The accountant threw his arms around Jackson’s leg just as he started toward the door, crying, “No, no, Mr. West, please! I’m begging you! My parents… They are in ill health, Mr. West! My mom needs meds to survive! If they heard of this, I don’t think they would be able to stomach it at all! Please, please… I can return that money, I swear, I swear—”The accountant wept, but no amount of tears could soften Jackson’s heart. Everyone had that little line in their mind that, when crossed, would compel one to deny others mercy. Jackson’s happened to align with the law.Shrugging the accountant off of him, he returned to the office without sparing the teary accountant so much as a glance.Tiffany and Amy, whose ears were perked up to listen in on everything, sat up straight and solemnly when he walked in.Jackson’s steam did not seem to have petered out, though, which was evident in the way he furiously flipped through the documents in his desk as though he could not find the exact pape
When it was near the original time to get off work, Tiffany felt mild aches flaring up all over her waist, shoulders, and back. She leaned onto her chair, feeling a little burned out.Desperate, she sent a text to Jackson: ‘Are you sure we’re supposed to work overtime tonight? Can I say no? Like, I think I’m about to fall apart. Can I request for leave? If you don’t reply to me, I’ll assume the answer is yes.’Tiffany had expected the man to be too busy with whatever was occupying his time to spare her any attention, yet his reply was lightning-fast. ‘No overtime? Only if you join me at the hotel. It’s this, or stay in the company. Choose.’The term “hotel” cued Tiffany to jump into more risqué imaginations; however, when part of her mind reminded her of her pregnancy, her eagerness dissipated. She replied to him a little guiltily, ‘Why do you want me at the hotel, hmm? I’ll be upfront; I’m not into casual sex. And also, we broke up.’To her shock, Jackson’s next reply came from ca
Jackson went into the elevator first, followed by a very dawdling Tiffany. To accommodate her, he courtly reached out to the side of the elevator doors to stop them from shutting.It was a little gesture, but it was enough to add a few more regrets into Tiffany’s mind. She was really beginning to wonder if she had been jinxed by some kind of vodou when she wanted to break up with him.Jackson had said nothing the whole time they were inside the elevator. He stared ahead while wearing a stoic, uncaring expression as he casually tucked his hands into both pockets of his jeans. He had rolled up his sleeves to about his elbows, hence exposing a small section of his ivory-fair skin. Clasped on his left wrist was an expensive luxury watch that betrayed his social status.If one were to describe the aura Jackson exuded, it would be that he was seventy-percent gallantry blended with thirty-percent knavishness.During their descent, several other guests in the hotel boarded the same elevato
Jackson’s patience had reached its peak. He stared at her gloomily. “Do you have to do this to me? What the hell are we? Won’t you…” Be with me?He kept the final part of his sentence to himself, because he couldn’t control the tremors in his voice.Tiffany hung her head. “It’s not that… Aren’t we going to eat? Let’s grab a bite. I’m hungry.”Jackson didn’t answer. He strode quickly to the car, obviously enraged. Tiffany heaved a sigh and quickly followed him. She was waiting for him to speak but did not receive those words.They arrived at the steakhouse. Jackson automatically ordered her favorite medium-rare steak, as he knew her preferences. In the past, he’d always order for her whenever they went out for a meal. She wanted to tell him that she couldn’t take rare meat, but she didn’t, so she added onto the order, asking for a bowl of pasta. Tiffany ignored the steak once it was served. Instead, she finished her bowl of pasta. Food portions were small in this restaurant, so sh
Jackson immediately rose to his feet. “Okay. I’m coming home at once. Where is she hurt? Is it serious?”Jackson heaved a sigh of relief when he heard that Summer had only hurt her leg. After ending the call, he turned to Tiffany and said, “You enjoy your meal. My mother’s been in an accident, so I have to rush home. I’ll pay for the meal. We’ll talk on the phone later.”He had already disappeared before Tiffany could answer. She felt slightly disappointed but was worried about Summer at the same time. When she arrived home, she waited until Jackson had nearly arrived home before calling him. “Is Mrs. West alright?” she asked.Jackson was in the hospital. “It’s nothing serious. Her right leg is broken. She’s complaining about her troubles in her old age, that she’s always getting hurt and is worried that she’ll end up a cripple. She’s in a pretty good mood. It’s late, why aren’t you asleep? Get an early night’s rest. Gotta go.”She did not insist on continuing the conversation. She
Aristotle seemed more energetic now that his fever was gone. His appetite had returned too. Arianne was relieved. She forced Mark to leave. She couldn’t possibly let the baby’s illness drag the entire family down. It’s not like they had to stay next to him all day.Meanwhile, in a different hospital, Jackson stayed by Summer’s bedside the entire night. The next morning, he bought lychees and grapes at his mother’s request and peeled them for her. He put the bowl in her hands. “I think, aside from the inconvenience from your bad leg, nothing’s really stopping you from eating. Don’t you have a chauffeur? What happened?”Summer complained as she ate. “Seriously, my chauffeur has always been a steady driver. It’s been so many years. His wounds are more serious than mine. Go and buy some supplements and pay him a visit later. His injuries are considered work-related, so we’ll pay for whatever’s necessary in the medical bills. Everything was fine when we went out yesterday, but then a car
Tiffany had just arrived at the office when she received the message and immediately replied: ‘I’ve heard from Jackson that you’ve been in an accident. I was just thinking of coming home to visit you this weekend. I’ll drive home after work this Friday.’The lychee in Summer’s mouth seemed to taste extra sweet once she saw that message. Since Jackson couldn’t go over, then having Tiffany come home would be no different. She happily replied: ‘Okay. Then come straight to my house after arriving home on Friday night. I should be discharged by then. I’ll have delicious food waiting for you. We’ll eat together when you arrive.’Tiffany calculated the time and decided to take the afternoon off on Friday, then go home straight away. Summer was still longing for her after the accident. She couldn’t make her wait that long.Jackson drove to Eric’s home immediately after leaving the hospital. The house was spotless thanks to the housekeeper. Everything was neat and tidy. Eric sat in the livin
“Yes, there’s one regret,” Eric instantly replied.That’s right, life was full of regrets. In the end, there was no time to fix them all.Suddenly, Jackson turned serious. “Don’t worry. I’ll get her back. My wayward ways have long been drowned by her every twinkle and smile, ever since I met her. I’ve never loved anyone like her. I never thought of marriage until I met her. You go back to your drawing. I’ll take you for a walk around some greenery this weekend. We’ll go somewhere cooling. Don’t forget to leave your sketches to me. I want… something to remember you by.”Eric nodded. “Sure.”…Time was always moving at an inadvertent pace. One always wanted to hold onto it, but at the same time, could only watch as time slipped away. Friday arrived in the blink of an eye. Aristotle was discharged and sent home. He was just as cheerful as ever, blissfully unaware of the big scare that he had just given to Arianne and Mark.Arianne didn’t get to sleep much over the past few days. S