Chapter 30: Smile

The next day, Jaden prepared herself to meet up with Tom Mesereau and most importantly Michael. When Tom informed her that Michael would be joining them for the meeting, her heart jumped a bit. It wasn’t as if she didn’t expect to never see Michael. It was far from it. She just didn’t know that it would happen so fast. As she pulled up into the lavish law office, thoughts of doubt crept into her mind. Am I sure that I’m doing the right thing? She cautiously pondered. Jaden was putting a lot on the line, especially her career. But then she knew she would feel ten times worse if Michael was proven guilty. If I have the power to help him, I’m gonna do it. No matter what. His innocence meant more to her than anything else.

She sashayed into the law office of Mesereau &Yu, LLP, donning a business casual outfit of dress pants, a nice white blouse with a brown blazer, and plain dark brown pumps. She pinned her hair up into a flawless bun. Jaden didn’t know whether she over or underdressed but Cassie and Sabrina assured that was the best look to go for. Either way, she still looked beautiful and elegant. “Ms. Ross? Is that you?” a male voice said. Jaden turned around and came face to face with Tom Mesereau. “Yes. Mr. Mesereau, hi.” She greeted him as she shook his hand and immediately felt at ease. By the way their phone conversations went and the older gentlemen’s kind, concerned eyes, she somehow knew that she could trust him. “Call me Jade please by the way.” Tom gave her a small smile. “Alright, Jade. Let’s go in my office so we can talk in private.” Jade caught a few people, mainly employees, glaring at her. Most were probably surprised that a celebrity like her came in the middle of the day like that. Once they went into his office, he insisted that Jaden take a seat at one of his lush leather chairs.

“Make yourself comfortable. I’m having the receptionist to bring some refreshments soon and Michael should be here very shortly,” Tom told her. He couldn’t help but be slightly mesmerized by the music star’s beauty. He secretly wondered how her and Michael crossed paths. “Do you have any bodyguards?” he asked. “Do you feel safe enough to walk by yourself all of the time?” Jaden couldn’t help but laugh. “Well Mr. Mesereau-“ “-Call me Tom as well,” he cut in. “Tom, I do have them. But only if I’m going somewhere widely public. I didn’t think I would need them for here though.” “Oh I see, make sense.” He chuckled at his lame attempt of small talk. “Well I have to tell you that I really appreciate you taking time to come down here. And for sacrificing a lot personally to help Michael and this trial. However, if all goes well, this could make this case even more foolish as it already is.”

Jaden crossed her arms. “Well that’s all I want for him. For Michael. I care about him a lot and his children. I’m afraid for him and I want everything to be okay.” Tom sat up and looked her in the eyes. “You know Jade, if there were more people who were there for him like you have and will be, maybe things wouldn’t have even got this far.” Just as Jaden was about to speak the receptionist informed him that Michael was on his way in. “I know that is going to be tough, but are you ready?” he asked her. Jaden paused as she anticipated Michael coming. “I’ve never been more ready for anything in a long time,” she told him
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Michael came in with a couple of his bodyguards in tow. There was no way he could leave home without having them. Once he laid his eyes on Jaden, he cleared his throat trying to get the lump that was forming in his throat to go away. Always true to her word, his ex-girlfriend was there waiting for him. Jaden smiled at him, not knowing what else to do. In his eyes, she had gotten a more mature look and was even more beautiful than before. He didn’t think that could be possible but it was. He smiled back.

“Jaden… how are you?? It’s been a while.” Jaden nodded “Yes it has.” She noticed that he had lost weight and looked a bit tired, but otherwise he was still gorgeous and well put together. She couldn’t take it anymore. She got up and gave him the biggest embrace possible. As the two were locked in each other’s arms, all of their feelings about each other rushed back. Without saying a word, they both knew that they still loved and had deep inclination for one another. It was a familiar place of intimacy to have that physical touch; they both missed that very much.

When they finally let go, neither of them didn’t notice that their eyes were filled with tears. They laughed it off as Jaden and Michael wiped them off with tissue. Like a proud father, Tom looked on. He could tell that the two of them had a very serious, intimate relationship just from his keen observation. Michael looked at Jaden. “Jaden I know I didn’t really get to tell you before, but I’m sorry from the bottom of my heart. I’m sorry about not fighting for what we had and I’m sorry about the last time we saw each other. I didn’t deal with anything right.”

Jaden ran her finger across his chiseled cheeks. “Michael, it’s okay. Really. I’m sorry too. I didn’t hear you out and I didn’t handle the situation in a mature way. And most of all, I’m sorry that you’re going through all of this turmoil for no reason at all. That’s why I’m here, to help in any way that I can. Even if I have to testify, so be it. We’re in this together.”

Michael was dumbfounded by what all she had just said. He couldn’t believe how blessed he was to have someone so special, so caring, and compassionate back in his life. “I don’t even know what to say Jade. I don’t deserve your kindness and friendship.” Jaden took his hand into hers; it was still a perfect fit. “Michael, I know your family and friends have been there for you. We’re all here for you. And I want to do as much as I am able to make sure you get this thing over with as soon as possible.” Michael sincerely looked her in her eyes. “I love you,” he told her. Jaden gave him a small smile. “I love you more,” she teased as she gave him a kiss on the cheek. If they never became a couple again, at least the two of them confirmed that their friendship would endure for a lifetime. It was something to smile about.