CHAPTER 7

In the morning, Jacob was surprised to see his cousin waiting for him. She was dressed to kill as if she’s going to walk on a fashion show. Usually, he wouldn’t eat his breakfast at home and he wondered if Jenny has a prior appointment when she followed him towards the garage.

            “Are you going somewhere?” He asked when she stood close to his car as if she wanted to hitch a ride. When she didn't answer right away, he narrowed his eyes at Jenny because she acted differently. There was an unusual glint inside her eyes as if she's excited about something. "Are you in love?" He asked.

            Jenny nodded and her cousin's eyes widen in disbelief! “I’m going with you to the office,” she replied. After Jacob took Stefan home last night, she went to her grandmother to talk about working at the Wolf Bank. Before her modeling career, she studied Business Management because it was required for everyone in the Gordon Family. Although they were allowed to pursue a different career, a degree in business management was required or risk the wrath of the old woman.

            Jacob frowned at her response that she’s coming to the office with him. “Why? Do you have to make a huge withdrawal?” Jenny’s parents left her a hefty amount for her inheritance and it was managed by Wolf Bank. "And do you have to dress like that when you're only going to withdraw some cash?" 

            “Cash? I don't need cash, Jacob! It’s my first day at work today,” she informed Jacob, and when her cousin lifted his brow to question the validity of her statement, she retrieved her phone and called their grandmother. “Granny, Jacob doesn’t believe me. Can you talk some sense to him?” She whined like a child to her grandmother who helped in raising her, and then she passed the phone to Jacob.

            “Mamoo, what is Jenny talking about?” He asked but after a few seconds, his tone changed suddenly. “If you say so, Madame.” When his grandmother would insist to be called Madame, it would mean she’s serious, and to challenge her decision would be the same as killing himself.

            Throughout the ride to his office, Jacob frowned. Occasionally, he would glance at the woman in the back who was busy checking her make-up. Jenny was beautiful but when it comes to men, she’s stupid and naïve. Although she’s a flirt, she wasn’t a promiscuous one.

            “You’re not going to model for the bank, Jen.” He reminded her when she couldn’t stop rechecking her appearance with a compact mirror she always had in her purse.

            “No, but my happy pill was in the bank so I need to look beautiful.” She replied nonchalantly and continued checking every pore on her face. She wanted to look perfect for Stefan and she couldn't risk being haggard around him.

            Jacob wanted to confirm if her happy pill was Stefan Cuizon but he held back. “He is not interested in you,” he informed her, but Jenny could be the queen of all stubborn people sometimes.

            “Hmmm maybe. But I can make him fall for me and you know that” she assured Jacob that sooner or later, Stefan would fall for her charms. 

             "Well, I'm glad that you have moved on from your ex-boyfriend." Jacob casually mentioned Jenny's ex, and the woman gave him a death stare. The scandal which involved her happened about five years ago, so Jenny has been single for five years. She only stayed at home, and rarely go outside. As he recalled what happened to Jenny when she was ruined, he finally understood why their grandmother allowed her to work in the headquarters. 

            Jacob groaned while he parked the car at his designated parking because he and Jenny grew up together and he knew that Jenny always got what she wanted. “What if you can’t have him?” He inquired after he opened the door for her.

            “You know I can,” she said and winked at his cousin. Then, she didn’t wait for him and walked ahead towards the elevator.

            “Didn’t you learn from the past, Jen? Dating someone who’s not on your level would only cause a problem,” Jacob reminded his sophisticated cousin about the pregnancy rumor about her which ended her modeling career.

            Jenny frowned when she recalled the face of the man who lied to the media. Tanner was bitter about their break-up and thought to ruin her all at once. Well, he got what he wanted. She was ruined! Because her name was tinted with the scandal, no one wanted to have her anymore. “I think he’s different,” Jenny defended Stefan to be different from her ex-boyfriend.

            Jacob shook his head at her stubbornness. She was determined to win Stefan, but what about him? Oh God, what was he thinking? He grumbled at his own thoughts. “There are better men than him,” he persuaded Jenny to stop considering Stefan as her future boyfriend. The new secretary has nothing to offer for Jenny and he suspected Stefan to be an opportunist. He got the looks so it wouldn't be hard for the man to seduce anyone like his mother or Jenny perhaps.

            “I know but I want him,” Jenny declared. “What about you? When are you going to date a woman?” She asked.

            When she was younger, she expected that Jacob would follow the footsteps of the men in their family. However, he’s different! There were rumors about his relationship but she was aware they were all lies. Jacob was an NGSB or no girlfriend since birth.

            “I’m still busy, Jen.” He said.

            “Liar!” She challenged his lie because she knew the reason why he was scared to date anyone. When Jacob’s father betrayed his wife, Aunt Carmela couldn’t go on a day without crying, and Jacob saw all that.

            Jenny’s presence caused an uproar and except for his secretary, everyone wanted to have a photo with her. It was supposed to be her first day at work, but all day long, she posed for a selfie, and Jacob was displeased about it.

            “What about you? Don’t you want to have a photo with Jenny Gordon?” Irritated at the situation, Jacob asked Stefan.

            “No, I don’t want to.” She replied.

            Jacob nodded and ordered Stephanie to arrange a meeting with the HR Manager as soon as possible. His grandmother didn’t specify Jenny’s role in the company and he had to consult the HR how to utilize his cousin’s talent for the benefit of the company.

            During lunchtime, Jenny came in with a box of chicken from the fast food nearby. He couldn’t comprehend why she had to be extreme with it comes to Stefan. “Just chicken?” he complained.

            “I heard he loves chicken,” Jenny stated.

            Jacob stared at the impossible woman whose brain was befuddled because of his secretary. “He isn’t that good looking,” he tried to discourage her.

            “He has delicate features like a woman. I’m just thinking that if she’s a woman, she can be a supermodel! Have you seen him up close, Jacob? His eyes are the catch, they were expressive and when I stared at them, my goodness, I get lost!” She couldn’t hide her excitement while they discussed the new secretary. “Where is he by the way?” She inquired.

            “I sent him on an errand,” he replied. 

            “Where?” Jenny asked as she worried that her effort would be wasted. 

            “To the HR’s office,” he said.

          “There’s a telephone, Jacob! Just call the manager to come to your office,” she suggested.

            Jacob stopped what he’s doing and closed his laptop. “I know what I’m doing, Jen.” He was offended by the way she ordered him around because of Stefan.

            “Grumpy, aren’t we? I’m sorry, but next time, just don’t let him go around freely. I don’t want to lose him to anyone,” she admitted being insecure when it comes to Stefan.