When Jade walked into work a few days later, the first thing she noticed was a bouquet of roses sitting on her desk. And not just any roses, but gorgeous, dark blue ones. In the middle of the bouquet, there was a single red rose.

These were obviously a gift from Beck. She smiled at the kind gesture.

"Jade, you're a lucky girl." Jade turned around and saw Jill standing behind her. "Those are gorgeous."

"I agree."

"Did your secret admirer leave a card?" Jill asked.

Jade checked around the bouquet and found a card. She plucked it out. It read, 'A woman as gorgeous as you deserves flowers that do said beauty justice,' in what looked like Beck's neat handwriting.

"These are from my friend, Ryder," Jade lied. "He's in New York, and I guess he misses me."

"That's really sweet." Jill sighed.

Jade pulled the red rose out of the middle of the bouquet and handed it to Jill. "For you, gorgeous."

"Are you sure? These are a gift for you."

"Positive. I like the darker ones anyway."

"Different. I knew there was a reason I liked you."

"Hey ladies!" They turned around and saw Beck and James walking towards them.

"Hi." Jill greeted.

James noticed the flowers on Jade's desk. "Nice bouquet."

Jade nodded, "Thank you."

"Okay, we're heading to brunch and you're invited." James said. "You, us, and a couple other people, so let's go."

Jade quickly looked at Beck, and then back to James. She shook her head. "I don't really think that's-"

"Great!" Jill said, cutting Jade off. She grabbed Jade's hand. "Let's go."

"But-"

"You guys go ahead." Jill continued. "We'll be just a second."

"Great." Beck replied. "We'll wait in the lobby."

"See you there."

Jill flashed a smile at the men as they walked off. Once they were gone, she turned to Jade. "What's wrong with you?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Okay, these men act like they are saving damsels in distress when they buy us lunch, and their egos are sorely bruised if we reject them. And why would you turn down wealthy men buying you stuff? It's free food."

"I'm not really up for it, Jill."

"Bull. Now I have sat through years of meals with those men, and if I'm honest, James is the only entertaining one. You aren't leaving me alone with them."

"You'll survive."

"You aren't going to leave your pregnant friend."

Jade rolled her eyes, "Oh no. Don't pull the pregnancy card on me."

Jill walked towards the elevator, pulling Jade along with her. "Come on."

"You know, I never thought you were this bossy."

"Well now you know."

In Jill's opinion, Beck and Jade were too in sync with each other. And she doubted that they even knew. That's why it was even more surreal to watch them.

Once they got to the restaurant, it started out with their normal witty rapport. One of them would crack a joke and the other didn't miss a beat with a clever retort. That wasn't the odd part.

Beck and Jade sat next to each other, with James on Beck's left and Jade to his right. Jill sat directly across from him and she was flanked on either side by two of their colleagues.

Beck had his arm resting on the back of Jade's chair. Jade unfolded her napkin to remove her silverware, but her spoon slipped out of grasp and landed onto the floor with a soft thud. Within an instant, Beck had reached down and grabbed it, and he had his hand up to get the attention of their waitress.

"Yes sir?"

"This spoon fell onto the floor." Beck explained. "Can we get a new one?"

The waitress took the spoon out of Beck's hand and nodded. "Of course. I'll be right back."

"Thank you."

That seemed harmless enough, but that wasn't where it stopped. A few minutes after the waitress came back for a whole new set of silverware for Jade, their drinks and food came. And before the waitress had even handed Beck his cup off coffee, Jade had already grabbed three packs of Sugar in The Raw, a tiny container of cream cheese a for Beck's bagel, and the maple syrup for his waffles.

And to make it even more interesting, Jade did it without even breaking eye contact with Darryl, the company's CFO, with whom she was in a heated discussion with about UCLA versus USC.

Beck and Jade worked together like a well-oiled machine.

Jill looked around the table to see if anyone else noticed them. They people around her were wrapped up in their own conversations or on their cell phones. She was the only one who noticed Beck and Jade.

Had they always been this close? Were they always so entangled in each other's space? They didn't even notice how close they actually were. Jill was almost positive that if she were to drop her fork or spoon, Beck wouldn't even notice. Would he care if the woman was Diana? Probably not.

Beck Oliver had tunnel vision and he only saw Jade.

"Jill. Jill. Jill!"

Jill snapped out of her thoughts and tried to figure who called her name.

Jade was waving her hand in front of her face. "Earth to Jillian."

"I'm sorry, were you saying something?"

Jade nodded, "Yeah." She pointed across the table. "Hand me the strawberry jam please."

"Oh." Jill slid the tiny glass container across the table. "Here you go."

"Thanks. Are you okay?"

"Yeah." Jill assured. "Sorry, I just got caught up in my thoughts."

"It's okay." Jade went back to her conversation with Darryl.

Jade was drawn out of the conversation by Beck tapping her shoulder. He leaned in closer to whisper in her ear.

"I'm won't be in the office for about an hour or two, but when I get back, I want to have a talk with you. It's important."

Jade didn't say anything. She just gave a slight nod in reply.

She wondered what was so important. And she was a bit anxious as to what the news was.

And Jill was curious too.

Jade shut the door behind her as she walked into Beck's office. "Okay Beck, what was this big thing that you wanted to tell me? If it's just to get you some coffee, I swear to God-"

Beck grabbed Jade's wrist and pulled her into a kiss. It shocked Jade because, a) they were in Beck's office and anyone could walk in, and b) they were in Beck's office and anyone could walk in. It wasn't the smartest idea.

But apparently Beck didn't seem to care.

"What was that for?" Jade asked, after pushing Beck away.

"Just because."

"You must be feeling pretty bold today, Mister Oliver. First the flowers, and now this."

"I hope you don't mind the blue. I couldn't find black ones."

"You're spoiling me. People are going to get suspicious."

"I don't care about what the people here think." Beck blindly reached behind the him and picked something up from his desk. He presented Jade with a box that looked like it contained jewelry. "For you."

"What is this?"

"Open it and see."

Jade slowly open the box and gasped. Inside it had to be the most beautiful necklace she had ever laid eyes on. There was a big sapphire and tiny diamonds surrounding it, and instead of a regular chain, there were just more diamonds. It sparkled and shine so bright, it was a shock that Jade wasn't blinded by it.

"Oh my God."

"I'm going to assume you like it."

"Like it? I love it. Beck, this is gorgeous. Too gorgeous."

Beck scoffed, "There's no such thing as too gorgeous."

"Well there is and that's exactly what this necklace is."

"Has anyone ever told you how beautiful your eye are?"

"Once or twice." Jade teased. Her eyes were her signature feature. Cindy Crawford had her mole, Jade had her eyes.

"If it's even possible, they'll be even more gorgeous while you're wearing that necklace."

"I can't take this. It's too expensive."

"Says the woman who spent more on a dress than it would cost a family of four to eat for an entire month, using my credit card."

"Okay, but I'm willing to bet this cost more than three thousand dollars."

"You wouldn't lose your bet."

"How much did this cost?"

Beck leaned in and gave Jade a peck on the lips. "Jade, don't worry about it. I don't know if you know this but, I have more money than I know what to do with."

"I know you have money but-"

"It doesn't matter. You're worth it. Just thank you and move on."

Jade looked down at the necklace and smiled. "It truly is stunning. Thank you."

"I think it's becoming tradition for the men in my family to give their women a necklace when something big happens." Beck explained. "My grandfather gave my grandmother a ruby necklace when he first opened up this production company in 1962. And today, at eighty years old, my grandmother still wears it. When my father became CEO, my mother got a diamond necklace as a thank you for sticking my his side. And now I'm giving you this."

"What's the big event surrounding this gift?"

"I talked to my lawyer today and he told me that we're getting the ball rolling with the divorce. I have started the process."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Jade wanted to jump and scream in excitement, but she somehow managed to keep her cool. She felt a nagging suspicion in the back of her mind, and she didn't want to get her hopes up. It felt like a weight was lifted off of her shoulders.

"Do you have anything you'd like to say?" Jade shook her head. "Really? That's a first."

"I'll ignore the dig." Jade closed the box containing her new necklace and put it down. She wrapped her arms around Beck's neck. The smell of his Ralph Lauren Purple Label cologne invaded her senses. She traced his jaw with her finger, his stubble scrapping her hand as she did so. Beck ran his right hand through Jade's hair.

"There's really nothing to say."

"Okay." Beck checked his watch, "I have to a meeting to get to. Why don't you and Jill take the rest of the day off."

Jade pulled away from the embrace. "Flowers, a necklace, and I get to leave work early. You're spoiling me, mister."

"Get used to it."

"At the rate you're going, I will. I better go tell Jill that we're free of you for the rest of the day."

"Yeah, you guys get out of here. But don't forget this." Beck handed her the necklace.

"I could never forget something that cost more than a semester at college."

Beck rolled his eyes. "Stop being dramatic."

"Bye. I'll see you tomorrow."

"You'll probably come back tonight and keep me company. That's become our thing."

Jade shook her head, "Nope. I'm going to hang out with Tori."

"That sounds fun."

"I haven't seen her in a few days, and I'm pretty sure she's going to be pissed at me for leaving her in New York."

"I'm sure she's fine."

"Let's hope so."

"See you tomorrow, Jade."

"Only if you're lucky." Jade shot back, winking. She waved at Beck before walking out of the office.

"Mom, I am not traveling, I'm at home." Diana said, opening her laptop.

"Good to hear, honey." Diana's mother, Patricia replied. "You're such a nomad."

"What are you and daddy doing?"

"Your father should be getting off from work in about half an hour so I'm cooking dinner."

"What are you making?"

"Lamb chops."

"Yum. I wish I was in Chicago."

"We could always come back out to Los Angeles and try to visit with you and Beck."

Diana looked at her computer screen and pulled up the footage from Beck's office.

"You could."

"How is Beck doing?"

Oh, I'm about to find out, Diana thought. "He's doing well. He's just been really busy with work."

"You should tell him to take a few days off."

"I couldn't get that man to leave work if I tried. He's the ultimate workaholic."

"That's not good. All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy."

Diana sighed and clicked on the video, "You're preaching to the choir, mama."

"I actually called because I have some exciting news."

"Really? What is it?"

"Have you talked to your sister recently?"

"No, I've been pretty preoccupied these past few weeks." Diana replied. "Why, what's up with Stephanie?"

"She's having a baby!" Patricia exclaimed. "Isn't that exciting?" Diana sat silent for a few moments. "Diana?"

"Huh?"

"Your sister's pregnant."

"Oh yeah, that is super exciting."

"My first grand baby!" Patricia continued, obviously not getting the sarcasm. "I am finally going to be a grandma."

"Congrats to you too, mom. I should throw you a baby shower."

Patricia sighed, "I'm sorry, honey. I'm being a bit insensitive, aren't I?"

"No, it's fine." Diana argued. It was a rather unconvincing argument. "You're entitled to feel excited for Stephanie's situation."

"You know, you and Beck can give me grandchildren someday."

"Mom, I don't really want to talk about kids right now, if that's okay with you."

"Okay. I know the last time we came to California, it was a spur of the moment thing, but maybe if we actually planned a trip..."

Diana drowned out her mother's talking as she watched the video feed. It was nothing interesting, just Beck sitting in his office, probably checking his e-mail. Then he pulled something out of his drawer.

This is extremely boring, Diana thought. What a waste of time. And money, considering she gave Gus a lot of it to install the freaking cameras.

She was about to turn the computer off when Jade walked in, talking. She couldn't hear a word of what the young woman was saying, due to there being federal laws against audio, but she did notice the kiss that the two of them shared.

"Mom, I'm going to have to call you back, later."

"Okay, Di. I love you."

"I love you too." Diana hung up the phone and placed it next to her on the coffee table.

Diana continued to watch the scene before her. It was nothing more than dialogue she couldn't hear.

Then she noticed Beck give Jade the box. It looked like something jewelry would be held in. Jade opened the box, and lo and behold, it was a necklace.

Well, that was all that Diana needed. Now she just needed to figure out how to use this information. As far as she knew, Jade didn't have a significant other that she could send this video to. Beck had merely mentioned that she had divorced parents, a stepmother and a brother, nothing more.

But she did know who Richard West was. He was one of Los Angeles' most brilliant lawyers. He was also known to be pretty mean. How would he react if he knew his daughter was involved with a married man?

Jade impatiently checked her watch for what felt like the millionth time in about five minutes. Now she was getting annoyed.

Tori was supposed to be at her condo half an hour ago, and so far, she hadn't heard a peep out of her friend. Not a call, not a text, nothing.

After a minute or so more of waiting, Jade heard her doorbell ringing. She quickly jumped up and answered the door. Tori was on the other side.

"Finally!" Jade exclaimed, pulling Tori into the condo. "What ever happened to punctuality?"

"Sorry." Tori said. "I lost track of time."

Jade shrugged, "Whatever. I just need to grab a jacket, and we can be out of here."

"Okay."

Tori watched as Jade walked towards her bedroom. She needed a drink, and she needed one as soon as possible.

Tori hadn't talked to Jade ever since Diana informed her of what she thought Beck was doing in his spare time. She wanted to bring it up, but she didn't really know how.

She turned around and noticed the big bouquet of flowers in the center of Jade's coffee table.

The clacking of high heels brought Tori back into focus. "I'm ready to go, babe."

"Nice flowers."

"Thank you."

"Who are they from?"

Jade shrugged, "I don't know. I found them on my desk at work with no note. I have a secret admirer."

"You're a lucky girl."

Jade pulled her hair out of jacket and shook it out. As she did that, Tori noticed her necklace.

"Nice necklace." Tori said.

"Thanks. Can't believe you even noticed it. I was going to point it out."

"It's hard to not notice. That sapphire is the size of Texas and the diamonds might as well be Houston."

Jade looked down at her neck. "Thank you, I guess."

"Beck's giving you gifts now."

Jade turned around sharply. "Excuse me?"

"Beck. He's giving you gifts."

"Why would you even assume-"

"Jade, please cut the crap. I know Beck gave it to you, so please don't lie to me."

Jade sighed, "What gave it away?"

Tori sat down, "Call it a woman's intuition. And the fact that you are wearing about eight carats of diamonds on your neck, Beck is extremely wealthy, and you guys are friends."

Jade groaned under her breath. It was obvious she wouldn't be leaving, so she sat down across from Tori. "Yes, Tori he gave me this necklace."

"Is this some type of game to you?"

"What?"

"You've always gone after men you know you shouldn't go after in the past. You dated that thirty something year old when we were in college, you hooked up with your teacher's aid, you and Ryder, who you claim is one of your best friends, screwed up your relationship with him as soon as slept with him, and now you're with a married man. It is getting old and tired. It's pathetic."

Jade's eyes got wide. That shocked her. "How long have you been holding that in? Because it sounds like you've been wanting to say that since we were teenagers. Have you just been stacking up my failures as we've grown up so you throw them back into my face?"

"That's not what this is about. I just can't help but notice that you haven't evolved from the girl you were ten years ago."

"I have evolved!" Jade argued. "Please do not compare what I have with Beck to some stupid fling I had years ago. That's not fair!"

"Tell me how it's different, how he's different."

"I don't have to explain a damn thing to you, but what Beck and I have, no matter the fucked up circumstances, is real."

"Really?"

"Yes. I'm sorry I'm not perfect like you. I'm sorry that I didn't meet my soul mate in high school. I'm sorry that I fell in love with a guy who just so happens to be married. I apologize for being human and making mistakes. I'm sorry that I cannot live up to the sky high expectations you set for everyone."

"This isn't about me."

"Really? Because it's always been about how this is going to affect you and your relationships."

"Sorry, if I'm looking at the bigger picture of the shit storm you have created."

"Beck loves me. Why can't you just be on my side for once?"

"This isn't about sides. Diana is my friend, too."

"I've been your friend for fifteen years! I'm supposed to be your best friend! Can you just be my friend? Be my friend first, berate me and ask questions later."

"This isn't a loyalty thing."

"Yeah, because you don't have any. You've never just wholeheartedly had my back."

"Yes, I have."

"No, you have not. Look, I have already beaten myself to a pulp over the fact that I am in this situation and I do not need the person who I thought was my best friend, to add on to my plate."

"I just can't sit by and watch you do this. Getting involved with a married man will be your downfall."

"Do you ride Beck as hard as you ride me? Because last time I checked, Victoria Harris was not my mother. But I don't think you give him lectures, and all of these holier-than-thou, self righteous, condescending speeches. I don't think you see Beck and I as equals, as two people who want to be together. You see me as an obstacle to their marriage that they just have to get over, and you're trying to help them through it."

"Jade, you have to stop this. Please."

Jade shook her head, "What is it going to take for you to get that this is real?"

"I don't know. But Diana-"

"Diana is not your friend!" Jade snapped. She felt her pulse quicken as her anger at Tori rose. "She is nothing more than one of your snobby, rich acquaintances that you only know through Beck. Diana is not the type of person you'd associate with. She's the type of person we'd make fun of over a bottle of wine."

Tori tiredly rubbed her eyes. "I just want you to seriously think about this."

Jade crossed her arms over her chest. "I want you gone."

"You're kicking me out? Really?"

"Maybe we'll be able to talk when you actually want to listen. Or when you actually want to be my friend."

Tori scoffed, "Fine." She stood up. "Since you can't function without dysfunction and disaccord, don't say I didn't warn you when this inevitably blows up in your face."

"Thanks for thinking so highly of me."

"I'll see myself out."

Jade shrugged, "I was not planning on walking you to the door."

Tori opened the front door and walked out, slamming it behind her.

Now that she was actually gone, Jade realized the full extent of what just happened. She and Tori never fought, despite the fact that they were polar opposites. That was their first major fight in their fifteen years of friendship. They never spoke to each other like that.

Jade might have just lost her best friend.

The dread hit her like a ton of bricks. Her heart started beating a mile a minute. She suddenly felt nauseous, and clammy like she was going to vomit.

She quickly closed her eyes and tried to take a few deep breaths. The trick was always able to calm her down in the past.

It wasn't working this time. To Jade, it actually felt like her heart started beating more erratically as the seconds went on. She could actually hear her heart pounding in her ears. And getting up was not an option because the room was starting to spin.

Fear spread throughout Jade's body. Was she having a heart attack? A panic attack? An aneurysm? Oh God, Jade thought, I'm dying.

Jade spotted her purse sitting on her coffee table and rummaged through it to retrieve her cell phone.

She unlocked the cell phone and with a shaky hand, scrolled through her contacts until she found her brother's phone number.

"Please pick up, Ty." Jade pleaded.

"What's up, baby sis?"

"Tyler. Thank God you answered. I need you."

"What's the matter?" Tyler asked, picking up the distress in Jade's voice. "What's the matter?"

"I don't know. Tori and I just got into a huge argument and I don't know what's going on with me. I think I'm having a panic attack or something."

"What are your symptoms?"

"I'm clammy, I think my heart is about to explode out of my chest, I'm dizzy, I'm shaking, and I am pretty sure I am going to pass out."

"I'm on my way okay, don't move. Just put your head in between your legs and focus on your breathing."

"I'm really scared." Jade said, her voice breaking. "I don't know what's going on with me."

"I'm on my way. Stay on the phone with me until I get to your place, okay?"

"Okay."

"Diana!" Beck called out. "Diana, are you home?"

Beck closed the front door to his house and looked around. There was no sign of Diana. The television in the living room wasn't on, so he knew she wasn't in there. He wasn't going to even entertain the thought of her in the kitchen, so she had to be upstairs.

"Diana?" Still no answer.

Deciding that Diana was not downstairs, he went upstairs. He just prayed she was actually up there. He needed to see her.

He found her in their bedroom, reading a book. "Here you are."

Diana put her book down and looked up at Beck, "I live here. Where else would I be? You're the one who hasn't been at this house since Nora's birthday five days ago."

"Sorry about that."

"You're not sorry." Diana deadpanned. "Let's not pretend, darling."

Beck nodded, "You're right. Let's not pretend." He took a deep breath. "Diana, we need to talk."

Dun, dun, dun! :)

Next chapter: Diana vs. Beck; Diana vs. a machine? Jade vs. mystery person. It's gonna be a crazy next few chapters.