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natural over-protectiveness led him
to believe that she needed looking after. But of course, he wasn’t
about to let her know that.
    Now as he watched the stubborn tilt of her
chin, he suddenly saw her as the lonely woman that she really was.
His heart reached out to her with all its affection and he drew her
in a warm embrace. “Jessi, my angel, I’m here for you. Don’t worry
about your debts; I’ll clear them for you. You can pay me back
later.”
    She drew away a little to look at his
earnest face. She knew he could easily clear off her worries with
one signature on a crisp check but she didn’t want him to do that.
She had started and maintained ‘Jess-C Creations’ on her own so far
and she wanted it to remain that way. Although her plans to fall
back on her inheritance wasn’t exactly a display of her
independence but at least it was something that belonged to her.
Even the small loan she had asked of Jeff was a half-hearted
decision. She didn’t have a choice in that matter. Her bank balance
was dipping towards inexistence and she had some pending orders
that were urgent.
    Her head shook wistfully. “No, I can’t
accept your help. I wanted a small loan from you to get me going
until I got married. I don’t want you to worry about my debts. I
can repay them through my shares with ‘The Residency’.”
    He frowned slightly, a contemplative look on
his face. He knew she meant every word she said and he could do
nothing to change her mind. But he still had an ace up his
sleeve.
    “Look, it might sound very simple to do so
but it isn’t really. You’re going to have to convince the board of
directors and then go about a whole set of regulations before you
can actually take such an important decision. You can’t expect to
do it overnight, Jessi and certainly not without tough opposition.”
He watched the dejected, uncertain look on her face and knew his
words had found their mark. “I respect your decision, angel, but
will you listen to one last advice?” She nodded absently and he
continued. “Have you thought of going into partnership with
someone?”
    Her delicate brows rose slightly.
“Partnership?”
    “Partnership. Why don’t you join hands with
someone who could bail you out of this mess? Someone who could even
keep your ‘ghost who walks’ at bay.”
    Her large eyes stared at him in
bewilderment. “What are you talking about?”
    “Think, Jessi, think. You said that the fire
in your company could be deliberate. What if this unseen enemy of
yours strikes again even after you repay your debts and get going
again? What will you do then?”
    Several thoughts began crossing her mind,
slowly making some sense. “Can you explain some more?”
    She missed the triumphant look on her
brother’s face. “Jessi, it’s quite simple really. What you need is
a partner who is stable and big enough to keep your competitors at
bay.”
    She bit her lower lip, thinking deeply. Her
eyes suddenly flew to his face, comprehension dawning in them. “You
know just such a partner for me, don’t you?” She watched his slow
smile and felt a rush of eagerness wash over her. “Who is it?”
    “You’ve heard about them I’m sure; ‘Hart
Inc.’ Remember, you told me they had approached you when you had
just started off?”
    Jessica felt some of her excitement leave
her. “Yes and I turned them down. They just wanted my designs not
my identity.”
    “Maybe they need it now. I’ve heard rumors
that they want to expand into the world of fashion merchandise. In
fact, they’re negotiating with a couple of designer wear companies
even as we speak now.”
    She frowned, uncertain of his suggestion.
“But why does ‘Hart Inc.’ need to venture into a partnership?
They’re big enough to start their own fashion company if they want
to.”
    “Yes but what they can’t afford is a
probable failure. Establishing a name for yourself isn’t easy, as
you know for sure. They now realize that they need a popular