Taming Demi's Mom (ONGOING)

Chapter 6

{VICTORIA}

I SECRETLY looked at Jackson, who was busy sketching in his drawing notebook. He was sketching a wedding suit for the groom and groomsmen of our client's wedding this November. He was too busy with his work that he didn't notice me even though we were sitting next to each other in the office.

I wanted to talk to him, but I felt nervous. I had a feeling that if I spoke, I would stumble or not know what to say. I bit my lip. My mind was debating whether to speak or not.

"Jackson?" I called his name.

"What?" He asked without even glancing at me.

I fell silent. I felt strange about his behavior.

I took a deep breath before continuing. "It's lunch break. Let's go to the cafeteria. I'm sure others are waiting for us," I said.

He closed his notebook and then stood up.

"Okay. Let's go!" He said and walked straight out of the office.

I quietly followed him. There was almost a five-step gap between us because of how fast he was walking.

When we arrived at the cafeteria, everyone looked at us. Jackson took his seat beside Darcus, while I sat between Vine and Sarah. Sarah was the production manager of our design team.

After a while, two waiters served our food. The others were happily chatting while Jackson listened to them and occasionally joined the conversation. Meanwhile, I just watched Jackson, feeling like I was being ignored.

I tried to reach for the barbeque squid in front of Jackson, but he didn't notice me. Darcus was the one who handed me the food. I suddenly lost my appetite, and I couldn't explain why. I didn't even know what I was feeling. I just didn't like how Jackson was treating me now.

Really, Victoria? But isn't this what you wanted? You even wished for the day when Jackson wouldn't bother you anymore. It's hard to get used to someone's change.

I stood up from my chair. "I'll eat in the office," I told them.

"Why?" Vine asked me curiously. They were all looking at me, but Jackson didn't pay attention to me.

"I have a lot more to finish. I really need to leave," I replied, and I quickly left the cafeteria with my food on a large tray.

When I arrived in the office, I immediately locked the door.

"MOM, I'm just going to play," Demi said, asking for permission. It's their school's semestral break, so I decided to bring her to work with me.

Dad stayed at home. I took my grandchild from him so he could rest. I know how tired he gets from watching over Demi at school every day. He also handles dropping her off and picking her up.

"Okay. Stay inside the office, alright? If you go out, don't go too far and never interfere with things you see here," I reminded Demi.

She nodded. I handed her my cellphone so she could play games while sitting on the sofa.

I left Demi alone in the office. Jackson was not in the office because he arrived earlier to deliver his wedding suit design to Ariel. I was also heading there to catch up on my wedding gown design. We have many customers this month, so we're all very busy fulfilling our roles.

When I arrived at the sewing studio, Jackson happened to come out of the door. He briefly glanced at me and walked past me without saying a word. I paused for a moment.

"What was that, a lover's quarrel?" John, the quality control inspector of our design team, asked me.

I looked at him. "You're thinking too much," I replied.

We entered the room together.

"It's because you always give Sir Jackson a cold shoulder. He might have given up on you," John said with a hint of regret.

I looked at him again. "If he really wanted me, he shouldn't have given up so easily—"

"Nevermind!" I interrupted myself.

Jackson is annoying. He's disturbing my heart and mind. Right! I should be thankful that he gave up on me. But every time I see him ignoring me, it feels like a stab in my heart.

WHEN I returned to our office, I couldn't find anyone. Demi and Jackson were nowhere to be seen. Jackson hasn't met Demi yet, but maybe they saw each other earlier. Another thing that bothers me is why I don't want to entertain Jackson's feelings for me because I already have a child. I'm a single mom, and who would love and accept me? It would only hurt his pride. Knowing that the woman he loves the most he's not her first choice and first in everything.

I went out of the office again to look for Demi. I searched everywhere on this floor where we currently are. But after a while, I stopped. I saw Jackson with my daughter. They were both sitting on the floor with a chessboard between them. It looks like Jackson was teaching my daughter how to play.

I didn't make my presence known to them. I simply watched them laugh and talk. As I observed them, I couldn't hold back my tears. They looked so beautiful together. I can see that Jackson would be a good father to his own children in the future.

After a few moments, I left them. I know Jackson won't neglect my child.

I went straight to the coffee dining area on the second floor of the building. I ordered my usual, Caffé Corretto. Suddenly, I noticed the flower vase in front of me. It reminded me of my first meeting with Jackson.

I can't understand myself. My stubbornness still prevails. I don't want to fall in love again. Now that I've gotten to know Jackson better, I'm even more afraid. I don't want to end up losing him in the end. So it's better that he doesn't belong to me in the first place. Maybe it's better this way. I just need to control myself and stop myself from giving in to him.

"Your coffee is getting cold," Vine, who was in front of me, said. I didn't even notice her presence.

"I saw Demi and Jackson playing. Father material," Vine said with a smile. She raised her eyebrows and teased me with her looks.

I covered my face with my two hands. This woman again. She never stops teasing me. Not a second goes by without hearing Jackson's name. If I don't see him, my colleagues remind me of him. How can I move on him?

"Stop it, Vine," I said. I took a sip of my coffee.

"What's the problem with Jackson? Why don't you like him?"

It's not that I don't like him. "I'm the problem here."

"DID you see—

"She's in the cafeteria with Jackson," Vine interrupted my question.

Throughout the morning, I haven't seen my child. She's always with Jackson. Demi seemed to be fond of Jackson. I don't know if that was a good or bad thing.

Vine and I went to the cafeteria together to have lunch with our colleagues from the design team.

I spotted Jackson and Demi eating at the corner of the cafeteria where you could see the view outside the building. I saw a lot of food on their table.

When Demi saw me, she waved at me. I was expecting Jackson to look at me too. But he just continued eating. It felt like my heart was being pinched by his actions.

"Aren't you going to join Sir Jackson and your daughter?" Darcus asked me.

I shook my head. "I'm sure he wouldn't want me to join their table," I forced a smile and lightened my tone of speech. I didn't want them to notice that I was affected by Jackson's cold treatment towards me.

"It looks like your child is enjoying being with Jackson. It's their first meeting, but Demi already seems attached to Jackson," John said with a smile. And it makes me happy by thinking of it, too.

I sat down next to Vine. We started eating.

"Speaking of the devils," Vine whispered softly after a while.

We all paused eating at the same time. We looked towards the newly arrived group. The five WGC models. They were the ones wearing wedding gowns designed for promotional and selling purposes. Those five girls were known for being snobbish and having a superior attitude.

It was no secret to us that their leader, Sabrina Malone, had a crush on Jackson. She always tried to get his attention, but it seemed like Jackson didn't even glance at her. When Sabrina found out that Jackson had an interest in me, she would always treat me rudely whenever we crossed paths.

That's why I always tried to stay locked in our office to avoid trouble. I didn't go to the floor where the company models stayed. Our paths only crossed here in the cafeteria, but she never tried to harass me in front of many employees.