Chapter 8 What Do You Want From Me?

• Jacob went to his parents’ house. Knowing from his experiences, if he didn’t visit his mother soon, she would be more and more angry with him. He drove his silver sports car after sending a text message to his mother. ‘I’m on my way to visit you. Please wait for me, Mom.’
• The traffic was crowded, and it took him twenty minutes more than it used to be. He calmed himself first before going out of his car. As his mother would bombard him with her demand, Jacob intended to do his best not to ignite his mother’s rage. Since no matter what he said or did, he wouldn’t win against her.
• Then he rang the bell. A butler opened the door for him. “Young master, great to see you.”
• “Where is my mom, Gerald?”
• “She is waiting for you in her room.” What Gerald meant by Tanya’s room was her working room. It was a spacious room fit for receiving guests. The socialite guests often visited Tanya in her room, as they would talk and share the latest gossip.
• Jacob nodded and headed to the room. Tanya was already there, sitting behind her working table. Her forehead frowned, but it didn’t ruin her beauty. Although Tanya was fifty-two years old, she looked younger than her age because she maintained her appearance well.
• When Tanya saw Jacob, she didn’t move. Jacob approached his mother and kissed her cheek. “Mother, how are you?”
• “You know I’m not well after hearing so many bad things about your so-called fiancee.”
• Jacob took a deep breath. He had already known there would be gossip about the accident. But he was confused, as his mother seemed upset.
• Finally, Tanya rose and held her son’s hand, guiding him to sit next to her on the couch. Before they could talk, someone knocked on the door. It was Gerald.
• “Do you want tea, coffee, or biscuits, madam? Young master?” Gerald smiled and looked at Tanya and Jacob.
• Tanya nodded slightly. “Yes, but no sweet biscuits for me.”
• Jacob smiled at the butler. “I want coffee and sweet biscuits, Gerald. Thank you.”
• “Very well, madam and young master. I will tell our chef to prepare them.” Then the butler bowed his head and left the room. He closed the door without a sound.
• After waiting for a few seconds, ensuring Gerald was already far from the door, Jacob finally asked, “What did you hear about Amy?”
• Tanya shook her head and placed her hand on her temple, acting dramatically as she usually did to emphasize her purpose. “I heard from my friends that the girl was penniless!”
• “What?! It’s impossible! You know the Jewelry Palace, right? It’s the most successful jewelry empire in our country, even international. How can Amy be penniless? She is an heiress now.”
• “Wrong!” Tanya abruptly said. “The girl is penniless. Her uncle is the new heir right now. It hasn’t been published everywhere. But the closest people in the industry have already known Tom Brook, Peter’s brother, who will inherit the giant business, not your fiancee.”
• The news startled Jacob, but then he sighed and shook his head. “What a pity! But it’s not Amy’s fault that it’s her uncle who will inherit the business, Mom.”
• Tanya shrugged, but her stare was cold and sharp. “True, but I don’t want a poor girl to be my daughter-in-law.”
• “Mom, please, she has been through a lot. I can’t leave her! I love her!”
• “Love? Pah! You are attracted to her because she is beautiful. It’s an undeniable fact, but I can get you a new fiancee soon. She is as beautiful as her, and for sure, she will be the heir of her parents’ business.”
• That’s when a maid knocked on the door. She brought a tray with tea, coffee, and various biscuits. After placing everything on the table, the maid bowed her head. “Enjoy, madam, young master.” Then she left the room.
• Jacob touched his nape. His world crashed before his eyes. “I think it’s better we discuss it another time. I want to go to my apartment and rest.” He stood and wanted to leave the room.
• However, Tanya stopped him with her words. “Jacob, I haven’t finished yet. Sit!”
• His lips tightened and formed a grim line, but he finally returned to his seat. “What else do you want to say?”
• “I have arranged the new girl for you. I’m sure you will like her.” Tanya grinned, patting her son’s shoulder. “I wonder if you two know each other.”
• “Mother!” Jacob only called his mother with ‘mother’ when he was too upset. Today was one of those occasions.
• “I have arranged a meeting for both of you. She will be here in a few minutes.”
• Jacob shook his head and walked to the door. “I have been an adult. I won’t let you dictate my life anymore.”
• “Really? Since all you have is mine, if you don’t follow what I say, not only will I eliminate you as my heir, but I also will take all your money. Apartment? Gone. Your car? Gone. Credit cards? You won’t have them anymore.” Tanya raised her eyebrows, challenging her son. “Are you sure you want to leave everything behind and live as a beggar?”
• Jacob gulped. He knew his mother could do what she threatened.
• “Contrary to romantic stories, being poor isn’t nice. I can bet with you. If you choose the hard way, you will come to me and beg me to restore everything.” Tanya let out a sigh and patted the seat next to her. “Please, don’t make it harder than it should be. Son, you are my only child, and I don’t want to act harshly. But if you choose to do something stupid, I have no choice.” She shook her head. “You won’t be happy with her when you have nothing in your pocket. Trust me!”
• Jacob couldn’t say anything. Since he had never had a difficult life, he knew his mother was right. But then, leaving Amy when she needed him the most was the cruelest thing he could do to her.
• So, he pleaded with his mother. “Mom, please give me more time. I promise I’ll leave Amy after her situation gets better.”
• “How long? The more you are with her, the more you’ll sympathize with her. It will hurt her more if you leave her later.” Tanya stood and approached her son. She looked him in the eye. “Son, I was once young too, and I know you will fall in love again. Let her go now.” Tanya hugged her son.
• Jacob could only hold his mother’s shoulders and closed his eyes. He didn’t know what he should say to Amy. After so many things she experienced lately, how could he add another blow to her? It was too mean.
• Then Tanya tip-toed to wipe his son’s tears. “Don’t cry. It hurts me to see you sad. But it will hurt me more to see you will hate her later when you live in poverty.” She patted Jacob’s arm. “Trust me, Son. I know and want the best for you.”
• That was when Gerald knocked on the door. Tanya returned to the couch while Jacob walked to a nearby window, trying to cover his sadness.
• “Madam, young master, there is a guest coming. She said she already had an appointment with you, madam.”
• “Did she say her name?” Tanya asked.
• “Yes, madam, Gwen Johnson.”
• Tanya smiled and waved her hand. “Ask her to come in and bring more tea.”
• Gerald bowed and smiled. “Yes, madam, right away.”
• A moment later, a young woman wearing a white dress and matching high heels entered the room. She smiled when she saw Tanya. “Aunty Tanya, how are you? I hope you are well.”
• “Gwen, my dear! You are more beautiful each time I see you.” Tanya patted the seat next to her. “Come, sit next to me.”
• Gwen sat next to Tanya. That’s when she realized someone else was in the room. Tanya grinned when she looked at Gwen’s gaze.
• “My son, it’s the one I told you about. Can you come here and greet her?”
• Jacob reluctantly walked over and sat on another couch. “Gwen.” That’s all he could say.
• “Do you know each other?” Tanya asked, staring consecutively from Gwen and his son. She didn’t miss the pretty blush that appeared on Gwen’s smooth cheeks.
• “Yes, Mother. Gwen is one of Amy’s b—” Jacob was about to say best friends, but he stopped. Since how could a best friend betray her friend? Then he continued, “friend.”
• Tanya nodded. Her smile never left her lips. “Wonderful! I will leave both of you to chat. I believe we can come to an agreement and understanding.”
• After Tanya left her room, Jacob gazed at Gwen. “What the hell are you doing here?!”
• Gwen gasped and covered her mouth. “Your mother invited me here. Why are you mad at me?” She wiped her eyes, and soon, her tears flowed.
• Jacob let out a sigh. “Please stop the drama. What do you want from me?”