Chapter 16: Chapter 16

EPISODE 16

"Be a good boy in school, okay?" Tatiana fixed the collar of the uniform of her son. "and eat your lunch. Miss Susan will bring your lunch later." she reminded her son.

"Mom." He whined. “You say that everyday.”

She snorted. "Just be a good boy. Now, give momma her kiss."

Julian grinned before kissing his mom’s cheek. "Take care, mom."

She stood there for a while until he was out of her sight.She immediately left the school to go to strike.

"Your kid is just so sweet, ma’am Tatiana.”

"Yes, Mr. Dante, he’s such a big boy now. I can still remember carrying him in my arms as a baby."

"You’re lucky with him ma’am."

"I am." She smiled. "Let’s head to Strike Bankings, Mr. Dante."

The ambiance of Strike greeted her when she entered the double doors, the employees immediately recognized and greeted her, a receptionist escorted her to the top floor where Jacob’s office is located.

Oh she would have to face him again. She groaned.

"Good morning attorney." Jacob’s secretary greeted her.

"Good morning, Nancy. Is Mr. Shaw in?"

“Oh, the president isn’t here today. Uh, he said he has a personal appointment."

Her eye brow shot up. And what personal appointment could it be, huh? How personal? He has a date? Can't those nonsense things wait until the night?

What do you expect, Tatiana? The magazines have branded him the playboy prince of Strike.

"He’s participating on the feeding program of his cousin,. Mr. Calixto Jimenez's charity work." Nancy continued.

Oh.

"Oh." She voiced out her thought. "I thought his itinerary at this time is cleared. We were supposed to discuss his deal with Mr. Van Heusen."

"I’ll inform him that you came, attorney."

"Thank you, Nancy. Where is this charity program?"

She and her driver headed straight to the place where the program’s happening. There were four trucks parked outside a multi purpose hall. They pulled over .

It wasn't long before she saw him, he was in a black polo with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and since he’s a bit sweaty, his torso is seeing through the damp clothes.

He looked so good and hot with that box he lifted on his shoulders.

Nonetheless he still look so good. He can still effortlessly look like a freaking greek god.

That scene, was too familiar to her. She remembered their life together when he worked as a porter just to make money.

It was too late, before she could ask her driver to leave, Jacob has seen her already. He placed the boxes at the side and jogged towards her.

She rolled the windows down when he peeked. "Hello there, attorney." He smiled smugly.

"Good morning."

"Why are you here?"

"Your secretary told me you’ll be here." She said seriously.

"And?" He cocked his eyebrows.

"I wanted to personally gave the papers. “

Jacob chuckled, running his fingertips on his damp hair. “We can’t discuss this right now, attorney. As you can see, I’m busy helping people.”

"Yes. It shocked the hell out of me, actually."

Jacob flinched, rolling his eyes. "Damn, girl!  You know what? Are you busy today?”

"No, but---"

"Then great! We’re missing one facilitator, perhaps you could help since I know how much you like being around with kids."

"I don't think that would be a good idea---"

"So helping is a bad idea now? Come on, you'll have fun."

"Jacob let me finish."

"Okay."

She rolled her eyes.

"I’m not busy but I don’t want to meddle with you and your cousin’s business."

"You’re not meddling, you’ll be helping. Come on." he opened the door of her car, took her bag and her briefcase. He turned to Mr. Dante, “I got her. she'll text you when she's done here."

Meanwhile Tatiana remained frozen. Ah, this man is so bossy.

Jacob placed his hand at the small of her back . "Let’s go."

She moved away from him. "Don’t touch me."

Jacob shrugged.

He was still carrying Tatiana’s stuff when he marched towards his cousin. Tatiana on the other hand could only stare in awe. When the two cousins are standing close to each other, it only feels like you’re staring at two models.

"You've met her once in the ball. Calixto, this is Tatiana."

Unlike Jacob, he have his hair combed back and clean. He maintains his stubbles shaved and he has a very kind aura.

He smiled and extended his hand. She shook his hand as well. . "We meet again, attorney Falcon. How are you?"

"I'm good, Calixto."

" I hope this doesn't bother you at all."

She looked at the kids, there were over 300 children there!

“I don’t mind, I want to help as well.” she smiled at the guy. Jacob cleared his throat and boredom looked at her.

"Enough with the chitchat, the kid’s are waiting for you, Cal."

Calixto left. In his mind he wanted to laugh at his playboy cousin. He's into her. This time, it wasn't the stereotype of women he goes out with.

"What is your problem?" she gritted

"Nothing." He answered coldly. "Is there a problem?"

“I’ve been trying to talk to you, Jake. But you’re not even looking at me. You shouldn’t have brought me here, then. Where the hell is your cousin? I should’ve gone with him.”

"Oh shut up, Tatiana. Do you like my cousin? Is that why you’re so nice to him?"

"What the fuck are you talking about?!" she sighed. God, this man is unbelievable. "I’m kind to him because he’s nice to me.”

"And I’m not? You never smiled at me like that, Tatiana. You’re always mad at me---"

“Am I supposed to be glad? Huh?” her sarcasm was dripping. She’s so pissed with him. Must be her period.

"Why can't you ever talk to me normally?"

"You know what, Jacob? If we’re just gonna fight here, then I’ll leave"

He sighed and shook his head. She’s never gonna get it, would she? He’s just jealous to others, those who gets to see her nice side, those who she smiles at. He wants that too.

“Let’s just go. Let’s help them.” He walked ahead of her.

Would they ever get to have a normal conversation? Back then, she used to be very gentle with him, used to be caring and sweet. Right now, she can't even stand his presence for ten minutes.

His patience is really starting to wear thin.

Jacob was on the other side, helping the crew with the soup and juice they’re distributing.She would sometimes watch him. Even though he’s smiling, she can visibly see his frustrations. She knew he was trying but she can't let herself get close to him again. The last time she was kind to him, she became touchy, and they ended up in bed.

They weren't healthy for each other.

She would like to believe she was completely over him, but after what happened to them the last time, she know she isn’t. Of course, she thought of him everyday. Everytime she looked at her son it would only remind her of her husband.

There were times when she tried to google his name, even on social media but she refrained herself from doing it.If she did she would’ve probably learned he owns the Strike. She would have never taken the job then.

She pulled herself together when a kid stood in front of her, she smiled at her and handed the food packs.

“Does Calixto do this every year?” she asked one of the Staff who's helping her.

"Yes, ma’am" the girl named Mary answered, "Actually,not yearly but each time he finishes a project. He’s very generous.”

She can see that. Calixto really looks like a very good man.

“He also builds free homes for his employees. And some scholarships, just like sir Jacob.”

Wait, what?

"What do you mean?"

"Sir Jacob owns a charity foundation, mostly he offers scholarships from grade school up to college in the remote areas of this country. Are you new in Strike?”

She was surprised and glad to know about it.

Behind his playboy and smug aura, his heart is a gold. She’s known him like this, he’s so emphatic towards others.

She shook her head. "I started few months ago, I'm their lawyer."

Mary's eyes widened! "Wow, that’s awesome. I mean, you look really young! So yeah, sir Jacob has a lot of scholars. He’s really helpful towards others, so I don’t really believe what the magazines say about him. That he’s ruthless and a playboy. I mean… it’s the girls who chase after him and besides, he’s really good looking.” Mary giggled.

She smiled at the fondness of this employee towards her boss. Well, this girl is just one of his fans.

“Did you know attorney, he was nearly killed one time when he visited one of the remote places?” she almost dropped the food packs she was holding and looked at Mary.

“W-what? Why?” she glanced at him, he was already looking at her so she looked away.

Mary lowered her voice. "Last year when he and sir Calixto went to this remote area in visayas to help. So, that’s it. I heard he had a misunderstanding with this ethnic group, he was stabbed.”

Shit

She remembers that scar he has on his waist!

Her heart raced, even though he’s now safe and it happened long ago it still doesn’t sit well to her. What if something worse happened? What if he died?

Will she be hearing his death through the news? Julian would never meet his dad!

She swallowed, tried to control her emotions. She felt angry. That would be homicide!

“What happened to the man who stabbed him?”

“I don’t know, but I heard they stopped helping there.”

"Serves them right." she muttered.

“Thankfully his family and girlfriend takes care of him."

"Oh? So he has a girlfriend?" she didn't mean to sound so bitter.

"I’m.. not sure. But she’s the one who took care of him in the hospital."

Of course, that same model she saw inside the office, the one he was kissing. So she took care of him, huh?

Perhaps they’re still together, that could also mean he cheated on her.

And here the media says he's been single!

Single his ass!

Her heart clenched a bit for some unknown reason. He has a girlfriend, but he had sex with her. That makes them both cheaters.

But fuck him for saying he will take her back, that they belong together. Jesus, he already has a girlfriend.

"THANK YOU so much for helping, attorney." Calixto smiled widely at her. "I hope you had fun."

"I did," she nodded. "What you're doing,you should keep this up. You’re helping a lot of people."

"Thank you." he curtly nodded, then he called Jacob who was at the door jamb, frowning, she and that guy haven’t talked since earlier. "Jake, why don’t you see her off. I can't lead you outside, Tatiana. My cousin is already pissed at me."

He was even chuckling when he left.

“Let’s go.” he was now smiling. Gosh, his mood swings is so fucked up.

"I know my way out."

He insisted. "I’ll see you off. Let's go."

"It’s okay, Jacob."

"I saidI’ll go with you. Is it so wrong, Tatiana?" her insides almost melted when he said that. She did not fail to hear how his voice broke. "You know, I’m getting so tired of this. You’re too complicated"

She threw away the guilt she was feeling while she looked at him. "Then don't waste your goddamn time on me because I don't need it, Jacob. I never needed it. Go bother someone else. Whatever you're trying to do, stop it. I have a boyfriend, Shaw.and I don’t want to ever hurt him again."