Jacques watched the two dogs eating from their bowls. She figured why the two bowls were kept apart. These two are extremely hungry dogs and liked to steal the other's food resulting in fights.From the bowls, she learned the names of the dogs. The bigger one was called Duke and the younger one was Earl."Earl, no!" She stopped the dog from getting close to Duke's bowl for the ninth time. The younger one was naughtier and more fearless than Duke.Although these two acted like goofy buffoons, she could see they are extremely intelligent and very friendly. She was ashamed of getting scared of them the first time around.Earl was with her the whole time and then brought her to the kitchen when he got hungry. He knew where the food was kept and in his own way asked Jacques to let Duke in.It was amazing how that dog could convey what he wanted in a way she understands.She wondered how the other dogs would be fed and opened the door to have a look. She met eyes with a big guy holding a bi
Jeremy tried to find the towel, but his brain shut up and he forgot where he kept it. He is someone who prefers to air dry since he lives alone. If he walks to the kitchen, has a beer, and gets back to his room, he'd be dry.Where do I keep my towels?Her broken voice made him pause his search and he looked at her. She looked terrible would be an understatement to describe her condition."Uncle Pat... heart attack. Aunt Becky called... I..."Jacques couldn't even finish her sentences as she was holding back her sobs. When she almost lost all confidence thinking that she might end up in prison, contemplating if she should consult a lawyer before she takes the next step, she received a call from Aunt Becky and she didn't know what to do.Jeremy took a deep breath. He knew how much she loved Patrick Davis and it would be devastating for her."Which hospital?" he asked and she stared blankly at him. "Jacques?""I don't know... she called for an ambulance and... St.Bart maybe? I'll...""It
"What are you doing here, grandpa?" Jeremy asked and Jacques turned away."Why can't I be here? Do you own this place?" The old man's voice was haughty. Jacques decided to leave since he has nothing to do with her.As she took a step forward, the cane suddenly was thrust in front of her legs. If she wasn't quick on her feet, she'd have fallen face-first on the floor.She knitted her brows and looked at the old man and he scoffed."Is she your wife?" Alexander Volkonsky asked Jeremy while patting Jacques's knees with his cane. Jacques took a sidestep to avoid his cane and he stared at her from top to bottom."She's pretty. It's probably her genes," with a nod he looked at Jeremy, "And aren't you two made for each other? Both of you dress like a bum," he said and waved his walking stick. "Step aside, bum. I have to meet my good old friend.""Which friend, grandpa?" Jeremy walked with the old man while he tried to push him away.Jacques shrugged and looked at herself. She was wearing her
"I am fine..." Jacques moved aside since getting away from his hand. She thought he'd be angry for walking out alone and dragging his name creating trouble for his men.Looking in his eyes that seemed a little tired, she didn't find anger no matter how hard she searched."Thank you for helping me out there," she decided to probe to see if he was hiding his anger."Did they approach you or-""No, I thought they were harassing Gina and intervened. Turns out..." she gulped seeing his eyes turning serious. She knew she need not feel guilty for taking a walk, but her heart was pounding."You don't believe me when I say gangs are trying to kill you, do you?" His voice was stern. She gripped the hem of her shirt and twisted it between her fingers as she got nervous.Indeed, she didn't believe him. She knew it was his scare tactic to keep her in line. In fact, the incident before proved she doesn't have a hit on her. Those guys didn't even know her. If she walked past them, no one would have
"Twisted..." Jeremy muttered and let out a snort dodging her hand and she took a couple of steps back with her face filled with fear.Of course, she'd call his love twisted. She never tried to understand him. She came to his life like the moon fairy one day and then she returned up to the sky forgetting him. He's been howling at the moon ever since. She never looked back at him.Stalking? Kidnapping? Killing? Is that how she sees it all? All I wanted was her safety.Is he twisted? Probably, yes. And he still didn't want to let her go. He is twisted, definitely."Let's go," he placed his hand at the small of her back.She gritted her teeth without saying anything and moved away.At that time, his phone rang. It was the ringtone for his sister and his heart skipped a beat wondering if Emma might be in trouble. This is the first time she is calling after she left for her honeymoon. She won't call him unless there is trouble.Jacques turned and saw him getting his phone from the pocket in
Jacques had her fill and stretched herself. Maybe because she didn't sleep the entire night, she felt a little giddy, but since she had coffee, she knew she could go on for some more time without sleep.She could only imagine how the old Aunt Becky would be feeling right now. She picked up her phone to call Aunt Becky to check what she wants for breakfast."There is a family dinner at Chestershire Mansion in a couple of days to welcome Emma and her husband. We'll be attending together to talk about our wedding ceremony."Jacques heard that grating voice from behind her and her lips curved to a wry smile. There was no reason for her to feel bad. He stopped her to show her how happy his sister is and since she left, he wants her to see for herself.Stupid! Did you think anyone needs your care? Whether you're good or bad, no one will care. You lived an upright life before and still, you lost everything. Even if you act badly, no one will care.And... Did he say wedding ceremony? There is
"You have some nerve to lie through your teeth," Patrick Davis knitted his brows. If Jacques saw him now, she wouldn't believe this is her gentle uncle Pat."Haha... were you offended?" Alexander Volkonsky chuckled and seated himself on the bench.Patrick rolled his eyes and Rebecca held his hand with a smile. Seeing her beautiful smile, Patrick calmed down."I asked for your assistance four months back," Patrick complained.Alexander sighed. "I had bypass surgery and-""Liar!" Patrick interjected. "There was no news about that!""Oi, dimwit! When a company is worth billions, they won't announce the health scares of the founder unless they want the stocks to crash," he snorted."So you can't decide anything for yourself and your board members will be making the decisions about your life," Patrick smirked. " That is some life you are leading... Do you have autonomy over anything?"Alexander rolled his eyes. He couldn't deny what he said. "No, I weep as I lie on my bed framed with gold,
Jacques was avoiding her boss' phone calls since she knew why he calls. She had already spent the money he sent to her, to pay for Uncle Pat's medical bills and she cannot return the money to him.And she cannot ask TJ to stop threatening her boss, because her relationship with him is not good. Well, it is worse, to be honest.But she knew her boss cannot file a complaint against her since there is no proof that she extorted him for money. He sent the money of his own volition imagining that she is asking for money. He said it was her severance pay and she can spend it however she wants to."It's David Millman? Why is he calling you?" Jeremy asked. He hasn't received any report that Trevor Millman contacted the Shard Viper yet. So why is David bothering her? Is he trying to intimidate her?Jacques wondered if speaking the truth would change his mind. But she decided to give it a try since she didn't want him to go bankrupt without the supplies."Mr. Millman sent me severance pay and a
Jeremy tried to regain his balance after he was pushed and he saw the little figure falling on the floor. He balanced himself and saw the little figure kneeling as the tiger was in an attack stance.Oh, No!Jacques was not willing to die."No, Khan!" She shouted and crossed her forearms to cover her face. She shut her eyestightly as if that would have her.Her voice was loud and clear and that was followed by Wyatt's authoritative command."Khan, stay."Just a second after Jacques felt something warm and soft hugging her and she opened her eyes to see little Benny hugging her.She felt a strong pull from behind her and a lot of shouts. Thankfully she didn't hear any weapon going off.She saw the distance between the tiger and her increasing and the big cat getting pulled back by Wyatt.She didn't know how it happened but the tiger looked calmer now."You okay, Jacques?" That familiar voice was shaking in terror and the next she felt was everything around her blackening as she was surr
Jacques's heart pounded looking at the sharp eyes of Wyatt. The tiger was staring right at her and licked its lips.Jacques felt a shiver passing through her spine.Fear of death...She used to foolishly think for some time that death would end it all and death is a sweet release from worldly troubles.But now, facing the big threat in front of her, she realized that she wanted to live more than she thought she did.She gulped seeing Wyatt taking a puff with an odd smirk looking at her. She was terrified.But she stared right back at Wyatt. She remembered Jeremy's words that even Shaun's boss cannot hurt her.I am Joel's woman. I cannot show myself to be weak when he is near me!She felt a big hand enveloping hers. That familiar big hand was rough and warm.Yeah, I am in the safest place on earth.I am by Joel's side!"Come to the point, Wyatt. Don't waste my time," Jeremy said, placing her hand on his lap.It was like he is assuring her that he is by her side and no one can touch her
Jacques couldn't take her eyes off the little boy with pretty green eyes. Those eyes reminded her of Gerard and the baby she lost.She fixed the long unkempt hair of the boy by running her fingers through them. The boy had a pleasing smile. He was shy at first but then started to play with her hair.She got some snacks for the boy from the others and he was happily chomping on them while talking non-stop.Should I just bring him with me?Jacques wondered. His father left him out in the cold. He wouldn't mind if someone else raises his son, right?But... She was told that Wyatt came running here as soon as he heard the news that his son is with Jeremy. News from Wyatt's town is that he was searching every nook and corner of his town for his son.Ugh!Jeremy, sitting at a distance from her, watched her without blinking. She was casually wiping the boy's snot, wiping his face, and was holding him the whole time.And the smile on her face...He could see a different kind of smile on her f
And that's when she saw some movement behind the tiger. She thought she saw a piece of clothing sometime before, but she dismissed it.But now, that piece of clothing has moved.Is that a child?All of a sudden, she could move. She saw Jeremy pointing the weapon at the tiger and there were some tens of the volunteers pointing their weapons."Don't shoot!!!" Jacques waved her hand and walked towards the tiger.She wasn't thinking about anything but that child. They might shoot at the tiger but the child is bound to get hurt.Jeremy was stunned.Is she really walking towards the tiger? Is she trying to protect the tiger? She was scared of the huskies and now she is walking towards a....Is she stupid?He signaled others not to shoot but his weapon was trained on the tiger."Reckless idiot!" he mumbled, seeing the tiger crouching a bit as if it was going to lunge.Second, he felt his heart slipping to the pit of his stomach. He heard a ringing noise in his ear and his eyes darkened.The t
Jacques was surprised to see the number of pickup trucks lined up in the road. Noticing Jeremy's car, they all gave way to him. She oddly felt proud, although she knew this respect was for Jeremy.He's the King, alright?She didn't think that many would volunteer for this when today is Black Friday and was impressed.Rather than shopping for Christmas, they preferred to help every kid have a Christmas tree in their home?"That's a lot of volunteers," Jacques said."Yeah, every year the number of volunteers is increasing and the number of trees needed is decreasing," Jeremy said, waving his hand to Charlie parking his truck."So more people are buying fake Christmas trees these days?" Jacques said with a chuckle."Ha... That's a very genius observation, Chippy! "Jeremy turned to look at her with a teasing smile."Chippy? Not you too, Brutus," she hit him in the arm.Actually, she understood what that meant. It just means the prospects of the households in this area is getting better an
Jacques stayed silent as she didn't know what to say."I had terrible morning sickness and it was a time when I had a promising career ahead. I was just twenty-nine and I thought it was not the right time for the baby. So I..." Dr. Kruger took a deep breath."It's rare... complications after abortion... but...I became an Attending Physician... When I decided it is time for me to become a mother...It... five miscarriages, going through all the fertility treatments available, clinical depression, and a suicide attempt later, I quit my job and my husband brought me here. John... he was my pillar of support..." Dr. Kruger wiped her eyes."No one here knows this... Not even Jeremy..."Jacques got up and squatted beside Dr. Kruger and held her hand. She could feel the pain in the doctor's heart."I got better here. My husband, bless his soul, he's the one good thing I did right in my life. He did a lot for me, lost a lot for me, but he never even thought of losing me... And Jeremy... When w
Sometime later, Scarlett's family joined them in the backyard and they all played games and chatted merrily. Except for Scarlett and Jacques, everyone else got drunk.Jacques helped Scarlett in taking care of the leftovers and cleaning the kitchen. Then Scarlett decided to stay in her parents' home and Scarlett's brother helped bring Bobby there.Both Jeremy and Bobby were too drunk to drive. Jacques decided to drive Jeremy home but Dr. Kruger asked her to stay the night here since it had gotten late already."I can drive..." Jeremy said with a slur."Go to bed," Dr. Kruger patted his back."Yes, mom," Jeremy hugged her. "I love you, mom. So much.""Me too, Jerry. I love you," Dr. Kruger said with a chuckle and patted his back."Jeryl...Jerly...Jacques..." he started giggling as he slurred.He walked towards Jacques holding out his hands, "My wife, my love... here... let me..." he puckered his lips and tried to kiss her.Maybe he was seeing double, he couldn't quite catch her lips and
Jacques once accidentally got in contact with acid when she was in school. It was just a drop and the acid wasn't very concentrated and even then it gave her a first-degree burn.If this acid is for hurting her, it should be a concentrated acid.How much will it hurt if Jeremy pours it on Stella? Won't her bones melt?A shiver ran down Jacques's spine.Wait...It could've been me!That acid... it might have landed on my face!Viper... Viper is the guy who wants me dead and this woman for her own benefit made a deal with him!Without saying anything, Jacques turned to walk inside.Stella's sobs intensified and she knelt on the floor knowing her fate."Please... Linny... please... help me... I wasn't thinking..."Jacques almost stopped hearing that pitiful cry, but then she walked without stopping.It could have been me.Scarlett hugged baby Cia in her bosom as they walked at a larger pace towards Bobby's house. Soon after, they heard the sound of glass shattering on the floor, followed
"Stella!"Hearing Jacques walking closer, Jimmy stepped aside.Jacques's stepmother walked in with a bright smile replacing the scowl she had till then, as soon as she heard Jacques."What brings you here?" Jacques put on a bright smile to match her stepmother's."Oh, dear," Stella wrapped her arms around Jacques for a hug and Jacques put up with it.She saw Scarlett behind Stella and she pulled out her phone to record after passing the baby to Bobby. Jacques nodded with a smile.They predicted the next one to come for her under the nudge of Emma would be her stepmother.Jacques hasn't paid a cent for them for more than two months and they have never lived without her money and it would be hard for them to survive.They do not know how to spend thriftily and not to mention all the debts they are under.After talking to Gina, Jacques never cared for them. Although her stepmother would be too proud to talk to her, Emma would have found a way to make her come to her. And recently Charlie