Chapter 39: Chapter 39

"I'd like you to meet my niece, Attorney Tatiana Falcon. She's a corporate lawyer. Tati this is Ernest Javier, governor in Antique.”

"Pleased to meet you, attorney."

Tatiana looked at him, he was tall, dark and handsome. She's heard about him before, he's the youngest governor in the country. And he's one of the sought after bachelors here in the country, too.

"Nice to meet you, governor."

"Just call me Ernest." He smiled. If Tatiana didn't clear her throat, he wouldn't have snapped out of his daze and let go of her hand.  "I'm sorry. It's not everyday that i see someone as beautiful as your niece, Atty.”  So her uncle and this governor's really close..

"And she's more than a pretty face."

Tatiana fought the urge to roll her eyes, didn't know this governor is such a flirt. And he's doing it in her workplace, infront of her uncle whom he calls uncle too.

Arvin Falcon laughed, shaking his head. "You're trying to charm my niece."

"I am."

"Hey, I am standing right here." she joined their laughter.

The governor invited her for lunch but she declined respectfully. She saw the disappointment in his eyes. Not to brag about it but she's used to seeing this look when she turns a man down.

Italian men wooed her even they knew she has a kid and tried to steal her away from her boyfriend.

"Hey!" The governor chased after her before she went on an elevator.  "I get that you can't join us, but can I get your number? Even a business card would do. I'd like to get to know you. You amaze me, attorney."

Tatiana's lips rose. Wow.  He's also blunt. "I really appreciate it, governor--- Ernest--- but I can't. I already have a nine year old son. Also, I'm a married woman."

"I don't see a ring."

She smiled. "I don't wear it."

The governor sighed. “At least I tried, didn't I? I'm sorry, I didn't know you're married.”

She chuckled. "It's okay, governor."

Saturday was unusual. Jacob didn't go out.

He wasn't also in his phone or laptop, he was just playing with their son. She watched as he chased their son around the house, carrying him in his back or playing rc cars with Julian.  He was making dinosaur sounds while chasing after their son. She couldn't help but smile especially that they were in a matching basketball shorts and white shirt.

Their telephone rang. For a moment, their eyes locked. There was a brief moment she saw something in his eyes before it was replaced with his icy gaze. “I'll take it.” She pushed into her feet and answered the call.

"Good morning..."

"Good morning, Tatiana! Is Jacob there? I was calling him but he wasn't picking up. " It was Miana.

"Yeah, he's here. Must have left his phone in his room."

"His room?" Miana asked. She doesn't know there is a rift between them

"Our room." She clarified. "Sorry, I'm still not used to it.” she said.

She heard her laugh on the other line. "It's okay. Uhm. I just called to inform you we're inviting your for lunch, my husband is having a barbecue."

"Oh!" She looked at Jacob. He was lying against his stomach like their son. "It's Miana, she's asking us to join them for lunch.”

Jacob raised a thumbs up.

"Mia, we will be there.”

"Great! Then I'll see you later."

Everything seemed okay between her and Mia even if their encounter at the cake shop was bad. Well, maybe Miana was just caught up in the moment that's why she said those things and she had all the right to defend her brother. If it was Christian she'd probably do the same.

They went there around eleven thirty. She still had thr time to bake a  red velvet round cake. She decided to make a red velvet since Jacob likes it.

"Smells good." He even commented before Tatiana put it on a box.

Her son and his father was wearing the same black polo shirt and shorts. They only differed in foot wear. Jacob was in loafers while their son is in his rubber shoes. Tataiana stole a photo of them while they were walking ahead.

Miana warmly greeted them.

Miana led them at the lanai, in their backyard. Jasper was there, barefoot and grilling some beef and fish.

"About time you arrive!" He extended his arm, “Ah! Miana warned me not to look so shocked. Bro, you look exactly like your son." He chuckled. "What's your name, kid?"

"Julian Joaquin Falcon, sir.”

"I'm your uncle Jasper." He grinned. Jasper's good with kids. Always have beem.  "Tatiana, welcome to the family. Thank you for bringing your son to us. Now James has a cousin he could hang out with.”

Jacob helped Jasper while their kids play.

They really bonded especially Julian's acting like a big brother to his cousin.

"Wow, you can bake." Miana said in amusement while she was helping her transfer the cake.  "I can't cook for god's sake."

“Well, i could teach you. Baking is just measurements.” Tati grinned.

"How far are you?"

"15 weeks. Am I really starting to show?”

Tatiana can still remember when she was pregnant with Julian. God, it was so hard, but she did her best to keep him healthy and safe. That time her world revolved around her son even if he was unborn yet.

"You're starting to show. And you have that 'I'm pregnant' glow on your face." She chuckled.

"How are you and my brother? He looks well."

"I haven't seen him drink anymore.” Tati answered.

"He's really alcoholic and smoker." Miana frowned, "I hope he lessens it. I don't want him setting as a bad example to his own child."

Tatiana shook her head. "All I can say is that he's a great father. He loves Julian. That's one thing I regret the most, I wish I have introduced them sooner.”

"And your relationship with him? I don't mean to pry, but something is really off between you two. He's not talking to you that much. You guys don't talk.”

"He still hates me for what I did, our relationship was broken because I hid our son from him. “ Tatiana sighed. "I'm really trying my best though, to gain back his love and trust. Jacob's giving me cold shoulder and honestly, sometimes I don't know what to do."

She was surprised when her sister in law hugged her. "He loves you, I'm sure of that. He wouldn't live with you if he doesn't.  I know him, he's never been that way with anyone. You know, right? He loves you but he's angry, I hope you don't give up on him. I'm sure he'll come around, maybe you need to woe him a little." She looked at Tatiana meaningfully.

Oh you have no idea...

JACOB saw his wife carrying the cake to the table. He couldn't help but stare. She was in a Sunday dress that was hugging her body, her hair was down and she looked so fucking gorgeous.

He fought the urge to stop grilling, go to her and kiss her.

Damn, he's not really sure if Tatiana would ever let him kiss her. After what he did last time, that was stupid. He didn't mean to treat her that harsh. He was stupid for trying to hurt her like that. He wanted to punch himself for being such an asshole. She might have done him wrong but she didn't deserve that. That was a dick move. He hurt her deeply. He made her feel unwanted and used.

Tatiana caught his eye. He quickly looked away.  He's really guilty about what he did, he didn't mean to discard her like that but He wanted to hurt her so bad, so that she would feel even just an ounce of what he was feeling.  The pain when he found out Tatiana hid their son from him.

He badly want to get even. And at the end of the day, he felt no satisfaction.

They sat with Julian in the middle. They looked like a picture perfect family.

"Jasper and I wanted it to be a suprise so we will wait until he or she is born. But I'm hoping it's a girl." Miana said when Jacob asked about the gender of their baby.

"Yeah. So we can have a girl around here. Because Miana here keeps saying she wouldn't have another one after this.” Jasper dramtically sighed. “What do you think, Jacob?"

He sipped on his wine and looked at his wife. “It's okay. I mean, hindi magulo kapag ganoon just like ate and I, but of course I wanted a baby brother back then. I'm thinking of atleast four children. Well, it depends on Tatiana.”

He smiled at her, he didn't know where he got the strength to touch her arm.  He saw the hurt in her eyes and he didn't understand what that was for.

It took long before Tatiana could answer.

"Yes. Four is fine with me, Jake." he lazily smiled at her again. He knows he's been an asshole and he was shy about what he has done. He doesn't deserve her smile

He knew there's an ugly stain in there relationship right now. Tatiana caused it but so did he. All the secrets and lies, and the getting back.

"By the way, Tatiana?" Jasper asked. "A friend of mine mentioned you to me. Have you met Ernest Javier?"

Jacob stopped eating  to listen in their conversation. He knew Ernest Javier, some playboy governor from Antique.

"Yes, actually. Just the other day.”

"Well, he caught some liking to you, he almost sound broken hearted when he told me you were married and a mother. Attorney Falcon's the name. I was laughing the whole time with the look on his face when I said you were my sister in law.”

Jacob clenched his jaw. Tatiana even laughed. What was funny about it, huh?

Did he get her number? Did they talk?

"Woaaah. Easy, baby brother. Easy with our spoons.”Miana teased him, he didn't mind.

He was jealous. What if that governor tries to steal her away? He's good with women, he's good with words. What if Tatiana would rather be with that man and be with him, who did nothing but hurt her?

They changed the topic but he remained silent throughout. Until Jasper invited him to drink. Just a few beers.

They stayed outside while the women are with their kids watching film. "We really need some boys talk sometimes." Jasper commented.

"Can't wait for our sons to grow up, to drink with us.”

Jasper rolled his eyes. "As if our wives would let us!"

Right.

"Oh. Speaking of wife, what's going on with you two? There's a thick tension floating around. Are guys fighting?”

Jacob shook his head.. "We haven't really patched up our relationship since I found out about our son. She hid it from me and her excuses invalid."

"You know, this is really confusing. Your son should be the reason why you guys try to patch things up, but looks like you're pretty much upset about it. And you have all the right because youre the dad. But have you really considered her explanations?"

"I have. It's not enough."

Jasper pursed his lips. "Because if this is all just your ego, Jacob. I won't be really shocked if one day, you lose her again. Come on, man. You love her, why are you giving her a hard time?”

"It's complicated, Jas. We almost got divorced and married someone else. She hid our son from us when she could've told me sooner.  I have all the right to be angry at her."

"Well." He pats Jacob's shoulder. "If you keep on reeling on your anger, how can you move forward and start again? You know what they say right? Women are enduring. But once they're done then they're done. It's your last shot, man. Don't let that pride eat you. You have so much to lose."