SERENDIPITOUS LOVE

CHAPTER 7: Rejection

February 9, 2016. Tuesday. Jacqui received a breakfast delivery again from Belle's Café, as well as lunch and dinner deliveries from Belle's Cuisine. She felt that somehow Jac knew that she had the tendency to miss her meals whenever she was so engrossed with her work. Her grandmother could have shared that information with him as well.

She also often received text messages or voice messages from Jac from morning until night. She missed being with him already but she tried very hard not to tell him about it. She was also able to avoid her sister-in-law's brother for two days already.

That night when she was already about to sleep, she was thinking – How much longer will Jac be out of the country? He said he will try not to miss the runway show by Friday. But then what if he cannot make it again, just like the supposed surprise birthday party that his siblings planned for him? He makes time for me even if he is busy, so that is a very good sign. But will this be the scenario all the time? I don't like the feeling that we are far apart, that I cannot see him right away if I like. If he was here, then I could make up some excuses to see him. But then he was out of the country. I am also so busy with my work here that flying to where he is will not just be possible. I also don't like it to appear that I am so eager to be with him. I should not appear as an easy-to-get lady even if I like him a lot. Anyway, did Jac also do this with Anna Reyes whenever he was on business trips abroad? Did he also make sure that she did not miss any of her meals? Did he also message her often? I like his consistency. Aside from the reasons Jac had mentioned, are there other left unsaid reasons she had for rejecting Jac. Guess, I really have to know him much better. But then my grandparents, Dad and especially Mom would not have agreed with the matchmaking if he was not like I know him to be. He seems honest to the point of telling me about his past in USA as well as about Anna Reyes.

She was in such thoughts when her smartphone suddenly sounded for a message notification. It was a message from Madison's brother, so she did not open it. She did not even want to read it.

In her mind – Why did he message me all of a sudden? I had already avoided him for two days straight already since he sent me those flowers last Monday. I did not even know which bouquet or flower arrangement he had sent me. Are they white roses? Red roses? Pink roses? Up to now, I still do not know what I will do about him. I know that ignoring him is not a good idea, but I am just not ready to deal with him right now. I still got so many things to do for the upcoming runway show this Friday. If not for Jac, I could have missed eating my meals again. He also messages me when I am on my meal breaks but you, I am already resting, preparing to sleep and you will suddenly message me.

She yawned and so she decided to sleep already, not replying to Maynard's message, not even reading it.

On the other hand, Maynard had regretted sending Jacqui that message the moment he had already sent the press button.

In his mind – What am I thinking about sending her a message at this time of the night? It is already past 10 PM. She is probably sleeping already. But then I have not received any reply from her yet regarding my confession written on that note card that I sent along with that big arrangement of red roses. I overheard from Madi last month when she was talking to Krista that Jacqui usually sent a subtle rejection apology reply card to all of her suitors or admirers sending her flowers. Why did I not receive one then? Is she actually allowing me to pursue her further? Did she even receive the note card that I sent along with the flowers? Is it possible that it was lost or misplaced? I should probably send her another bouquet with almost the same message. Yes, that is what I am going to do. Whether she received it or not, I must just go on to make my presence known until she responded back. I need to be persistent. As most people say – no pain, no gain! No guts, no glory! I should not waiver just because of this minor setback. She is probably just so busy that she had no time to respond on my confession. She has a runway show and a product launch by Friday. I already received the invitation last week.

February 10, 2016. Wednesday. That morning, Jacqui had a morning video call from her sister-in-law, Madison.

She responded sleepily – Yes, Madi. Why did you call so early in the morning?

Madison answered –Well, Lola heard that Jacob is abroad. So she wanted to know if the two of you are still contacting each other.

She answered – Please kindly give the phone to Lola, Madi.

Her grandmother then appeared on the screen as Madison had put the phone on a stand. Lola Consuelo spoke up, asking – Do you still talk to Jacob, apo?

She confirmed it – Yes, Lola. We even had dinner together last Sunday. He has been constantly contacting me even though he has left for a series of business trips since Monday. He checks on me during meal times. It seems that you told him that I tend to miss my meals when I am too engrossed with work.

Her grandmother admitted – I told Agnes and I am sure Agnes told her grandson. Good thing he is addressing such a matter, making sure that you don't skip any meals.

She shared – He has even ordered food delivery for me in advance every meal time just so I will not miss any of my meals, Lola. But you really didn't have to tell him that. He is a very busy man.

Lola Consuelo said – A man, no matter how busy he is, should always prioritize taking care of his woman. That is what I taught your Dad. Agnes also taught that to Jaime. Your Dad and Jaime also taught that to their sons. It is nice to know that Jacob is indeed very serious about pursuing you. Agnes will be so happy once I tell her about this. I would not agree to match him to you if he is not a good man.

She acknowledged it – I already know that he is a good man, Lola. Ever since we met in December 2010, he has always been a perfect gentleman towards me.

Her grandmother then asked – So does he stand a chance?

She said casually – Well, I like him and we have already agreed to date exclusively. We are still in the process of getting to know each other much better before we decide if we will want to be committed as boyfriend and girlfriend. So please do not get too excited, Lola.

Her grandmother responded – Of course, I am excited. You are my only granddaughter. And to think that you might be married to the grandson of my best friend will really give me immense happiness.

She told her grandmother – Well, we shall see if we will really get a long fine in the long run, Lola. So you and Lola Agnes should not plan our wedding yet. Only time can tell if we will really end up together or not.

Her grandmother said – I really have a feeling that he is the one for you and you are the one for him. The way you look at each other speaks volumes. Besides, what else do you want in a man? Jacob is handsome, gentleman, well-educated, and responsible. Plus, he is from a good family. The two of you also met when you were still very young. You may not remember it anymore. I will try to look at that old photo of you and him.

Then the door bell rang, so she said, walking towards the door – I got to go now, Lola. Someone is at the door. It is probably the breakfast meal delivery that Jac had arranged for me already. Bye for now. I love you.

Her grandmother responded – Okay. Bye. I love you too.

As she opened the door, it was indeed the breakfast delivery from Belle's Café . Then, after a short while, she received her morning video call from Jac.

He greeted her immediately as she appeared on the screen– Bonjour, mademoiselle.

She replied – Bonjour, monsieur.

He checked – Did your breakfast arrive already?

She affirmed – Yeah. Thank you very much for that.

He replied – Well, that is the least that I can do to make sure that you don't miss any of your meals. You are very busy with your upcoming runway show and product launch. Manang Alma is also not around to cook for you yet. Plus, you have this tendency of forgetting about your meals whenever you are so engrossed with your work.

She responded – Yeah. My grandmother has already confessed that she told your grandmother about it. So now, you see to it that I don't skip any of my meals.

He said – Skipping meals is not good. I know that you are aware of that. Perhaps I should lend AIDEN to you first while I figure out a personalized assistant female robot for you.

She was surprised in a very happy way – You are making a personalized assistant female robot for me?!

He said – Well, you said you liked one. The one on the market will not suffice for a busy career lady like you. So you need something as sophisticated and as high-tech as AIDEN. The first thing I will program on it is to remind you not to skip your meals. But I might also need your help in programming it based on your preferences and needs.

She responded, very excited – Yes, I will help you with that.

His confident reply was – I know you will not say no to that. Anyway, I will tell you something more about the robot combat and the robot race car team that Axel wants to form when I return. I met him last night when I arrived here in Shanghai.

Her reaction was – It seems to be a long story that you cannot tell right now.

He responded – Yeah, sort of.

She asked then – So you are already in Shanghai. That is your last stop before you return here, right?

He said – Yes. I am already very eager to come home so I can see you for real. I miss being near you so much.

She responded – The same here! But then that is your work. Actually, I have received several inquiries from different stores all over Asia. They want to be a retailer of our products.

His reaction was – That is very nice to know. I can help you with the due diligence on those stores and companies. You need to be sure of their credibility before entering any transaction or deal. I bet that you know that already.

She acknowledged it – Yeah. But indeed, the Asian market will be a new area for me. So I will not say no to your assistance. JI Pinnacle Corporation has business networks all over the world anyway especially in Europe, Asia and the Pacific Regions.

He said – That is true. Your products are gaining popularity because of their excellent quality

And then he saw the businessman that he was about to meet already by the door of the dining area of the hotel.

He then told her – Well, I need to cut our morning talk short. The person I am meeting for breakfast has just arrived. Take care. Bye for now.

She replied – Take care too. Bye.

When she arrived at JADE Company Building and went to the reception desk, the personnel handed her the note cards as usual. It was only then that she recalled that she still had an unread message from Madison's brother when she got to read note card from him again.

So she read his message last night and saw – Good evening, Jacqui. I know that you are very busy these days because of the runway show and the product launch on Friday. I just want to know if you received the bouquet of red roses that I sent and if you will allow me to move forward and court you.

Followed by Alyanna and her executive assistant, Marla, she sorted the cards quickly, handed them to Alyanna, and said, "Alyanna, do the usual with the note cards. The few ones needed an appreciation response card, and the rest needed the subtle rejection apology reply card. Please have them sent immediately as well."

In her mind – I am sorry, Kuya Maynard. But then I do not want to keep your hopes up by not sending a rejection note. I have no time to deal with you. So it is much better that you receive it sooner than later. I hope that at tonight's event, you will already know how to behave accordingly as if nothing had happened. I know that you will not miss the event because of Madi. I only like Jac.

Alyanna responded, "Yes, Miss Jacqui."

Jacqui then addressed her executive assistant, "Marla, you need to oversee the employees from LACE who will set up the set on the rooftop today. I won't have much time to check on it. Be sure that everything goes according to the plan. I will find time to check everything when it is done already. So be sure that I will not see anything that needs correcting."

Her executive assistant acknowledged, "I will do my best, ma'am."

Jacqui also told her executive assistant, "And kindly distribute those files that I already sorted out last night to our secretaries. I need them all accomplished before lunch time."

Marla responded, "I already messaged them the instructions about those files early this morning. I already put the files on their respective desks before I left yesterday, ma'am."

Jacqui knew how efficient and excellent Marla was with her work. They were the very reasons that she hired Marla as her executive assistant.

That day when Maynard received the dreaded reply card that Jacqui usually sent to her admirers and suitors, he felt so down.

The message contained on the reply card was –

Mr. Maynard Castillo,

Thank you very much for the flowers that you sent. I really appreciate the time and the effort you exert just to let me know about your feelings for me. But please don't waste them anymore on me. My career is on top of all my priorities right now, while my personal love life is not even included in my list of priorities. I hope you understand.

I apologize in advance if you feel saddened by this.

Thanking you,

Jacqui Avila

In his mind – So these are the words that you usually send to reject your admirers and suitors. I really did not expect to receive one. If your love life is indeed not on the list of your priorities, then why are you accommodating Jac Tan? I even heard that he is out of the country again. He is also too busy with his career and all of his business endeavors. Why accommodate him and then reject the rest? I should have known better when I saw you with him for the very first time. That billionaire looked at me as if he was sizing me up. He is too confident. But I still wonder how and when the two of you met? That billionaire was even seen with a pretty young lady almost two years ago. He might not have that bad boy or playboy image, but he had so many admirers because of his wholesome image. But he could just be too good to be real. He might be keeping skeletons in his closet. That is what I need to find out. Jacqui must have a reason not to like him further. Then perhaps I can have a chance with her once Jac Tan is already out of the picture. Yes! That is what I am going to do. I must give Jacqui a reason not to be on good terms with that billionaire, to doubt him. I must dig in into his well-kept secrets. They cannot end up together as husband and wife. I only want Jacqui to be my wife. I must do everything to win her over. The first thing I need to do is to eliminate that billionaire on my path. Jacqui will entertain others once Jac Tan is not in the race for her heart anymore. I will have to start my comprehensive background check on him. I will ask my firm's private investigator to collect all the information he can get about that billionaire. There must be something bad written about him. I should capitalize on that. I will make you look unworthy in Jacqui's eyes, Jac Tan. Jacqui must not only know his good points, but his bad points as well. She must not be blinded by that billionaire's good looks and wholesome image. So all the bad and the ugly things about him must come out. We shall see then if Jacqui will still want to be with him. I don't even need to do anything bad. I just needed to uncover his dirty laundry for Jacqui to be aware of. It's like rendering his own fat and sautéing him in such.