Chapter 11: Chapter 11

"You seem really weird around her," Andrew pouted towards Tatiana's direction who was at the other side of the cottage with his wife.

"Why weird?"

"You seriously have hots for her, and you're not flirting with her." Andrew chuckled. "Oh, and Rochelle notices it too."

"She's my ex." He dropped the bomb like it was nothing. Andrew almost spat his drink.

"What the fuck?! Really?”

Jacob chuckled, "That was a long time. We haven't even met yet.”

"Shit, man. You dated that stunning attorney?” Andrew chuckled.

"Well, yeah.” actually, he wanted to tell his bestfriend that he married her but something held him back.

"Seriously, Jake? Why don't you date her again? Man, you look good together. It's about time you settle for love." Drew clicked his tongue.

Jacob sighed, "I love her."

“Fuck.” Andrew cussed. He's never heard his bestfriend say he loves someone before. His wife heard him causing from the other cottage, causing them to look at their direction. Rochelle glared at him.

"Shit, man. You're serious?”

"Stop acting like a goddamn woman, Andrew.” The ass, he went to hug Jacob.

“I never foresaw you falling inlove, man. I thought you ain't ever gonna change.”

He thought Andrew was just playing  but when he broke the hug, he saw his eyes a bit glossy.

It touched him. Andrew is his bestfriend, they were partners in crime way back college. He's his smoking buddy, his party tandem, they would look for women together. But the womanizing life for Andrew Zobel has ended, and so is his.

"You're acting like a chic, drew!” Jacob cringed.

“I'm just happy for you, man. “ Andrew pats his back.

---

“When did you start smoking?” Jacob turned to see Tatiana. . They were outside where the party was held. Jake was the life of the party, but he wasn't in the mood to go out there and have some fun.

He threw away the cigarette.

"When I was in college, smoking was an escape." He said figuratively.

"Escape from?"

He shrugged. "From everything? It relieves my stress, Tatiana."

She crossed her arms. She hates smoking. It was the reason why her grandfather passed away. Lung cancer.

"And you're stressed right now?"

"It's just a habit now."

"A bad habit." She emphasized on the bad. “You'll only get sick with that."

She eyed the pack of cigarette that was inside the breast pocket of his denim jacket.

And, doesn't he have anybody that tells him to quit smoking? Gosh.

“Last time I had myself checked, I'm still healthy.” Tatiana's heart tightened when she saw him grin. He looks rugged in an over all denim and white shirt. This man seriously knows fashion.

"Seriously Jacob, you should quit." Jacob couldn't keep his eyes off her, she looks good in her muscle sleeved shirt ripped denim shorts and boots. Dang, she looks hot.

And that hot chic is his wife.

"What?" Tatiana asked when he didn't say anything. he looked like he was in daze or something.

He shook his head.

"You're a creep." She chuckled a little.

"And you're pretty." Jake smiled, he took something out of hid pocket and handed a bar of chocolate to her. “For you.”

Tatiana laughed. Jacob Shaw, 28 years old and the CEO of Strike Bankings handed her a small chocolate.

She only laughed more when she saw him staring at his shoes. Damn, is he shy? Why is he acting like this?

I

s he trying to charm her? Because if he is, damn, it's working.

They went inside the party. Some men feasted their eyes on her but when they saw that she was with the CEO, they took their gazes off her.

Well, men are not allowed to stare at a gem that already belongs to someone else, especially if that gem belongs to their boss.

"Why are you standing so close?" Tatiana asked.

He wanted to be close to her. She's wearing something short and she's showing too much skin. He doesn't want anyone else staring at his wife.

"Just, marking some territory." He shrugged.

"Well, step back because I am not your territory." She rolled her eyes playfully. It wouldn't hurt to be friendly around this guy for now, would it?

Tatiana has a boyfriend. He couldn't help but wonder if her boyfriend  is possesive as him. She's a beautiful hot stuff, that fucking engineer must be very possessive.

"A glass of scotch for me and tequila for this woman, keep it coming." He asked the bartender.

"Right away, sir."

Jacob smiled when he saw everyone partying and having a good time.

He knows how much they worked hard, that's why they deserve chill weekends like this.

“I'm sorry about what happened earlier, Jacob. I didn't mean to push you away.” Tatiana muttered.

“I wasn't hurt, in the head."  but his heart did.

“But Andrew said you were at the clinic.“

“I was. But it's okay, Tatiana.”

“let me see your head.” he cowered down to show her his head and when Tatiana felt the bump, she frowned.

"I'm really sorry, Jake.”

"It's the first time you called me Jake again."

"Oh."

"Oh." He repeated. "I hope you know how to drink now, eh?"

"When we were in Italy for college, yep. We'd go out sometimes to pubs so I can handle a few shots... But my tolerance isn't strong enough.”

It's not like she was always out. She has a kid to look after. When her parents decided to send her to Italy to study, she refused to leave her son in the country. She says she can handle being away from home, studying, and being a mom.

Jake took a shot. "Don't drink with strangers, okay?”

"Stop lecturing me like I'm a kid.” She rolled her eyes.

“I'm not lecturing you. All right, just... take care always. Be careful with people you hang out with.”

For some unknown reasons, she felt her cheeks burn.

"Ah, there goes your blush."Jake shook his head. "Sometimes I cant help but think that the Tatiana I married never really changed. When I see you like this, I remember my sweet wife."

"I changed for the better when we separated--- no, when you left me. And it wasn't easy, Jacob. I went through a lot.”

Pain crossed his face when she said left. He closed his eyes and shot the drink on his glass.

"I didn't have a choice." He whispered but she heard.  "If you only knew."

She'd never understand.

“Why do you still have that ring, Jake? We were through years ago.”

He smirked, his blue eyes showing dull emotions but the pain, he never hid it. "This is our covenant, this ties me from you. Even if you already took off your ring. Why do they call you Attorney Falcon? It should be attorney Shaw... it should be Mrs. Shaw."

"Covenant?" She scoffed.  "Jacob, how many women did you fuck when you left me? Huh?”

"I did it to forget you."

"Then you should have removed that fucking ring!" She argued, frustrated. "You should have thrown that away like I did. Fuck that covenant. You've become a manwhore! Why would you wear that ring, our ring, while you fuck all those women?!” She was close to tears, yeah. Imagining him with all those women hurt her.  It was a pain right into her chest.

Does he make love to those women like how he did to her?

She shut her eyes.

He pulled her out of the club.

“Don't fucking touch me!” she yelled.

Jacob released her once they were out.

"Yes, Tatiana! I'm a manwhore. I'm an asshole! I'm the bad guy! But you know nothing, not a fucking thing about me when I fucking left you! I left you, right?that's you believe in! Because you won't listen to me. You won't let me explain!”

His eyes bloodshot and his face a bit red, must be the alcohol or his emotions.

"I know how much you regret marrying me. Because I promised to be always there for you but I left." He said, "You're not the only one who got hurt, Tatiana.”

He didn't speak, she didn't speak. She couldn't understand what to feel right at the moment. If she'll get angry for shouting at her or feel sorry with the way he looks now. He's close to tears. Jacob Shaw has always been a guy who never knew how to stop his emotions, he's the guy who wore his heart to his sleeves.

"Im a fucking idiot. I had sex with different women, knowing I'm still married to you. You have a boyfriend now. I hope he makes you happy. I hope he isn't like me.”

"No, he isn't. He never left me, Jacob. I wasn't easy after going through a tough relationship. I've had trauma. But he was understanding and patient.”

Jerome accepted her like she didn't have an extra baggage. He treated Julian like his own son. He was her friend first, he helped with Julian.

Jacob saw how she spaced off, looking miles away and he knew then she was thinking of that man--- all for that man.

It hurt him knowing he's been replaced.

It hurts him more knowing Tatiana thought he left her. How could she actually believe he left? Did she always doubt him?

At this point, Jacob knows he might be too late. Being separted from her for nine years was a long time. He was already replaced. Tatiana loves someone else now and it isn't him.

She loved someone else after him. Someone who nursed her broken heart. Someone who was there for her.

Why was the fate so cruel to him? He's only loved one woman all his life, but he has to be taken away from him.

And now that he's finally seen her again, the woman he loves so much resents him.

Jacob leaned in towards her.  "But I, I was your first love. I was the first man you ever gave yourself into. I--- I am also the man you married." He breathed against her neck.

"Jacob--- what are you doing!" She tried to shove him away, but he didn't budge. She was fighting her feelings , oh god.

"Does he make you feel like this?" He whispered in her ear where it tickles. Jacob  held her waist, she was shoved against his body.

"Does being close with him make your heartbeat fast, my sweet wife?"

He inhaled her scent. Fucking god, she smells so good. So addicting. Even her hair smelled good.

"Ja--Jake, stop." She said when he started to kiss her neck. She felt the goosebumps radiating in her body. Being this close to him makes her feel hot. "Jacob stop --- " his tongue darted out, tasting her neck. "Stop."

"Does he make you feel so nervous, you stutter ?" Then his lips found hers, he bit her lip. He chuckled when she groaned.

"Because if he doesn't, you're with the wrong man." His lips went into her cheek,

"Fight me, Tatiana Kristine, before I completely think you haven't gotten over me."

"Jacob," she whimpered. Before she leaned in to initiate the kiss.