The very next day, Jade and Draco woke up to get ready for work. Jade stepped out of the shower and walked into their bedroom to dry her hair.

"You know, I was thinking of inviting Gregory and Mila Carren on Christmas night." Jade said glancing at Draco's reflection through the mirror. He paused while buttoning his shirt and turned his head sideways at Jade.

"Did I say something wrong?" Jade asked turning off her hair dryer. Draco turned around and crossed his arms to his chest looking unsure of what to say.

"No…you didn't say anything wrong. You can invite the Carren's over for Christmas dinner. You should actually; it's a good thing to be with people." He said seeing her smile and place her brush down.

"Really? I thought you weren't going to like having them over! That's wonderful! Thank you Draco." Jade said going to hug him but he placed two of his hands in front of her to block her.

"I have to tell you something." Draco said. He looked away from her face, unwilling to lie flat out to her face and hated to see how hurt she was going to be in a few seconds. She took his hands and gently placed them down. She wrapped her arms around his waist and gently pushed herself against him.

"What is it?" she asked softly. He couldn't concentrate when she was doing this. He held her shoulders and firmly pushed her back. He took a step back from her and busied himself with his tie and jacket so he didn't have to look at her.

"I'm going on a business trip tomorrow and I won't be back until Monday." Draco said. He slipped on his jacket, not daring himself to look into her eyes.

'Coward.' The voice inside his head called.

Jade was momentarily stunned. She didn't know how to react to the news, particularly because she wasn't letting it sink into her.

"Business trip? Monday? Christmas is just two days away!" Jade told him. She felt herself choke on her words. Hints of anger and sadness swirled inside of her but she was mostly in denial.

"I know that." Draco said through his teeth.

"Then?! How could you be on a business trip when you know that Christmas is two days away? What am I going to do all by myself for a whole week?" Jade asked harshly. This was incredibly unjust and she wasn't going to take this at all.

"What difference does it make if I'm there? What am I going to do with you for a whole week when I could be getting some work done? I can't sacrifice everything for you Jade." Draco said going to leave but Jade took her wand and slammed the door shut and locked it.

"You've never sacrificed anything for me Draco. You prefer working when it's only away from me." Jade said.

Draco stared at her angrily. "I've done everything I could for you in these past five years and you tell me that I've never sacrificed anything for you? Please tell me what you've sacrificed for me?" Draco asked.

Jade gave him a cold glare. "Don't you dare ask me about my sacrifices. Don't you dare. You know very well what I sacrifice every day. As far as I can see it now…I'll have to make another one. Christmas and our wedding anniversary without you. You'll make me give my Christmas up for you. No matter how you do it, it'll always be your way." She said her voice shaking.

"You're right…it always has been my way. You won't miss me at all Jade…I've hardly ever been around for you to miss." He said.

With that, he opened the door and left. Jade stood in their bedroom not being able to bear the pain. She didn't want to lose Draco over a stupid fight. She realized that she herself was being selfish. Who was she to stop him from what could be a very important business meeting? He wouldn't miss a Christmas and their wedding anniversary unless it was very important. She quickly put on her work clothes and apparated to his company to apologize.

Draco tossed his briefcase to the side as he entered his office. He locked his door and sat down on his chair, rubbing his temples. He was doing something unforgivable. A part of him just wanted to cancel on Gwenda and make Jade happy by spending their Christmas and anniversary together. He didn't even care about Gwenda, why was he holding her above his own wife? He just had an intense physical relationship with her, that was all and he did not love her the way he loved Jade.

His phone rang and he looked at the cursed object. Pushing the blinking red button, he heard his secretary.

"Mr. Malfoy, your wife has come to see you." she said.

'Oh no.' Draco thought.

"Tell her I'm not here. That I have a meeting." Draco told her. The last thing he wanted was to have Jade scream at him in front of his employees, but then again she wasn't the type to scream and humiliate him.

There was a knock on his door and he looked up, knowing it was Jade. She kept knocking and he heard her muffled voice telling her secretary to back off and leave her alone. Draco opened the door and saw Jade flushed and at her breaking point.

"Annett, go back to your work." Draco ordered. His secretary nodded and left quickly. He looked at Jade and nodded inside.

"Come in." he said. Jade walked in and he closed the door. He turned around to see her crying in front of him, something he hated to see. He never wanted her to cry, it always made him feel horrible.

"Jade stop that." He said. Jade nodded, wiping her face and she looked up to see him.

"I'm so sorry Draco. I didn't know what I was thinking. I've been so selfish…only thinking about myself, not even taking a moment to realize how important this business trip could be for you." Jade said.

Draco walked closer to her, feeling her words heightening his guilt. He was going for a week to spend time with Gwenda, to cheat on her and here she was, thinking that it was a business trip that could be vital for his career. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and felt her sob into his chest, hugging him tightly.

"I love you Draco. I'm sorry I've hurt you. It doesn't matter to me if you miss this Christmas. We have more; this is just one little time. Right?" Jade asked seeing him nod.

"Just this one time." He said.

"I love you." Jade repeated. Draco pulled away and wiped her cheeks from the tears.

"I won't be back by Christmas but I can promise you I'll be back on our anniversary." He told her. He was going to at least promise her this much. He pulled back and kissed her forehead.

"You're getting late for work." He told her.

"Yeah I know, but it's worth missing. If I could find any time I had with you, I'd spend it as if it were my last. I don't want to be away from you at all." Jade said.

There was a cough behind them and they turned around to see Gwenda standing there, an eyebrow raised. It was clear that she didn't like Jade in Draco's office at all.

"Hello Gwenda. It's been a while since I've seen you." Jade said seeing Gwenda give her a fake smile, which always disturbed Jade. She felt sorry for the woman and wondered why she couldn't be at ease or felt the need to put up a front for other people. She felt Draco release her and step away from her as Gwenda eyed him dangerously with a fire in her eyes that Jade didn't like. She knew Gwenda wanted Draco but Draco didn't want her. She trusted Draco and knew that Draco wouldn't be able to betray her trust.

"It's been a while, I know." Gwenda told Jade.

"What do you want?" Draco asked feeling angry that Gwenda decided to show up in front of Jade.

"I needed to talk." Gwenda told him.

Jade sighed and turned to Draco. "Will you be home late today?" Jade asked.

Draco looked down at her and his eyes flickered towards Gwenda who smirked at him.

"Why? Did you have something planned?" Draco asked Jade, wishing that she would leave already. He was highly uncomfortable with both women present.

"No…" she glanced at Gwenda's direction and leaned into Draco's ear.

"But I want you home as early as possible, before you leave for your trip." She whispered into his ear. Pressing a kiss to the lobe of ear and finally on his lips, she turned around and left, politely saying goodbye to Gwenda.

When the door closed behind her, Gwenda walked up to Draco and circled her arms around his neck.

"I find it quite humorous to see that she thinks she can seduce you while I'm around." She said unbuttoning his shirt.

Draco shrugged her off and walked away. "You've got your entire week. Leave and get to work." Draco said rudely.