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Playboy CEO of Strike Banking Jacob Shaw has everything he wants. The looks, money, women and fame but behind the success people think he has, he knew something was missing ----- it was none other than Tatiana Falcon, the one that got away.
Playboy CEO of Strike Banking Jacob Shaw has everything he wants. The looks, money, women and fame but behind the success people think he has, he knew something was missing ----- it was none other than Tatiana Falcon, the one that got away.
"There's a 70% chance that Davilla Malls will take up our offer but we need to make sure that we make that a hundred percent. We're talking billions here." Jacob said. The vice president, Andrew Zobel nodded his head.
"You're right. This could also be an advertisement for the Strike Bankings. If we have to take Mr. Davilla into golf or wherever he'd want to hangout, we have to." Drew said, chuckling a bit.
"Yeah if I need to date his daughter I would." Jacob laughed.
"You need a break, bro." Andrew grimaced. Jacob's too caught up in his work, something Andrew never thought his friend would be.
They were friends since college. Jacob was never the serious type of student. He'd party at night, skip his class, he'd even flunk school. Heck, he never thought Jacob Shaw would finish his degree but look at him now, running their family business and hustling like a mad man.
People really change.
"I would. How about we meet in Lux later, just a few drinks." Jacob wiggled his eyebrows making Andrew sigh.
"Oh right. I forgot, you're a married man with a child." Jacob patted his long time bud's shoulder. "You're a changed man since you married Rochelle. How's married life?"
Andrew Zobem smiled. "Well, it makes you eager to come home after long work. I swear, you'd rather choose coming home than partying. Why don't you find the right girl and get married, Jake?"
"Not a bad idea." Jacob smirked. "I think if the right woman comes--- which, I don't believe there is, then she'll come. Meanwhile, I'll just have fun screwing around."
Andrew shook his head. He shared the same principles with Jacob years back, that marriage is simply just bullshit, and that building an empire, partying and sleeping around is the best thing but then things began to change when he met Rochelle.
He hopes this happens to Jacob soon.
Andrew looked at his friends' ring finger and found the band he always wear. He's had it since they met. He even thought Jacob married young. Some women even thought he was married, making them back off a bit. Though, Jacob doesn't really say anything about it.
He was pulled out of reverie when Jacob stood up and put on his black coat.
"Where are you going?"
"St. Joseph's. Miana is gonna be there, prolly get mad if I don't make it."
"Alright. Say hi for me to Aunt Ingrid. By the way, Jake. About that new lawyer? When are you going to meet her? I tell you, the woman's a hot chick."
Their former lawyer, Averto Sanchez was killed in a car accident last month. He was loved by many, their company has been grieving since then. That old man has been their lawyer for years. He was a good friend of Jacob's late father.
Jacob raised an eyebrow. "I didn't know that the replacement was a she. I don't know, maybe next week? By the way Drew, is she single?"
Andrew recalled the day he met up with that gorgeous lawyer. He never spotted a ring. "Don't know, but I'm sure she's not married yet. Don't mess this up, Jake. She'll be working with us."
Jacob smirked, that same smirk every ladies out there could die for. "Well if she's hot as you say she is, she can always work me. Hey--- I'm kidding alright. I don't mix business with pleasure."
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"I thought you're not coming. I called your assistant and she said you're busy." his mother gave him a hug.
He removed his aviator shades and inserted it in the breast pocket of his coat.
"Of course I'll be here, I wouldn't miss this day. It's his death anniversary, afterall."
"If only he's here to witness all the things you've done, he could have been so proud of everything you've achieved, Jake." His mother stared at him with adoration.
The corner of his lips tugged into a bittersweet yet forced smile. "Where's Mia?"
"She's gonna be late. She's driving Jasper to the airport. He's going to Bahamas for this next movie."
Jasper was his brother-in-law, a director and TV producer. The first time he met Jasper, he never really liked him. He thought his sister shouldn't entangle herself with a celebrity because the press might hound even her but as time went on and he got to know the guy, he realized Jasper loved his sister deeply.
They fell silent after that. He doesn't know what to say or start another conversation with his mother. They aren't close--- atleast not anymore.
"How is the business, son?" Ingrid tried to engage in a conversation with her son.
"It's okay, mom." he shrugged it off. He doesn't really wanna make a conversation with his mom. Not now, or ever. Not again.
Miana's car stopped right infront of them, he relaxed, now he wouldn't endure an awkward environment with his own mother. Jake strode towards them, carrying his sleeping nephew and kissing his sister in the cheek.
"Woah, cant believe you arrived on time. It's a first."
Jacob smirked. "James seems heavier than last time." he was pertaining to his nephew, whom he hadn't seen in over a month.
"He eats so much sweets especially when Jasper's around. He's spoiled--- Hi, mommy." Miana planted a sweet kiss on her mom's cheek.
Ingrid frowned when he saw the sleeping grandson. "Here I was, so excited to see my grandson's bubbly face and he's asleep."
"He fell asleep on our way here, his eyes are swollen since he kept crying while we were at the airport to send his dad off." Miana chuckled, shaking her head a bit.
Ingrid smiled, Jacob noticed how his mother and sister looked so much alike. Even the way they smile.
They stayed for an hour, paying visit to their late father before they left to go to a restaurant, it's a tradition. They dine in their father's favorite restaurant. Jacob didn't mean to join them this time but since his sister insisted, he eventually agreed. It's not a secret he couldn't stand his mother. Even Miana knows but she still tries to patch their relationship again.
Jacob busied himself talking to his nephew.
"Uncle Jacob, you should draw me another superhero on my birthday."
He raised his eyebrow, teasing the young boy. "What do you want this time, bud?"
"This time I want Ironman. It's the theme I want for my birthday. I already told that."
Jacob smiled at the little ball of sunshine, something about seeing his nephew always made him happy. Makes him question if this bachelor life is really worth it. Jake ruffled his nephew's hair. "Alright, buddy. Ironman it is."
His nephew saluted like a soldier and beamed. "Sir yes, sir."
It was ten minutes later when the food was served. He ate so little though he's famished. He's not comfortable having his mother around. It's just that---
"I heard Strike is ranking first as the best banks in the Philippines. You're doing a very good job, Jake." Miana reached to clasp his brother's hand.
"Yeah. I wasn't expecting that. Though, I know we have the best accountants. We have the most number of branches too."
Ingrid smiled at his son. His blue eyes reminding her of his deceased husband. "And he's also the youngest CEO here in the Philippines." She praised.
He smiled only a little. Her praises are a bit too late and he's not sure if it's even genuine.
Jake cleared his throat, "Excuse me, I need to go to the rest room."
He washed his face with the cold water, wiping his face with his black handkerchief. He heaved out a sigh, reminding himself that this lunch is almost over. He doesn't have to see his mother again.
He only sees his mother once a year, not even during Christmas or her birthday. There was no need for that. He only has to endure her presence during his father's death anniversary.
Jacob's father died eight years ago. Cause of his death? Euthanasia.
Jacob fixed his clothes, using his fingers to brush up his hair, stared at the mirror and looked at his reflection before storming out of the Male's restroom.
He frozed when he looked up to see a familiar woman just outside the restaurant.
That smile...
No. No it can't be...
Oh fuck. He muttered his first cuss of the day.
It's her.
His lips parted while he looked at her, he looked like a deer caught on red lights. The woman was talking to someone on her phone and she has that huge smile on her face. Her dress that hugged her body stopped above her knee. He's not halucinating, is he?
Her face looked exactly the same just like the last time he saw her, he can still memorize her face, the contours of her body like she was some favorite song he never got tired of playing.
It's definitely her!
When the woman started to walk away, that was then he came to his senses to move his feet and follow after her. Even with those wobbly knees, he tried to get to her. He could hear his sister calling after him bur he has to take strides to get to her.
He couldn't let her slip away again. He just could not.
He looked anywhere to see she wasn't there any longer. He ran to the other side, and then the other. Tatiana wasn't there.
"Tatiana." He said under his breath, uttering her name for the first time after so many years. It still hurts so much saying her name.
Maybe it wasn't really her, maybe that was just a product of his imagination. Maybe he has gone crazy.
Maybe he's delusional.
But you saw her. It was her, Jacob! His subconscious argued.
A hand touched his shoulder, making him jump. His sister's eyes stared at him, so worried.
Jacob was trembling, he was sweaty and cold.
"Jesus, you're pale! What happened Jake? You look like you've seen a ghost. Oh god!"
A ghost from his past, yes.
"Mia..." that was the only thing he could mutter.
He wanted to shout, he wanted to cry. The young heart he buried for so long is finally out of it's grave, awake and starving.
He knew what he saw. It was Tatiana. He was so fucking sure of that.
Everything was a blur to him, he didn't get his composure back. He didn't even remember hiw he was seated back inside the restaurant. Their voices were a blur to him. He couldn't understan. He was still so in daze with what just happened.
He didn't remember their interrogations..
They left his ferrari in front of restaurant, Mia drove him back to his house promising him to have the car towed and deliver to his place. Miana was so worried about his younger brother acting so strange. It's as if he was on drugs or something, like his body was on a deep shock.
And he instantly fell asleep when his body hit the sheets. He was tired, his heart was raging.
"You never wanted me," Eva's voice trembled, but her gaze was steady as she glared at Maxmillan. "You were too blinded by your love for Sara to see the truth." Maximilian clenched his fists, his jaw tight. "You think I don't regret it? Every moment, Eva. Every moment I spent hurting you.." "Hurting me?" she cut him off, her eyes filled with anger. "You ruined me, Max. You let my sister and step mother destroy me, and when I needed you most, you turned your back on me, you made me go through hell." His chest tightened. "I was wrong. I know that now, but..." "But it's too late," she snapped. "I'm not the helpless girl you left behind. I've come back for what's mine." Max's voice softened, almost pleading. "And what if I'm part of what's yours?" Eva's lips curled into a bitter smile. "Maybe. Or maybe I'll destroy you the way you destroyed me." ******* Forced into a loveless marriage to save her family's business, Eva endures cruelty from her husband, Maximilian, who believes she manipulated his grandfather into choosing her as his bride. Blinded by his love for her sister, Sara, Maximilian made Eva go through hell. Eva endures not only Maximilian's abuse but also the hurt and betrayal from her own family. Eva is framed for a tragedy and sent to prison, she's rescued by a powerful and influencial figure who she never knew existed. Six years later, Eva returns. No longer the broken and helpless woman she once was, She is now a force to be reckoned with. She is back to seek revenge on all those who had made her life hell. Now, Maximilian regrets his mistakes and isn't ready to let her go. Eva hold a secret that will shatter Maxmillan's world. What is that secret? Will Eva choose love and forgiveness, or will revenge be the only thing that can heal her broken heart?
Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter framed her, her fiancé ridiculed her, and her adoptive parents threw her out. They all wanted to see her fall. But Elena unveiled her true identity: the heiress of a massive fortune, famed hacker, top jewelry designer, secret author, and gifted doctor. Horrified by her glorious comeback, her adoptive parents demanded half her newfound wealth. Elena exposed their cruelty and refused. Her ex pleaded for a second chance, but she scoffed, “Do you think you deserve it?” Then a powerful magnate gently proposed, “Marry me?”
Sunlit hours found their affection glimmering, while moonlit nights ignited reckless desire. But when Brandon learned his beloved might last only half a year, he coolly handed Millie divorce papers, murmuring, "This is all for appearances; we'll get married again once she's calmed down." Millie, spine straight and cheeks dry, felt her pulse go hollow. The sham split grew permanent; she quietly ended their unborn child and stepped into a new beginning. Brandon unraveled, his car tearing down the street, unwilling to let go of the woman he'd discarded, pleading for her to look back just once.
"Stella once savored Marc's devotion, yet his covert cruelty cut deep. She torched their wedding portrait at his feet while he sent flirty messages to his mistress. With her chest tight and eyes blazing, Stella delivered a sharp slap. Then she deleted her identity, signed onto a classified research mission, vanished without a trace, and left him a hidden bombshell. On launch day she vanished; that same dawn Marc's empire crumbled. All he unearthed was her death certificate, and he shattered. When they met again, a gala spotlighted Stella beside a tycoon. Marc begged. With a smirk, she said, ""Out of your league, darling."
He saved her. He was her fated mate. Her king and her protector. Until a single ritual shattered everything. Now she's a Lycan queen with no memory of loving him... And all she feels is hatred. Will his obsession bring her back... or destroy them both?
Gabriela learned her boyfriend had been two-timing her and writing her off as a brainless bimbo, so she drowned her heartache in reckless adventure. One sultry blackout night she tumbled into bed with a stranger, then slunk away at dawn, convinced she'd succumbed to a notorious playboy. She prayed she'd never see him again. Yet the man beneath those sheets was actually Wesley, the decisive, ice-cool, unshakeable CEO who signed her paychecks. Assuming her heart was elsewhere, Wesley returned to the office cloaked in calm, but every polite smile masked a dark surge of possessive jealousy.
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