Jonathan's POV
Somewhere out of the city
"Mr. Rollings," My PA said.
"Everyone has arrived."
"Good," I said.
"Let's go."
As I entered the room, everyone got up.
"Mr. Rollings, why did you call us out here?" A board member said.
"Yes," the other member said.
"And that too only your PA is here." The other member continued.
"If the rest had come," I said, taking my seat.
"Wouldn't everyone back home be suspicious?"
"Jonathan," a senior board member said.
"Is this because of Imelda?"
I exhaled.
"Yes,"
I handed my PA the files related to Veronica.
"Pass them out," I said.
I paused so they could study the content.
Finally after a few minutes…
"This Imelda is unbelievable," a board member said with red eyes.
"She actually was executing such a heinous plan all along?"
"Heinous plan?" Another member said.
"It's a heinous crime," he continued.
"She made sure Veronica was cornered."
He paused.
"And I think her intention was to make her leave, which she has succeeded."
"Jonathan," the senior member asked.
"Any news?"
"No," I said.
"I went to every place at the time related to them but all in vain," I said continuing.
"And…I don't think she wants to have anything to do with me but I do pray she comes back."
"Jonathan," The senior member said.
"Veronica is a smart girl," he continued.
"She knows how to know who's wrong and who's not."
"She will understand."
Just then a knock got everyone's attention.
My PA went over to open the door.
"Mr. Rollings," he said.
"Mr. Staf is here."
Daniel walked in with a composed, unguarded confidence.
"Jonathan," he said, holding his hand out.
"Daniel," I said, shaking hands.
"Everyone," I said.
"Daniel Staf, CEO of D. S. Studios."
"Jonathan," the senior staff member said.
"I know he's your friend," he continued.
"But calling here?"
"I know," I said.
"But meeting Daniel," I continued.
"He's like a brother to me,"
"And we share the same goal,"
"To bring Imelda down."
"Mr. Daniel, a member said.
"Can you tell us how you know Imelda and how you're connected to the Blue Heart?"
"Sure," Daniel said with a smile.
"She was my girlfriend," he continued.
"But we broke up,"
"As for the Blue Heart, I bought the metal and gems from a local store downtown."
"And now that I know what she's been up to,"
"I think it's time to show her…her rightful place."
"Daniel," the senior member said.
"So, will you transfer the Blue Heart to Jonathan?"
"I have no objections," he said.
"Wait a minute," I said leaning forward.
"I won't take the Blue heart just cause the materials belong to me,"
"Daniel," I said, continuing.
"First of all, tell me did you make it for someone in particular?"
"Not personal," he said.
"But yes, I did want to sell it to someone who truly understands what love is."
"In that case…"
I paused.
"I want you to set up an auction," I said.
"I'll light the lantern—"
"Jonathan," Daniel said, cutting my words midway.
"It belongs to you," he said. "Why do you want to auction it?"
"I'm not," I said.
"But I want it legally, not a favor."
"You designed it, you own it, you'll auction it, I'll buy it."
A week after our secret meeting, Daniel held an auction.
As planned Daniel held an auction of his latest designs, Blue Heart included.
All elite socialites attended the auction.
Grand Del Hotel Hall - Early evening
"Hello," the host said.
"Thanks to everyone for attending D. S. Studio's first auction."
"The collections will be donated to the charities listed in the brochure in your hands."
"Now let's begin,"
Daniel had arranged around twenty other pieces of jewelry before placing the Blue Heart on the stage.
Finally the time came.
"And now," the host said.
"The last of today's auction and the exclusive Blue Heart,"
"The bidding begins at fifty.."
"Sixty million."
The voice was sharp and confident.
Murmurers spread across the hall.
"Eighty million," another voice called out.
I didn't react, not reply.
I exhaled as I was content that the Blue Heart was loved.
"One hundred million."
Silence fell.
Murmurers erupted.
A voice…
I could recognize anywhere…
Imelda.
A small laugh escaped my lips.
Of course she should have been the first one here.
And she would be the first person who'll want to take it.
The Blue Heart wasn't just a pendant.
It wasn't just a symbol of love.
It was…mine.
"You dare."
I said in my mind.
I turned towards her and met her eyes.
She smiled back.
As if she had already won.
I leaned forward and…
Raised my index finger slightly.
That's all it took for everyone's gaze to fall on me.
My PA stepped forward.
"Rollings Designs offers an irrevocable bid."
I took a note and envelope from the table beside me.
Wrote the amount, and sealed the envelope.
"Fifty million higher on the last bid," I whispered to my PA.
"Envelope?" the host asked.
My PA stepped forward and handed the envelope to the host.
The host's expression changed the moment he opened the envelope.
Then he looked up.
"Rollings Designs placed an irrevocable bid."
A pause.
Everyone is eager to know how high.
"...fifty million above the current highest bid."
I turned towards Imelda.
I saw her smile falter for a brief moment.
I knew hundred million was already her limit.
As for me…
This is something I never let her know.
"Anyone higher than hundred fifty million?"
The host paused.
Then..
"Going once."
A brief pause.
"Going Twice…"
Silence fell in the hall.
The hammer hit the board.
"Sold."
"The Blue Heart is sold to Rollings Designs for a hundred and fifty million."
"Mr. Staf," the host called out.
Daniel got onto the stage.
"I'm truly happy the Blue heart has gone back to its original owner."
"Mr. Rollings," Daniel continued.
"Sorry, but this is a replica,"
"The original is safe in the locker."
"I'll personally come and deliver it to your doorstep."
"Still, for now would you please accept this and finish the formalities of the auction."
I went over and accepted the replica.
"Mr. Rollings, so who's the lucky woman who'll wear it."
Imelda got up and was about to walk over.
But my words stopped her feet.
"My wife," I said in a firm, steady, proud voice.
"Mrs. Veronica Smith Rollings."
Rollings Designs - Late afternoon - a week later
I was reviewing some papers, when my secretary opened the door.
"Mr. Staf is here."
"Please." I said, gesturing to let him in.
First we shook hands, then hugged.
"Take a seat," I said, gesturing to Daniel.
Daniel placed the box he was holding in his hand on the desk.
I held my breath for a brief moment.
The Blue Heart was more than just a pendant.
It was my mother's blessings and my love for Veronica.
A silent pause followed.
I didn't touch the box instantly.
I waited.
Daniel saw my look, and opened the box.
For a brief moment I only stared at the pendant.
"The gems were wrapped in the blue metal circle," I said,
Still not daring to touch it.
"Dad brought them from a jewelry house for mom's birthday,"
"Mom left it with me making sure I would give it to her daughter-in-law."
"I couldn't."
Tears welled up in my eyes.
"Jonathan," Daniel said, placing his hand on mine.
"No one can understand you better than me,"
"Imelda is the type who only lets you see what she wants,"
"By the time you see the real picture…it's too late."
"But trust me," he said, continuing.
"Veronica will come back,"
"She will understand you weren't wrong."
"Easy for you to say," I said.
"You never even—"
"I met her," he said, freezing me in my chair.
"I was the one who helped her leave from here.
"What?" was all I could say.
At first my fingers curled into fists.
Then my body relaxed.
As I realized…
Someone was there to help her.
"What did you say?" I said.
"I mean when and how?"
"I met Veronica a while back," he said.
"My daughter Jenny is Janet's close friend,"
"I often met Veronica at the school, and soon found out about the triangle between you three."
"I do agree, initially I helped her to hurt you because you're Imelda's fiancée."
"But soon I found out…you were only used."
"But why did she leave?" I asked.
"Why didn't she ever tell me?"
"She asked you…a stranger for help and—"
"Jonathan," he said.
"I told you cause of Janet and Jenny, we met often, and soon a friendship formed between us,"
"A mutual friendship and—"
"I trust Veronica more than my soul," I said.
"You don't need to justify."
Daniel leaned back.
"I was already on Imelda's trail cause of the betrayal she had done,"
"When I found out that Imelda was targeting Veronica, I began to help her.
"At first I really thought she was a widow…"
He exhaled.
"That's when she told me you were her husband and Janet's father."
Daniel removed a folded paper from his pocket and passed it towards me.
On opening I found it was an FIR report.
"What?"
My nostrils flared, eyes shot wide open in anger.
"Imelda filed a report against Veronica stating she stole expensive items from," he continued.
"She could stay back, go to jail,"
"Or she could leave, and hope for a future."
"She chose to leave."
"The only thing I did was arrange a place for her to go to," he continued.
"She planned it from day one..everything, right to the day she left."
"She executed it the best way she could."
"Every possibility,"
"She did intend to give you seven days,"
"She hoped you would see the real Imelda,"
"But…well," he continued.
"She wasn't forced to leave,"
"But yours and Imelda's actions made her believe it was the only option she had."
"Jonathan," he said, his hand still on my hand.
"She didn't run away from you."
"She just chose her way out of this triangle that could harm you."
He exhaled.
"And this was also the only way she could guarantee Janet would at least have one parent to take care of her."
Silence followed his words.
I finally mustered strength to pick the pendant.
It felt heavy, not cause of the weight,
But cause of the responsibility it held.
A mother's blessings…a devoted wife's love.
I exhaled.
"She made the right choice leaving me."
"Do you—"
He cut my words midway.
"She left the place I organized for her," he said.
"Now I don't know where she is."