Chapter 13: Chapter 13

Jasper gave him a thumbs up when he saw that he was with Tatiana, walking with their hands clasped together.

They looked so good together, especially that their clothes ar3 matching. Jacob was in a white polo shirt he tucked in his grey pants and topsiders, Tatiana wore a white dress and flats.

Jake could only smile smugly when men stared at her. Well, they could feast their eyes on her just as long as they know that she's off limits.

He smirked.

"Mother." He politely nodded at his mom, who was smiling brightly them.

He kissed his sisters cheek. " Miana, Jasper, this is Tatiana Falcon, the corporate lawyer to Strike Bankings."

Miana stood up to greet her, kissing her cheek.  "It's nice to see you again, and I'm happy you're joining us for lunch."

"It's nice to see you again," Tatiana smiled.

Jasper shook her hands. "I'm Jasper, Mia's husband. How do you do?"

"I'm good, I'm good," she smiled, turning her head to Jacob's mother. "Good mornin Mrs. Shaw."

Oops, Mrs. Shaw--- that would also be her.

Ingrid smiled inwardly. Amazed at the fact that it was the first time Jacob has ever introduced a woman to their family.

"Oh enough with the formality, just call me aunt." She paused, "That, if you don't want me to call you attorney."

She chuckled softly. "Alright."

Jacob pulled a chair for her. God, he was such a gentleman today. Making her breakfast, waiting for her as she gets ready.

They entwined their hands as they sit.

he was so aware his mother and sister were looking at them.

Omg, Miana thought. She was right. She knew there was something between her brother and the beautiful attorney. She wasn't so shocked to see both of them together here.

She would be the perfect match to her brother, not some model chic that's only good for a night.

Miana smiled at her husband.

“he's screwed." She whispered.

They were served a lovely seafood lunch. He pampered her, attending to her and asking her if she wants something. Making sure she's okay.

He was so changed, Ingrid thought. He's never seen his son like this.

"What time is our flight again?" Ingrid asked when she was done.

"2:00 pm, ma." Jasper answered. It was 11:30 already.

"Why don't you come with us, Tatiana? we have a private jet ang Strike, it is just us and the Zobels."

"Thank you for the offer, maam. But I already booked a flight and someone's picking me up at the airport.

"Who?" Jacob immediately interjected.

"My brother hired someone."

"Ma's right. Why don't you join us, then? Just cancel it. You'll be much comfortable"

Miana noted that it was the first time in many years that her brother agreed to their mother. She wasn't densed not to notice the rift between her mom and his brother. None of them wants to talk about what happened between them. She was in the States studying when Jacob rebelled and ran away from home. When he came back, he was a total different person.

"You're so bossy." Tatiana gritted, making all of them laugh.

"Yeah, that's my brother." Miana chuckled.

"So," his eyebrow shot up. "Send a message, cancel your flight. "

She couldn't keep but roll her eyes. Just because this man got some, he's acting so bossy already.

She took out her phone from purse. There was a message from Julian, saying "I miss you mommy" and it tugged her heart, she quickly hid her phone from Jacob.

"Jasper, when are you leaving for Barcelona?" Ingrid asked, then looked at her. "Jasper's a film director."

Oh. That's why he kinda looked familiar to her.

"He looks familiar." She nodded.

"Three days from now, ma. Ill be there three week. Your daughter throw some fit when she knew about it, I wasn't even home for a week yet and I have to leave again."

Jasper and Jacob's sister looks good together. They're both good looking, Jasper has a lind aura and he's really formal. On the other hand, Miana looks sassy and intimidating just like her mom.

"Hon, I understand." She stroke his hair. "Just make sure you're there for work, no women.”

"You know Jasper wouldn't do that for christ's sake. You scare him." Jake smirked.

"Oh just so you wait for your turn, Jake.”

"You're  Albert Falcon's daughter, right?”

“Yeah.” she nodded at Jasper.

"There was a time your father visited my husband, he brought you with him," Ingrid said, toying the ring on her finger.

"Really?" Jacob excitedly asked, she looked at Tatiana.

"Yes, you were around four that time, you made her cry because she doesn't wanna play with you" His mother narrated.

Tatiana's heart beat erratically again, they didn't just meet Ten years ago, or three months ago, they met when they were younger. Young enough to not even remember it.

Fate. Jacob thought. Can't she see that? They were so young yet the heavens already knew they belong to each other.

She shrugged that emotion away. “You're so good at making me cry, huh?” she joked.

"Where have you been, hija? I haven't heard from you.”

"I was seven when I stayed with my grandparents, my parents were both doctors, they're busy. I was with them until grandpa passed away, cancer. Then months later, grandma died too, I guess she was so depressed when her husband passed away. I spent some time alone, I was grieving so I went on a vacation," her eyes met Jacob's.

And that's how they met.

She was dealing with her depression of losing her grandparents and then she found out the mother she knew wasn't really her biological mother. Few months after their marriage, Albert had cheated on Victoria and she was the product of his mistake. She was too young that time, her emotions got the best of her so she decided to leave.

She was angry at her parents. She was grieving at the loss of the people who raised her. It was too much she couldn't stay.

"They sent me to a law school in Rome, I was there for eight years."

"And you've just been a lawyer for a year, right?"

"Yes.”

"But not once did she lose a case." Jacob proudly said, then he dropped his eyes into hers. Damn, he's got a hot and smart attorney here in his arms.

She looked at him.

"You look good with my brother, Tatiana." Mia smiled, "and he's a lot different when he's with you."

Jacob turned a bit crimson.

"Are you dating her, Jacob?" Jasper grilled.

He rolled his eyes. "Oh chill, fam."

"I like you for my son, hija." Ingrid looked up to her son and he was smiling--- at her. God, Ingrid thought. Her son rarely smiled at her.

"She's everything you need, Jake. Respectable, beautiful, smart and she's polite. Not some leggy models and definitely not that island girl." That made his smile disappear.

His eyes turned to Tatiana who was so shocked.

She swallowed, cold sweat trickled from her forehead. Since he was holding her hand, he felt her stiffened.

Miana was confused. What island girl? . "What do you mean, ma?"

"Jake became obsessed with this Island girl from here, he nearly killed himself."

"Ma, stop it." His voice was suddenly cold, he let go of Tatiana's hand.

Ingrid didn't say anything.

"What the fuck is this Jake? I didnt know about this.  Is this the reason you crashed your car and was in the hospital for a month---”

"Mia, please. This isn't the place to discuss things like this. Please let it go." He said firmly. He looked like he was gonna explode any minute now.

He stared with those cold eyes. "See, ma? You ruined this fucking lunch--"

"Jacob stop it," Tatiana whispered.

"This is the reason why I don't like having you around, you always ruin good things" He stood up, throw his napkin on the table. "I'm sorry , I can't be here anymore."

He stormed out of the restaurant with people looking at him. Tatiana followed after him. He was striding, it was so hard to keep up with his steps

"Jacob, that was rude!"she yelled. "Jacob, I swear to god if you don't stop---”

"What the fuck do you want?" He stopped on his track and looked at her. "What?"

"Don't cuss at me, don't disrespect me like the way you just disrespected your mother." She sneered, "What is wrong with you?”

“You know nothing, Tatiana. Stop looking at me like it's my goddamn fault.”

“So, it isn't, huh? People were looking at you  Jacob. Some of them are your employees. You disrespected your mother infront of everybody.” she couldn't stop being pissed.

She knew his mother was hurt by his sudden outburts. She know because she's a mom herself. The thought of Julian talking to her like that hurts her.

"What do you care? You heard her, she doesn't want you." Jacob said.

"That island girl wasn't me anymore."

Jacob scoffed. “Yeah, right. Seriously, Tatiana. Dont meddle. Back off!"

Tatiana shook her head, he'd never get the point, would he? Her shoulders sagged. "I should have known better."

The disappointment he saw right into her eyes was enough for him to calm down. He'd never want her to look at him that way, never.

She shook her head again and turned her back.  Jacob's instinct told him to follow her. "Tatiana---"

"No, Jacob. You need to fix that. You don't disrespect your mother like that."

He strode towards her, some people were looking at them because they've caused enough scene. He can see from afar that Jasper, Miana and his mom were staring at them. He swallowed hard, he pulled her hand and made her look at him.

"I'm sorry. I won't do it again.”

“Don't apologize to me, Jacob. You should say sorry to your mother.”

He embraced her.  "I won't lose my temper next time, just please don't ask me to apologize to her. She doesn't deserve it. If you only know what I went through with her. You'll understand.”

Here he was, Jacob Luis Shaw, CEO of Strike Bankings, a billionaire and a playboy, hugging a girl in public. He has never done this before. Well, she wasn't just some girl, she was his wife.

Tatiana will have to ask him yet what his mother meant about 'he almost killed himself' she knows they have to talk about it.

She have never seen him that angry before, and what's worse he displayed that anger towards his own mother.

"I think we should go, people are staring.”

Jacob nodded.

THE FLIGHT BACK to Manila was okay, they were both silent. They sat together but he never talked much.

Miana, her husband and their son was with them. On the other aisle was Andrew and his wife and his other family members. Ingrid Shaw sat infront of them.

She woke up leaning on Jacob's chest, Jacob was asleep and his lips slightly parted. He looks like their son when he's sleeping like that.

Speaking of Julian, she couldn't wait to see him.

"Jake, I need to go. Christian's waiting." She said when the plane landed at the airport.

He gave her luggage.

"I Thought I could take you home," he half smiled.

She went to Mia and her husband "Mia, Jasper, I need to go.” She turned to Ingrid "Ma'am, I'll go ahead."

They all nodded. "Take care.”

"I'm sorry about the scene earlier," Ingrid offered a small smile. "But I'm glad you can tame him."

Jacob kissed her cheek before she left.

She was mellow.  What happened in Palawan will stay in Palawan. That can never happen again. She has a son here, a boyfriend. What happened between them would only exist in a dream world.

She felt the guilt eating her up. She will think of ways to avoid him again.

Of course she felt bad for Jacob. She knows he was hoping they could be something again. He was extra sweet to her and caring.

She only smiled when she saw her son waiting at the front door.

"MOMMY!" she crouched down and swinged him into her arms, showering him lots of kisses.

"I missed you, big boy.”

"Opo, mommy. Conté las noches" I counted the nights. “I missed you.”

She ruffled his hair. Staring at him right now only made her feel guiltier about his father.  “Youu've been a good boy, right?"

Julian nodded, “Of course mom. You had fun there?”

Gosh, if you only knew...