunyeoneun dangsin-ui yeollyeolhan paen-ibnida. (it's my best friend jian, she's a huge fan of yours)" My sis explained.
"Oh is that! By the way, dangsin-ui hangug-eoga naboda nae jyeoss-eum-eul al su issseubnida(I can see your Korean has gotten better than mine)" I smiled.
"It has to." She chuckled. "naeil chingudeulgwa gonghang-e delileo wajwo(come pick me up at the airport with your friends tomorrow) she said seriously.
"Woahhh! You are so determined. So you can come and torment me and my friends with your whining? No, go to Dad's." I said crossing my legs on the couch. She can disturb, most times it's Dan that's always her victim. She said Roe's too book minded to have her time, but she still disturbs him anyway.
"Shiro, andeyo!(I don't want, don't do that!) It has to be California" She whined childishly.
"Lisa, dangsin-eun kaelliponia-eseo hal?(Lisa, what are you coming to do in California?)" I asked her.
"I want to join DSD." She stated matter-of-factly.
"mueoseulyo?(what?)"
Is she kidding me?
"Oppa, deo isang sing-geul daenseogadoego sipji anh-a(brother, I don't want to be a single dancer anymore)" Yeah, she's a dancer too. "...so just pray they accept me as their fourth member, I've always admired them and wanted to be part of them, this is an opportunity I can't lose." That's true, she's also a huge fan of DSD, actually I got to know about DSD through her.
"Okay, if that's what you want then, it's fine. Call me as soon as you arrive Sacramento." I said with a smile. Her happiness matters a lot to me, it's also a good thing she picked out DSD out of the many dance groups in the states. I'm sure DSD, would be pleased to have her, my beautiful sister is a very good dancer. She'll be adding to their fame if they accept her, that's if they really want another member.
"go ma ssuem ni da, oppa (thank you brother)" She said excitedly.
"You are welcome little sister," I smiled.
"Hey, I'm not little, I'm 22years old." She whined.
"But you are still my little sister." I laughed as she whined more. She hate's me calling her little.
"eomma appaga algo gyesibnikka?(Is Mom and Dad aware?)" I asked putting an end to her whining, my ears were beginning to cry.
"Ye geudeul-eun algoissda(yes, they are aware) Don't forget to pick me up with Roe and Dan. Is Dan over his heart break yet? Don't answer that, I'll find out myself. Oh finally, I'll have many people to torture when I get back. Bye oppa, sarranghae." I chuckled.
"I love you too." She ended the call, I smiled.
What a funny sis...
I stood up from the couch and walked to the kitchen. I'll visit Mr Caden today and report his spoilt daughter.
           DANIELLE'S POV
I stared at the gift box in the gift bag on the table, I could guess it's content already. I just received it thirty minutes ago from the guy Dad sent. I smiled, I've lost count of how many of this type of present I have received already.
"Here is your coffee Ma'am." The waitress said with a smile, dropping the coffee on the table.
"Oh, thanks." I picked it up and sipped contentedly. My dad's secretary couldn't wait to have his due to the fact he had a plane to catch, he left 20minutes ago after he delivered his message. I decided to stay back at the King's Coffee Palace since it was kinda cozy and I needed to think. I stared at my ringing phone on the table, my dad was calling. I dropped the coffee and picked up my phone.
"Hi Dad,"
"My princess, how are you?" He asked.
"I'm fine Dad, I just received the gift you sent me, thanks a lot." I said.
"I hope you like it, actually it's your Mom that specifically designed that years back and she asked me to give it to you. You know it's that time of the year." My tears dropped. Of course I know what it means, every February for the past  nine years, I received presents from my parents especially Mom as a reminder of my sister, since momma couldn't bring herself to forget that year neither could I, so they agreed(my parents) to gift me with presents both on my birthday and Ariel's.
My hand wandered to the gift bag and opened it, I brought out the little box and opened it carefully.
"My princess are you there?" I sniffed and smiled at the box.
"Yes Dad, I'm sorry I got caught up in the beauty of the bracelet. It's so enchanting, I'll call Mom and thank her later." I looked out the transparent glassy building, it was raining heavily, how did I not notice earlier?
"Alright my darling, I'm on my way to the airport for my business trip in Africa, I'll call you later princess. I love you."
"Take care dad, I love you too." I said, he hung up. I dropped the phone on the table and returned the box back to the gift bag, coffee forgotten as I buried my face in my hands and let my tears flow. It's exactly nine years ago when Mom gave birth to Ariel and it's her birthday today, but she's no more. I wonder if I'll ever be able to forget her, I mean... it's nine years already but the incident is still very fresh in my memory.
"Is everything ok Miss?" A waiter walking by asked. I wiped my tears quickly with my hands.
"Yeah, yeah I'm good." I replied with my head still bowed.
"Alright Miss." He walked off. I grabbed my bag quickly and ransacked it for my hanky but alas it wasn't there. I must have forgotten to take one along. At times like this, the girls were always my rescuers but they were having classes so they couldn't come with me. I huffed in despair, am I supposed to go back with a teary face, and it's even raining. Aigoo!(oh my!) What to do? I dropped the bag.
Wait, is that a hand I see, offering me a hanky? My eyes trailed the hand to it's owner. What in the world is he doing here? Especially at times like this? Oh my, this is a total embarrassment on my path, my supposed soulmate seeing my tears. Gosh, who cares anyway?
"My hand is hanging." He said softly. Is this the Daniel I know, Like what? I reached out and retrieved the hanky, after wiping my face quickly I asked.
"What are you doing here?" I was still doubting the possibility of him really being here.
"What's the name of this place?" He retorted, drawing out a seat. Oh, The King's Coffee Palace, I see. I eyed him meticulously as he sat down opposite me.
"Why are you sitting down here?" I asked again. He chuckled. What? He chuckled? Such beautiful sound coming from such beautiful face. The dimples showed, oh my! I wanna touch them, so adorable.
Omo(oh my!) If this a dream I don't wanna wake up.
Snap out of it Elle, stop acting so smitten.
But I am smitten!
"Because I have the right to seat wherever I want." He smiled proudly. Proud Jerk!
"deo jaju us-eoya haeyo jal eoullineun geos gat-ayo(you should smile more often, it looks good on you)" I said.
"What?" He asked, oh thank God I didn't say that in English, I would have been done for.
"Oh nothing." I smiled innocently.
"Earlier, are you okay?" He asked worriedly.
Worriedly? Is this really happening?
"Yeah, I'm good." I said simply, I can't tell him anything when I barely know him.
"Ok, you can have this." He stretched out a black umbrella to me. To say I'm stunned is an understatement, I'm beyond stunned. What's going on with Daniel Roberts?
"Since when did you become this nice to me?" I asked receiving the umbrella.
"Since today." He stood up and was about walking off when I stopped him.
"Thanks Daniel." I said with a grateful smile. "I see you aren't a total jerk after all." I smiled brightly.
"Now you know," he chuckled "You are welcome Diva," He offered me a small smile. I see someone did a little research on me. As if remembering something suddenly, he asked me.
"Aside from that day at the science hallway, have we ever met before? I mean, did we ever crossed paths before coming to Royal Empire University?" He asked seriously.
"No, I don't think so." I said, although I still feel some kinda familiarity around him, but I wasn't gonna tell him that. Don't ask me why? I also don't know.
"Alright then." He said and walked off to another section of the coffee shop. I stared at his retreating figure, he was wearing a black hoodie. I looked down to the hanky in my hand and to the umbrella beside me. The girls would be so thrilled to hear that Daniel Roberts acted like a total gentleman today. I smiled at the thought of that, thanks for lifting my mood Daniel.
I picked up my coffee and sipped from it, eww cold already. I dropped it back. Standing up, I walked towards the exit door of the big shop with my properties and the umbrella Dan gave me, I already paid my bills earlier. On reaching the door I glanced back briefly to see Dan staring at me.
Good! Things are beginning to become interesting, I smiled and walked out, opening the umbrella I walked to my car at the garage.
             DANIEL'S POV
"This should be all, right?" I asked the manager of my dad's coffee palace as we walked out of his office into the shop. I was going through the last transaction file of this branch.
"Yes sir, that's all for now." He said.
"Okay then, keep up the good work, I'll head off now." I returned the file to him, as we shook hands.
"Thanks so much sir." I nodded and turned around to leave, when my eyes landed on someone. Diva, seems like fate has a way of making us cross paths, she was making a call. I stared at her for a while, she doesn't look cheerful or extremely fearless right now. Rather, she looks weak, I noticed her wipe her eyes. Seems like she's crying silently as her hand caressed a gift box, probably the reason of her tears. Whatever could make the bold fearless girl cry must be something she can't handle, something really stronger than her. I felt pained to see her cry, I wanted to do something that will ease her pain.
I watched her glance outside through the transparent glass building, it was raining heavily. I walked to the counter, the workers greeted when they saw me, I returned their greetings with a smile.
"Can someone please get me an umbrella?" I asked. A waiter quickly went to get it. Moments later, he returned with a big black umbrella exactly my kind.
"Thanks." I said and walked closer to her table. She was through with her call as she buried her face in her hands, it's obvious that she was truly crying silently.
"Is everything okay, Miss?" A waiter walking by asked her. She wiped her face quickly with her hands, head still bowed.
"Yeah, yeah I'm good." She replied. I was just three steps away from her table.
"Alright Miss." The guy walked off. She quickly grabbed her bag and ransacked it for something. Probably a hanky. I smiled as she huffed in despair. I brought out my neat blue towel hanky and walked over to her, I stretched it out to her Immediately I reached her table. She dropped her bag, that's when she noticed my stretched out hand. I chuckled mentally when she trailed my hand to my face and was shocked Immediately she recognized me. Just as she stared at me wide eyes, memories flashed, the faceless girl at the beach In my childhood days was her? Same stare, same eyes, lips and face, everything identical, she's the one I've been trying to remember? I was mesmerized instantly, was that the reason behind my constant feeling of familiarity with her?
"My hand is hanging." I said softly, she stared at me puzzled for some seconds before reaching out and retrieving the hanky from my hand as she did so her fingers slightly brushed on my skin sending jolts of electric currents down my spine. She wiped her face quickly before looking back at me, even in this state, she's still beautiful, her eyes, raised cheekbones, lips, nose and all were a perfect combination, no single blemish, with the perfect spotless skin. All long story cut short, she's literally the most beautiful black girl I'd ever seen and I feel proud knowing that.
"What are you doing here?" She asked.
"What's the name of this place?" I retorted drawing out a seat. Recognition dawned on her as she eyed me meticulously as I sat down, probably wondering what's up with me. I also don't know, but one thing I know is that, from now onwards I won't be avoiding her again, now that I know we've met in the past when we were still very young.
"Why are you sitting down here?" She asked again. I chuckled, it was as if my chuckle had a little effect on her, she was looking at me in such an adorable manner.
"Because I have the right to sit wherever I want." I said with a proud smile.
"deo jaju us-eoya haeyo jal eoullineun geos gat-ayo(you should smile more often, it looks good on you)" She said in Korean.
"What?" I asked feigning ignorance to what she said. I was more than impressed with the fact that she understands Korean and was very fluent in speaking it. Even though my mom wasn't completely Korean, she taught me how to speak and understand the language. To say the least, I'm very pleased right now to know that Diva who's a mixed race American could understand Korean so perfectly. And for the fact that she just complimented me was making me feel so elated. My smile is really beautiful, I know. I did my best in hiding my smile or is it blush?
"Oh nothing," she smiled innocently like she didn't say a thing.
"Earlier, are you okay?" I asked worriedly. If I'm not mistaken, there's more to my connection to this black Queen than I think. Jay haven't said a thing about what he told me three days earlier, he said he was waiting for something. I'll definitely make him talk today.
"Yeah, I'm good." She said simply, not wanting to talk about it.
"Ok, you can have this." I said stretching out the umbrella to her. She looked so stunned. I know, I'm trying to change, I've grieved losing Goldie for long, it's really time to move on.
"Since when did you become this nice to me?" She asked receiving the umbrella.
"Since today," I replied standing up to leave but she stopped me.
"Thanks Daniel," she said with a grateful smile. "I see you aren't a total jerk after all." She smiled brightly.
"Now you know," I chuckled. "You are welcome Diva" I smiled. But then I remembered I needed to ask her.
"Aside from that day at the science hallway, have we met before? I mean, did we ever crossed paths before coming to Royal Empire University?" I asked her seriously, I needed to know.
"No, I don't think so." She said, she probably don't remember again.
"Alright then," I said and walked off to another section of the coffee shop.
"Sir Daniel would you like a cup of coffee?" A waitress asked, just as I sank into a seat.
"No Riha, just get me another umbrella." If it were before, I would have scolded her or any female for even talking to me.
"Ok Sir," She walked off.
I looked back at Diva, she was leaving already, just as she reached the exit door, she turned back and looked at me. Our eyes met and she smiled and walked out. I won't be avoiding you again from now on Diva, I smiled just as Riha returned with an umbrella.
"Here Sir,"
"Thanks Riha," I collected it.
*
*
*
"...I didn't transfer from Newark to this Uni because of any girl Dad, I only came to study as you requested, not because of some rude girl."
"That doesn't mean you have to be rude to Mr Caden's daughter. Remember he's my friend." Dad said. I gritted and hitted the steering angrily. I was stuck in this annoying traffic for over fifteen mins when dad's call came in. That snake had the audacity to tell my dad I was 'rude' to her through her dad, when it was the other way round.
"I wasn't rude to her, I only asked her to stop melding in my affairs and quit following me around. Do you know that arrogant girl prides herself saying she's my future wife? Where does that rubbish gibberish come from? Her dad being your friend doesn't mean she shouldn't know her place, honestly dad I don't like this. If this is some kinda joke it has to stop, I don't know whatever promise you made to her dad that gives her the audacity to be saying such unreasonable stuffs. I can't and I won't have any sort of relationship with her, you parents keep your relationships to yourself. Do you even know how she acts, she bullies others, she's arrogant and untrained, she once stupidly threatened me when she's no where near my level, Luciana even had the guts to send someone to spy on my activities at my dorm." (Jay doesn't want me to know about the fake janitor Lucia assigned to us but I'm just as smart, so I let him handle it. Because if I do, both the janitor and the matron and all that's involved will face my wrath that's why Jay doesn't want me to know, but it's all good).
"Listen to me Jordan, I'm sorry about her attitude but I guess she's just happy to meet you my son. Your Mom must have told you about the meeting with Mr Caden, but then don't worry, you can just try being friends with Lucia, I'm sure you'll get to love her soon." He said casually, like it was a normal thing.
"Whats that supposed to mean dad? Is that how you met Mom?" I flared up.
"Jordan I'm your father,you don't question me in that manner."
"Wow great, you don't want to be questioned in that manner yet you wanna mess up my life with an unreasonable promise you made to an old friend. Look Dad, I'm very well aware of how you and Mom met and it wasn't like this. I Daniel wouldn't have anything to do with a spoilt, arrogant and unruly girl and that's a promise, if you really want the happiness of your children, you wouldn't dare or even try to arrange partners for them. For Christ sake, you of all people should know marriage isn't a child's play! It's supposed to be a life time commitment Dad. It's best you tell Mr Caden that plan was a total mistake, don't make me regret having you as my dad. If you really still want to continue, you should consider having another son because this one here isn't gonna be part of that treacherous practice no matter what you do! Good bye Dad, it wasn't so nice talking about this with you."
"My son, I understand how you are feeling, but it's been said already. And you know I don't go back on my words." He said pleadingly.
"Then you'll have to go back on your words this time as the price to pay for not hearing from your son before uttering such strong words in your excitement of meeting your old friend. Don't call me Dad, I won't answer until you dissolve that statement. Cut me off if you want, you know I'm very well able to care for myself. Good bye." I removed the earpiece from my ear and flung it somewhere, disconnecting the call. My Dad knows me well enough to know what I can do when really angry.
The honking of cars brought to my notice that the traffic had eased. I stepped on the pedal and drove off, placing a call to Jay.