Jacob's Pov
My question took her by surprise, maybe because she wasn't expecting me to crack past her bullshit and call out what it really was. She stopped eating for the second time and looked to meet my eyes.
"The same fucker who left me in front of Cantia's doors twenty-five fucking years ago, that's who."
Wait, what? Twenty-five years ago? That's impossible.
Indeed, I couldn't shake off the feeling that there was some connection between her and my lost mistress, but surely it couldn't be what I was insinuating, right? If my mistress lived in Cantia, they should be about the same age. No, I've got to be reaching. It's not it. It can't be.
"Don't tell me that you're twenty-five," I blurted, exposing my shock, but she nodded, concerned. "I mean, it's a magical age and all... I just didn't know that."
I digressed at the last minute. What if I was going about this the wrong way? The less anyone knew what I was after, the better.
So, what if it's her? She doesn't seem happy with the idea that she was dropped in Cantia all those years, so explaining things to her might be dicey, at least for now.
"Thank... you. Now you know my age, what else do you wish to know?" she asked, snapping me back to the real world.
"Yeah. I want to know what you want. In this whole world, what is it you truly want?"
I threw and waited for her reply. The only other thing I could do was try to become a partner in Cantia. In return, I would ask for the records.
She had already indicated she was not interested in what happened to Home, but I'm sure there was something else she might want.
She took a deep breath before stating, "If you'd asked me this question a few weeks ago, it would've been different from what it is now."
"And what is it, both then and now?"
"I wanted more than ever to find who left me in Cantia. I returned there so I don't miss them when they come back for me, but how can they find me if Cantia is torn down?"
She asked rhetorically, but I understand now. It was probably the same reason April tried to save the Home, but I didn't think of it that way.
"So, you don't wish me to tear down the structure? Didn't you mention a little while ago that it's a huge stain on your life?"
"Don't get me wrong. Just because it's a stain I wish I never had doesn't mean I'm not trying to make the best of the filthy mess. Even more, that place is the Home of kids like me who were also abandoned, a place for them to call theirs. So, I wish you won't tear it down for their sake."
I was right; she was hiding something. It just wasn't what I thought it was. It's wild that what she truly wanted was the same thing she acts like she could do without. She acted like she didn't give a fuck what happened to the Home, but in reality, she cared.
I haven't seen her talking this way about the Home before. I stared at her transfixed, making sure she was the one talking and not April.
"But I'm no philanthropist; I'm an investor and businessman. Huge funds were put down for this job I oversee, meaning I must get it done."
I watched her face return to the calm smile she had on before I asked her who she was waiting for.
"Yeah, I know that," she attested, like I'd said something agreeable.
Oh, fuck. Where did the sweet Rose from a few seconds ago go? My blunt response must've displaced her a bit.
But I need her back to keep begging. How else do I propose a better deal that would give me access to those records if she's complacent?
"But I guess you're right," I added, hiding my desperation, "about it being a home for those kids. Only a monster would destroy the hope of over thirty children, and I'm not such a monster."
I watched as her excitement sparked up again, and I was impressed at my skills.
"Really, Jacob? Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
I nodded, smiling. Rose was stubborn and equally brave, but this passionate side of her was new to me. Now, either a psychopath was playing me, or I'd truly misjudged her.
"Yes, I am," I replied in preparation to add a clause that might reduce her excitement, "but at the same time, I run a company, and I have some investors to impress—"
"Uh... So, you need an excuse," she cuts in. "We can throw a fundraiser and invite your investor friends to come and donate to Cantia for charity. Rich people love sobby shit like that, don't they?"
"But my investor friends won't accept random charity invites from trustees they're unfamiliar with," I informed, testing her resilience.
"You've got a point. Then how about you become partners with Cantia?"
"Pardon?"
"I know it's an unnecessary burden, but you said it yourself that your friends won't give a second thought to our invite if it doesn't come from someone they know."
"I did, but—"
"That way, your friends will respond to our invite and surely donate to a charity under your name. A charity they would no longer expect you to take down, and that is your excuse."
I don't hate the idea. She was way more intelligent than I thought. Her proposal made me proud, and for a few seconds, I was silent. Now, it made sense why no one objected to her taking over Cantia's management overnight. The lady can negotiate.
"Alright, fine. I'll help you girls save the Home."
My acceptance sparked back her glee and excitement as she leaned in to kiss me and smiled so beautifully. Have I been a fool all this while underestimating her ability?
"Thank you so much, Jacob. You're the best. Bingo. I can't wait to see the look on April's face when I tell her."
I smiled back and gestured for her to continue her meal. As we ate in comfortable silence, I carefully began to shelf what I'd learned tonight.
Rose cares about Cantia and could be our missing heiress. And if she's not, I'll soon have the records to tell me who and where she could be.
Maybe I should talk to her about April, too. It's not nice to keep using her, especially now that I know she's not as tough as she presented to be.
"Rose, I—" I started, but she cut me off again.
"I like you, Jacob. I really do. And I know what we share doesn't involve emotions, but I don't want you liking someone else while we're together."
I was going to advise her not to try to control me, but something oddly familiar around her neck caught my eyes, and I froze in shock.
It can't be. That's impossible. That can't be the rose-key pendant shimmering under the light above us, right?
But Rose tugged at it nervously as she waited for my reply to her confession, but I suddenly found it hard to breathe or speak as my chest felt constricted.
My mind was stuck on replay as I kept repeating, it can't be real; it's not real. But that pendant looked like the one my mistress had put in my care all those years ago.
How does Rose have that? That pendant in her possession changes everything. Could she really... Is she really who I've been... Fuck! It's her.
How could I have been so careless and missed what had been staring me right in the face? Fucking my late master's daughter and treating her like trash? That alone screws up everything.
I collapsed into my chair, unable to bear all my thoughts, and so did she. She must have mistaken my silence during her love confessions understanding, and I didn't dare correct her.
She maintained a bright smile for the rest of our date, which caused me to smile back painfully as millions of thoughts circled through my mind.
All I can do now is confirm her identity before approaching her about it. To do so, I'll need to investigate discreetly and get those records as soon as possible.
°°°°°°°°°°
April's Pov
When Rose broke the good news of Mr. Ortiz's decision to partner with us and help us save the Home, I was immediately grateful to him. Despite his skepticism and initial coldness, it turns out he had a heart of gold. Now, I felt guilty for thinking the worst of him.
What surprised me the most was that Rose could convince him on just one date with him. I guess I also underestimated her intentions. Was his initial mean demeanor and nonchalance toward the affairs of the Home all a front?
He also agreed to stay here rather quickly when I asked, and I know that convincing people has never been my strongest suit, so how did I do it? I guess it's now safe to put aside all our misunderstandings and misconceptions these past few days and work amicably with each other.
We seem to be getting along reasonably well lately, though. But I wonder if he was still bothered by my personality, as he'd not complained about it lately. I hope I don't still bug him because I like seeing him comfortable and pleasant around me, as he has been lately.
And we share these cute moments that last only a few seconds, but somehow, they draw me into his soft, stray brown eyes—eyes that feel like they know the real me and want me.
I doubt I was the only one affected by our sudden attraction. However, one clear thing is that it was becoming more challenging for us to work alone.
Working beside him on his project, I spent several hours sharpening his pencils or laying out new sheets for him. But I often noticed him staring at me with a strange hunger in his eyes like he wanted to take a bite out of me.
At those moments, I would feel a rush of warmth between my thighs that scared me each time because I turned to jelly under his lustful eyes as they danced around me, appreciating my very existence.
Sometimes, he would ask me about myself to start a conversation. I, on the other hand, would become nervous about telling him anything meaningful he didn't already know.
What the heck is wrong with me? Mr. Ortiz is Rose's man, and I shouldn't have such thoughts about him. I want to stop because it's not right, but I don't know how to. I've never felt this way before, and it scares me.
I even sometimes fantasize about what it would be like if there was something more between us. Of course, I know nothing would ever happen since he's with Rose, and I always remind myself that, but it's never a convincing argument.
To make matters worse, their active display of affection in front of me almost feels targeted, but it doesn't bother me or make me feel differently about him. One would think that was enough to send me on my heels, but no.
I'm not some pathetic pick-me girl in need of attention, so why can't I stop this feeling? Why am I still heading towards him when I should be running away? Even now, I can't stop stealing glances at him as he sits behind his desk and typing away on his laptop like an elegant billionaire boss from a romance novel.
He had called me to photocopy some documents, but this is the first time he has been inside his office since I heard he agreed to partner with us. I felt compelled to express my gratitude towards him, so I went close to his desk.
"I never thought you'd agree to work with us to save this place," I confessed with a smile. "I'm so grateful for your change of heart, sir."
He lifted his eyes to meet mine and flashed me a slight smile, which caused me to blush like a dumb teenager. It's annoying how my mind tends to freeze up in this situation.
"To be honest, it's all thanks to Rose's persuasion. Her reasoning made more sense about why this place should remain standing."
And like a sharp blow to the guts, I felt his words slighting my previous effort at convincing him.
Here we go again. If I could bank on anything, it was his constant reminder that we'd never be anything more than boss and assistant. And I should be okay with that, but why does my poor heart break from hearing his praises of Rose like the idea was originally hers?
Since it was still for our benefit, why does it make me feel disheartened that she could effortlessly convince him, and I couldn't? Does that make me a terrible person?
"I'm glad she did," I mumbled inaudibly, hoping he wouldn't hear me. But he did.
"What do you know about Rose's pendant? You know the one I'm referring to, right?"
His question knocked me off balance briefly. Why was he interested in that all of a sudden?
"I... suppose. What's wrong with it? Did she lose it?"
I was both curious and worried. That pendant has not been mentioned among us in a long time, and for good reason.
She and I almost destroyed each other and our relationship as teenagers because of it, hence my concern of Mr. Ortiz is suddenly curious about it.
Does he... maybe recognize it?
"No, she hasn't. I just wanted to know if she has always had it."
I was partly relieved that she didn't lose it. I was pretty attached to that piece of jewelry, even though I hadn't seen it in a while.
"Pardon me, sir, but I'm not the right person to ask about that. If you would, please excuse me."
I excused myself and returned to what I was doing, half-upset and miffed. There was no greater deafening silence like the one between us after that, but I was glad he didn't press further.
My attitude toward his question might have cemented his misconceptions about me, but it was better than his bringing up matters of that pendant.
Meanwhile, Viktor, on the other hand, grew more jealous of Rose and Mr. Ortiz's relationship, which caused him to become bitter and resentful about it.
I can't imagine how he feels seeing Rose with someone else. He has not dared to tell Rose how he truly felt about her all these years for fear of rejection, and now it might be too late.
That's why he won't stop disparaging Mr. Ortiz for swooping in and snatching his first love from under his nose.
But from my viewpoint and watching them suck on each other's face every day at the office, it was clear that both Rose and Mr. Ortiz are crazy about each other. So, Viktor's misguided assumption of Mr. Ortiz's intention toward Rose was just absurd.
"Don't tell me you trust him now, April," he warns, pacing about in the dining room. "That Jacob dude doesn't give a fuck about anything; he's just taking you all for a ride. He's here for a reason, and I know he'll achieve it regardless of who goes down for it."
Perfect. Just great. That's all I needed before heading to my chambers for the night. Aside from nursing my deflated ego and crushed expectations, I can't believe that I also have to deal with Viktor's suspicions about Jacob rioting in my mind.
"And have you figured out what this sinister reason of his is?" I threw at him.
"Yeah. Have you forgotten his main reason for coming here in the first place? Of course, it's to destroy Cantia and erect his business hub, so why would he change trajectory so fast? And for whom? Try to keep up, will ya?" he employed.
Now, he sounds pathetic. I shook my head in disagreement with his story and was irritated by his constant whining. Honestly, I think I've reached my limit for the day. I'm unwilling to continue entertaining his ridiculous theories.
"Viktor, I'm done with you. Jacob is now in partnership with Cantia, so why would he want to destroy the Home he's now partners with?"
"Oh... he's no longer Mr. Ortiz to you, but Jacob? Don't tell me you've also fallen prey to hi—"
"Because he's finally being helpful to us! Why don't you control your jealousy before it ruins a kind gesture or comes in between everything we've worked for?!"
I snapped but noticed his face drop, so I immediately regretted my harsh words. I think I just transferred my frustration from the office to him, and that's not nice.
"Hey. Don't be mean to me when it's your jerk-ass boss over there who's playing with y'all's feelings," he retorts.
I knew I had to apologize, but I also had my sore feelings to handle at the moment. So, I repeated what I said in anger more calmly.
"I didn't mean to sound harsh, but I beg you, Viktor. Don't ruin this one good thing that has finally come from our several months of pining."
And with that, I left him and headed to my room. I was still sore because Mr. Ortiz would never reciprocate my rising feelings for him, but even I had got to get my head out of my ass and do what was needed.
I needed a clear head to host a brilliant fundraiser for his high-net-worth friends visiting Cantia in a few weeks.
I laid down after freshening up but couldn't sleep all night. My mind kept returning to why Mr. Ortiz mentioned Rose's pendant out of the blues. What if he knew something about its origin? And if he does, do I want to know?