Chapter 18: Chapter 18

Tatiana typed a long message to their nanny because it was raining so hard.

Miss Susan, please make sure that Julian has an umbrella. Also, tell him to wear his jacket and cap so he doesn't get sick. Mr. Dante will pick him after school and head straight to my office so we could eat dinner outside.

It rained so hard that morning.

She looked for an umbrella in her car, but unluckily, she didn't have one here.

“Mr. Dante, do you have an umbrella?”

“I'm sorry, ma'am. I'm afraid i don't have one. The rain was unexpected.”

It was. The sun was too bright earlier. She wasn't expecting it would rain today. She doesn't even have a coat with her.

“After you drop me off here, please buy an umbrella. Make sure you're back here after an hour. I won't take long.” she said as she handed her driver a few bills.

The driveway to Strike was congested. some of the employees are already walking.

“Maam, I don't think we can pass here. It will take a long time before this traffic clears up.” Dante said after a while. They've been stranted infront of Strike for a while now. There are so many cars unloading, others weren't even parked properly. She couldn't just get out of the car now because of the heavy rain.

But she can't be late for the meeting!

“I'll just run up to the building  Mr. Dante.” she said finally.

“Ma'am, but the rain is heavy. You'll get your clothes soaked.”

Her phone rang so she took it out.

From: Unknown number

I can see you from here. Stay there.

Her heart hammered. She knew exactly who is it. She's sure of that. No one's more bossy than that guy.

After his calls, she still didn't save his phone number. She's even screened his calls.

She looked for him until Jacob stepped out of his car. He has a black umbrella thay matches his suit and slacks.

Damn it, he strode powerfully towards her car making every passerby acknowledge him even if they were in a hurry on a rainy pavement.

Through the glass of her car, their eyes locked. He looked so serious and unreadable, the face he'd often wear when he's in the public.

Jacob opened her car.

“Isn't he the guy from the other day, ma'am? Workmate?”

“He's my boss.” she said quickly before getting her briefcase and bag. When her feet touched the ground, she already knows her heels got wet. Damn. But then, her clothes wasn't because Jacob was sharing his umbrella with her.

“The rain is heavy. You should've cancelled.” Jacob said.

Tatiana noticed he wasn't under the umbrella anymore!

"What are you doing?!" She hissed. "Get on the umbrella!”

"We won't fit, we'll just get soaked." He smiled at her, she blushed a little.

“Your suit is getting wet, Jacob!" She said while they were walking.

"I'll just change later.”

Some employees were looking at them and she couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed. The CEO, soaked in the rain while he was holding it for her.

He doesn't care if he getd sick, or what his employees are probably thinking right now.

Her heart warmed.  Jacob can really be something if he wants.

When they were near the building some guards immediately noticed their boss. They strode running with two umbrellas with them.

-

“This is the down part. They want us to stop accepting investments from other airports. Thus, limiting us even if we say that mr. Van Heusen has the biggest airport in the country.”

She couldn't help but ran her eyes into his chest. When they reached the building Jacob immediately changed his clothes into a white button down and navy pants. He didn't have a suit on and Tatiana prefers it more.

"What do you think about this, then?"

O

ne of the board asked her.

"I think this should be changed. Revisit and revise. We need to talk to Mr. Van Heusen about this condition."

Omar, one of the major stock holders agreed. "Attorney is right. This is limiting us. Strike is open for everybody. What do you think, Mr. President?"

She looked at Jacob who seemed busy with his phone. Her forehead creased. She's sure if he wasn't the CEO he would've recieved and earful from the board members who are twice his age.

Who is he texting in this important meeting anyway? His girlfriend?

She fought the urge to roll her eyes.

"I think that Tatiana is right. We won't sign this for now. I'll have my secretary set another meeting and we'll discuss..." Jacob finally said. So, he wasn't completely not listening.

"Better."

The meeting was adjourned after that. She was about to get out of the conference room when Jacob stopped her. Damn, this is the exact reason why she was in a rush. She didn't wanna be in the same room with him alone.

He smiled at her brightly.  "Hi, beautiful."

She stepped back. “Are you on drugs?"

Jacob shook his head. "What, it's true. You just keep on being beautiful each day, Tati. How do you do that?”

She didn't answer. She was completely taken aback by his behavior.

He smiled again. She resisted to reach out and pinch his cheeks because he looked so much like Julian when he does that. I mean, he looked adorable. Damn it.

"What the fuck is happening with you?"

"You should stop cussing. I don't want others to know that our corporate lawyer is so feisty.” He winked at her, he likes teasing her, getting any reaction from her.

He knows she's just resisting to give in his charms. But that's what he's good at, he aced in that part.

"So, dinner? Later?"

She sighed.

"What? A sigh means yes."

"No, Jacob. A sigh means I can't.”

He grimaced, then he had his arms crossed. "So, a dinner, then?"

Why can't he just stay away? Did he forget how she pushed him away the other day?

"I have plans."

"With your boyfriend? Oh come on!"

"You can't take me on dinners." She sighed, again and she passed by him.

But just like in the books or in movies, he chased after her. “Change your shoes, okay?”

It got soaked earlier so he knows she's uncomfortable.

"I know." She answered.

Back in her office, her secretary greeted her with a sweet smile.

"Attorney! Good morning!" Her assistat beamed.

It was ao unusual for her to be this jolly. Francine had always been a shy one.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, attorney!" She chuckled, "Uh, a parcel for you just came.”

“And flowers. I hope this time you don't throw it away, attorney.” Francine smiled.

She opened her office, there was a bouquet of sunflowers sitting on her desk and a brown paper bag of a luxurious shoe brand.

Sunflowers... shoes. Of course, who else would give her these?

She picked up the flowers, the smell of her favorite flowers instantly hit her. Hmm.

He bought her pair of red stilletos. She wonders how did he send these here so quick. But then, she remembered how busy he was earlier with his phone.

And here she thought he was busy talking to his girls.

She changed her shoesn it fitted perfectly on her feet. He still knows even the size of her feet.

Her phone beeped.

From: unknown number.

It's raining, so I decided to bring the sunshine for you. I hope you like the flowers, I hope you change your shoes.

She shook head and failed to hide the smile that crept into her cheeks. She leaned against her swivel chair, contemplating what message to send.

In the end, she didn't write back. But she saved his number.

She named it Jacob Shaw. Professional.

She took the flowers and called her secretary.

"Yes maam?" In an instant she was there. Francine frowned when she saw her boss holding the flowers. .

Well, she was thinking that she's gonna throw it away again!

"It's a shame...”

Tatiana, for the nth time of the day, sighed again. "That's why go get a vase.” she grinned.

"DID you eat well, Julie?" She heard Jerome ask her son. They were video chatting. He was wearing two shirts and a sweater. It's winter in Italy.

"Yes, dad. We actuslly ate out and bought us a gelato."

When she finished blow drying her hair, she carried Julian on her lap.

"Hi, hon." She greeted her boyfriend.

"Hello, hon. I miss you."

Tatiana smiled.

“I'm coming home soon. Two more months and we'll be together.” Jerome said.

Julian bounced into her lap. It was obvious he couldn't hide his excitement to see him again.

“don't forget my wishlist dad, okay?”

“si, bambino.”

"What did you ask your dad again, Julie?" She chuckled while ruffling his hair.

"Just some toys." Jerome shrugged.

"Make you turn on the heater. And make some soup. Are you still going on site amidst the snow?" Last year he almost got into an accident on site since it was winter. It was so slippery and unstable. Yes it pays him so much but it's dangerous.

"I have to. Stop worrying, I'll be extra cautious."

"Make sure of it, Castro" She warned. "Wear your hard hat.”

He winked. "Yes, mam. It's a protocol. I can't die yet, I still have to marry you.”

She was taken aback. Before it was so easy to talk about marriage with Jerome, but... some things have changed since she got her. She cheated on him, she till have to tell him about her marriage with Jacob nine years ago.

Jerome noticed the change in her expression so he asked.“What's wrong?"

She forced a smile. "N-nothing. I... I'd love that, too."

When the call ended, he couldn't help but be sad and worried. Something's off with her. She was never cold. She never hides something from him. He knows something's wrong, he lives with Tatiana for a long time.

That's why he wanted to hurry and come home. He has to propose and marry her. It scares him that she migt change her mind.

The thought of Julian's father taking her back kills him.

His Tatiana, his son. He loves them both so much, they're his family. He wouldn't let anything go between them.

He has to hurry back to the Philippines. Jerome will tie her with him forever.