Chapter 28: Chapter 28

Jerome wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace, he heard her slight gasp, before Tatiana looked at him with a smile.

"You're really here."

He chuckled before kissing the corner of  her lips, he missed kissing her and holding her just like this. Living months without her made him realize just how much he has been missing. Load of works wouldn't take his longing away, he didn't fight it anymore. He wanted to see his family.

When he pulled away, he spoke. "You look really shocked, I miss you too, Tatiana."

"You're... here."

"I wanted to surprise you." He smiled, “I finished all my work so I could visit you and Julian.  I really miss you, and our son. If I don't come here as soon as I can, I'd go crazy missing both of you." He kissed her temple "Did I surprise you?"

All she could do was nod.

The lunch was filled with Julian talking about his day to day in school, Jerome and him were talking non stop, they've even made a bucket of things they'd like to do together, now that he is here.

Oh he'd do anything for that kid.

Julian and him would always have that unexplainable bond. They might not be related by blood but he loved Julian like he was his own.  Maybe because he was there with her taking good care of Julian when he was just a baby, maybe because he was also there to raise him.

Christian left after dinner, saying he still has to go back to his shift.  “

"Thank you for picking me up, bro. And for keeping it a secret. Looks like I really surprised them."

"Anything to keep my sister and nephew happy."

They were sprawled in the living room, he opened all his presents for them both. He's had everything Julian requested. From the RC cars, action figures and chocolates.

While Julian was busy unboxing everything, Jerome pulled her closer to his chest. He cursed and laughed.

“ The young sir here is having my whole attention." He whispered.. "Sorry, my queen.”

She laughed, play hit his chest. "I miss this."

"Me, too. It's so much better when I'm with you.” he sighed, looking at Julian who was trying out his new RC car. "I'm really happy right now, seeing you and our son."

"I'm... happy too. Julian hasn't been that happy since we came here. You're really his bestfriend."

He looked into her eyes before kissing the tip of her nose. Tatiana was no doubt, a beautiful woman. The first time he saw her crossing the street he knew he had to pull over and ask for her name and while she was getting to know him, he was already head over heels.

He'd never forget that day.

"Hey." He took strides just to keep up with her. He reached out to touch her shoulder. She turned around then.

Shit, she was so gorgeous.

"Excuse me?" His breath hitched when she spoke.

Gorgeous green eyes, god damn it. Where was this woman hiding all his life?

"Hi. I'm Jerome Castro."

He's learned about her being pregnant, he accepted her without any doubts.  Though he wished he was the father, that she loved him first. For two years he knew she wasn't over it. Even when they were already together, he knew she still loves Julian's  father. But he was patient. He loved her too much and her son to leave. So he took whatever she's willing to offer, even if it hurt.

For him, love also means waiting.  He's gonna wait until she's ready, she would never force her to anything she doesn't want at all.

"A bouncy baby boy." He smiled at her, laying the baby on her chest, he kissed her forehead. "You did well, Tatiana. He's so gorgeous."

She gave birth to Julian that day. And he was there throughout her delivery. His hands were the hands she squeezed, his voice was the one who soothed her.

Funny thing is, the baby's got blue eyes like him. Though a different shade.

"What will you name him?" He softly asked.

"Julian Joaquin."

Back then, he only dreamed of becoming a successful engineer and that he could make his parents proud even if they're already gone. But when he saw Tatiana crossing down that 17th street in Italy, he had another dream he wanted to reach. And that is, to marry her.

~

“And you?” he entwined their hands. "Are you happy that I'm here now?"

He'd do anything this woman ask him. Whatever it is, no matter how hard.  He's too smitten, he's too inlove.

"I am happy." She smiled, "You know that I am."

"Why don't we watch a movie in the afternoon and eat out, what do you think, Julie?" He nudged Julian's shoulder.

"That's a great idea, daddy! Mom, what do you think?"

He looked at Tatiana, she looked like she was miles away from them, she looked ao lost into her thoughts. He began to worry. "Hon, are you alright?"

"Huh?" She mumbled. "Uh. Yeah, yeah I'm okay. Just spaced out a little, I guess."

Theu went out to watch a movie. Jerome was worrying about her silence. She kept glancing on her phone, too. Though they were holding hands throughout the movie, it's as if she wasn't by his side. He couldn't understand.

They ate inside the mall as per Julian's request.  She would talk. But not too much. She'd just answer their questions and she'd laugh when needed.

She looked bored and it bothered him so much.

"What do you want to order, hon?"

She absent mindedly answered, "anything you would like."

"Nah, you need to choose what do you want to eat. Wait, don't you want to eat here?

Tatiana inhaled sharply.  "Jerome I told you. I'll be having what you'll have.”

The drive home was silent, Julian fell asleep in the backseat . . Tatiana was staring out of the window. He frowned before he reached out for her hand.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

“Nothing.”

"Something's off, and you're not telling me about it."

"I'm okay, Rome."

"You look uninterested, Tatiana. I can sense it. Didn't you wanna go out earlier? Would you rather have it that we stayed home instead?"

"No, something's just bothering me. It's about work." She reasoned out.

When they reached home he carried Julian who was fast asleep.  He took off his shoes and placed him on bed before he changed his clothes. Julian must be tired. He didn't even wake up.

When he descended downstairs Tatiana was there, she looked like she was waiting for him.

"Rome I'm sorry about how I acted tonight, for making you feel like I didn't want to be with you. I'm just tired."

"Why don't you take a leave? We can go on vacation together, just the three of us."

Her lips pursed. "I don't know about that yet."

"You should tell me everything," he held her hand. "Whatever that bothers you or upsets you, you should tell me. Tatiana, whatever it is that you want or feel I will understand. Okay? It's what matters the most."

"I'm sorry."

"You don't have to apologize. Hon, with me you would never have to say you're sorry.  "I'm just... disappointed. I came here to be with you, but it looks like you weren't thrilled as I was." He tried to smile, first day here and he's already hurt big time. He thought bitterly. "I'm gonna get some rest.”

Tatiana wanted to slap herself for being a bitch. She didn't mean to. she didn't want to make him feel unwanted. She's just thinking so much, she's so torn because she knew she have to choose. She really have to.

She tossed and turn because of her guilt. Jerome seemed to be asleep now because he wasn't moving.

God, she didn't mean to.

She went to work that day, when she woke up, Julian was already awake. She can smell some good breakfast downstairs.

To her surpirse Jerome was already in the living room doing some push ups. For a moment she stared to admire his biceps.

After a while he stopped, and He smiled at her, "good morning, beautiful. Going to work today?"

"Yep. But I'll be out early. Pick me up at work, and let's pick Julian up together. We'll go to my parents.”

"Alright, hon." He smirked. "Can I drive you and Julian? I'll just take a quick shower."

They dropped Julian to his school at hinatid ni Jerome si Tatiana. His other hand was on the steering wheel and the other was holding her hand. Today was better, he knew Tatiana was making up for what happened last nighy. "It's usually traffic around this time. Ewan, engineers here are too different. In Italy, they can fix the road in a day."

He liked her like this, talkative. He always want to know what the hell's going on inside her head.

Her lips tugged up. "So, what are you going to do the whole day?"

"Ill go meet up with my college friends. We need some catching-up."

"That's great. You can invite them in the house, I wouldn't mind preparing for them."

"Really? Awesome. Thank you, hon."

"Silly,  I want to meet these friends of yours.."

He sent her to work with a kiss. While Tatiana was walking inside the building some employees looked at him, He smirked, Too proud because that stunning and hot attorney was his girlfriend.

And she's all his.

He headed straight to the coffee shop and met up with his friends. It's the first time he went home in ten years.

He invited them to their home. he badly wants to introduce Tatiana to them , and they want to meet her since he's filled them with stories how she's with an amazing woman.

He was exiting the shop when his phone rang. He took it out of from the breat pocket of his jacket when he bumped into someone.

"Watch it."

Jerome looked up and almost tensed.

The man,  looked so much like Julian.

Mula sa mata, sa ilong at labi... he fucking swore. Ganitong ganito ang magiging hitsura ni Julian paglaki nito!

"Excuse me." The man said, irritated by his stare.

“I'm sorry.”

He sat by his car for a few minutes before he started his car. He just couldn't get it out of his mind.

Could it be...

"SO WHAT are your plans, are you getting married soon, Jerome?"

“Dad."

"I'm just asking. You two have been together for so long.”

"I plan to marry your daughter soon, sir Albert. I still have to get back to Italy next month, to finish the project But as soon as it's finished,  I'm marrying Tatiana."

She didn't know what to say, stunned by Jerome's plans for them at nalungkot siya. If he said few months ago siguro ay ang saya-saya niya ngayon.. but things have changed, especially Jacob was in the picture.

She miss Jacob so much. That day when Jerome came, she told him they couldn't meet up.  She honestly told him Jerome came home. And that she'd see him soon and they'd talk.

"We don't have to rush things, just let them be, Albert. They're adults." Her mother came to rescue.

"Tati, can we talk." Christian placed a small on her back, she followed him in the library.

“Tati, you haven't been telling me some things."

"What are you talking about?" She was slightly nervous. she doesn't have any idea what he's about to say but the way her brother's accusingly stare at her makes her damn nervous.

"I went to Lux last night and had a few drinks. Guess who ran into me so fucking drunk?"

"Your boss. Jacob Shaw." He spat, his eyes turn into glare. "He told me he's seeing you. And he's asking for my blessing, he said he was out there to get drunk because you're with your boyfriend now."

"Christian..."

"And you know, the funny thing about it? I realized that my nephew and that bastard looks so much alike."