One Wild Night

The Wednesday morning sun peeked through the blinds, casting a warm ray of light across the bedroom as Jade slumbered peacefully.

Harry, ever the early riser, decided to use the quiet time to have a quick chat with Candace and Andy before they left for the airport. He found them chatting in the kitchen as they prepared breakfast.

"Good morning, big sisters," Harry greeted them, a smile playing on his lips.

"Good morning, little brother. Want coffee?" Candace asked and when Harry nodded, she went to pour him a mug.

"Thanks," Harry said as he took it from her and then cleared his throat, "Actually, there's something I wanted to talk to you both about before you leave."

Candace and Andy exchanged a curious glance. The smile on their face disappeared, replaced by a shared look of concern.

"Is everything alright, Harry?" Candace asked, wondering why he suddenly seemed so serious.

Harry nodded. "Everything is great, actually. Better than ever, in fact. There's just... something I've been planning, and I figured it's only right that I let you two in on it since you are my siblings."

Intrigue flickered in Andy's eyes. "Planning, huh?"

"Are you planning to ask Jade to marry you?" Candace guessed and Harry raised raised a brow.

He hadn't intended for it to be so blunt, but now that it was out there, there was no turning back. "How did you guess?" He asked and seeing that Candace's guess was right, Andy let out a squeal of delight.

She threw her arms around him in a hug. "Oh my god, Harry! That is amazing news!"

"Jade has been spending a lot of time with you. And when she first told me about you, she said you were very old-fashioned and stuff. So I figured the reason you've been doing it all is because you've made up your mind to propose soon," Candace said with a shrug, and clapped him enthusiastically on the back.

"Congrats! Jade is going to be so happy. You're both very lucky to have each other," Candace said, not sure who was more lucky since she knew they were both wonderful people.

He had known they would be happy for him and Jade, still their genuine excitement warmed his heart.

A grin spread across his face, "Thank you. So, the plan is to propose to her while we're on our vacation," Harry explained, "I was hoping you might want to be there when I pop the question."

Candace's eyes sparkled. "Are you kidding? We wouldn't miss it for the world! This is going to be epic!"

Andy winked. "I can't wait to see the surprise on Jade's face. Consider us your official proposal cheerleaders. We will make sure it's a moment she will never forget."

"Our little brother's all grown up," Candace said, nudging him playfully, and they all laughed.

"Is dad aware?" Andy asked, knowing that the news would bring joy to Aaron.

"Yeah. He is," Harry said and Candace grinned.

"But seriously, congratulations, Harry. We are so happy for you both," Candace said and the next few minutes were filled with excited chatter as they discussed the details of the proposal and when to travel over for it.

Two hours later, Matt came over and drove them to the airport, leaving Harry and Jade alone in the house once again.

"So, are you ready to leave? Two days to go," Harry said as he lay on the bed with Jade and she grinned.

"Having you on the bed with me this way during office hours on a work day already feels like the vacation has started," Jade said and Harry laughed.

"So, you came back late yesterday, and we couldn't talk. Want to tell me what is going on?" She asked and Harry sighed deeply.

"I think Mia's husband might be a bit difficult to handle," he confessed.

"Hmm. You think so? Why?" Jade asked, surprised to hear that from a capable man like Harry.

"He won't let her go so easily," Harry said, and went on to explain the phone call to him and all he had said.

"Did you ask Mia how they met? I mean, how he got to marry her?" Jade asked, and Harry frowned.

"No. Why? What has that got to do with anything?" Harry asked, and Jade sighed as she sat up.

"Everything. It has everything to do with it. You first need to know why he married her. Was it an arranged marriage by their families? Was she in love with him? Or did he see her and choose to marry her? Is her family indebted to him, hence they are on his side? What was the dynamics of their relationship? You need to know if it's just a case of an egoistical husband too proud to admit that he has lost his wife because of his wickedness, or if it's a case of an obsessed crazy husband. That would better help you know how to deal with him. It's like profiling him," Jade said and Harry considered it for a moment.

"I could help..."

"No," Harry shook his head before she could finish.

"No what?"

"I don't want you involved in this in any way..."

"Why not? I'm a lawyer and..."

"And you are my girl friend and your safety is my utmost concern," Harry said and Jade rolled her eyes.

"Do you have any idea the kind of cases I've handled and how dangerous they are? This isn't a big deal. I can take care of myself," she said but Harry shook his head.

"If you want to help, do so by talking to just me this way when I update you on what's going on. I don't want you to be directly involved. Stay out of it, okay?" Harry said she and scowled.

"So it's okay for you to do dangerous stuff, but not me?" She asked, and he nodded.

"Yes. I'm the man..."

"And it's my duty to protect you," Jade completed with a roll of her eyes.

"So, who would protect you when you're so busy protecting me and doing dangerous stuff?" Jade asked, eyeing him with disapproval.

"I can protect myself," Harry said and she raised a brow.

"And I can't protect myself? Do you really think so? I can handle a gun better than most men, you know?" Jade asked and Harry sighed.

This wasn't the sort of discussion or argument he expected them to have when they were alone and had the house all to themselves.

"I'm sure you can, but I'd rather you don't have to. Let me handle the guns if there is need for it, and you can get me out of jail with that smart brain of yours if ever I have to use the gun," Harry said and Jade rolled her eyes.

"You know, this is the reason men don't live as long as women. You lot seem to think women can handle anything, and then you end up carrying too many burdens..."

"I don't want to outlive you. I'd rather die before you," Harry said and Jade glared at him as she hit his arm.

"Don't say stuff like that. I don't find it romantic," Jade said and Harry grinned.

"Why? Death is inevitable. I don't want to have to live without you..."

"I don't want to live without you either. But let's not talk about death. I will keep you safe, and you can also keep me safe, okay?" Jade said, and seeing the stubborn set of her lips, Harry knew he was in for another long round of argument if he didn't respond as she expected.

"Okay, ma'am," he said and she smiled, "But you're still not getting involved in Mia's case. Stay out of it. Tom and I will handle it," Harry said and she sighed.

"If you insist. So, what's the plan for today?" Jade asked, changing the subject.

"I will be stopping by the company. We have a meeting..."

"I thought you said you do not have any business at the office until after our vacation?" Jade cut in.

"It's not official business. Mia and Jeff are coming to the company so we can all put her plan into motion," Harry explained.

"I will come with you..."

"Esquire..."

"I don't want to be home alone. I will wait in Lucy's office," she cut him off and he nodded.

"That's fine then. Let's get ready," Harry said, and just as he rose from the bed, his phone buzzed with a phone call.

He raised a brow when he saw that it was Jeff and he received the call, "Did something... Really?" Harry asked with a frown and Jade raised a brow as she watched him.

"Alright. See you soon," Harry said before hanging up.

"What happened?" Jade asked curiously as she watched Harry look at his phone's screen.

"Mia's husband decided not to wait until twenty-four hours to make his move. Get dressed let's get going. I will tell you the details on our way," Harry said and quickly they both got ready and left the house.

"So? What did he do?" Jade asked after they were settled in the car and were on their way to the company.

"He sent some men to the apartment early this morning to get Mia. But Jeff told them that Mia went out without informing him and he is yet to hear from her or see her since then, and all attempts to reach her on phone has yielded nothing. Then they left a number asking him to reach them if he saw or heard from her. And then there has been rumors on different blogs about Vanessa Rosewood, supposed late wife of Henry Rosewood, being spotted somewhere in Ludus. Released by Henry of course," Harry said and Jade pursed her lips.

"Interesting," Jade said thoughtfully, "I believe this is the first of his many moves. He has only just started," Jade said and Harry nodded.

By the time Harry walked into Tom's office a couple of minutes later, Mia and Jeff were already seated there and the moment he walked in, they all turned to him.

"Henry just gave an interview," Mia announced and Harry raised an eyebrow at Tom.

"What did he say?" Harry asked no one in particular.

"It wasn't just him. He was with my father. They confirmed the rumors in quote. Henry shed a few tears of joy. He said I contacted him..." Before she could finish, Tom handed Harry his phone so that he would see it for himself.

On the screen was Henry, looking dignified as ever, and beside him was an older man who Harry believed was Mia's father.

"My attention has been drawn to the rumors making rounds on the internet. I'm surprised that the news is out already. We are happy to announce to the public that my believed wife, Vanessa, whom we thought three years ago, is alive," Henry said, and paused as though to blink back his tears.

"I'm sorry. I've just been so overwhelmed since I heard from her," Henry said, and his assistant handed him a handkerchief which he used to dab at his eyes.

"For three years I thought my wife was dead. I mourned and wept every night, devastated by the death of my precious wife. You can't imagine what joy I feel knowing that she survived that terrible accident," he said and then paused again.

"Although she lost her memory, hence she couldn't reach out to us all this time, but I'm glad she finally regained her memory and called me. I thank you all for mourning with me when I mourned, and for rejoicing with me now that I'm rejoicing. I can't imagine the magnitude of suffering my dearest wife must have endured in the last couple of years away from us, especially considering her mental health challenge," he paused again to let it sink in.

"For years we have been managing her bipolar disorder..."

"Bipolar?" Harry asked, looking at Mia.

"He is trying to make me out to be the crazy wife that way even if I come out to defend myself or say anything, no one would listen to the crazy wife who is lucky enough to be married to such a powerful man who dotes on her in spite of her mental condition," Mia said, amazed by how Henry had managed to use the media again.

Harry returned his attention to the phone again, "I can only imagine how bad it must have gotten now. I don't say this to shame my wife or to expose our dirty linens. I'm saying this so that everyone would understand and sympathize with my beloved wife. I will be going to get her and soon she will get all the medical help she needs and take her place beside me again," he said and Mia's father nodded.

"You have been such a wonderful husband to my daughter and an amazing son-in-law. Thank you for the patience and love you've shown my daughter. Even on days when her condition is so bad that she becomes violent and accuses you of all sorts of things, not once have you been ashamed nor thought of divorcing her. Thank you, Henry. I hope you are able to bring her home to us. Vanessa, I hope you come back home to us. We love you and can't wait to have you back with us," Mia's father said, looking directly at the camera and Mia closed her eyes.

Harry sighed as he returned the phone to Tom, "Well, I don't think this changes much," Harry said as he sat down on the sofa.

"It doesn't affect my plan. I expected this, I just didn't expect the bipolar part," Mia said, and Jeff reached out a hand to squeeze hers.

Before Tom could speak, his phone buzzed with a call notification and he looked at Mia, and then at Harry, "It's Henry," Tom announced, and they all looked at him with interest.