After All

Chapter 6

Jackson's POV

"Are you kidding me?! I told you to keep your full attention to this project and now you f*****g tell me it's not your fault?!" I yelled. I am currently discussing a project with Peter Donald, my Operation Manager in my office.

"It's really---" I cut him off and dismissed him without waiting for his reply. He immediately went out of my office.

I slammed my hands on my desk. "Katrina! Come over here, quick!" I said pressing the intercom buzzer.

Katrina, my secretary hurriedly walked inside "Yes Sir?" she nervously asked.

"Cancel all my appointments this afternoon and don’t call me on my phone if it's not important." I commanded. "Noted Sir." she answered and went out nervously.

I need to cool my mind. Work is getting into my nerves lately. One of our projects was experiencing a huge problem. I don't want to disappoint my father because of this.

I called my best friend Nate to meet me at the nearest bar.

"Hey mate, what’s up? Having a problem with the business?" Nate asked the moment I sat beside him at the bar. "One scotch for my friend here please." he winked on the sexy bartender assigned for today. She winked too and blew him a kiss. I shook my head at him.

"Yeah, you're right. Got a problem with one of the projects. But it's alright I can solve that, I just need to escape for a little while." my drinks arrives, and I drink it straight asking for another one.

"Have you heard?" Nate asked.” Heard what?” I asked giving him a questioning look.

"I bet you didn't. Allyssa has arrived at JFK airport last night. And there are rumors." he answered like a gossip girl working in a magazine.

I didn't know how to react. It’s been five years since I last heard from her. After our painful break up. I got furious remembering that unforgettable event of my life. So, she's back huh. "What rumor jackass?" I asked looking at Nate.

Nate was about to answer when my phone rang interrupting our conversation. "Katrina. What did I tell you about not calling?" I growled, and I heard her voice trembled.

"Sir we have a problem. The scale model of the Los Angeles Condominium that Mr. Perez will use for his presentation tonight is broken." She explained nervously. I groaned.

"What do you mean?! Don't you know how to solve that?" I asked.

"I’m sorry Sir but we don’t have time. If it’s alright, we can use the extra scale we have but it was locked inside your office." she explained. “How did it happen? Who broke the scale?” I asked angrily but I controlled myself. I am being an ass to her since this morning.

“I can’t explain Sir.” She mumbled in a trembling voice.

"I'll be there in a minute." I said impatiently. I have no choice but to go back to the office. I wonder who the culprit is.

I arrived in the building in a record time and pressed the elevator button to my floor. Once the elevator door opened, I heard a little girl crying. I immediately approached Mr. Perez, Katrina and the little girl with a curly long light brown hair who's back is in front of me.

"What happened here?" I asked, and all heads turned to me but the little girl still bowing her head crying. Her hair reminds me of someone, but I cleared my mind and focus on what is happening.

"Sir this little girl broke the design. We didn't do anything. She started to cry and we didn't know how to stop her." Katrina said in a panic mode.

I kneeled and talked to the little girl who still sobbing. I held her hands and she lifted her head and I stopped instantly whatever I was about to say. I felt something odd looking at her pretty face. I cleared my throat and speak gently.

"What is wrong sweetcheeks? Why are you crying?" I asked her gently. The best way to make a child stop from crying is sooth her or him. You need to be gentle. Kids are emotional. Where did I learned that, I don't know?

"I am sorry I broke the little house. I only want to hold them because it looks better than my dollhouse in London. I didn't mean to break it. Promise don't tell my mommy please." the little girl pleaded and something cold washes over me. The way she sobbed and pleaded; it reminds me of someone I will never forget.

"It's alright, it's not your fault. We still have the same design. And I won’t tell your mommy I promise." I cooed. Mr. Perez and Katrina's jaw dropped. "Really?” she asked hopefully. "Of course. Where is your mommy anyway? Who's with you and what are you doing here?" I replied giving her a smile and combs her hair with my fingers. It's so soft, reminds me of someone again. I sighed.

"I was with my nanny Irene. Mommy is in the office. I just ran away from her and here I am at the top of the world. Like my grandpa and mommy's office! Yippee!" she squealed happily; tears were forgotten. I chuckled together with Katrina and Mr. Perez. I stood and gave the key to Katrina. "Get the design and move." they excused themselves immediately.

"Okay sweetcheeks. Do you know where your nanny Irene is?" I asked her and carried her inside my office while wiping her tears from her cheeks. She closed her eyes and I immediately stare at her face. She really reminds me of someone.

"Yes, she's at McDonalds beside this building. What is you name big man? Oh! We have the same eyes." she laughed cutely playing with my hair.

I also laughed "My name is Jackson and yes we have the same eyes and nose actually. What is your name sweetcheeks?"

"My name is Sofia. Is this your office?" she asked still playing with my hair looking around.

"Yes, and the building is also mine." I answered and put her on the couch.

"Wow really. I like your building. Your elevator is clear unlike my grandpa's elevator, it's boring." she said while playing with her curly hair. I laughed and get some water in the fridge, put it in the glass and gave to her. "Drink it, you cried so you need to drink water."

"Mommy also let me drink water after I cried to avoid dehydration." she stated proudly.

"That's right. Your mommy is correct." I said winking.

"Do you want to meet my mommy? She is very pretty like me, but she said I looked like my daddy." her eyes once again misty and she's about to cry.

"What's wrong?" I asked worriedly.

She bowed her head once again. "I just remembered about my daddy. I haven't seen him. I miss him even though I haven't seen him yet. Mommy said he's busy, but he really loves me so much and mommy. But I know he's not because my mommy always cried at night and whispered my daddy's name." she is now crying. It made my heart melt for this little girl.

I hugged her and kissed her head. "Don't worry sweetcheeks. I'm sure your daddy loves you and mommy so much." I assured her. She smiled and kissed my cheek and nose and eyes and giggled. I laughed at her playfulness and mood swings. I don't know why, but I feel like I know this cute little girl.

"Let's go down and look for your nanny. She may be worried about you." I carried her again and I was surprised when she kissed me again on my cheek and said "I love you Jackson" to me. I laughed and told her I love her too. It's true. I was mesmerized by this little girl.

Once outside the building she ran to her nanny.

"Oh my god Sofia! I was looking for you and I am so worried you might get kidnapped!" The lady looks like mid-forties exclaimed and hugged Sofia tightly.

"I'm okay nanny Irene. Jackson helped me, and he was so good to me. I love him nanny Irene." Sofia giggled and looked at me blowing a kiss. I laughed and "nanny Irene" turned into me. Her eyes widened, and her jaw dropped when she spotted me. She looks familiar though.

"Do I know you? You look very familiar Madam." I asked.