Chapter 6
The first official day of their married life began at an hour Sapphire deemed acceptable for human existence and Jade considered a criminal offense.
At exactly six in the morning, Sapphire emerged from her bedroom, looking as put-together as if she had an important board meeting to attend. Which, in her opinion, she always did—she was the meeting. Clad in her silk robe, her hair neatly brushed, she stepped into the kitchen and surveyed her new territory. The house may have been a forced gift from their parents, but this —the sleek countertops, the pristine espresso machine, the immaculate organization—this was her domain.
And then came a problem.
A very specific, very large, very inconsiderate problem sprawled across the couch in the form of Jade Robles.
Sapphire paused. Stared. Squinted.
Jade, wearing a crumpled shirt that said Creativity Takes Guts and a pair of shorts that looked questionably ancient, was sleeping like a collapsed bookshelf. One leg dangled off the couch, an arm flung over her face, mouth wide open. A pillow had ended up on the floor, probably kicked off in some unconscious rebellion against comfort.
Sapphire’s eye twitched. She took a deep breath. She could ignore this. She could ignore this.
Then Jade snored.
No. She absolutely could not.
With all the poise of a woman personally offended by the existence of laziness, Sapphire marched to the living room, stopping right beside the couch. "Jade," she said sharply.
Jade did not move.
Sapphire crossed her arms. "Jade, this is not a homeless shelter. You have a bedroom."
Nothing.
Sapphire narrowed her eyes, considering her options. She could call out louder. She could shake her. Or…
She walked over to the espresso machine, carefully prepared a double shot, and then, without hesitation, let the distinct scent of coffee waft directly under Jade’s nose.
A slow inhale. A twitch. A murmur of something unintelligible. Then—
Jade’s eyes cracked open, unfocused. Her voice came out hoarse. "Did you—" She sniffed again. "Did you make coffee?"
Sapphire smirked. "Oh, so you are alive."
Jade groaned, rubbed her face, and stretched. "Bakit gising ka na? Sunday ngayon."
"Because productive people do not waste half the day rotting on the couch like an abandoned eggplant."
Jade scowled. "Ang aga aga, kailangan mong kumalma."
Sapphire tilted her head. "And you need to act like a functioning member of society."
Jade muttered something that sounded suspiciously like a dictator before she sat up, rubbing her temples. "Teka," she said, realization dawning. "Did you make coffee for me?"
Sapphire gave her a flat look. "No, I made my coffee. You are perfectly capable of—"
But Jade was already moving. She stood up, stretching dramatically once more before attempting to grab the cup right out of Sapphire’s hand.
Sapphire dodged. "Excuse you?"
Jade yawned. "Sapphire, please. Be a good wife and share."
"First of all, I am not your personal barista," Sapphire retorted. "Second of all, your bedroom exists for a reason, and it’s not to let you infest the couch like a particularly annoying mold."
Jade gasped, placing a hand over her chest as if personally attacked. "Infest?"
"Yes. Infest." Sapphire took a victorious sip of coffee.
Jade narrowed her eyes. "Fine. I’ll make my own." She dragged her feet to the kitchen, pressed a button on the espresso machine, and watched. Nothing happened.
A beat of silence.
Jade tried again. Nothing.
She turned slowly. "Pinatay mo ba ‘tong machine?"
Sapphire took another delicate sip. "I did."
Jade squinted. "Eh ‘yung saksak?"
"Unplugged it."
"Sapphire, bakit—"
Sapphire raised a perfect eyebrow. "Because I knew you’d try to steal my coffee. Actions have consequences, Jade."
Jade dragged a hand down her face. "I hate you."
"You’ll survive."
"Will I?"
Sapphire looked her up and down. "Debatable."
~
By noon, they had settled into what could only be described as Cold War-level negotiations over the living room.
Sapphire had claimed the couch (her couch, because she was the only one who actually treated it with respect). She had a book in hand and a luxurious silk robe still draped over her.
Except Jade—now fully awake and bored—had plopped down beside her, remote in hand, flipping through channels as if she were in a sports match with herself.
Sapphire turned a page. "Could you not?"
Jade, eyes on the screen, smirked. "Could you not?"
"What are you even looking for?"
Jade shrugged. "Something interesting."
"You went through thirteen channels in under a minute. That is not how one looks for something interesting."
Jade leaned back. "Hindi mo magegets. Strategy ko ‘to."
Sapphire pinched the bridge of her nose. "Pick. Something."
Jade hummed, then stopped on a reality show featuring over-dramatic couples yelling at each other. She shot Sapphire a look. "Uy, relatable."
Sapphire closed her book. "I will throw you out of this house."
Jade grinned. "That sounds illegal."
"We’ll see."
~
Dinner should have been simple. Should have been.
Jade, in a rare moment of productivity, had taken over the kitchen, deciding that she would cook. Sapphire, fully aware of the probable disaster awaiting, had watched from a safe distance.
The result? A mildly burnt dish that Jade insisted was perfectly fine if you just scrape off the top.
Sapphire stared at the plate. "Jade."
Jade crossed her arms. "Sapphire."
"I refuse to eat this."
"I refuse to let you disrespect my work."
Sapphire took a measured breath. "I will order food."
"Sige, subukan mo."
Sapphire pulled out her phone.
Jade lunged.
They wrestled over it for a ridiculous amount of time before the inevitable happened: they both ended up on the floor, panting, the phone sliding just out of reach.
A pause.
Then, Jade turned her head. "So… paano natin malalaman kung sino ang winner?"
Sapphire sighed. "Fine. I’ll eat your disaster."
Jade grinned. "That’s the spirit."
Sapphire muttered under her breath. "One year. I just have to survive one year."
Jade beamed. "Oh, you’ll love it, misis ko."
Sapphire groaned.
For better or worse, this was marriage.
Megan strolled into Sapphire’s office like she owned the place, which, to be fair, was her default energy anywhere she went. She barely made it two steps past the door when she paused, tilted her head, and frowned.
"Okay, anong meron sa—" She gestured vaguely at Sapphire, who was sitting behind her desk like a war general plotting an invasion. "—murderous aura mo? Dapat ba ‘kong mag-worry? O ma-excite?"
Sapphire slowly and deliberately lifted her gaze as if she was calculating whether Megan’s presence was worth acknowledging today. Her expression screamed displeasure, but Megan had seen worse.
She had been friends with Sapphire for years. She had witnessed Sapphire’s rare moments of joy (minimal), her bursts of irritation (frequent), and the few occasions where she came dangerously close to showing affection (alarming). Right now? This was new. This was the look of a woman personally victimized by an event so heinous it could not be left unspoken.
And, because Megan was a terrible friend, she was thrilled.
Sapphire inhaled, prepared for battle. "Jade Robles—"
Megan immediately grabbed the nearest chair and sat down. "Say no more. I’m listening."
Sapphire’s hands gripped the edge of her desk. "That woman. That… thing we are unfortunately calling my wife, for some reason—"
"Legal contract," Megan supplied helpfully.
Sapphire ignored her. "—woke up at an ungodly hour and stole the bathroom this morning."
Megan blinked. "...Ano?"
"I was almost late, Megan. Late! Me!" Sapphire pressed a hand to her temple, as if recalling the nightmare in vivid detail. "She took her sweet time in there like she was starring in a lifestyle vlog! Groaning, water running, hairdryer whirring, cabinets opening and closing, some more groaning—I heard all of it while I sat outside, waiting, seething. "
Megan, to her credit, tried to hold back a laugh. It didn't last. "You’re telling me," she said, grinning, "that after weeks of cohabitation, sa unang beses na naunahan ka ni Jade sa banyo, malapit ka nang mag-combust?"
"Yes!" Sapphire snapped, standing as she ranted. "Because she knew! She knew I was getting up soon. She never wakes up before me! This was sabotage, Megan! Premeditated!"
Megan leaned back, thoroughly entertained. "O baka naman—pakinggan mo ‘ko—she just had to go?"
Sapphire scoffed, crossing her arms. " Please. That woman is chaos incarnate. There is no reason to anything she does."
Megan hummed, eyes gleaming with amusement. "You do realize how ridiculous you sound, right?"
Sapphire glared.
Megan grinned.
"You love living with her," Megan teased, watching as Sapphire's nostrils flared. "Inis ka lang kasi she beat you at your own game."
Sapphire sat back down and exhaled through her nose. "I loathe her," she declared.
Megan just smirked, knowing full well that hatred, in Sapphire’s case, looked suspiciously like preoccupation.
~
Sania had just wrapped up a long, tiring jewelry photoshoot and was looking forward to grabbing a late lunch when she almost collided with a blur of movement.
"Whoa!" she yelped, stepping back just in time to avoid impact. "Hesus, Jade, may sunog ba?"
Jade, however, did not respond. She did not even acknowledge Sania’s existence. She just bolted.
And that was alarming.
Jade Robles never ignored people. She was the human embodiment of a color explosion—loud, expressive, dramatic. Even when she was rushing, she made it a performance. But now? No words, no sass, not even a sarcastic eye-roll? Something was wrong.
Concerned, Sania followed her. Jade turned a corner, practically kicked open the bathroom door, and disappeared into a cubicle with the urgency of a woman on the brink of disaster.
Sania stopped outside the cubicle, brows furrowed. "Uh. Okay ka lang?"
Silence. Then—
A deep, suffering groan.
Sania took a cautious step back. "...May kailangan ba akong tawagan?"
Another groan. Then the worst sound Sania had ever heard in her life.
Her stomach turned. "Oh my god," she realized. "LBM ba ‘yan?"
Jade, who was clearly fighting for her life, managed to rasp out, "Shut up."
Sania gagged. "Sis, I can smell your pain."
"LEAVE ME HERE TO DIE."
"No. Problema ko na rin ‘to"
"IT IS NOT—"
A horrific noise interrupted whatever else Jade was about to say.
Sania took ten steps back. "Never mind. Kaya mo na pala ‘yan."
Sapphire was waiting.
Jade barely made it through the front door before realizing something was wrong.
The lights were dim. Too dim. And there, on one of the single sofas, sat Sapphire—legs crossed, arms folded, expression unreadable.
Like a detective about to grill a suspect.
Jade, already exhausted from her day (and other issues), groaned. “Ano na namang problema mo?”
Sapphire’s eyes narrowed. “Sit.”
Jade considered running.
Then her stomach twisted again, and she realized that was not an option.
She sighed, dragged herself to the couch, and collapsed. “Ano?”
Sapphire took a deep breath. Then:
“For weeks, I have tolerated you leaving mugs everywhere. I have endured your shoes in the middle of the hallway. I have ignored your ridiculous habit of singing off-key while cooking.”
Jade frowned. “Hindi ako off-key kumanta.”
Sapphire kept going like she hadn’t heard. “But this morning? This morning was a new level of evil. For the first time in my life, I almost—almost—showed up to work looking less than perfect.”
Jade blinked. Then, realization dawned.
Oh.
She was in trouble because she had gotten to the bathroom first and it took her some time before she came out.
“Hoy,” Jade scoffed, “‘yan yung ikinagagalit mo?”
Sapphire stood, arms still crossed. “Do you have any idea how inconvenient that was for me?”
Jade’s stomach chose that moment to betray her.
It growled. Loudly.
And then, before she could stop it—
A long, loud fart ripped through the living room.
A horrifying silence fell.
Sapphire looked stunned.
Jade…
Jade ran.
“JADE ROBLES!”
Sapphire’s outraged voice echoed through the house as Jade dashed into the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind her.
“THIS ISN’T OVER!” Sapphire shouted.
From behind the door, Jade weakly replied, “Para sa’kin oo.”
Another Sunday came. And Sunday lunchtimes in the Sevilleja-Robles household were rarely peaceful.
Jade had just stumbled into the kitchen, hair a mess, wearing an oversized I Woke Up Like This shirt that looked like it had, in fact, been through war. Meanwhile, Sapphire sat at the dining table, already flawless in a crisp blouse, sipping tea like she had been up for hours (because she had).
“Good morning, Sleeping Beauty,” Sapphire said. “Or should I say, good afternoon?”
Jade yawned and stretched, ignoring the jab. “Sorry, busy ako kagabi,” she said, plopping onto a chair. “Some of us have creative minds that need rest.”
Sapphire arched a brow. “Oh? And what groundbreaking innovation kept you up this time? Let me guess. Was it the brilliant idea to sketch designs at two in the morning while blasting music like this house is a club?”
Jade grinned, unbothered. “Close. It was actually at three in the morning.”
Sapphire inhaled deeply, probably contemplating whether murder was justifiable under their contract.
Before she could craft a scathing reply, the doorbell rang.
They both froze.
Jade glanced at Sapphire. “May bisita ka ba?”
Sapphire gave her a flat look. “Yes, because I love socializing.”
The doorbell rang again. Insistent. Annoying. And then—
“Aba, bakit ang tagal n'yong buksan?” came Javier’s unmistakable voice from outside.
Jade’s eyes widened in horror. “Oh my god.”
Sapphire looked equally horrified. “No.”
But it was too late. The door swung open to reveal their parents, all four of them, standing there like a squad of overly enthusiastic reality show hosts.
Spencer grinned lazily, holding up a bag. “May dala kaming food.”
Javier beamed. “Surprise!”
Gemma lifted a tray of what looked like homemade appetizers. “We figured it’s been two months. Time for a check-in.”
Ivory, looking impeccably put together as always, stepped inside. “And we want lunch.”
Sapphire and Jade stared at them, shell-shocked.
Sapphire cleared her throat. “You brought food?”
Jade crossed her arms. “At hindi man lang po kayo nagsabi?”
Spencer clapped a hand on Jade’s shoulder. “Well, if sinabihan namin kayo, you would’ve made an excuse to be busy, diba?”
Ivory sat down at the dining table, already inspecting their setup. “And we couldn’t have that.”
Jade muttered under her breath, “I don’t like this.”
Sapphire muttered back, “This time, I agree.”
And just like that, they were stuck having lunch with their favorite people in the world (sarcasm, in case that wasn’t obvious).
The dining table was now filled with various dishes their parents had brought. There was a platter of cold cuts, some seafood pasta, garlic butter shrimp, a fancy salad, and, of course, a bottle of expensive wine that Javier dramatically presented like it was the holy grail.
“So,” Gemma said, pouring herself a glass. “How’s married life?”
Jade and Sapphire, who had just put food in their mouths, both almost choked.
Sapphire quickly wiped her lips with a napkin, composing herself. “It’s fine.”
Jade nodded, swallowing hurriedly. “Yeah. Okay po kami. Everything’s fine.”
Ivory, sipping her wine, arched a brow. “You’re fine?”
Jade and Sapphire both nodded in sync.
“No fights?” Spencer asked, amused.
More nodding.
Javier leaned in, grinning. “No screaming matches?”
Sapphire waved a dismissive hand. “We’ve grown. We are mature, civilized adults.”
Jade tried to look serious. “We communicate.”
Gemma snorted. “Really?”
Jade forced a smile. “Absolutely.”
Sapphire mirrored it. “Of course.”
Their parents exchanged knowing looks, clearly not believing a word.
Halfway through lunch, Jade casually referred to Ivory as "Tita" while recounting something.
Ivory set down her fork. “Jade.”
Jade blinked. “Uh, yes po?”
Spencer gestured between them. “You live together now. You’re family. You should call us Mom and Dad.”
Jade’s entire body stiffened.
Sapphire, enjoying Jade’s discomfort a little too much, smirked. “Oh, I agree. It’s only fitting.”
Jade shot her a glare. “Don’t push your luck, Sevilleja.”
But before Sapphire could bask in her minor victory, Gemma turned to her. “You should also start calling us Ma and Pa.”
Sapphire’s smirk vanished.
Jade, sensing her revenge, leaned forward. “Oo nga naman, Sevilleja. Family na tayo.”
Sapphire gave her a deadly stare.
Jade grinned. “Go on. Sabihin mo.”
Sapphire picked up her wine glass, taking a slow sip. “…Pa. Ma.”
Jade gasped theatrically. “Ang bilis! Wow, so natural.”
Sapphire muttered, “Sana madapa ka later.”
Jade winked. “That’s Mrs. Sevilleja-Robles to you.”
Sapphire nearly threw her fork.
Then, as if the lunch wasn’t already chaotic, Javier suddenly clapped his hands together. “Oh! Bago namin makalimutan, we have exciting news.”
Sapphire and Jade immediately tensed.
Spencer leaned back, smiling. “Philippe Fontaine is making his comeback.”
Jade’s eyes lit up. “The Philippe Fontaine?”
Ivory nodded. “Yes. And he wants to collaborate with both Saphiré Royale and La Jadira on a limited-edition jewelry collection that will complement his pieces.”
Gemma, ever competitive, added, “This is huge. You two will be leading the project.”
Jade sat up straighter. Philippe Fontaine wasn’t just some designer—he was an icon. A legend. A powerhouse in the fashion world. He had shaped haute couture for decades before disappearing from the industry years ago. And now, he was back? With them?
Sapphire, always business-minded, was already mentally calculating. “What are the specifics? Timeline? Creative control?”
Spencer shrugged. “That’s what you two will figure out. He’s flying in next week to discuss the details.”
Jade’s excitement briefly faltered. “Wait. Next week na po?”
Ivory gave a nod. “Yes. This is an exclusive deal. If we want it, we move fast.”
Gemma, clearly thrilled, leaned forward. “And you two? You’ll be working together closely on this.”
Sapphire and Jade exchanged glances.
They were competitors. They had spent years outdoing each other in every way possible. And now, they had to collaborate?
Spencer chuckled. “Oh, this is going to be interesting.”
Jade smirked. “Oh, don’t worry, Tito—I mean, Dad.” She shot a look at Sapphire. “We’re very collaborative.”
Sapphire smiled back, all teeth. “Of course, Mrs. Sevilleja-Robles.”
Gemma clapped her hands together. “See? We knew this would be perfect!”
Sapphire and Jade kept smiling at each other.
Oh, this was going to be anything but perfect.
Jade stepped inside first, eyes widening like a kid who had just walked into a candy store designed exclusively for dramatic creatives.
“Holy shit.” She turned in a slow circle, taking in the space. “Okay, I officially want to live here.”
Sapphire, who entered at a much more measured pace, gave the room a once-over and folded her arms. “You would.”
The Warehouse was exactly what she had expected from Philippe Fontaine—brilliant, frenzied, and vaguely overwhelming. The open loft-style studio had impossibly high ceilings, with exposed beams crisscrossing above like the framework of some grand, unfinished cathedral. Every available surface was covered in something—sketches, fabric swatches, gemstone studies, and what appeared to be an aggressively passionate essay on the philosophical symbolism of corsets.
In the center, massive worktables held couture gowns in various stages of creation—some still on mannequins, others laid flat as if awaiting judgment. And at the far end, past racks of opulent fabrics and precariously stacked books, was a space dedicated entirely to jewelry—glass cases gleaming with prototype pieces, trays filled with raw gemstones, and tools neatly arranged as if waiting for the right hands to wield them.
It was a creative’s paradise. And a control freak’s nightmare.
Sapphire adjusted the lapels of her blazer and exhaled. “It’s a mess.”
Jade shot her a look. “It’s art. ”
A voice cut through the room before Sapphire could argue.
"At last! The divinely appointed forces of creation have arrived!"
Jade startled. Sapphire merely lifted an eyebrow.
From the mezzanine above, a man descended the stairs with theatrical energy. He was draped in black silk, embroidered with intricate golden thread, like a designer monk who had renounced everything except couture. His silver-streaked hair looked as though he’d been running his hands through it all morning, probably while agonizing over artistic suffering.
Philippe Fontaine, in all his eccentric glory.
He approached with a hand pressed to his chest, looking between them with something close to reverence. “Magnifique,” he breathed. “My two muses, standing before me at last. ”
Jade and Sapphire exchanged glances.
Philippe clasped Sapphire’s hand first, lifting it as if expecting her to bestow a blessing. “Sapphire,” he murmured, eyes gleaming. “Precision. Elegance. The diamond cutter’s edge of high jewelry itself.”
Sapphire, long used to dramatic industry figures, merely nodded. “Pleasure to meet you.”
Then Philippe turned to Jade. He took her hand in both of his, expression alight with admiration. “Jade. Untamed vision. The rebel heart. A hurricane wearing lipstick.”
Jade blinked. “That—wow. That’s a lot.”
Philippe stepped back, beaming at both of them. Then, suddenly, his hands flew up in delight.
“And, of course, newlyweds!” His voice echoed in the studio, filled with absolute glee.
Sapphire stiffened. Jade almost choked.
Philippe clasped his hands together. “Oh, mon dieu! I was thrilled when Spencer and Javier told me you had married! What a story—childhood rivals turned lovers! The passion! The history! It is divine!”
Jade, who had just barely recovered, let out a strangled laugh. “Oh—uh—yeah. Super divine.”
Sapphire shot her a warning glance. “Philippe, we’re here for—”
“Ah, ah, ah! Allow me this moment!” Philippe clutched his chest as if deeply moved. “To think, I have not just one muse for this project, but a pair of wives, bound by fate and family legacy.”
Sapphire inhaled slowly. “We’re very… flattered.”
Jade, sensing an opportunity, looped an arm around Sapphire’s waist and leaned in just enough to be annoying. “Aren’t we, misis ko?”
Sapphire’s fingers twitched. She did not push Jade away, but her spine went so straight she could’ve been used as a ruler.
Philippe gasped. “Ah! This is too much for my heart!” He wiped an imaginary tear. “What a gift your love is to this project. Two brilliant minds, one marital bond.” He clasped his hands together.
Jade grinned, clearly having the time of her life.
Sapphire’s jaw was beginning to hurt.
Philippe spread his arms wide. “But! Business first. This—” he gestured grandly at the studio, “is where we shall make history. Where Renaissance will rise, not merely as fashion, but as a revolution. ”
Sapphire straightened, grasping onto the shift in topic like a lifeline. “We understand the project scope, Philippe, but—”
“Non, non, non! ” Philippe wagged a finger. “You think you understand. But you do not feel it yet.” He swept dramatically toward the jewelry station. “Your task is not merely to create jewelry. It is to create legacy. A fusion of your opposing worlds—Sapphire, the measured grace of tradition. Jade, the audacity of reinvention.”
Jade muttered, “Para siyang ancient prophecy pag nagsasalita.”
Sapphire ignored her. “And you expect us to work entirely out of this space?”
Philippe grinned, utterly delighted. “But of course! What better way to force a true collaboration? You will be trapped together in the fires of creation. Your friction will ignite brilliance!”
Jade barely held in a laugh. Sapphire, through gritted teeth, said, “Wonderful.”
Philippe clapped his hands. “Now, let us begin.”
Sapphire had barely taken a breath— barely —before Philippe turned on his heel and began speaking.
“The Renaissance collection,” he declared, sweeping an arm toward the gown-draped mannequins, “is my love letter to history and reinvention. A paradox. A contradiction. A seamless marriage of tradition and modernity!” His eyes gleamed as he turned back to them. “Much like you!”
Jade’s smirk was instant. “A seamless marriage, huh?”
Sapphire did not react. At least, not visibly.
Philippe either didn’t notice or was too consumed by his artistic fervor to care. He strode toward a worktable and, with a dramatic flourish, unveiled several sketches. “Now! The jewelry. It must not simply complement these pieces. It must speak to them. It must be an extension of the fabric, the story, the soul of the design.”
Jade leaned over the sketches, eyes flicking from one to the next. “Damn,” she muttered, actually impressed.
Sapphire, meanwhile, remained upright, arms crossed. She had already memorized the project scope, but seeing the designs in full detail made the challenge ahead much clearer. And much more complicated.
Philippe was ambitious. Of course he was. He was Philippe Fontaine.
But ambition and feasibility were not the same thing.
“These couture pieces,” Sapphire said, sharp-eyed as she assessed the level of embellishment. “The detailing is already intricate. If we’re not careful, the jewelry will overwhelm the garments.”
Jade scoffed. “Or,” she countered, “if we play it too safe, the jewelry will fade into the background. This isn’t a supporting act, Sevilleja. It’s part of the show.”
Sapphire’s gaze slid toward her. “You would want to turn this into a spectacle.”
“Because it should be one.”
“Refinement is what makes something luxury, Robles. Not excess.”
Jade turned to fully face her, brows raised. “Who said anything about excess?”
“You, every time you design something.”
Jade gasped. “I cannot believe this slander.”
Sapphire gave her a pointed look. Then, deliberately, she reached over, picked up one of the sketches Philippe had included in their briefing, and held it up.
It was one of Jade’s past works—a massive, sculptural necklace that resembled a deconstructed gemstone waterfall.
Jade stared at it. Blinked. Then shrugged. “Okay, fair. Pero statement piece ‘yan. ”
“My point exactly.”
Philippe, rather than stopping them, looked positively delighted. “Mon dieu! The passion! The fire! This is what I wanted! ” He clapped his hands together, eyes twinkling. “Marital discourse and creative brilliance! Extraordinary! ”
Sapphire inhaled sharply. “Philippe—”
“Now,” Philippe continued, “let us discuss the integration of your visions.” He gestured for them to follow, moving toward the jewelry workstations.
Sapphire sighed, steeling herself.
Jade, meanwhile, was still grinning. “You heard him, misis ko. Integration . Ibig sabihin, kailangan mong makinig sa’kin.”
Sapphire muttered something that sounded suspiciously like a threat.
Jade laughed.