I arrived at my firm even earlier today. Market wasn't opening till 3 hours later but I wanted to go through the details one last time before making a buy call.

The numbers were flawless. I wonder why no one has spotted it yet. Everything about the company is perfect, only undiscovered and low in volume.

Once trading hours open, I gave the buy instructions for that company. Jake calls at 10.30 in the morning, during peak hours. He was still unaware of my strict rule about calling while the market was active.

I made a mental note to tell him about it later and answered the call anyway.

"Hi, are you busy?", he asks warmly.

"Yes? Anything?".

"I'd like to take you out tonight", he replies, cheerful as always.

"Where to?".

"No fine dining, I promise. You like horses?", he asks expectantly.

"I do. I used to ride alot. Wait, why do you sound as if you know the answer already?", I questioned.

"I might have had some help with that", he admits sheepishly.

"Ah, Sarah. I knew it".

"So it's a yes? We'll go for horse riding once your work ends?", Jake replies with a smile in his voice.

I agreed. Afterall, how can I resist horse riding? Sarah was clever enough to know that and was working hard behind the scenes.

We hang up after that and it was back to work. The stock that I've purchased has been creeping up ever since my first entry.

The markets are still going strong. The higher it climbs, the harder the fall.

"Thank God it's fucking Friday", exclaims Thomas once the day was ending.

"What are your plans tonight? ", I asked.

"Sleep. I'm going to sleep all weekend. I don't even have any energy to attend a booty call", he replies.

"Brooke, reminder for Mr Norlan's annual charity gala dinner tomorrow", says Brandon, always efficient at keeping track of my schedules.

"Thanks Brandon", I replied gratefully.

John donates to the same foundation as well, the both of us handle Mr Norlan's personal portfolio together. "Are you going with Sarah? ", I asked John.

"Yes. See you tomorrow", he beams with a contented smile. Things were going great between them, and I am happy for Sarah.

After the market closed, I went home and changed into riding attire. Nate called once when trading hours were over, I was in a hurry hence I let it go to voicemail.

Jake was downstairs by his limo waiting by the time I was done, smiling warmly and waving as usual.

I smiled in return as I walked towards him, and entered the backseat.

"Which ranch are we going to? Wait, let me guess, another one of yours?", I asked, smirking a little.

He smiles modestly, "Yes. It's actually next to the golf course that you've been to the last time. You know, I usually get a different reaction when a girl finds out that I own the place I'm bringing them to".

"What's the difference? ".

"Well, I certainly don't get a smirk from them", he replies with a grin.

"Did I miss my cue to fawn over you? ", I laughed.

"Sort of. But it's refreshing though, besides my good looks, most of the women I date are mainly after my money".

"Tough life", I answered drily.

"It is", he chuckles and we fall into silence. Thankfully, we arrive the ranch 5 minutes later. It was well maintained with clean spacious horse stables and I was excited to check out the course.

There were large plain fields and a trail that leads to a lake passing by a forest like setting. We wasted no time getting on the horses and I was ready to explore.

Once the sun sets, the park lights up with strategic spotlights, allowing night riding vision to be feasible.

"Is that the trail to the lake you were mentioning? ", I pointed ahead of me.

"Yes. It's my favorite spot. You'll love it, trust me. It's beautiful".

"Race you to the finish line", I challenged playfully, leaning forward on the horse I've chosen, prepping it into a gallop.

This is my first time riding since my own horse passed away. I didn't realise how badly I've missed riding, upon feeling the familiar sense of freedom, galloping across vast fields.

Jake wasn't exaggerating when he describes the spot we were heading to. It was a beautiful lake with lotus flowers blooming all over the shore.

It would've been a spectacular sight, if the sun has not set. Yet, even with the artificial lighting, I could only imagine the beauty of it under the natural sun light.

We took a break and sat by the lakeside, exchanging general questions about each other. I found out his parents passed away when he was young and his grandfather raised him.

I respected the fact that he grew his company to this giant conglomerate with the money that was left after his parent's death, mainly by himself.

Soon, the mosquitoes were swarming and I was running out of things to ask. Hence, I suggested we make our journey back. During the ride home, Jake made an effort to keep the conversation flowing.

"What are you doing tomorrow? ", he asks as we reached the lobby of my apartment building.

"I've got a function to attend".

"By any chance, is there anything to do with a man named Norlan?", he inquired curiously.

"Yes. How did you know? Are you attending the same function?".

"It's fated then. I wanted to ask you to be my date for the event", he grins, "Or it doesn't have to sound so formal, we could keep each other company in a boring ass function", he continues light heartedly.

I chuckled, "When you put it that way, alright. I'll see you tomorrow", I replied as I left the car and waved goodbye.

In all honesty, Jake was a great guy. He is good looking, has a decent personality, rather sweet and thoughtful. It's unfortunate that despite all these qualities, he doesn't make my heart skip a beat.

Back upstairs in my apartment, I contemplated calling Sarah since the night was still young. As I was about to dial her number, Nate calls.

"Open up", he orders commandingly.

"Open what? ", I answered, puzzled.

"The door. If you want to open your legs, I certainly don't mind", he replies roguishly.

"Idiot. I'm not home", I lied.

"You just won an Oscar for the worst actress award. Your doorman told me you're home", he rebutted jovially.

"Are you telling me that you bribed my doorman? ", I asked in bewilderment.

"I don't have to. With the amount of time I've spent here, I'm quite close to Raul", he replies smugly.

"You're unbelievable", I muttered, shaking my head.

"Open the door. The longer you contemplate, the more time you waste", he answers in an annoyingly cheerful tone.

I kept quiet, not replying.

"You know how persistent I can be. What's taking you so long? Are you naked or what? ", he continues rambling on. "Any longer and it's going to cause a scene in front of your neighbours".

"That I can ascertain won't happen. In case you haven't notice, I share the whole floor with only one neighbour which I've barely bumped into more than 5 times throughout the years", I debunked his assumptions.

"Whatever. The point is, I'm here and I come bearing gifts. So the sooner you let me in, the earlier I will leave. Unless of course it gets late, and you want me to spend the night".

I give up. It was pointless dragging this conversation. The longer it carries on, the later he'll leave.

I opened the door resigned, as he saunters in with a triumphant glint in his eyes. Placing our favorite bottle of whisky on the table and a paper bag filled with trays of sashimi and sushi, he wanders to the kitchen and returns with a bucket of ice and 2 empty glasses.

"Your date ended early. Thought you enjoyed horse riding", he comments casually handing me a glass.

"How would you know? About the date, and horse riding? ", accepting the drink from him.

"Raul tells me someone new has been picking you up and sending you home. Secondly your riding boots are there with fresh mud stains", he glances over to the direction of the boots.

"I knew you liked riding because there is a picture of a teenage you on a black horse in the last room. In case you haven't realised, I've been attentive during our time spent together", Nate continues with a grin, handing me a pair of chopsticks.

I ignored him instead and ate the food he brought.

"You're more compliant today", he observed.

"Perhaps you're becoming so insignificant till your presence doesn't even irritate me anymore", I smiled sweetly.

"Bantering like the old times", he grins, lifting up his glass.

"Aren't you bored of this? I am", I asked.

"No. I find it profoundly entertaining"

"You're extremely free these days", I remarked flatly.

"You should know that I make time for what I desire", Nate answers, staring at me with that piercing gaze of his. He reaches my hand and brushes his lips across my wrist.

"Why are you even doing this? ", I questioned him, matching his gaze and pulling my hand away.

"Is it working? ", he grins slyly.

"No. I'm happily single now, with plenty of fish in the sea", I replied dismissing whatever ideas he had.

"Are you talking about your new guy? Maybe he just wants to get into your pants", he retorts.

"Unlike you, he's a true gentleman".

"Admit it, there's no chemistry between the both of you. No fireworks, no sparks", he searches my face for a confirmation to his theory.

I shot him an icy glare, "Yea, and look where fireworks and sparks has taken me".

Nate ignores that remark directed to him and continues saying, "Or, if he hasn't attempted to sleep with you, then he doesn't desire you as much as I do".

I scoffed at his sentence, "You objectify women, Nate. That's what you do. By desire, you mean lust. You are incapable of love, you've made yourself clear about that".

"You know it was different between us", he narrows his eyes almost accusingly.

"My memory proves me otherwise".

Nate gazes at me intently and moved over, seated dangerously close.

"Don't", he says firmly.

"Don't what? ".

"Don't date him. You don't belong with him", he answers, maintaining our eye contact.

"And who do you think I belong to?", I replied evenly.

"Anyone but him".

"Are you seriously jealous?", I mocked. He kept quiet and looked away.

"Just don't do it".

"Give me a damn good reason, Graham", I demanded. At this point, it wasn't even about Jake anymore. I was feeling increasingly rebellious as the conversation prolongs, by being told not to do so.

Instead of answering, he claims my lips with an urgent kiss. I pulled away instantly and pushed him back.

"Isn't that a good enough reason? ".

"Your attempts to pacify me isn't going to work. Give me a fucking solid reason why", I pressed on, knowing that I was now pushing all his buttons.

For the first time since we've met, Nate looked as if he was having a difficult time finding the words to say.

"You can't say it right? Because there is no reason Nate. You are plain selfish and it's all about the chase for you. You never change and you never will", I answered for him.

He didn't reply, still struggling for the choice of words.

"You should leave", I got up and opened the door.

He sat still, unwilling to budge.

"Let's not complicate things anymore", I said softly this time.

After a few minutes of contemplation, he stood up and took his jacket. Before leaving the door he traces a finger across my cheek tenderly. "You'll see, he's not the one for you", he whispers and then he left.

I ran my fingers through my hair in vexation. I need to stop letting him get to me. The recent bittersweet kiss of his, lingers on my lips. I tossed and turn to sleep last night, restless and irate. "He doesn't desire you the way I do", his taunting voice on repeat. By the time I fell asleep peacefully, it was already wee hours in the morning.