Chapter 2

"What took you too long?" Ivana was obviously annoyed with her long-time boyfriend.

"I'm sorry. I got stuck in the heavy traffic," Jacob replied. He kissed Ivana on her cheeks before he sat down.

"How about what I'm asking you to do? Have the villagers agreed?" Jacob noticed that it was quiet around. He looked around. "Where are your employees here? Why are there no waiters serving? I want some wine," he said.

Ivana sighed as she looked at her freshly cleaned nails. "I already sent them home. I know it will took you too long to arrive here," she said without any emotion.

Jacob took a deep breath before he got the elegant red dress out of the paper bag. He walked towards Ivana's back. He hugged and kissed her like he used to do every single day.

"Jacob, I'm not in the mood. Can you just go back to your seat?" Ivana said. Her eyebrows furrowed.

"Babe, please don't get mad at me. Look. I bought something for you." Jacob smiled and showed the red dress to Ivana. His girlfriend loves red dresses so he's expecting her to feel ecstatic and grateful but...

"I don't like the design. It's too old-fashioned. '' Ivana rolled her eyes before she removed Jacob's hands from her shoulders. She stood up from sitting in front and then walked away from her boyfriend.

Jacob put back the red dress he bought inside the paper bag.

"Babe, what's wrong? I already apologized for being late. I was also only late for five minutes. Why are you like that? I didn't commit a serious mistake," Jacob said while holding the paper bag, tightly.

Ivana grinned and looked at Jacob intently.

"What's the date today?" Ivana asked gently.

"What?" Jacob asked back.

"I said, what's the date today?" Ivana repeated herself. She tapped her feet on the floor while raising her eyebrows. She was really annoyed because the whole day went by without Jacob even greeting her on her special day.

"July 22." Jacob stopped for a moment. "Oh shit!" He quickly walked closer to Ivana.

"See? You forgot that it's my birthday! Is it your hobby every year, Jacob? Honestly, what am I really for you?"

"Babe, do you really need to ask me about that? Isn't it obvious? I love you! I love you so much! I REALLY DO! Don't you feel that?" His eyes showed how hurt he was.

Ivana gritted her teeth.

"Common Jacob! You're turning the situation upside down again! If I'm important to you, why do you keep on forgetting my birthday?" Ivana's voice rose slightly. It's a good thing that she and Jacob are the only people in her restaurant because otherwise, she will be the main topic of her employees the next day.

"I'm sorry. Can we just ... forget about it? I buy you gifts almost every day. We also eat out almost every day. Maybe, those were the reasons why I always forget the date of your birth!" Jacob exclaimed.

Ivana stepped closer to Jacob before she let out a small laugh. She took the paper bag from Jacob's hand.

"I'm grateful that you know my favorite dress color but look at this design! I will look like a maid when I wear it!"

Jacob's eyes widened when Ivana suddenly threw the clothes on the floor. He had worked so hard to find it. Yes, he went to six malls just to find that kind of design plus, it cost a fortune! Jacob pulled out his hair when Ivana stepped on the dress.

"I'm so done with you! You know what Jacob, I feel so sorry for myself that I came back to you! I wish I had chosen to stay next to your half-brother, Jackson!"

Jacob bit his lower lip while clenching his fists.

'Jacob, calm down. Ivana was just angry that's why she said those things. Do what you're supposed to do!' he thought.

Ivana raised her eyebrows when Jacob suddenly knelt in front of her. "What are you doing?" she asked.

"Ivana, please spend the rest of your life with me. Will you … marry me?" Jacob could hear his heartbeats clearly, at the moment. His heart was beating too fast because of nervousness. He was also sweating cold.

Jacob's lips gradually curved when Ivana supported him to stand on his feet. He remembered how the girl had forced him to fight for his right as a Gray. Ivana is the reason why he is successful today. He received more than recognition from his father because of her. He also inherited as much as his brother Jackson had.

Ivana should feel ecstatic right now but that's not how she felt. She hugged Jacob tightly and then patted him on the back.

"Keep that ring. Let's break up Jacob. I'm sorry. I hope you'll find the right woman for you." Ivana kissed Jacob on his cheek before she left.

The CEO sat on the floor. He let go of the ring and it rolled towards the door.

Jacob slapped himself several times. He wanted to believe that it was all a dream but he was wrong. It's true that the woman he wanted to be with until he was old has had left him. He was screaming while punching the floor. He cried for the first time because of a woman.

"Sir, please stop at the next street. Please wait for me here. I'm just going to get something," said Freya before getting off the tricycle.

"Mom, I'll just wait here."

"Are you sure Yael? You don't want to come with me inside the restaurant?" Freya assured.

Yael nodded in confirmation.

"Sir, please look after my son." Freya secretly took out her cellphone and took a picture of the tricycle driver they were riding.

Freya was singing as she walked towards the restaurant where she’s working as a part time waitress. When she opened the door, she was about to walk to her locker when she noticed the shining ring on the floor. She slowly turned and bent down to pick up the ring.

"Gold! It's so beautiful! Wait, is it a diamond?" Freya bit the ring. "It looks like it's really authentic and expensive! Whose ring could this be?" said Freya. She looked around and saw no one. She didn't see Jacob because he was sitting on the floor. The young man also stopped crying and ranting.

"Lord, will you give it to me? Shall I pawn it so that Yael and I will have pocket money to go to Escueza? Hmm… Gold and diamond's market value appreciate over time. I'll keep it for now!"

Freya was about to put the ring in her pant's pocket when she suddenly heard footsteps approaching her. She even made the sign of the cross when she remembered the rumor that a white lady often appeared in that restaurant late at night. Freya almost jumped out of fear when someone spoke behind her.

"Take your hands off my ring!" Jacob said.

Freya's face seemed to run out of red blood when she saw Jacob's angry reflection in the glass door.

"Hey! Give me back my ring!" Jacob said while rubbing his forehead.

Freya closed her eyes for a moment. She took a deep breath, then she counted from one to three in her mind.

'One. Two. Three.'

Freya hastily stood up and ran towards the tricycle. She was carrying the ring. She didn’t even look back while running since she didn't want Jacob to see her barefaced. She was panting when she rode on the tricycle.

“S-sir, c-come on! L-let’s go … Come on! Start the engine!" Freya said frantically.

"Mom, what's going on?" Yael frowned. When he saw the rushing Jacob, he was amazed. He even rubbed his eyes because he looked just like that man. "Is someone chasing you, mom?"

Freya shook her head as she took a drink of mineral water. She finished it with just one drink.

"I think mommy saw a ghost, son!"

"Really, mom?" Yael asked in shock. 'Maybe it was really my daddy! What I saw is a ghost? Why did he show up? Did he miss us so much that he fled from heaven?' Yael thought while looking at her mom.

"Just kidding, son! Come on!" Freya hugged her son tightly. 'What's going on? Why did I see that man again?' thought Freya.

'Then mommy didn't see daddy? What a waste!'

Freya looked at the ring that belonged to Jacob. It fits perfectly on her finger. Due to panic earlier, she suddenly put the ring on her finger. She even imagined what could happen next if her ex-boyfriend met her. She just returned to her senses when Yael spoke at her.

"Mom, why does that car seem to be following us?" Yael said while looking at the car tailing the one they were riding in.

Freya swallowed one after the other while holding her chest. She could clearly hear her heartbeats. She was also sweating cold.

'Oh God! Why is this happening to me?' Freya thought.