When Sam was asked about his relationship with Jade in the hospital, he didn't hesitate to admit she is his fiancée. He then warned the doctors and nurses to keep the details confidential.
While he was waiting for Jade's treatment to end, he sent Mei Jia home, knowing it had been a tough day for her, too. He was glad he did so, 'cause the moment the doctor returned to him, he wasn't expecting a surprise.
"Did you know the patient was pregnant?" The doctor asked a question that caught Sam off guard, and he shook his head.
"The patient is in a very delicate stage. She's about eight weeks into the first trimester. She needs to get more rest and less stress. We will prescribe her folic acid and vitamins to strengthen her womb and to help with her morning sickness." The doctor's words were becoming just words, but he still remembered to tell the doctor to issue an altered report so she could rest, though he found it unnecessary since Jade was to announce her retirement soon.
As he made his way to her private ward, he was still trying to digest the news. He stood by the door, feeling nervous to meet her. He knew whose child it was. He knew it was the right time, but he was afraid of so many uncertainties.
He only moved when he got a phone call from Jade, who was worried about him.
"Hello? Baby, I saw you earlier. Are you alright? Where are you?" Jade asked worriedly over the phone as Sam slowly turned the doorknob.
With her pale look, she smiled and eased back into her pillow in relief at the sight of him.
"There you are…" She held her arms out to him for a hug as he gladly gave her one after locking the door and curtain for some privacy.
"I have missed you… You really didn't have to come today." She said as she released him to have a good look at him.
She knew something was wrong just from his quiet demeanour. "You don't have to worry anymore. It's all over after today. We will stay together from now on." She tried comforting him, but it didn't work.
Instead, he hugged her again.
"I'm so sorry I was useless… I shouldn't have let you take on this last project… I…" Sam closed his eyes and tried not to cry as she smiled and gently rubbed his back.
"It's not your fault. It's my choice." She reminded him.
"After all I put you through, how could you? Just how could you still love me and want me, Jade?" He questioned without much confidence as she smiled with tears welling in her eyes this time before letting him off her embrace.
"Cause you're all I thought of during my toughest days. Without you I don't have today. Without you, I am nobody but just a sold body perhaps. I knew you would come earlier… I…" Before she could finish what she wanted to say, Sam kissed her passionately till they both ran out of breath.
"Marry me, Jade. I promise you this time I will give you and the baby a warm home. I will protect all of you…" He whispered to her ear as she dreamily leaned on his shoulder with her eyes closed.
However, her eyes shot open when her mind registered the word "baby".
"Baby?" She mumbled as her shock gaze met with his.
"You're pregnant for nearly eight weeks…" He whispered as she smiled while happy tears flowed uncontrollably from her eyes.
They both knew whose baby it was and what happened. "This time the timing is right… So so right…" She teased excitedly while hugging him.
"Aww, I cannot believe this. Babyyyy, we are going to be parents…" She cheered excitedly in his arms as he kissed her passionately again.
"I'm sorry about everything before this… Your miscarriage. I'm sorry I wasn't there. I didn't know… How could I do that? Oh…" He held his head as Jade kissed him on his left cheek before chuckling.
"Can you not be such an old man? You're going to be a father. Don't have to keep repeating and apologising. If it mattered, I wouldn't be here with you, baby… Aww, I can't wait to fly with you to Qi Tai… I have decided I could do some help with your business venture since it's still in the same industry… After all, what mattered was to be close to you." She revealed her plans to him as he stole more kisses.
"How long did you plan all these?" He teased her.
"From the day you told me I'm yours. Always have been planning…" She winked as they chuckled in each other's arms.
"At this point, I don't care if I win during the award ceremony. Let's fly tonight." She suggested seriously, but he laughed, knowing he shouldn't be so selfish.
"No… go… take that last walk on the stage. At least the red carpet. It's all worth it. After everything…" Sam encouraged her.
"Alright, only because you want to see me doing so…" She smiled with a little pout.
"I will come fetch you to Qi Tai by then." He tried to comfort her, but she shook her head.
"Nope, go fly off tomorrow. I need to deal with some loose ends and I…" She pointed at herself. "...will come and find you, my baby's daddy." She stole a kiss as he drew her in instantly for a passionate kiss instead to seal the deal.
It was a busy Sunday for the press in different countries. First, it was Sebastian's hospitalised news in Qi Tai. Then it was the sensational scandal news of Jade, Carlson and Sam in a love triangle in Lagopool.
Upon seeing the scandal news, Violet released herself from Sebastian's arms and covered him in a blanket before stepping outside to give Sam a call.
After a few ringing tones, she heard him clearing his throat. "Speak."
"The news… What's up?" She asked instantly.
"Nothing to worry about. I'm returning now. How's things at your end?" He checked.
"Good…" She decided to lie.
"They didn't pester you further?" He was suspicious at how easy the agency let go of the situation as Violet sighed heavily.
"They called me in. I will go in a while. I will update you." Hearing her telling him in such a manner worried him because he knew she wasn't seeking permission nor negotiating.
She was informing him, and nothing would change his stubborn sister from going to the agency to meet them.
"Vi… Careful. I will come right there to pick you up when I land." He informed as she hummed in acknowledgement before hastily hanging up.
Instead of returning to the room, she left immediately, fearing Sebastian would stop her cause she knew Sam would update him too soon. True enough, Sam called Sebastian, who stirred awake to find himself alone in the room.
"Hello?" Sebastian answered groggily.
"Bro, is Vi there?" Sam questioned in precaution.
"No… She is supposed to be. I think she went to the washroom or somewhere… What's up?" Sebastian was still trying to get his brain to work faster.
"Bro, alright, she is summoned by the agency. I am boarding now. I will head to the agency when I land immediately. Stay where you are and don't leave." Sam updated as Sebastian could only hum in acknowledgement despite not agreeing to the plan before hanging up.
Fight against me? Not so easy… He thought to himself as he took a cool selfie and posted an update for his fans.
Injured but got summoned for work… Don't worry, my beloved fans, let's get ready for work! Fighting!
Because Violet's mind was full of preparation to deal with the agency on the way to their office, she didn't notice Sebastian's social media update. When she alighted in front of the agency's lobby, she noticed his fans were gathered in an uproar, protesting that he needed to work though he was injured.
She was confused for a second till she checked her phone to read two assuring messages.
Sam: I will come get you. Stay safe. Remember the protocols I taught you before.
Sebastian: Don't worry. They can't do anything to you. My fans are there.
She smiled when she finally saw Sebastian's social media page.
As she entered the office, she was greeted by someone whom she assumed was the notorious head of Cao Tung agency, Cao Chew Long. There was also Fang Li and a few others whom she didn't recognise.
She walked in confidently with her HR professional smile she used to flash and carried the meeting flawlessly. Like everyone used to say, fake it till you make it.
Despite this, she was so overwhelmed at the end of the meeting. The fans didn't leave yet, but she was too mentally exhausted to avoid them. So, she walked absentmindedly past them, who didn't recognise her and didn't know they were protecting her as she strolled along the streets thereafter to unwind her mind.
From now on, you will ensure he follows these schedules… We will ensure he signs the renewal contract before this weekend. Chew Long's words were still ringing in her head as she forced herself not to think about it, but her anger grew.
Don't even think of sending in such a simple timesheet moving forward… If I don't see anything detailed, we won't hesitate to push him to work more. Oh, and we have brought forward his cooking show since he will be joining a camping show in a few weeks. Make sure I see him attending the other photo shoots in between… Else, we could make his injury a reality.
Violet wanted to punch his face earlier if it weren't because her actions would cause Sebastian more trouble. Instead, she counteroffered them.
I will leave. But with conditions. It took the agency by surprise as they listened to her.
He doesn't use this schedule. He will only head for the camping show. It's up to him to sign the renewal. She kept it simple. She knew their motive in getting at her was to get rid of her, but she also wanted to protect Sebastian. She knew the agency would accept, but to abide by the conditions, she wasn't sure yet.
All she could hope for was for him to endure the last few weeks with the agency. She knew the agency had seen through the staged act, but all thanks to his fans, they couldn't push him much other than to bring the cooking show earlier to appease the fans and send out a clarification statement that Sebastian was resting.
Vi, you know you're bound to leave anyway… Might as well now than later. She tried comforting herself as she sat by the bridge facing a river with her tired legs.