When Jacques woke up, she felt the gentle breeze on her face. She was still sitting in the car, but they had already reached home.Did he leave me because I was asleep? He could have woken me up rather than leave me in the car...She yawned and started to unbuckle her seatbelt, but paused hearing the slight murmur the wind carried. It seemed like Jeremy and Charlie were conversing about something serious. She decided not to eavesdrop, but when she heard her name, she decided to listen.Her heart pounded as if she was breaking into the Louvre Museum since she is not used to eavesdropping. Jeremy and Charlie were at a distance talking and their voices were very dull. Jacques couldn't even hear properly.But then, the wind changed direction and she heard their voices a little better."...I was wrong to ask you to respect her as my wife. You saw how she acted before...that's her true self. That's who she is. Respect her for who she is..."He's asking his people to respect me! Does that me
Jeremy, overwhelmed by his emotions and the immense high given by her feminine scent wafting into his senses, got closer to her. His arms gently lifted her close to him and his lips wanted to unite with hers."No," she said and her eyes widened.The next thing he felt was her cold fingertips on his lips and even that coldness gave him an odd warmth all over her body. But he knew she was resisting and he decided not to go through with his desires.But before he lowered her down, she jumped from his embrace and within seconds she ran up the stairs and got inside her room. He heard the sound of the door locking and an odd feeling of loneliness washed up in his heart."That girl is really fast, isn't she? Like a squirrel... Bobby was right to give her that nickname."Jeremy sighed hearing that familiar voice."Mark! What brings you here?" He got down from the stairs."You should start locking your doors, Jerry," Mark poured himself the rum he helped himself."The tigers are very quiet aft
"That's Duke when he was a puppy..."Jacques's heart almost jumped out of her chest hearing Jeremy's voice right by her ear. She hadn't realized that he was standing behind her. Or maybe she stared at that picture for too long.His hand reached and grabbed the photograph."Isn't he cute here..?" he chuckled gently. "He's my lucky charm."Only after he rescued this dog from an addict, he met Jacques and his life changed after that. And that's why he considered him as his lucky charm. And although huskies are said to be working dogs and not guard dogs, Duke is smart and he can do what is asked of him.Jeremy stood beside Jacques and she saw the genuine smile on his face. He must love that mean-looking dog – she thought. And that dog loves him too."He should be over ten now, right?" Jacques asked."Yes, but how did you guess?" he asked with his eyes wide.Oops! I cannot tell Jeremy that I guessed Duke's age by the style of the beard he had back then!"So is Earl Duke's grandson?" she as
I can see she is trying to make me believe she has something with Jeremy but is she realizing she is forcing a kiss on Jeremy? Jeremy – the leader of a gang, who can smash human skulls?Jacques gulped seeing Jeremy's jaws clenching with fury. Tara tried to pull him closer to her lips but she couldn't. Having failed, she tried to get closer to his lips but Jeremy held her wrists.Oh, please don't snap her wrists, Jeremy! That's going to be a lawsuit!"Joel!" Jacques walked closer with her secretarial smile after quickly dishevelling her shirt collar. "Something is sticking on your..." she went and held his hand. "Ah... there, I got it," she pulled out a hair only visible to her eyes and blew it away into the invisible ether that fills the universe.As she expected, Jeremy let go of Tara's hands and started to fix her collar. He's a lot like Earl. Nothing works better on him as distraction does."Thank you," Jacques smiled at Jeremy and he went back to his seat getting the documents fro
Tara didn't know what to think of Jacques. She was emotional but in the face of the woman sitting in front of her, she saw no ripples. It was like that woman wasn't even scared of her arrival and it hurt her."We were... I thought I had a chance, but... he..."Back then, she saw how much Jeremy wanted to improve the lives of the people here and that's why she fell in love with him. They met with a misunderstanding and Jeremy was very wild back then. She hated him, but slowly her hate turned to love.She tried to confess, but he'd always escape. He helped her get into law school knowing that's what she wanted. He knew her feelings but he never stayed alone with her and never gave her a chance. 'dating isn't for me' he used to say, but then he did a 180 after he met her.Yes, this one right in front of her...Even after rumors that he likes "little girls" were spread, he didn't give her up. It was shameful for a leader like him, who can rally the support of everyone, to be bewitched by
"Scar..!" Jacques looked at Scarlett."What is it?" Scarlett sat beside Jacques. "I told you not to interact with Tara. What did she say? And what did that hothead yell? The whole office shook with his roar.""He... it's not his fault... It's..." Jacques sat hugging her knees."Look at you taking his side!" Scarlett smiled and patted her back. "So what bothers you?""Scar, what will happen if Emma reveals my past relationship with Gerard to everyone? Won't the townsfolk stone me to death?" Jacques looked at Scarlett.Scarlett could get what Jacques means. Jeremy is a celebrity here and his personal life would be discussed by all. If they find out everything, there is a chance that they think that Jacques somehow managed to worm her way into Jeremy's life with an agenda. And they won't take it well.But she was sure Jeremy thought about it all already and had a plan in case it was revealed. And most of them are very happy Jeremy is finally getting married and they won't care about anyt
"Come on, quick! It's been a long time since I've had guests staying over in our home," Scarlett was excited."Yeah, yeah..." Jacques chuckled as she balanced her phone between her ear and shoulder while packing some of her stuff. "I'll be there in five minutes.""Yes! Quick!" Scarlett screeched followed by baby Cia and Jacques ended the call with a smile."That's a big bag... Let me carry..."Jacques raised her eyebrows meeting with the big man waiting by her door. Earl was beside him wagging his tail rubbing her legs and Duke had his don't-care attitude as always."It's not heavy..."Jacques's words fell on deaf ears and the bag was grabbed by his rough hands and he walked towards the stairs while Jacques followed."You can return anytime. Odin and others won't hurt you... Or if you're scared, call me and I'll come and get you. Jacques, I am sure it would be hard for you to sleep at night. Are you sure you want to stay there?" he stopped in the middle of the stairs and Jacques let o
Why does he remember what I told him in the past a week ago? Why does he hand me an expensive car as if it is nothing? Why does he care for my every need without even asking? I laughed at him and still he is...My heart hurts.Why am I minding his acts? Is it because he genuinely cares for me? Was it because I was never cared for like this before?Calm down, heart... Don't get used to his pampering. You cannot stay with him forever.He is Emma's brother!.Jacques took in a deep breath and returned the keys. "Jeremy, I don't know how to drive a Porsche. I'll get a cab. So-""Jacques..." he placed the car keys back in her hand and held it. "It's fine. Keep this. Don't think too much about it. This... it doesn't mean anything. I thought I would like this car, but it is too small... I told you about my phobia, right? I don't like sitting inside this car. And it would be a waste if it just rusts in the garage. So drive it around. You'll be doing me a favor."Jacques stopped and stared at h
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