Chapter 114
“So, now that everything is back to normal, when do you intend to tell us about her?” Evelyn asked with a mischievous smile.
Jake froze halfway into reaching for his water glass. “Her?” he echoed, feigning innocence. “What ’her p>
Charles chuckled deeply, the sound rumbling in his chest. “Oh, come on, son. Don’t act clueless now. We all know there is a she p>
Jake blinked, pretending to look confused, though his lips twitched. “You do p>
Raymond leaned forward on the couch, grinning faintly. “Don’t waste your breath pretending, Jake. You weren’t exactly subtle that night. I mean, it was obvious to them you were more mad about it because it had to do with her p>
Evelyn smirked and sat straighter. “So,” she said, crossing her arms, “are you going to make us drag it out of you, or will you just tell us who it was made you want to tear the house down that night p>
Jake finally exhaled, shaking his head with a small laugh. “You’re not going to let this go, are you p>
“Not a chance,” Charles said with a smirk, raising his glass slightly. “We’ve earned some gossip after all that crying p>
Jake chuckled, surrendering. “Fine. Her name’s Bella p>
The name seemed to soften the room instantly. Though they haven’t met her, yet they knew they already liked this Bella.
Evelyn’s brows lifted. “Bella,” she repeated thoughtfully, the name rolling gently off her tongue. “That’s a lovely name. Tell us about her p>
“She’s actually Isabella. Bella for short,” Jake said, looking at his father.
Charles raised a brow as he thought about the name. “Why is the name so familiar… Wait, don’t tell me this Isabella is the same as your new secretary,” he said with a raised brow.
Jake nodded. “Well, she’s the same and only,” Jake said with a shrug.
Charles shook his head in displeasure. “Jake, you really shouldn’t be dating your employee. That’s bad record especially with the company policy p>
“What if I have already met her long before I realized she was my secretary?” Jake asked, making everyone of them frown; including Raymond.
“What do you mean? You’ve met her before knowing she was your secretary?” Evelyn asked, taking the words out of her husband’s mouth.
Jake leaned back, his tone easy but affectionate. “Yes. I met her about five years ago. It was… unexpected. Remember when I traveled over to Florittle to propose to Eva p>
“Yes. But she stood you up and you decided to go to the club,” Raymond said, recalling that Jake had called him that time.
Jake had been heart broken and had decided to wind off at the club against his better judgment.
Jake’s lips curved faintly at the memory. “Yes. That night. It was actually the second time I met her and because she’d been trying to fit into something she wasn’t, I couldn’t help but notice her. She’s different. I knew from the moment I met her,” he said fondly.
Even though he wanted to tell his parents how he’d actually met Bella so that issues don’t come up when they learn about it in the future, he knew he had to keep it to himself for now.
The last thing he wanted was for them to think she was a prostitute or a loose woman. Google seaʀᴄh.net
Raymond, who had had a smile on his face, frowned slightly when he heard his brothers confession. He sat still for a long second, realization creeping slowly into his expression. “So, you met her five years ago and not the day she came to the office?” he asked quietly.
Jake nodded, unaware of the storm crossing his brother’s mind. “Yeah. We lost touch for a while, but fate has a funny way of pulling people back together. You couldn’t imagine the joy I had when I realized she was going to be my new secretary p>
Raymond’s hand tightened slightly on his knee. “I thought His voice trailed off, guilt shadowing his tone. He swallowed hard. “I thought I had been the first to see and actually her p>
Jake glanced at him, the weight of what wasn’t said hanging in the air. Then, softly, he said, “You weren’t wrong to think so. You never knew we have history p>
Raymond gave a weak laugh, shaking his head. “Yeah. I guess I was wrong, again.” He looked down, voice thick with guilt. “Jake, I know I’ve apologized but I think I owe you another apology. For what I did. For sowing discord between you and Bella. I said things I shouldn’t have. I made things worse because I couldn’t face my own jealousy. I’d thought you were trying to steal her away from me when I was the one stealing her away. I’m sorry p>
Jake’s gaze softened. “Ray p>
“I mean it,” Raymond interrupted quietly. “You didn’t deserve any of what I did that night. Neither did she. Just to get her to like me at least, I did something so despicable. I… I can’t take it back, but I can say I’m sorry. If you need me to talk to her and let her know I caused everything, then just say the words. I’ll go. I’ll talk to her and get her to forgive you p>
Jake gave him a small smile, his voice steady. “It’s fine. It’s already sorted out. We talked p>
Raymond blinked. “You did p>
Jake nodded. “Yeah. Everything’s fine now p>
Evelyn, who’d been quietly watching the exchange, smiled in relief. “Good. Then there’s only one thing left for you to do p>
Jake turned to her. “Which is p>
She smiled brightly. “Invite her over for my birthday next month. I’d love to meet the woman who finally managed to make my son look flustered. She caught both my sons attention so I should meet her, or don’t you think so p>
Charles chuckled. “Yeah. Also, we need to see if she can handle this family’s madness p>
“Really, dad?” Raymond chipped in, making everyone laugh.
“I honestly hope we don’t get to see that part of you both ever again,” Charles said with a serious look, his gaze landing on Raymond.
“It never will,” Raymond said with determination in his voice.
“That’s good. So, Jake, what day you? You’ll invite her, will you?” Evelyn asked, steering the conversation back to Bella.
Jake laughed lightly. “Alright, mom. I’ll think about it p>
Evelyn leaned forward, feigning a frown. “Don’t think. Do. You owe your mother at least that much after all the years I’ve had to play the matchmaker, trying to figure out who will be a better bride for you p>
Jake raised his hands in mock surrender. “Fine, fine. I’ll invite her even though I never asked you to play cupid. I’ve always told you I can find my own wife p>
They all laughed, the moment light and teasing. For once, there were no walls, no hidden pain, just laughter and love and the sound of a family breathing again after days of tension.
Then Jake’s phone buzzed against the table.
The laughter dimmed a little as he reached for it. When he saw the name flashing across the screen, his expression hardened.
It was Helena.
Raymond noticed first. “Who is it?” he asked, though the look on Jake’s face told him everything.
Jake frowned. “It’s Helena p>
Raymond winced visibly. “Oh, great. I’m sorry, Jake. I’m the reason she’s bothering you right now. If I hadn’t done p>
“It’s okay, Ray. You’ve apologized enough,” Jake cut in before Raymond could finish with his apology.
Evelyn sighed, rubbing her temple. “So, what does she want now? We were actually thinking of reaching out to her father to settle what ever it is that happened, especially since you can’t date or marry her p>
Jake’s eyes narrowed. “That’s why I need to ask.” He turned to Raymond, voice quiet but edged. “Ray, tell me the truth. That night, did I really sleep with her p>
Raymond’s head shot up, eyes wide. “What? No! You didn’t p>
Jake’s stare didn’t waver. “You’re sure p>
“Yes,” Raymond said firmly, guilt flashing across his face. “I swear it. She didn’t. You were totally out so there was no way she could’ve done anything with you p>
Evelyn exhaled in relief, clutching her husband’s hand. “Oh, thank heavens. We’ve been dreading how to make that situation right p>
Charles nodded in agreement. “Then you’ve got nothing to worry about. If she tries anything again, we’ll handle it p>
Evelyn looked at Jake firmly. “Yeah, we will. Answer the call. Make it clear you know the truth now, and tell her to stay away. If she doesn’t, we’ll call her father directly. Understood p>
Jake hesitated, then nodded. “Understood p>
He looked at the phone for a while before deciding to answer the call but before he could, the call ended.
Just then, it started ringing again.
Why was she seriously calling him? He hoped it wasn’t to try any more nonsense games with him, otherwise, he wouldn’t let her go free.
He thought as he went ahead to receive the call.