The love we keep

So I can be here today!

The next day, Serena woke up early to prepare breakfast, adhering to her duties. As she finished cooking, she served breakfast to everyone.

Jacob couldn't take his eyes off Serena, captivated by her natural beauty.

After breakfast, Serena and Ma Ruth headed to the kitchen to wash the dishes. Once they were done, Serena stepped out and stood at a distance from Jacob and his father.

Jacob invited her to join them, "Serena, come here, come and join us."

Serena politely declined, "No, sir, I'm fine right here, sir."

Mr. Smith intervened, "Serena, come here now."

Serena couldn't disobey her boss, so she walked towards them slowly and took a seat across from Jacob.

Mr. Smith began, "Jacob told me everything. Serena, you know how much I like you, like my own daughter. But you still hid such a big thing from me?"

Serena responded nervously, "I don't know what to do. I'm so sorry!"

Mr. Smith announced, "You will stay with us now. I love your presence here. I hope you and my son get along."

Jacob looked at Serena as he said, "Come on, eat breakfast. And your food tastes very good."

Serena smiled, "Thank you."

Mr. Smith observed the two, seeming to sense they would make a perfect couple. After finishing his breakfast, he announced, "I will leave you two now, I have a meeting with a client."

Jacob replied, "Okay, Dad."

Mr. Smith reminded him, "Don't forget, at 5 pm we have to meet the general."

Jacob acknowledged, "Okay."

As Mr. Smith walked out, Serena felt uneasy, sensing Jacob's gaze on her. Ma Ruth intervened, "Jacob, will you take Serena along to meet the general?"

Serena's eyes widened in surprise, "What?"

Jacob said, "She would come, yes, because I can't leave her alone and come back to meet her corpse." He chuckled.

Serena hadn't seen him laugh since the previous day. Her eyes brightened as she said, "I won't do that, but I don't want to go."

Jacob insisted, "You will."

He stood up and headed to his room. Serena turned to Ma Ruth, "Ma? What are you doing? I don't know anything about their business, why do I have to go with them?"

Ma Ruth reassured her, "At least you can ease your mind, you've been through a lot lately."

Serena stood up, pouting, "Not like this, umm."

Jacob, standing at the top of the stairs, watched the scene unfold. He couldn't help but smile even more. She's so dramatic, he thought, before returning to his room.

It was noon when Serena received a knock on her door. She stood up to see Jacob and said, "Hey, Sir?"

Jacob corrected her, "Stop calling me sir, my name is Jacob, okay?"

Serena smirked, "You're my boss's son!

Jacob suddenly grabbed her waist, his heart racing, and Serena faced him, looking nervous. "Sir, what are you doing?"

Jacob said, "Call me sir one more time and see what I do to you."

Serena looked away, "Okay, okay, let go of me now, I'll call you by your name from now on."

Jacob released her, saying, "Good girl."

Serena complained, "My waist hurts now, you gripped me so tight."

Jacob announced, "I was here to pick you up, let's go shopping."

Serena asked curiously, "What shopping? Grocery, clothes, shoes, what?"

Jacob replied, "Your mouth runs too much. Get changed and come downstairs right now."

He walked away, and Serena closed the door, muttering, "What is this man's problem? Why do I have to go with him?"

She changed into a new outfit, tied her hair into a bun, and headed downstairs. Jacob was waiting, wearing a white T-shirt, blue jeans, and sunglasses, his hair curled up. Serena admired him, quickly looking away to avoid being caught.

Jacob complimented her, "Nice dress."

Serena smirked, "Or just say you're making jest of me!

Jacob said, "What, if the dress isn't pretty I won't admire you in it, okay?"

Serena replied, "Oh really? Okay."

She walked faster than him to the car parking lot. Jacob asked, "Ma'am? Did you even know where we are going?"

Serena responded, "Did I tell you I know there?"

Jacob teased, "Oh wow, you got attitude? Huh?"

Serena looked away, avoiding eye contact with him. Jacob said, "Okay, get into the car."

Serena opened the car door and sat down. Jacob also got in, starting the engine. Moments later, they arrived at the mall.

Serena had only passed by this popular mall a few times in a taxi, as the prices were too high for her budget. She smiled, "Wow, so I can be here today? Really?"

She opened the door and walked out of the car. Jacob gazed at her bright smile, feeling an inexplicable joy in his heart whenever she smiled.

They walked to the entrance of the elevator. Jacob held her wrist as they stepped in together. When the elevator stopped, they stepped out, and onlookers couldn't help but stare, commenting on their perfect couple appearance.

Serena felt uncomfortable, knowing they weren't a couple, just her boss's son. They entered the women's clothing section, and Jacob instructed the saleswoman, "Bring your perfect dresses here!"

As he sat down, Serena followed suit, sitting a few inches away from him. The saleswoman presented the dresses, saying, "Here, Sir, Ma, you can come along with me to have a look at them?"

Serena glanced at Jacob, who nodded, "Yes, go and try them on to see if they fit."

Serena stood up and walked away with the saleswoman. Jacob sat down, busy with his phone, when he heard a familiar voice.

He looked up to see Adriana, his ex-girlfriend. Adriana said, "Jay?"

Jacob replied, "Hey?"

Adriana sat next to him, "Look at you, what are you doing here? In the female store? Don't tell me you got a... huh?" She paused, raising an eyebrow.

Jacob smirked, "How is that your business?"

Adriana apologized, "I know you're still mad at me, but I'm so sorry, baby."

Jacob's expression turned cold, "Don't call me that. We're not together anymore. So stop it."

Adriana conceded, "It's fine. Okay."

Just then, Serena walked out, wearing a dress that perfectly fitted her body. Adriana froze, taken aback by Serena's beauty. Even without makeup, Serena was stunning.

Jacob's eyes lit up as he smiled, "Wow, Serena, this is really beautiful on you."

Serena replied, "Umm, really, let me try that blue one."

Just as she reached for the blue dress, Adriana snatched it, smiling, "I'll try this one, I love blue."

Jacob's tone turned calm but firm, "Adriana, drop it? Right now."

Adriana argued, "Jay, you said you liked the red one on her already, and she said she wanted this? It's disobedience."

Jacob countered, "She wants what she likes. So let go of the dress now."

Adriana refused, "No, I won't."

Serena intervened, sensing the tension, "Jacob, it's fine, I'll take this one instead."

Adriana smirked, "Yes, good." She took the blue dress and walked to the changing room.

Jacob turned to Serena, "Serena? But you loved that one? Why let it go?"

Serena replied, "Umm, if something isn't for you, it gets snatched easily."

Jacob nodded, then told the saleswoman, "Okay, she'll take this one now."

Serena entered the second changing room, removing the gown. Meanwhile, Adriana emerged from the first changing room, seeking Jacob's attention.

"Jay, it's pretty, right?" Adriana asked.

Jacob said, "How is it my business?"

Adriana taunted, "Sorry 'cause I snatched your girlfriend's dress?"

Jacob smirked, "You talk too much."

He walked past her, and Adriana suddenly yelled out, "Jay, Jay!"

Jacob turned back, curious about the commotion. He saw Adriana frantically trying to adjust her dress, thinking something was wrong. In reality, the dress tag was dangling on her back.

Adriana demanded, "Don't just stand there? Help me zip down."

Jacob didn't move, but before Adriana could react further, he saw Serena emerging from the changing room. He asked, "Are you done?"

Serena nodded, and Adriana's eyes burned with jealousy. Despite no longer being with Jacob, she still desired him.

Jacob paid for the dress Serena had chosen, and they walked out together, leaving Adriana behind.