Chapter 21: Chapter 21

"You're running for cum laude this graduation." His dyed blonde friend, Andrew Zobel sat next to him to pat his back. "Congratulations, my man."

The last four years he spent in the UK has been epic because he's got a friend like Drew. They were both Filipinos from a prominent fanily. They both liked partying and womazining.  He was the type of friend you would want to be the best man on your wedding.

Jacob offered him a small smile. "Thanks man. The whole Zobel must be very proud."

"They are. They can't believe I'd even graduate." He handed him a cigarette.

"Because you're full of shit." Jacob sighed,

"No. We're full of shit, Jake. But you gotta admit, Jake. I'm much tolerable.”

It was true. Andrew didn't screw around that much. Didn't get into brawls that much like Jacob had gotten himself in. He didn't go to jail, Jake did.

Dear Tatiana,

I graduated today. Soon, I would be an accountant and run the business, something I didn't really dream of becoming, but I just had to embrace it. I don't think I'll ever put up that art gallery I've been dreaming  of.

He started to write to her, he would leave that letter into the desk of his apartment, he'd come back to read it someday, he couldn't sell his apartment. It held too much memories.

I finished it with flying colors. It's sad that you aren't here today. Know that I did for you. I dedicate to you everything I have accomplished, everything I will achieve.

I don't think I would have made it to the top without you. Tatiana Kristine, you're my sole inspiration.

Wherever you are I hope you're doing okay. And that you'll forgive me for disappearing. I believe that someday, we will find our way back to each other. We belong together, Tatiana.

My heart is yours.

Love,

Jacob L.S

“When are you coming back? You can come with us.” his mother asked. As much as possible he doesn't like talking to her. He couldn't stand her presence.

"No, I'll review and take the exam here. Then I'll come home." He said coldly.

"Son, you can take the exam in the Philippines, our company needs you.”

"You made me study abroad and you want me to take the exam there? Is this a joke?" He laughed humorlessly. "Because it's fucking lame. That trashy company could survive. It did in four years, right?"

"Jacob, watch your mouth on mommy! What the heck is your problem?!" Miana yelled. His sister is a fucking amazon, but right now, he could not care less. Her fiancée Jasper looked like he wanted to exit.

"Stop meddling, Mia.”

"No! You're disrespecting our mother, Jacob! And this happened not just once!”

How can she fucking side on their mother? She cheated on their father, spent lots of his money on nonsense things and took away her son's happiness and passion. Now, how can Miana be on her side?

Ingrid cleared her throat. "Stop it, both of you. Just eat. " Her eyes flew on Jasper, who was sitting there uncomfortably. "If that's... what you want, Jacob. Do what you want."

"Do what I want? Really?" Asik niya. "You're four years too late to tell me that."

Jacob remembered the day his father died.

his mother cried hysterically, she cried so much she almost fainted--- that was the part he didn't know if he'd even believe it. All those years she didn't actually love him. All she did was hurt him. To betray him.

One thing was sure, his father loved her. He endured everything that she was, he was forgiving, he was endlessly understanding up to the point he acted oblivious about his wife's affairs.

Jacob would never be that stupid.

She didn't love her, she wasn't happy. That was supposed to be the part he let her go.

"I'm Miranda." A woman introduced herself to him one night while he was there to party and fuck.

She was familiar to him. He has seen her on TV and magazine. . She was so hot., seductive and sexy. The name alone was hot. Hour glass body, red lips... she looked like someone who knows how to fuck.

He ended up in bed with her. Then it was followed with another, and another. He was his constant fuck girl, even then he would still find some more girls when he's bored. But he takes her to the events. He needed a stunning woman beside him on formal occasions, and Miranda wanted to be more famous. It was a give and take, they also became friends.

"Playboy prince of Strike?" Miana raised an eyebrow. “You like this kind of attention, Jacob? You want to be labeled like this? This is fucking bullshit. Why did you let yourself get branded like this."

He huffed. "I don't care."

“And what would the business partners?This isn't good at all, Jake. You know that. This isn't a good example."

"Ate, it's normal. I'm a man who is single," Tatiana crossed his mind when he said that, "successful, good looking and rich. Besides, it's not like I'm the one chasing after them.  That's why I don't care if they brand me like that. It would be a motivation. If you're successful, women will fall under your feet. I'm a gold, ate. They can hold me. They don't own me, though."

He knows he's been a pain in the ass to his sister for a long time. Miana is really worried about what tabloid says about her brother.  Achieving Strike only made him worse. Yes, he's an effective leader. A good businessman but people's perspective about him in other things isn't good at all.

"HEY, you look lost." Calixto tilted his head as he studied his cousin.

Jacob smiled at him. "Just thinking."

"Yeah. You really aren't yourself today, man. Seriously, this isn't you, Jake." He chucked. "I thought you like living there forever in your condo. What's with this... sudden change?”

"Oh piss off. You know I own the best pad. By the way, where's your gorgeous ward?"

He thinks Calix's got hots for her. But he would never admit that. “Leave her alone, Jake. But... seriously, you want to build a house?”

Jacob rolled his eyes. "I'm dead serious about it."

"You know if only my mind wasn't sane right now, I would think you're also planning to settle down."

His lips twitched. "Who knows?"

Calixto smirked. "But first, find a sane woman that would marry you- don't tell me you're marrying the model?"

"Miranda? She was out of the picture now."

He joked around with his cousin further until Calixto opened his ipad.

"Alright, now tell me what kind of house do you want?"

"I... want a Victorian house style, Cal. Can you do that?"

"You want a large house, then? You bought a huge property."

He bought a land just last week. It's good, twenty minutes outside the city.

"Yeah. I want it Classy, luxurious and simple. I want a six bedroom house."

"Woahhh. Easy now," Cal swiped something on his tablet. "This is what Victorian house looks like. Are you sure you don't want a modern house? Not the modern, centralized house?"

Of course he was sure. This is the house Tatiana dreamt of having. "I'm sure. I want a simple house, an elegant one.. I should be frank to you, Cal. I want a house where it's  a good environment to raise children. The simple... family house? You know what I mean?"

He saw how his cousin was strangely looking at him.  "You're... serious?"

He shrugged. Was it si hard to belive that he's settling down?

"What else would you like?."

“You can take it from there Cal. Also, I want a spacious backyard. With a.. pool. A play ground too.”

Calixto couldn't belive what he wss hearing. The playboy bachelor cousin of his is getting a house where it's nice to raise kids.

Kiddie pool... kids. Holyshit.

“I want a bigger kitchen, man. I also want a bathroom installed in every rooms. The master's should be the biggest. Then the rest, just equal dimensions.”

Jacob left Calixto's house with a huge grin plastered on his face. Now that he's okay, and he has closed the deal in his company, he can focus on other things now... He can focus now on his everything.

When he got sick and Tatiana was there taking care of him, he realized just how much he's been missing. He realized how many years he was robbed of a life with her. And for him, it was never fair. He never intended to leave her. Now, he's praying the price for something he didn't mean to do. He's suffering from the wrath of Tatiana's hatred towards him.

He has to think of ways to take back his Tatiana. This time, he will make things right. He will explain everything to her. He could only wish she'd hear him out.

They belong together, Tatiana is his, not her boyfriend's. Divorce wouldn't be in the choices.

He's gonna give his best, his best efforts. They can still be happy, he'd make her so happy.

This time, he will never leave again.