SERENDIPITOUS LOVE

CHAPTER 5: First Date

On the other hand, after the matchmaking dinner, Jacqui’s parents had discussed Jac and Jacqui while they were in bed preparing for sleep.

Daddy Jack asked his wife , “What do you think of Jacob Tan?”

Mommy Eve answered, “He seems to be a very fine man. He is very patient and respectful of the elders.”

Daddy Jack remarked, “I think he is very much smitten with our princess.”

Mommy Eve teased her husband, “You were also like that to me back then.”

Daddy Jack teased his wife back, “Am I not anymore?”

Mommy Eve casually responded, “Let us just say that it has lessened a bit,” even signaling a bit using her fingers.

Daddy Jack expressed, “But I am still worried about our daughter. I think she might have found her real match with Jacob. He seems to be determined to win her.”

Mommy Eve asked, “Is it not a good thing?”

Daddy Jack shared, “Jaime and I would often talk about our children whenever we encounter each other. According to him, among his three children, Jacob is the most rebellious. Not in a bad way though, but he had defied Jaime’s wishes so many times. He has not fully committed himself to JI Pinnacle Corporation. His excuse was that James could handle anything.”

Mommy Eve surmised, “Well, James is the eldest son anyway. Jaime had prepared James and Jacob to take over their business empire in the same way that you had prepared Jer and Jon to manage the law firm. Jon chose to represent our combined shares at Sorocon Constructions. Whereas, Jacob established himself in other business areas, but he still helps out James when needed.”

Daddy Jack stated, “Jaime told me that, up to now, Jacob still plays robot combat and robot car racing. Although he was not competing professionally anymore, he was worried that he might return to that field again. He was forced to leave his team to help our James at JI Pinnacle Corporation. Jaime told me that his oldest nephew from Andrea seemed to have the same interests and Jacob is supporting him. Jacob is very successful in all of his business endeavors, so Jaime just wanted him to focus on such as well as with JI Pinnacle Corporation."

Mommy Eve explained, “E-sports and robotics competitions are just new fields. Just look at Vi's youngest son, Zachary. He formed a team with his friends and they had all become financially independent because they had won championship cups year by year. They have also brought honor to the country year after year because they have continuously won in international competitions. But I heard that they will already retire and will just focus on their respective careers as well as training other younger players. Zachary also didn't want to fully commit himself to the Belmonte Group of Companies because he had his own dreams and aspirations. Jacob seems to be like that as well. If he decides to return to that field again, I don't think that it will be for the money. No team from our country has won international titles again in those robotics competitions since he gave up competing. It is also the same for our daughter. You want her to just practice law, but he also defied what you wanted the moment she won the lottery. She pursued a degree in fashion design, got her MBA, and established her own company because you won't support her financially on that. Our daughter loves what she does. She donates most of her earnings to charitable causes. She also helps out a lot of people.”

Daddy Jack commented, “Yeah, she inherited your good heart. As for Jacob, you must guide our daughter very well in the matters of the heart.”

Mommy Eve insisted, “Or we just let them be, darling. They are both adults already. Let our daughter experience the ups and downs of romance by herself. If you still don’t know, she has liked Jacob ever since they met more than five years ago. Jacob was actually the reason why she got interested in those gadgets she was developing for JADE Technology. She is applying the concepts of robotics as well as artificial intelligence to those gadgets. Those two fields are what Jacob is most focused on with his tech firm, other than manufacturing and supplying electronic component parts for other tech firms."

Daddy Jack remarked, “She handled it very well during the dinner. I did not even notice. All the while, I thought she did not like the idea. Should we be ready for a wedding very soon?”

Mommy Eve answered, “Isabelle called me up already. She is so happy that her son did not storm out of the surprise matchmaking that the oldies set up. It seems that Jacob detests matchmaking. And when I told her that Jacob asked our permission to formally court Jacqui, she was even more ecstatic. She even asked me when they can do the traditional pamanhikan. I told her the same thing I told you, we should just let them be.”

Daddy Jack voiced out, “Honestly, I am getting nervous about this. Our daughter could be very impulsive at times.”

Mommy Eve pointed out, “Our daughter has just finally got interested in a man. Don’t fret too much about it. Don’t meddle as well. We will just help out if it is needed.”

Daddy Jack expressed his confusion, “Are we really not wrong agreeing on this match?”

Mommy Eve said, “Well, they like each other. As you said, what will happen next will be up to them.”

Daddy Jacked stated, “It still does not guarantee that it will work out. What if she just gets hurt in the process? Jacob may not be a playboy but he has got lots of admirers.”

“True,” Mommy Eve agreed and posited, “But our daughter has a lot of admirers too."

February 7, 2016. Sunday. Jacqui received a delivery of chocolate and strawberry crepes and a cup of latte early in the morning. Jac ordered it at a branch of Belle’s Café just on the ground floor of Pinnacle Tower, just beside his branch of A1 Gym.

She was surprised when the waitress said it was from Jac. Belle’s Café does not usually do deliveries among residents on an actual plate and actual cup. The waitress even told her to just leave the tray of the used wares outside her doorway and they would just pick it up. The waitress had already provided a covered rattan basket for it.

She sent a message to Jac then – Thanks for the breakfast. Just received them. Guess, I received special treatment because of you.

His reply was – Belle does that kind of service exclusively for family and closest friends. She is doing me such a favor to you. Although I think you already enjoyed such service when you were in Zenith Tower.

She remembered – Yeah, I did. Could it be possibly because of you too?

He admitted – Guilty as charged!

She asked – Where are you now?

He answered – I just finished a morning run in the grounds of my private residence. I initially planned on cooking breakfast for you this morning but I had a late night videoconference with a client. Perhaps some other time.

She answered – No need. I know you are a busy bee just like me.

His reply made her feel giddy – I will always find time for you, no matter how busy I am.

She just responded with – Okay (smiley icon)

After breakfast, she called up Alyanna regarding the plan of Jacob's cousin to form a team to compete in a robot combat competition and robot car racing and that she would recommend her. Alyanna felt so ecstatic regarding the news but still managed to say that her father would be able to drive for her that morning.

When Jacqui was fetched by Manong Rod that morning to drive her to JADE Company Building…

She asked, “How’s Manang Alma already?”

The driver answered, “She will be discharged tomorrow. Alyanna would fill in as housekeeper for the time being. She doesn’t have many things to do in her classes anyway. She is just finishing up the manuscript for her thesis and her ongoing work immersion at your company.”

She said, “You should let her stay at the condo for the time being then. It is much nearer to her school. The small vacant bedroom behind the kitchen for you or Manang Alma has always been available for your occupancy. Also, don’t worry much about driving for me. Just focus on driving for Mom. I think Dad will hire a personal driver/bodyguard for me. He is kind of paranoid regarding my safety now that he is a public servant. By the way, a cousin of Jac Tan is in search of a coder for a team that he will form to compete in robot combat competitions and robot car racing. We plan to recommend Alyanna. Would you allow her then, Manong Rod? If she is accepted as the team's programmer, they would compete internationally before she started her classes at UF - Vienburg."

Manong Rod asked, “Would her team mates be all male?”

She answered, "Jac's cousin is a male. As for the other teammates, he has yet to recruit others when he arrives here by mid-July."

Manong Rod voiced out his worry, "I know that it will be a good experience for her, Miss Jacqui. But she is still a girl."

She assured the driver, "If I had to accompany her during the competition proper, then I would, Manong Rod. It is not final though. But she is really gifted at programming and she is also very interested in robotics. The competitions will be on the school break anyway."

Manong Rod voiced out, “Thanks for helping out my daughter, Miss Jacqui. I honestly worry about her interacting with young men, but with your constant guidance over her, I feel assured. I am also aware that Mr. Tan has a good reputation, so if she wanted to join the team and be accepted, then so be it.”

She added, “Also, don’t worry much about Manang Alma’s job as our housekeeper. She should focus more on recuperating. She would still receive her regular salary. Dad and Mom don’t stay that much at their residence here anyway, ever since the alternate express road from Vienburg to Beaunne had been opened. I also eat out most of the time. As for the cleaning, Alyanna can always help me out.”

Manong Rod then decided, “Then I will let her stay with you for the time being.”

In the morning, Jacqui had a meeting with two representatives from Leila Adrielle Cardenas Enterprises, an interior designer from LAID heading the set design for the runway and the event coordinator from LACES in charge of the lighting, sound and catering for the before-runway show reception and after-runway show party. Everything will be set up on the glass-enclosed rooftop of the JADE Company Building.

It was one of the major renovations done to her five-story building. The original roof was removed and replaced by a concrete slab with a four-foot high concrete enclosure with strategic posts and elevator and stairs provisions were added for the rooftop. The concrete enclosure with strategic posts served as the foundation for the steel framing for the glass walls and glass roof. The glass wall have glass windows which can be opened for an al fresco feel. It had already been booked several times as an event’s venue, especially at night time when city lights are very visible. The area where her building was located didn’t have many high-rise buildings compared to the location of Zenith Tower.

A few minutes before 5 PM, Jacqui received an audio call from Jac.

She replied – Yes, Jac.

Jac informed her – Are you done with your work? I am just a few more minutes away.

She responded – I am still on the rooftop, but I will be going down now.

Jacqui was already in the lobby when Jac’s Maserati Levante stopped by the front driveway.

The security guard of JADE Company Building opened up the car door for Jacqui and closed it too.

Jacob spoke, asking her, “How is work?”

She answered, "My meetings and the rehearsals all went well," and then told him, "Anyway, I have already read your proposal about the Robotics Camp and the Robotics Competition. I am willing to cooperate with you on this project along with my entire tech team."

He was happy, "Thanks for that," and then asked her, "So when do you want to see the base and the processing plant?"

She answered, "Perhaps after Valentine's Day. I am still busy with the upcoming runway show and product launch of our new line of scents. But I will ask the head of my tech team to coordinate with Zenith Technology and all the meetings regarding the projects."

He said, "Okay."

Then she asked, "So, where will we be going for our dinner date?"

He said, "It will be a surprise. But be assured that I will not take advantage of you."

He had taken her to his private residence. As they entered the automated gate, she immediately asked her, "Is this your private residence?"

He confirmed, "Yes."

She asked, "Do you live alone here?"

He answered, "I live alone in the main villa house. But I got a housekeeper, a driver, and some other security personnel who stay at the staff house."

It was still not very dark so she got to see the front surrounding area of his modern villa house with very nice architectural structures.

As he parked in the front driveway of the house, his driver had approached to open up the door for her. As Jac escorted her inside the house, his driver drove the car to the garage.

He told her, "I was not able to cook breakfast for you. So I will cook dinner then."

A rolling personal assistant robot then approached them and then spoke, "Bonne soirée, monsieur. Bonne soirée, mademoiselle. I will get house slippers for the two of you." The robot's arms opened an automated cabinet and then got two pairs of house slippers and put them in front of their feet.

Jac talked to the robot, "Good job, AIDEN. Now, get some refreshment for Mademoiselle Jacqui."

She also heard the robotic voice saying, "What drink do you want, mademoiselle? Coffee? Water? Tea? Juice?"

Jacqui was so impressed, "Water."

She heard the robot speak again, "Carbonated? Mineral?"

She said, "Carbonated."

Then the robot rolled to the kitchen to dispense with a bottle of carbonated water from the automated vending machine.

Jacqui curiously asked Jac as they walked towards the kitchen, "Do you mass reproduce a robot like AIDEN? I want one."

As she settled and sat down on the bar stool by the island counter of his kitchen, AIDEN had handed her the bottle of carbonated water, "Thank you very much, AIDEN."

The robot responded with, "It is my honor and pleasure to serve you, mademoiselle."

Jac started to get the ingredients for the menu that he was about to prepare and asked her first, "Fish or beef?"

She answered, "Fish."

Then he answered her question, "Answering your question. Zenith Technology is not yet mass reproducing AIDEN. But we do have a robot a little similar to AIDEN that can help its masters with day-to-day household tasks. AIDEN can do more than that because of its artificial intelligence programming. Its functions are all tailored to my needs. I have not perfected AIDEN's expert systems yet, so I am not confident to mass reproduce it."

"I see," then she asked, "So how did you learn how to cook?"

His response was, "I learned first from my Mom some easy French recipes. Then, living alone in US for quite a time with only Arman with me, he taught me some Filipino recipes. And then, when I returned here, I learned more from Belle, and then asked, "Do you cook?"

She said, "Just a little. I can prepare sandwiches and salads, fry some, use the microwave for heating up food, and use the espresso machine to make myself various types of coffee. But usually I just order food or eat out."

He had prepared seared salmon with pasta primavera. They paired it with Chardonnay. They both enjoyed the dinner. It was really delicious.

Jac did not allow her to assist him with cooking as well as in putting the dishes on the dishwasher machine. His reason was, "This is your first time here, so just be my guest. Perhaps next time, I will already allow you to help out."

When Jac had already sent her home already and walked her to her door, he kissed her hand again and said, "Good night. Sleep well, mademoiselle."

She replied with, "I will. Thank you. I really had a great time," and then she quickly kissed him on his cheek, then entered the door and locked it right away, rendering him so surprised and speechless.

As she watched him from the security camera monitor, he was still all smile until he walked away.

In his mind – You really never failed to amaze me, Jacqui.

On the other hand, Maynard saw their exchange of kisses. He really felt devastated about that.

In his mind – This cannot be happening! You actually kiss him! It seems to me that you like her too. Why did you not reject him like the way you rejected your other suitors?