The Secret Baby

Episode 7

Jack's POV

Jack took the glass of whiskey from his mother, Alexa, and downed it in one go. He needed the liquid courage to deal with the frustration from the argument with his sister. Alexa was always his go-to for these kinds of situations, mostly because she was an alcoholic like him.

"Thanks, Mom," Jack said, his voice a little slurred. "You always know how to make things better."

Alexa patted his back. "That's what I'm here for, dear."

Jack's memory was hazy, but he couldn't forget the woman from the flashback. He knew she was someone special, but her name was slipping from his mind.

"I met this girl at the club last night," Jack said, a cocky grin forming on his face. "She couldn't resist me. I'm just too irresistible."

Alexa rolled her eyes. "You say that about every woman you meet, Jack. It's getting old."

Jack's grin faded. "But this one was different, Mom. I can't stop thinking about her."

Alexa raised an eyebrow. "What's so special about her?"

"I don't know," Jack admitted. "But I just can't get her out of my head."

Alexa poured him another glass of whiskey. "Just forget about her, Jack. You're a billionaire playboy. You don't need to get hung up on one girl."

But Jack knew it was easier said than done. He took a swig of whiskey and closed his eyes, remembering the flashback.

Flashback:

Jack was at his billionaire estate with the woman, and they were standing on the balcony overlooking the stunning view. They were kissing passionately, and Jack whispered, "I love you deeply. Stay with me forever."

End of flashback:

As Jack continued to drink, the numbness in his body grew, but his memory remained hazy. Alexa listened as he slurred his words and tried to recall more details about the woman, occasionally bursting into laughter.

"You'll never remember her name, will you?" Alexa said, grinning.

Jack shook his head. "Nope, but that doesn't matter. I'm still irresistible."

Alexa chuckled. "Sure, Jack. Keep telling yourself that."

As the night wore on, Alexa poured him another glass of whiskey. He took it gratefully, downing it in one gulp.

"You're always there for me, Mom," he slurred, grinning. "Unlike Jacquin. She's such a pain in the ass."

Alexa raised an eyebrow. "What did she do this time?"

Jack's memory was hazy, but he knew his sister had done something to rile him up. "She's always trying to undermine me. But I'll show her who's boss."

His mother rolled her eyes. "You always do, Jack. You're so cocky and arrogant."

Jack smirked. "That's why I'm the best."

As the night went on, Jack became increasingly intoxicated, his memories of his sister's accusations and his argument with her fading away. He stumbled to his feet, swaying unsteadily, and said goodnight to his mother.

"Take care of yourself, Jack," she called after him, watching as he stumbled out of the room.

The next day at the office, Jack stepped out of the elevator and saw Jacquin arguing with their father. Jack couldn't remember what the argument was about, but he knew he didn't like the look of it.

"What's going on?" he demanded, interrupting them.

Jacquin glared at him. "Stay out of this, Jack. This doesn't concern you."

But Jack wasn't one to back down. "Of course, it concerns me. You're my sister, and Dad is our father. What's the problem?"

Jacquin pointed at Jack, accusing him of shipping a large container of metals to the Pacific Ocean, but Jack couldn't remember doing anything like that. He was too focused on proving his sister wrong.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," he said, his voice rising. "Why would I even bother shipping metals to the Pacific Ocean?"

Jacquin's eyes blazed with anger. "Don't play dumb, Jack. You know exactly why. You're always trying to undermine me and take over Dad's company."

Jack's memories of the night before flooded back to him, and he felt a surge of anger. How dare his sister accuse him of something like this?

"That's not true!" he protested, his voice booming. "You're just jealous because you can't handle the competition."

His father interrupted them, trying to calm them down, but Jack was too riled up. He didn't care what his father thought. He was determined to prove his sister wrong and show her who was in charge.

As his father left the room, Jacquin glared at Jack. "This isn't over," she said before storming out of the room.

Jack leaned back in his chair, feeling a sense of satisfaction. He had stood up to his sister and won. He was the king of the castle, and nobody could take that away from him.

Jack sat in the dimly lit bar, savoring the burn of the whiskey as it went down. He leaned back in his chair, feeling cocky and arrogant as always. "You know what, Michael? Sometimes you gotta keep people on their toes. It's the spice of life," he said with a smug grin.

Michael shook his head, a hint of amusement on his face. "You're a real piece of work, Jack. But I gotta hand it to you, seeing her lose her cool was pretty entertaining."

Jack chuckled, taking another sip. "Yeah, and it was a bonus that Dad actually agreed with me for once."

Michael raised an eyebrow. "Really? Maybe he's finally starting to take you seriously."

Jack scoffed. "I doubt it. But that's beside the point. Another round?"

As they signaled the bartender, Jack couldn't shake the image of her from his mind. He couldn't remember her name, but he could remember her face. It was hazy, like a dream he couldn't quite recall.

Flashback:

Jack was in a tattoo parlor with her, her hand in his as she got a small tattoo on her ankle. He watched as the artist meticulously traced the design, and then turned to Jack.

"Your turn," she said with a smile.

Jack hesitated but then made up his mind. He rolled up his sleeve, revealing a blank spot on his arm, and asked the artist to tattoo a portrait of her.

"Now we'll always be together," Jack said with a smirk as the artist got to work.

End of flashback.

"You okay?" Michael asked, noticing Jack's sudden quietness.

Jack shook his head. "I can't get her out of my head."

"Who?" Michael asked.

"I don't even remember her name," Jack said with frustration.

Michael raised an eyebrow. "Really? That's unlike you, Jack."

Jack shrugged. "I know. But there's something about her, something that's been bugging me for weeks now."

Michael chuckled. "Well, I'm sure you'll figure it out. You always do."

Jack smirked. "Damn straight. And once I do, she won't know what hit her."

Michael rolled his eyes. "You're so full of yourself, Jack."

Jack laughed. "Hey, I have a reputation to uphold."

Michael shook his head, a small smile on his face. "What's next on your agenda, then? Another high-speed chase through the city streets?"

Jack chuckled. "Not quite. I think I'll pay a visit to that museum again, see if I can jog my memory about her."

Michael raised an eyebrow. "You're serious? You don't even remember her name, and you're going back to that museum?"

Jack grinned. "Yep. There's just something about her that's...intriguing."

Michael shook his head in amusement. "Well, good luck with that, Jack. You're gonna need it."

The next day, Jack strode into the museum, his confidence oozing from every pore. He spotted Mrs. Claire and rolled his eyes as she greeted him in her usual condescending manner. "Bonjour, monsieur," she said, "It's lovely to see you again. Are you here to make another generous donation?"

Jack smirked. "No, Mrs. Claire, I'm not here to give you any more of my money. I'm actually looking for someone."

Mrs. Claire raised an eyebrow. "And who might that be, monsieur?"

Jack hesitated for a moment, his memory hazy. He couldn't remember the woman's name, but he could remember her face. "I don't remember her name," he said finally. "But she has dark hair and a bird tattoo on her wrist. I believe she works here."

Mrs. Claire's lips twisted into a sneer. "Well, monsieur, we have quite a few women here with dark hair and tattoos. You'll have to be more specific."

Jack felt his anger rising. "Look, Mrs. Claire, I don't have time for your games. I know she works here, and I want to find her. Now."

Mrs. Claire's expression didn't change. "I'm sorry, monsieur, but I can't help you if you don't know her name. Perhaps you should come back when you have more information."

Jack gritted his teeth and turned to leave. As he walked out of the museum, he couldn't help but feel frustrated. He knew he had seen her here before, but he couldn't remember when. He would have to come back and try again. And this time, he wouldn't let Mrs. Claire get in his way.