Chapter 27: Chapter 27

"Jacob!" Andrew took his arm and placed it on his shoulder. Damn it, he's so drunk. He came to pick his friend up when the bouncer called him. They're regulars here. “What are you trying to do? You look like a fucking mess!"

"I'm okay. I'm almost sobber, my high school mates were here.”

He heard Andrew sigh and disposed him in the frontseat. Andrew drove him home, promising he'll take care of his car.  Miana and Jasper were already there, waiting for him.

He's already passed out, Andrew and Jasper helped to carry him in his bed.

He woke up around 11:00 in the morning, with an extreme pain in his head and face.  He was having the worst hangover of his life, he called his secretary to tell her he's not gonna make it to his office.

"Just cancel all my meetings." he said while standing in front of the mirror. He has a bruise on his face. He remembered getting it when he got into a fight with one of the customers.

How much damage did Andrew pay for him? He knew he made a mess.

It's just been a few days since his mother was burried. The ceremony is almost a blur to him. He just knew in that moment that it was all real, her mother is dead. She had killed herself.

He'd go to work in the morning, in the evening he'd go to Lux, a high end bar.

He temporarily lives in the mansion with his sister.  Miana wanted them to stay there even just for month to mourn.

He showered, he hissed because his bruises and cut hurt. When he went downstairs, he almost wanna get back up because Tatiana was there talking to his sister. Her eyes were glaring when she saw him.

What the fuck is she doing here?

He's been avoiding her since the burial, he wanted to be alone.. He loves her so much, but he wants to be alone for some time and he knew he should avoid Tatiana for awhile.

He wanted to lessen the things he thought of. He's always distracted when it comes to her. Yeah, he's that crazy.

"What are you---"

She cut her off. "Mia called me. What the fuck are you doing, Jacob?" she closed that tiny space between them, holding his chin. "You have a cut."

"Just don't mind it."

"You have a freaking cut and you tell me this isn't a big dral? Jacob, have you looked in the mirror today? You have bruises and cut.” she was almost yelling and Jake doesn't mind. Now that she's close to him, all he wanted was to kiss her.

"Oh don't even think about it." he heard her say and flinched a bit. It's as if she read his mind and he's gonna kiss her. “I'm so mad at you right now.”

He stood there dumb founded until she reached for the first aid kit on the sofa. "Miana's right. You look like shit. Sit there while I tend to you wounds."

Tatiana carefully dabbed the cotton on his cheek. Though, he still winced.  "Why did you get in a fight, Jacob? I didn't picture you to be the violent type. What if you got much hurt than this?"

They both heard footsteps. It was Miana and her arms are on her waist.  "That's right, Tatiana. You tell him. He's acting like a god damned highschool. You're a CEO, Jacob. And you're not acting like it."

Tatiana was slightly amused. He was just silent. He's not arguing, he's not picking a fight. "Look, baby, I know... I know thay you're mourning right now and you want to move on from your mother's death." She reached out to caress his cheek. . Still with his cold eyes, he kissed the palm of her hand.

"I know you're hurting because she's gone. But you have to get yourself together. Don't do this again. Don't get into fights again. What if next time you get hurt more than this?  I don't think I can deal with that, Jacob Shaw. I'm not telling you to forget about her death but you have to be strong and sane because I am still here, your family is here.”

Jacob wiped her tears with his thumb and slowly nodded. "I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking straight."

"Promise me." She demanded.

"Yes. I promise not to do it again."

She hugged him tight.  Damn, he miss her so much. Big time.

"So you've been avoiding me." She murmured against his chest.

"I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

She ate lunch with Jacob. He still looks bad because of hangover.She knew his alcohol tolerance isn't that strong, she've seen him drink a few times before noon sa palawan. And it wasn't all good.

"Jake." She called him while they were eating. He looked up. "Hm?"

"Are you free tomorrow night?"

"Of course, babe. Why?”

“Let's go to dinner, at my place. There's... there's something I need to tell you, it's really important."

Last night she have decided.

She's ready.

She's ready to introduce him to their son. She knew how much pain it caused Jacob when he lost his mother, and she knew his son would lessen the pain, it will make him so happy. Though, it still scares her how he'd react about it.

But she will face the consequences. And whatever it may be, then it's okay. She'll do everything.

His eyebrows furrowed, "you look really tensed. What is it all about? Do I need to be worried?"

She forced a smile. "You don't have to. Everything's fine but I just want to let you know about it. You should really know."

Jacob couldn't explain but he was nervous. Berhaps he could wait.

He slept after his lunch. His head was still throbbing. Tatiana joined him, cuddling him while he was asleep. She even fell asleep, all that's going on in the law firm was stressing her out ngayong papalitan ang CEO. Her cousin Henry might take over, because her uncle is sick. Plus, she's anxious about Jacob and Julian meeting.

She carefully untangled Jacob's arms and limbs from her, and went home. Lately she spent too little time with Julian, she needs to make it up to her son.

She looked at his sleeping form, how could a man like this be so perfect? Like he was made just for her.

Her alone.

After tomorrow, I hope you could still forgive me.

"More rice?" She asked, Julian nodded.

"You're the best cook." He giggled. Tatiana reached out to kiss her son's hair.

"I'm sorry, baby. I haven't been spending much time with you. Momma is busy with work. But I promise, soon. You won't be alone here.(

"You're resigning from work, momma?"

"Silly." She chuckled. "No. But I have a surprise for you! And it's also a birthday gift."

Two weeks from now, it'll be Julian's birthday. By that time, he will already be with his Papa. He's been waiting all his life.

Maybe later, she'll call a birthday organizer for his birthday.  She wants to throw a big party for her little boy. Back in Italy they'd celebrate his birthday with just the three of them. Now that her son got friends in his school, and her family's here--- and Jacob is here too, then it would be perfect.

"And what do you want for your birthday, hm? You want a ninja themed one? Or you want to be superman?" She asked her son while she tucks him ti bed. He likes ninjas and heroes.

"I just want a pool party.  I'm a big boy now. And can I invite all my classmates, mom?"

She smiled. "Sure you can. All your friends and classmates. You can invite your teachers too. We'll make an invitation card. So you can give it to them next week."

“Thanks, mom. Why you gotta be the best..."

" Go get some sleep, you have a class tomorrow.”

She took the day off in the afternoon. She postponed his dinner with Jacob on the weekend because Christian said he's coming over to discuss something important.

She cooked his favorite. She made him cranberry juice and by 8 their dinner is prepared.

She couldn't understand why she feels so nervous and cold. Like her brother is gonna tell him something so important.

Or maybe it was just her. She's been so anxious and agitated lately.

Her brother's black convertible stopped infront of the gate. She waited for him and checked if the dinner is all set.

"DADDY!" Julian screamed and she heard someone laughing. That voice was too familiar. Of course! She's spent years hearing that voice.

She felt her stomach drop and her heartbeat tripled.

She tried to find excitement in her bones, yet she found none.

Four months ago she could have waited for this day, but things have changed.

“You really missed me, huh? Where is mommy?” she heard him say and when she turned around, she saw him standing in the door frame. He's wearing a gray sweaters and blue pants, he's got his smile that would surely take a woman's breath away and those tantalizing blue eyes that once in her life, had captured her.

He is here.

"Jerome," she uttered his name.