Chapter 173 - Respecting Her Decision

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Reception

Helen was a bit nervous as she waited at the lobby. She wasn't comfortable with the idea but what could she do now? She definitely can't go back now. She'll have to do this and if Jade refuses then Cale has to keep to his words by forgetting about Jade.

Her heart picked up pace when she saw Jade approaching her. Tears slowly pooled in her eyes at the sight of the beautiful girl. This was the gem had stupid son had left broken hearted. It's been so long since she last saw her, but seeing Jade now she realized how much she missed her.

Although she had apologized to her before now, she still felt embarrassed and didn't try to communicate with her. She understood how awkward it would be if she kept showing up in Jade's life.

"Mom?" Jade called out in surprise when she saw Helen standing at the reception, she couldn't believe it was Helen standing right there. How long has it been? Three months?

"My beautiful Jade" Helen called out in a teary voice before pulling Jade in for a hug. "I have missed you" She said as she hugged her even more tightly a tear rolling down her cheek.

"I missed you too" Jade said with her head buried on the woman's neck.

Slowly pulling away, Helen observed Jade more intently "You look more beautiful Jade than ever" She said flashing a sweet smile at her, her hand gently cupping Jade's face with so much love.

"Thanks and you too. And don't cry" Jade said slowly wiping off the tears on the woman's face. Helen stifled her sobs as she continued to smile sweetly at Jade. "Sorry about that, I'm just happy to see you"

"Well I'm happy to see you too. But why didn't you call me with your phone?" Jade arched a brow and asked. She thought it strange for Helen to call her through the receptionist and not with her phone.

"Well I just wanted..." The truth was she didn't know if Jade would take her call, though she didn't know why she felt that way she obviously wouldn't do that, she was such a sweet child. But using the receptionist to call felt like the best thing to do.

"It's okay" Jade interrupted her. She knew the woman so well, and seeing the way she was stuttering, Jade already had her answer and she didn't want to make her feel embarrassed.

"So mom why are you here? Did you miss me or you came to see Cale?" Jade asked with a teasing smile.

"Well I came to see you of course. I...I have something to talk to you about" Helen's voice tensed up a bit. Helen was beginning to feel embarrassed. She felt like aborting the so called plan and returning back home. Then she would order Cale to leave Jade alone.

"Really? It's everything okay?" Jade asked with concern, making Helen sigh inwardly. Wasn't Jade the perfect daughter in-law any woman would ask for. Even after what Cale has done, she was still concerned about her.

"Everything is, I just wanted to talk to you about something" Helen said with a reassuring smile, though she was feeling nervous.

"Okay if that's the case, come on let's seat at the cafeteria." Jade didn't think much about it and she readily agreed. She has also missed Helen alot, and talking to her for some few minutes wouldn't be that bad.

"Okay"

Jade led them to the cafeteria, it was practically empty at this time of the day. Jade ordered a bottle of mineral water for them both, because Helen didn't like coffees or soft drinks.

"Thank you Jade. You're still as great as ever" Helen praised, receiving the bottle of water.

Jade blushed lightly, "Mom stop flattering me" She said with a smile. "Please tell me what you wanted to talk to me about. Are you sure everything is fine?" Jade asked again.

"Yeah everything is" She assured her. A moment of silence ensued as Helen tried to bring herself into starting up the conversation that has brought her there.

"Firstly I'm sorry for showing up at your place. I know I'm interferring with your work time" She apologized. Actually she had thought about inviting Jade out during the weekend, but since Cale had asked her to talk to her today she had reluntanctly obliged and showed up here instead.

"It's okay, I don't mind at all" Jade told her.

"Jade, I really want to apologize to you one more time for what happened between Cale and you. I'm sorry I should have thought him better. I'm truly sorry" Her voice was filled with hurt as it shook slightly.

Jade looked at the woman with so much love in her eyes. She cared for Helen like a daughter would care for a mother. Though her relationship with Cale had come to an unfortunate end she still loved and respected Helen. Jade stretched out her hand and held Helen's hand.

"Mom, I've told you before that you don't have to apologize to me. What happened was never your fault. So you don't need to do that, you're making feel bad. It's really okay and it's past" Jade reassured her.

"Thank you Jade" She smiled lightly.

"Stop doing that. Don't tell that's why you've come searching for me. There I was thinking you missed me" Jade said with a teasing smile, an attempt to liven up the woman's mood.

Helen tried to smile but she couldn't but rather her expression became more serious.

"No that's not why I've come here. The reason why I came to see you is to talk to you about Cale and beg you to please forgive him" Helen spoke cautiously, her eyes carefully observing Jade's expression.

Jade suddenly had an awkward feeling steering inside her stomach. She had a feeling what this was about.

She panicked when Jade moved her hands.

"Jade please don't be angry and hear me out. I know I'm not supposed to ask this of you, but I can't help being a mother and I can't help seeing Cale suffer the way he is right now. But just hear me out and whatever decision you make after this I'll respect it and stand by you" Helen spoke softly.

"What is it mom?" Jade asked cautiously.

Helen looked at Jade silently, the hesitation was evident on her face. She cleared her throat, gathered her courage and finally spoke up.

"Jade I know what Cale did was very bad and I'm very much ashamed of it, but the thing is I haven't seen Cale so broken and devastated as he is right now. He is deeply sorry for what he did to you and he has been regretting his actions ever since you left him. I know it's very hard to ask and I shouldn't probably ask, but can you forgive Cale and get back together with him. He has promised to do right by you and love you and respect you. Please Jade do you think you can do this?"

Jade was stunned by Helen's words. She couldn't believe Helen was doing this right now. But she also understood that she was just being a good mother to her son and she respected that.

Forgive Cale? She has already that as a matter of fact she has told him that when he came to apologize to her, but there was no way in hell she was going to get back together with him.

Jade placed her other hand over Helen's hand. She looked at the woman sitting right in front of her and she couldn't help but feel sorry for her. She had a feeling Cale was the mastermind behind Helen's visit today. He still hasn't changed a bit

Always getting people to help him do his job, and she was more than certain that the reason Cale had sent his mother was because he knew she had a soft spot for Helen and she would probably listen to her.

Cale was wrong!

One thing he has failed to realize was that she wasn't the same old naive and gullible Jade who would fall for all his tricks. It was going to break her heart that she would have to dissapoint Helen for the first time.

"Mom I understand your reason for doing this and I admire it sincerely, it shows how great of a mom you are. But the truth is I have long forgiven Cale and as a matter of fact I have told him I have forgiven him"

"Thank you Jade" Helen said appreciatively, but her heart still wasn't at rest yet.

"But the thing is, I can't get back with Cale. Mom I'm sorry but I have move on. I don't wish to hurt you but I'm happy right now, and I don't think I'll still be this happy if I should get back with Cale. I'm sorry and I hope you'll understand me" Jade said softly. Helen couldn't help but feel disappointed but she totally understood Jade and she promised to understand her decision. 

And if it was her decision to leave her son then she was fine with it. It wwas Cale's loss. 

"I understand Jade and I respect your decision. I won't say anything else so as not to put you in a difficult position. Find someone that truly makes you happy, not someone like my son. I wish all the best my beautiful daughter" Helen said as she rose up and placed a kiss on her head before pulling her in for a hug.

"Thank you mom" Jade said gratefully.

"No thank you Jade, for being a sweet child. I'll be on my way now. Stay happy okay. I love you" She kissed Jade's cheek again.

"I love you too" Jade could feel her voice shake and tears prick her eyes. 

"Goodbye" Helen picked up her bag and dashed off before the dam of tears rupt open right in front of Jade.

She has done her part, it was time for Cale to do his.