"Jack!" greeted Raul as he jumped up from behind his desk. He strode up to his boss and patted him on the shoulder patronizingly. "Welcome back old guy!"

"Thanks Raul. How's things at the office?" asked Jack settling onto a chair in front of Sebastion's desk.

"It's been better." said Sebastian from behind the computer screen. He hadn't even looked at Jack once. So much for licking your boss's boots, thought Jack, shaking his head.

"So, had fun in Frankfurt, huh?" said Raul wiggling his eyebrows. Jack shot him a dirty look.

"And I'll take that as a yes." said Raul hurriedly returning to his own desk.

"Tell me what's wrong with the company. Sebastian, give me a report." said Jack taking out his phone to take notes.

Sebastian emerged from behind his computer and took off his glasses before turning his face towards Jack. For someone with high myopia of both eyes, it was evident that Jack appeared as nothing more than a blur to him.

He really doesn't want to look at me, thought Jack. I didn't think he'd be this mad.

"You want a report of what's wrong?" said Sebastian sarcastically.

"Come on Seb, cut him some slack." called out Raul from afar.

"No, I will not. He needs to know how much damage his antics are doing to the company." said Sebastian grudgingly putting his glasses back on.

"You've got thinner. Your hair looks like its been bleached, you've got lines on your forehead, though you look kind of happy." commented Sebastian as he finally looked at Jack. "And you have dark circles."

"Thanks Seb, you're the reason I'm this grounded a billionaire." said Jack with a laugh. "Now tell me, what's wrong with Dixon Enterprises?"

"Well due to Miss Claire's declaration at the press conference last week, our share values have gone down tremendously. A lot rides on your image Jack, you can't be irresponsible like this." said Sebastian.

"But was he irresponsible?" cut in Raul. "I think Claire's a horrible woman, who cooked up this story."

"How do you explain the child? She looks so much like Jack it's uncanny." said Sebastian warily. "Anyway, his or not,Claire is making things difficult for us. If our losses keep rising like this, we'll have to let go of some of our employees. In this economical condition, issuing job termination letters is the last thing I want to do."

Just then, someone knocked at the door.

"Come in!" said Raul.

A nervous looking young man entered carrying a tray laden with large mugs of coffee and chocolate croissants.

"Thanks Jimmy." said Raul as he took his coffee. "You look extra handsome today, what did you change up?"

"I-I got my first paycheck yesterday---so I bought a new hair gel." said Jimmy shyly. He must have been all of nineteen years old.

"Cool." said Raul grinning at him. "Bye."

Jimmy walked out of the room, a new spring in his steps.

Jack looked very angry as he sipped his coffee and made a face. It was too bitter. "How bad are the losses?" he asked.

"We've lost close to thirty million. Most of the shares in Europe and the U.S. have suffered. Our clients in Asia are not so affected, since the Kormin brothers incident helped mask any ongoing bad press."

"That's going to affect over thirty thousand jobs. Jimmy got his first paycheck, I don't want it to be his last with Dixon. Sebastian, Raul we need to get into damage control mode. I need you both to believe that I did not impregnate Claire and leave her to fend for herself. We broke up three years ago because she was trying to steal my fortune, which I suppose she's trying to do now as well. So please, the both of you trust me and we'll get out this together, okay?"

"Of course Jack." said Raul patting him on the back. Sebastian smiled despite himself. "Yeah. We'll get through this." he said finally. Jack caught himself before he hugged them, he was getting too soft as it is.

"Willis has taken our side." said Jack nonchalantly as he sipped his coffee.

"Ted Willis?" said Sebastian sharply as Jack nodded. "That guy is incredible. If he agreed to represent you, it must mean he thinks you're innocent."

"Or he thinks I'm a criminal and is collecting first hand evidence against me." said Jack skeptically. "But he'll find the truth sooner or later."

"This is great news." said Raul. "At least legally we're in good hands."

Just then Jack's phone started to ring.

"Hello?" said Jack as his eyes widened in wonder. "Who is this?"

"Vicky!" said a young voice excitedly through the phone.

"Vicky?" said Jack, his hands trembling. This was...his daughter? He swore she had the loveliest voice in the world.

"Yes! Axky and Teddy and Paula brought me away with them."

"What?" said Jack as he instinctively stood up. "You are ... with them?"

"Yes! Are you my real Daddy?" said Vicky eagerly. "I wanna see you!"

"Y-yes, I want to see you too. I'll be home soon." said Jack a smile forming on his lips.

"I love you daddy." said Vicky and Jack's heart swelled up. He felt tears streak down his face as he answered. "I love you too Vicky."

"Bye!"

"See you soon."

Sebastian and Raul were looking at Jack with shocked expressions.

"She's home." said Jack simply as he sipped his coffee. Everything tasted so much better now.

***

Paula and Axky brought Vicky to Jack's house. Ted Willis took his leave saying he had a court hearing to attend.

"Bye Teddy!" called Vicky as she waved through the window.

"Bye sunshine!" called Ted as he drove off in his black convertible.

"Wow." said Axky grinning as he shut the door. "Can't believe that old grouch has a soft side."

"Language," chided Paula fondly.

"So Vicky ever played hide and seek?" said Axky as he lifted the little girl into his arms.

"Only once." said Vicky happily swirling around in her new cotton frock. It seemed that Claire had made her wear only stylish clothes of uncomfortable material.

"Then we must play it more often." said Axky kissing her forehead. "What's your favourite game?"

"I like singing." said Vicky. "I don't play much. I don't have friends."

Axky felt his heart break just a little. "Well I'm gonna be your new best friend okay?"

"Pinky promise?" she asked sticking out her pinky finger expectantly.

"Of course." said Axky intertwining his little finger with hers. Her face burst into a radiant smile and Axky knew then just how wonderful it would feel to be a father.

"Vicky honey," called Paula emerging from the kitchen. "I made you some pancakes. Would you like to taste them?"

"I love pancakes!" squealed Vicky excitedly but then became sad. "But mommy says they're not good for you. She says I'll get fat and she'll give me away."

Paula looked so fierce at that moment, if Claire had been present she would have been frightened. Paula took Vicky into her own arms and kissed her cheeks and forehead.

"I love you Vicky, not how you look or what you eat. None of that matters to any of us." said Paula brushing Vicky's soft brown curls with her hands.

"I can eat pancakes? And ice cream and ... and candy?" asked Vicky hope lighting up her eyes.

"Of course love. We'll take you for a check up with the doctor and find out what is safe for you as soon as Jack gets home." said Paula with a smile. "You need a balanced diet with enough of everything."

"Yaaay!" said Vicky gleefully.

"Now my little princess, lets go eat." said Axky taking Vicky from Paula and setting her on her feet.

"I love you Axky. I love you Paula." said Vicky as she walked to the table. "Even if you get fat and old and ugly."

Axky and Paula laughed heartily at her innocent words.

"Thank you dear." said Paula as she got out some whipped cream and fruit. "That's how love should be: unconditional."

***

Brielle rushed to her classroom, late again as usual. Her flowery pink top, and flowing chestnut hair was strikingly visible as she raced through the corridors to her class.

"Professor!" she exclaimed as she poked her head through the door.

"Gabrielle Dane," said Ms Stewart sternly. "You have been gone for three weeks. Come on in."

"Please Ms. Stewart, let me attend class---what?" said Brielle in surprise. Did the strict teacher ask her to come in without any fuss?

"Yes, yes. I already got your email stating the cause for your absence. Well done on your bravery." said Ms. Stewart as Brielle came inside and took her seat. All the other students were staring at her. She couldn't spot Amanda though.

"The students would like to hear about your experiences, if you wish to share." said Ms. Stewart.

"I'd love to." said Brielle taking out her text book and copy.

"So now coming back to the course, nanotechnology in medicine is a very important field in today's world. Now for chemistry students the nano-material constitution is very important. Would anyone like to share an idea about making them safe for human beings?"

Brielle raised her hand in the air.

"Very well Ms. Dane."

"The perfect material would be..." as Brielle spoke of her research work, she realized how much she'd missed University. It felt good to be back.

Her class ended a couple of hours later, and as she was heading towards the cafeteria, her once close friend, Amanda ran up to her.

"Brielle, I'm sorry." she said in a small voice. "I am so very sorry."

Brielle sighed as she turned to face the girl. Amanda looked so different from when she had last seen her. Her lustrous hair was now rough and tied into a messy braid. Her eyes were puffy from crying, her face was devoid of make up. Even her clothes were shabbier now. She looked like she had fallen down a long way.

Brielle could only wonder what had happened. She thought of asking her what was wrong, but realized that she didn't really want to know.

It was best to move on, sans the baggage. What good would it do to hold a grudge?

"I forgive you." said Brielle coldly before walking away.

'Brielle, please, give me another chance," said Amanda, her tears falling freely down her face as she followed her.

Brielle looked the scar on her wrist that Zachary had inflicted.

"I'm sorry Amanda." she said evenly. "But no. Goodbye."

Amanda could only stare as the once easily manipulated, under confident girl with a tendency to always agree, walked away with her head held high.

She didn't turn around.

"Bye," said Amanda to herself as she sat down on the bench beside her, the weight of her actions now dawning upon her. After all betrayal can be difficult to forgive but impossible to forget.