Chapter 1

• "There's a 70% chance that Davilla Malls will take up our offer but we need to make sure that we make that a hundred percent. We're talking billions here." Jacob said. The vice president, Andrew Zobel nodded his head.
• "You're right. This could also be an advertisement for the Strike Bankings. If we have to take Mr. Davilla into golf or wherever he'd want to hangout, we have to.” Drew said, chuckling a bit.
• "Yeah if I need to date his daughter I would." Jacob laughed.
• "You need a break, bro." Andrew grimaced. Jacob's too caught up in his work, something Andrew never thought his friend would be.
• They were friends since college. Jacob was never the serious type of student. He'd party at night, skip his class, he'd even flunk school. Heck, he never thought Jacob Shaw would finish his degree but look at him now, running their family business and hustling like a mad man.
• People really change.
• "I would. How about we meet in Lux later, just a few drinks.” Jacob wiggled his eyebrows making Andrew sigh.
• "Oh right. I forgot, you're a married man with a child." Jacob patted his long time bud's shoulder. "You're a changed man since you married Rochelle. How's married life?"
• Andrew Zobem smiled. "Well, it makes you eager to come home after long work. I swear, you'd rather choose coming home than partying. Why don't you find the right girl and get married, Jake?”
• "Not a bad idea." Jacob smirked. "I think if the right woman comes--- which, I don't believe there is, then she'll come. Meanwhile, I'll just have fun screwing around."
• Andrew shook his head. He shared the same principles with Jacob years back, that marriage is simply just bullshit, and that building an empire, partying and sleeping around is the best thing but then things began to change when he met Rochelle.
• He hopes this happens to Jacob soon.
• Andrew looked at his friends' ring finger and found the band he always wear. He's had it since they met. He even thought Jacob married young. Some women even thought he was married, making them back off a bit. Though, Jacob doesn't really say anything about it.
• He was pulled out of reverie when Jacob stood up and put on his black coat.
• "Where are you going?”
• "St. Joseph's. Miana is gonna be there, prolly get mad if I don't make it.”
• "Alright. Say hi for me to Aunt Ingrid. By the way, Jake. About that new lawyer? When are you going to meet her? I tell you, the woman's a hot chick."
• Their former lawyer, Averto Sanchez was killed in a car accident last month. He was loved by many, their company has been grieving since then. That old man has been their lawyer for years. He was a good friend of Jacob's late father.
• Jacob raised an eyebrow. "I didn't know that the replacement was a she. I don't know, maybe next week? By the way Drew, is she single?”
• Andrew recalled the day he met up with that gorgeous lawyer. He never spotted a ring. "Don't know, but I'm sure she's not married yet. Don't mess this up, Jake. She'll be working with us."
• Jacob smirked, that same smirk every ladies out there could die for. "Well if she's hot as you say she is, she can always work me. Hey--- I'm kidding alright. I don't mix business with pleasure."
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• "I thought you're not coming. I called your assistant and she said you're busy." his mother gave him a hug.
• He removed his aviator shades and inserted it in the breast pocket of his coat.
• "Of course I'll be here, I wouldn't miss this day. It's his death anniversary, afterall."
• "If only he's here to witness all the things you've done, he could have been so proud of everything you've achieved, Jake." His mother stared at him with adoration.
• The corner of his lips tugged into a bittersweet yet forced smile. "Where's Mia?”
• "She's gonna be late. She's driving Jasper to the airport. He's going to Bahamas for this next movie."
• Jasper was his brother-in-law, a director and TV producer. The first time he met Jasper, he never really liked him. He thought his sister shouldn't entangle herself with a celebrity because the press might hound even her but as time went on and he got to know the guy, he realized Jasper loved his sister deeply.
• They fell silent after that. He doesn't know what to say or start another conversation with his mother. They aren't close--- atleast not anymore.
• "How is the business, son?" Ingrid tried to engage in a conversation with her son.
• "It's okay, mom.” he shrugged it off. He doesn't really wanna make a conversation with his mom. Not now, or ever. Not again.
• Miana's car stopped right infront of them, he relaxed, now he wouldn't endure an awkward environment with his own mother. Jake strode towards them, carrying his sleeping nephew and kissing his sister in the cheek.
• "Woah, cant believe you arrived on time. It's a first."
• Jacob smirked. "James seems heavier than last time.” he was pertaining to his nephew, whom he hadn't seen in over a month.
• "He eats so much sweets especially when Jasper's around. He's spoiled--- Hi, mommy." Miana planted a sweet kiss on her mom's cheek.
• Ingrid frowned when he saw the sleeping grandson. "Here I was, so excited to see my grandson's bubbly face and he's asleep."
• "He fell asleep on our way here, his eyes are swollen since he kept crying while we were at the airport to send his dad off." Miana chuckled, shaking her head a bit.
• Ingrid smiled, Jacob noticed how his mother and sister looked so much alike. Even the way they smile.
• They stayed for an hour, paying visit to their late father before they left to go to a restaurant, it's a tradition. They dine in their father's favorite restaurant. Jacob didn't mean to join them this time but since his sister insisted, he eventually agreed. It's not a secret he couldn't stand his mother. Even Miana knows but she still tries to patch their relationship again.
• Jacob busied himself talking to his nephew.
• "Uncle Jacob, you should draw me another superhero on my birthday."
• He raised his eyebrow, teasing the young boy. "What do you want this time, bud?”
• "This time I want Ironman. It's the theme I want for my birthday. I already told that.”
• Jacob smiled at the little ball of sunshine, something about seeing his nephew always made him happy. Makes him question if this bachelor life is really worth it. Jake ruffled his nephew's hair. “Alright, buddy. Ironman it is.”
• His nephew saluted like a soldier and beamed. "Sir yes, sir."
• It was ten minutes later when the food was served. He ate so little though he's famished. He's not comfortable having his mother around. It's just that---
• "I heard Strike is ranking first as the best banks in the Philippines. You're doing a very good job, Jake." Miana reached to clasp his brother's hand.
• "Yeah. I wasn't expecting that. Though, I know we have the best accountants. We have the most number of branches too."
• Ingrid smiled at his son. His blue eyes reminding her of his deceased husband. "And he's also the youngest CEO here in the Philippines." She praised.
• He smiled only a little. Her praises are a bit too late and he's not sure if it's even genuine.
• Jake cleared his throat, "Excuse me, I need to go to the rest room."
• He washed his face with the cold water, wiping his face with his black handkerchief. He heaved out a sigh, reminding himself that this lunch is almost over. He doesn't have to see his mother again.
• He only sees his mother once a year, not even during Christmas or her birthday. There was no need for that. He only has to endure her presence during his father's death anniversary.
• Jacob's father died eight years ago. Cause of his death? Euthanasia.
• Jacob fixed his clothes, using his fingers to brush up his hair, stared at the mirror and looked at his reflection before storming out of the Male's restroom.
• He frozed when he looked up to see a familiar woman just outside the restaurant.
• That smile...
• No. No it can't be...
• Oh fuck. He muttered his first cuss of the day.
• It's her.
• His lips parted while he looked at her, he looked like a deer caught on red lights. The woman was talking to someone on her phone and she has that huge smile on her face. Her dress that hugged her body stopped above her knee. He's not halucinating, is he?
• Her face looked exactly the same just like the last time he saw her, he can still memorize her face, the contours of her body like she was some favorite song he never got tired of playing.
• It's definitely her!
• When the woman started to walk away, that was then he came to his senses to move his feet and follow after her. Even with those wobbly knees, he tried to get to her. He could hear his sister calling after him bur he has to take strides to get to her.
• He couldn't let her slip away again. He just could not.
• He looked anywhere to see she wasn't there any longer. He ran to the other side, and then the other. Tatiana wasn't there.
• "Tatiana." He said under his breath, uttering her name for the first time after so many years. It still hurts so much saying her name.
• Maybe it wasn't really her, maybe that was just a product of his imagination. Maybe he has gone crazy.
• Maybe he's delusional.
• But you saw her. It was her, Jacob! His subconscious argued.
• A hand touched his shoulder, making him jump. His sister's eyes stared at him, so worried.
• Jacob was trembling, he was sweaty and cold.
• "Jesus, you're pale! What happened Jake? You look like you've seen a ghost. Oh god!"
• A ghost from his past, yes.
• "Mia..." that was the only thing he could mutter.
• He wanted to shout, he wanted to cry. The young heart he buried for so long is finally out of it's grave, awake and starving.
• He knew what he saw. It was Tatiana. He was so fucking sure of that.
• Everything was a blur to him, he didn't get his composure back. He didn't even remember hiw he was seated back inside the restaurant. Their voices were a blur to him. He couldn't understan. He was still so in daze with what just happened.
• He didn't remember their interrogations..
• They left his ferrari in front of restaurant, Mia drove him back to his house promising him to have the car towed and deliver to his place. Miana was so worried about his younger brother acting so strange. It's as if he was on drugs or something, like his body was on a deep shock.
• And he instantly fell asleep when his body hit the sheets. He was tired, his heart was raging.