Chapter 7

• She checked her watch. It was six thirty, there was no sign of any cab. Her brother wasn't picking up his phone either. She didn't know what to do.
• "Hi sexy!" She heard a truck driver cat call her. She chose to ignore.
• How can some men be so rude? Didn't they know cat calling is punishable by law?
• She should have taken that ride Jacob offered. If only she didn't have a gigantic pride, maybe she would've gotten in that car with Jacob.
• His words replayed on her mind. Again and again. She could even hear his voice as he lashed out to her.
• Damn her pride.
• Come to think of it, she couldn't even be in the same space at him. Her son meeting his dad almost seems impossible.
• It's not like she couldn't stand him. It's just that she couldn't trust herself around him. Her bitterness is overflowing. It might have happened a long time ago but the pain, the pain of being abandoned is still there.
• And she knew Jacob didn't deserve to not meet his son. He grew up in a broken family, Jacob told her. His mother had an affair with someone else and his father knew it. Jacob said they used to fight a lot. Up to the point his father started to get sick. He said he loved her so much.
• He grew up in a family where he was pressured and forced to do things he didn't want. He didn't want to be a CEO, he wanted to be an artist. His family was strongly against it.
• Sometimes when she feels sorry for him not even knowing he has a son, she just thinks about what happened before, how he left her. How he broke his promise when he told her he'll never leave.
• She didn't  realize she was actually crying. Maybe because of her frustrations and guilt, plus the fear she's feeling while she's stock in the middle of the road. It's starting to get dark. The weather isn't really helpful. It looks like it's gonna rain any minute now.
• Her eyes got blurry due to her tears pero hinayaan niya iyon. She cried, until she felt she wasn't cold anymore. The strong arms that wrapped around her was too familiar, she wanted to melt.
• Those arms that makes her feel no harm's gonna come her way. That she's protected and doesn't need to worry at all.
• He came back.
• But he already left, right? Why is he here?
• She felt his firm lips on her head. And that wild beat of his heart she was feeling through her arms.
• “Let's go. I already called someone to tow your car. Come on, it's getting dark.” he said in a very soft voice. So calm, like he was talking to a kid.
• She remembered his consoles the first time they made love. It was her first, she remembers that same voice soothint her. Giving her all assurances.
• "You can't stay here." He said, not letting go of her yet. “Come with me, I promise to never hurt you."
• Tatiana nodded and moved away from Jacob.  She took off the jacket he just gave her.
• When she was already in his car and fastened, he started the car and asked. “Where were you going?” the gentleness in voice didn't disappear.
• “I'm supposed to pick up my dress in East Avenue. The one I'm going to wear for thr ball.”
• "Oh." He said, he didn't know she was actually coming. He thought that the island would somehow be a little bit sore for her but looks like she's okay with it.
• She did really move on.
• “I'll drive you there. Don't you have a driver, Tatiana? You should get one.
• A
• tleast you'll have someone who knows how to repair the car and you won't be alone. You'll be safer." Jacob reminded her.
• "I'm still looking."
• "One of my drivers, he can work for you---”
• "Thanks, but I can handle. Christian is helping me.”
• Now, who the fuck is Christian? His mind growled.
• "Who's Christian?"
• She rolled her eyes. "My brother."
• Right.
• The ride went silent again, Jacob's driving slow. He wanted this ride to never end. He wanted more time with her.
• He heard her phone rang when they were at a stop light. He accidentally glance, making him look at the caller ID. His grip tightened when he saw that a man is calling her.
• Julian.
• Tatiana glanced at him nervously, then to the ring on his finger, she immediately looked away.
• "H-hi, baby." She said, her voice is shaking.
• "Mommy, where are you? I thought we're watching this disney movie together?"
• "Sorry, baby. My car broke down in the middle of the road so I'm gonna be late." She heard him sigh. "No. Im fine--- don't worry, okay? I'll be there  in a while.”
• "I'm fine. I hitched with--- with a friend.” she went on while Jacob listened. He was now driving. Accelerating moren..“Stop worrying, okay? I'm gonna be home soon. Love you too."
• The call ended, now she's smiling. Jacob on the other hand looked like he was about to punch the steering wheel of his car.
• So, she has a boyfriend. And they live together. God damn it.
• He stepped on the gas and accelerated more.
• "Will you please drive slowly." Tatiana said in a low tone. The last thing she wants is getting on a car accident with Julian's father. she didn't want her son to completely have both his parents gone.
• He didn't slow down until they reached the clothing store where she had her gown made.
• “So, Julian's the name of your boyfriend.” Jacob asked when he opened the door for her.
• She fought rolling her eyes. He's our son, you bastard.
• She couldn't say that, of course. Maybe Jacob thought it was her boyfriend since she heard him call her baby. Well, it's better he thinks that way so he would stop hovering around.
• "Y-yeah." She lied. "Thanks for the ride, I uh, really appreciate it, Jacob.”
• She wanted to say sorry for being stubborn. But then, her pride got in the way again.
• He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. The thought that she really has a boyfriend still pisses him off, up to the point that it saddens him.
• "Don't mention it." He shrugged.
• Tatiana thought Jacob was already leaving, but to her shock. He was still right there walking beside her.
• "What are you doing?!"
• "I'm going with you.”
• "No need, I can handle this. My brother's coming---”
• "Later. I insist."
• The guard in his fifties smiled at them. "Good evening."
• Tatiana greeted him back while Jacob smiled. “Your wife, sir?”
• Tatiana walked faster, but she still heard him say yes.
• “You have a beautiful wife, you look good together.”
• "Thanks, man.” Jacob chuckled. “Nine years of marriage but I still fall for her everyday.”
• She wanted to cringe while he listens to him spat lies.
• He sat on one of the couches, patiently waiting for her. She is inside the fitting room with a designer. He can hear mumbles across the room. And the compliments as well.
• He wonder ls how she'd look in a gown. He'd never seen her wear one. When they got married, she wore a simple white dress and him, he was only in a polo shirt.
• He wonders how that gown would snug her perfect body. No matter how he stray, he still thinks she's the most beautiful.
• She looks amazing in anything she wears.
• A designer came to him, “Good evening sir. How can I help?”
• He nodded. "I'm waiting for Tatiana."
• The woman glanced into the ring on his hand. "Oh. You're the husband? My, she looks very stunning in her gown.”
• It took a while before Tatiana went out of the fitting room carrying the huge box that contains her gown. Jacob stood up to gather it from her. “I got this. How's the gown?” he asked.
• "It looks good. I like it." She smiled a little.
• He wasn't sure if he would be there at the ball.  Truth is, he doesn't plan to, but since Tatiana's going, might as well go.
• Jacob watched her write a cheque and handed it to the cashier. He watched her converse with the designers and cashier. He couldn't help but ask, how does she do that? Even the way she talks is pretty. Like, she doesn't even have to try.
• They were both smiling as they exited the shop. Her smile widned more when she saw her brother's car parked outside.
• "I should go. Thank you, Jacob."
• He just smiled. Christian lowered his windows only to glare at him. He stared blankly but wanted to smirk. If only that punk of a doctor knew he was his brother in law.
• "Tati, why are you with Jacob Shaw?" Christian couldn't help but ask. Didn't he tell her to stay away from that guy?
• “He's the one who helped me, Tian. I had no choice. It was getting dark.”
• "He helped you? That's strange."
• "Why strange?"
• "He has a reputation. I heard he's ruthless in businesses,  too. What the newspaper says about him isn't nice at all. As much as possible, stay away from him  alright? Don't want him near you because he might have some hidden agenda.” her brother has always been overprotective of her even when they were younger. Yes she's older than him but he always acted tough around her.
• "Come on, Tian. He can't be that bad.” she chucled.
• She knew him as someone helpful. He's nice and a true gentleman. She refuses to believe that all of it were gone.
• "MR. SHAW, Miranda Santivañes is here to see you." Jacob's secretary announced.
• He raised an eyebrow when Miranda came to his office. As always, she looked hot and classy.
• "Miranda," he stood up. "It's good to see you." He hasn't seen her in two months, she's constantly traveling to Paris, Milan, Newyork.. for photoshoots and endorsements
• "Yeah, how have you been?" She sat on the chair, crossing her legs over the other.
• "Good." He smiled. "Good."
• "Missed me? I hope." That's when he fell silent.
• She wasn't just a friend to him. But, the only constant girl he had for a few years now. She has been his constant fuck buddy.
• He dispose women after a one night stand but not her. Miranda wasn't clingy, never demanded. She's what he likes. Or liked.
• He knew she was here for one thing. Sex.
• But he couldn't keep sleeping around with different women now that Tatiana is back. With a boyfriend or not.
• And, they're still married.
• There are times in his life where he regret sleeping round with different women for nine years. He felt like he cheated on her.
• "Jake?"
• "Miranda, there's something I need to tell you." He took a deep breath. “I can't keep doing this. We can't continue this. She's back."
• She knew who he was talking about. He accidentally told her when he got drunk with her. She understand his situation.
• She didn't know how she looks like, or what she does. She just knows he could never replace the wife in his life. He always talked about her with passion. With pain.
• Maybe she was around trying to show how much she cares for him everytime, and she settled for his set up even if she knew he was never gonna love her.
• Like the brave woman she was, she smiled at him. Guilt plastered on his face when he saw her wash away the rejection. "It's okay, Jake. I can call Paul. Did you and your wife talk?”
• He nodded. "We bump into each other most of the time. She hates me, Miranda. We're not back together, but I'm atleast trying to a better man for her."
• Hearing him say this made her wonder if for once, did he ever feel something for her? Did he care?
• Maybe for him it was all just sex, to her it's more than that.
• "I understand. When you need someone, remember I'm always here for you."
• He smiled. How she loves that smile. "Thank you, Miranda. You're a good friend."
• She picked up her bag and stood up. “You're leaving?”
• "Yes. I drove here straight to the airport, I need to get some rest.” she said. The truth is, she was hoping to spend time with him but looks like she's going home alone.
• Jacob nodded. "When are you coming back to Milan?”
• "Maybe next month? I don't know for sure, Jake.”
• "We'll talk before you go. Maybe dinner or coffee."
• She nodded. She needed to leave because it hurts looking at him.
• She walked closer and Jacob let her. In a swift, she pecked her lips at his and he didn't stop her.
• And then the door opened, revealing Tatiana Falcon with her briefcase.