Chapter 8

• "Oh." Tatiana halted when she saw Jacob kissing someone inside his office. Were they going to do it inside his office? For god's sake, anyone can walk inside especially that it wasn't locked!
• "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interfere."
• "No--- she was just leaving." Jacob said, holding Miranda's arm. Tatiana knew her, she's seen her in a few advertisements.
• Way to go, Jacob Shaw.
• "I'll just lead her out." Jacob told her. She nodded and started to arrange the papers she needed Jacob to sign. He was gone for a while. He wasn't even back yet after Tataiana arranged the papers.
• So he brings women at work, is that it? Not that she cares though.
• "It was nothing." His voice was what, pleading?
• She didn't turn around. "I didn't know she was gonna kiss me."
• She chuckled, shaking her head a bit. Does he really think she's stupid not to understand. "You don't have to explain. It's not my business and as long as Strike is not involve, it doesn't matter.”
• He swallowed. "What brought you here, attorney?"
• Professional.
• "Ah, it's the finalization of the deal with  Ismaele Salvadico. I have to brief you for a while then you can sign."
• White they were talking, Jacob's secretary barger in holding a paper bag. It was his lunch.
• Tatiana continued talking until Jacob stood up. "What time is it?" He looked into his watch.
• "Can we take a break for awhile? Eat with me." He was asking, but she sensed an order in his tone.
• "I'm not hungry yet---"
• "I doubt that. Come on, Tatiana. This is beef steww. I ordered some olives too. It's your favorite, right?"
• She ended up eating with him. Face to face. Jacob ate a lot. She could tell he was hungry, he doesn't talk much and just kept enjoying thr meal.
• "Dont you eat breakfast?" She couldn't help but ask.
• He shook his head. "I never liked eating breakfast. I only have coffee to start my day.”
• "Breakfast is the most important meal.” she  raised an eyebrow.
• "And no one's gonna make me breakfast, or meal. And you know I suck at cooking."
• She laughed at that. Yes he really sucks at cooking. Back then he used to watch her cook, saying he wanted to observe so he could learn when the truth is he just want to stare at her.
• "If I'd rate your cooking skills from one to ten, it'd be negative seven."
• Jacob faked a gasp and dramatically clutched his chest. "That hurt."
• He wanted to say, 'I miss your cooking' but he didn't.
• "So you clean the whole space?"
• "Nope. Someone comes to clean my place twice a week. You still cook? I mean, being a lawyer, you must be very busy?"
• "Just on the weekends. I make sure that," she paused. That I cook for Julian, our son. "That I still cook. Um, do you still paint?”
• He gave her a sad smile. "I haven't in years.
• I have been so caught up with work, I didn't have time.”
• “That's unfortunate, Jacob. You were really good.” her eyes scanned his whole office. It was so plain and minimal. She expected that atleast a painting would be hanging on one of his walls since it's his passion but there was none. Did he really give it up? He used to love it so much he fought for it. He even left his family and wealth because of it.
• "I don't think I'll put my masterpieces in here, I don't want anybody else staring at those." He grinned. "Do you like the food?"
• "Yeah, it's delicious!" she exclaimed. “where did you order?”
• "Rafael's bistro. It's not that famous but the food is good." And he'd always order beef stew. It reminds him of her.
• "Next time, I'll take you there." He noticed how she paused when he said that. Jacob cleared his throat, adjusting his tie.  "Of course, if you want."
• Tatiana chose not to answer.
• "It's nice, sitting here and eating lunch again with you. You don't know much it makes me happy when you're here." Jacob could not help but smile. What could have happened if they didn't separate? Perhaps they're still together.  Still so inlove. Myabe they have kids now. Maybe life isn't as grand as this but atleast they're together and happy.
• Perhaps there's a reason. He believes in God, Perhaps he wanted her to be a laywer, and him to take over the Strike... The real reason, he'd never know.
• Then there must be a good reason too why they met again.
• His words almost made her stomach do somersaults. Like there were butterflies inside. She's not allowed to feel like this anymore. The last time she felt this, he ended up leaving her.
• It destroyed her.
• What was she doing, anyway? Having lunch with him, talking with him like they were friends. It's too much, beyond civil, and she's letting her guards down. She has to make her erected walls stronger or let Jacob break it down and the history would repeat itself.
• "LOLO! Lola!." she watched as her son jumped so her father could carry him up. Albert Falcon's serious face was replaced with joy when he saw Julian.
• Behind him was his wife, Victoria, she smiled at her.
• "Daddy." Tatiana kissed his cheek, she also did with her step mom.
• “Christian isn't here yet, he said he'll be late. Surgery.” Victoria explained.
• It was her parents' wedding anniversary that's why they're here. 30 years of marriage and here they are, still going very strong and very inlove with each other.
• She sighed.
• Her marriage on the other hand was a failure. No matter how she felt secured, no matter how many times he promised he'll never leave.
• “Julian really misses you, ma, dad. The first thing he said when he woke up was to go here. To see his lolo and lola.” she chuckled.
• Albert laughed at that. "You really missed grandpa, big boy?"
• Julian nodded his head. "Yep, I have no playmate at home, lolo. Mommy's always busy with work.” her son whispered.
• Tatiana's forehead creased as his father gave her a meaningful look. “Later.” he mouted. “Come on, Julian. Let's play while waiting for uncle Christian.”
• Tatiana's stepmom pulled her. "Tati, how is work in Strike?”
• "It's okay ma. Hassle since I have to always be at the building then back in the firm  but it's great."
• Victoria smiled, "I'm so proud of you, honey. Your father always dreamed that you will be a lawyer. And now you are, a successful one too.” she sighed. "Thank you for coming back to us, hija. And for bringing us Julian. Aside from you and Christia, he's the only one who makes us happy."
• She'd never forget how her mother got admitted for three days, when she realized Tataiana was pregnant. She was deeply hurt. Victoria might not be her biological mother but she loved her like one.
• Albert on the other hand refused to talk to her for a while. She felt like everyone around her was so disappointed. Christian who was a highschool student that time has been her support system.
• "Thanks for forgiving me, ma." She whispered.
• “You have nothing to apologize for, Tati. You've been nothing but a good daughter to Albert and I, and you have us all brimming with pride. Plus, you gave us an adorable grand son." Victoria grinned, cheering her daughter up. Maybe she didn't make the right choices, but she did her best to make up for it.
• “And how's Jerome? Any plans for marriage?” Her mom dropped the question like a fucking bomb. They've always asked her about this... Yes she's been engaged to him for a year now, but they haven't planned for the wedding yet. Besides, she has yet to tell her parents, and Jerome, that she is still married.
• “Mom, we haven't discussed it yet. And besides , Jerome's busy with work. So am I.”
• All they know is that she was impregnated by her teen age summer love, and that he left. They didn't know she actually got married.
• She was young, and stupid. She was crazily inlove with Jacob too so when he proposed, she said yes.
• "I hope the wedding is soon, Tati.. I've been dreaming about your wedding since you were little. I'd like to know how it feels." Victoria chuckled.
• “We'll find time to talk about it, ma. It's just lately, he's been so caught up with work.”
• Victoria didn't like Jerome, she'd always welcome him half heartedly and everyone notices it including Jerome but he doesn't say anything at all.
• "Haven't you meet him here yet, Tatiana?" She knows what she meant about him. Her mom was talking about Julian's dad.
• She wanted to spill the truth to her mom but she's scared. "I don't think I'll see him again, ma." She lied smoothly.
• "But if you do, will you tell him about your son?” Her mom queried. That embecile excuse of a man might have hurt her daughter, and left her pregnant but still he deserves to know. Her grandson needs his father. The real one.
• "I-- I don't know mom. I don't know yet. Maybe when he left, he clearly didn't want anything to do with me."
• "But he didn't know you were pregnant."
• "No, he doesn't."
• He never really talked about kids. But he should've expected children, right? They were having unprotected sex.
• Gosh. They were so reckless.
• They were so happy and inlove. They didn't actually think so much, they lived as if there was no tomorrow so she never thought he would ever leave.
• Or maybe, she thought so.
• “Tati, if you never see him again, maybe it was never destined. But if you do, find the courage and strength to be civil snd introduce your son to him. Julian deserves that.”
• “Mom, what if he takes away my son?”
• "You're not one of the best lawyers for no reason. I know you can win the custody." Victoria said.
• She doubt it. Maybe she'll win, but that man has ways. Jacob is so powerful now.
• Well, let me remind you that your father is Albert Falcon, Tatiana. Her mind screamed. She's sure her father would never allow Jacob to take away her son from her.
• "Mom?" Her son called. "You're always miles away, momma. Are you okay?" Julian is so much like his father. He's caring. He notices every little thing about her and they were both very gentle. And, it was also one of the reasons she fell for his charms.
• God damn it, Jacob made her feel like she was a queen.
• As early as now, their resemblance is startingto manifest. Their resemblance is very strong . Makes her wonder why her parents haven't figure out who Julian's father is since they really look alike.
• The gentle eyes of her parents and brother looked at her and her son. She reached out to kiss his forehead. "Yes baby. Just a little tired but don't worry, okay?"
• Julian nodded.