Miss Nancy

J was now driving towards Lantana Province at a speed that she was sure Jacob couldn't follow her. She felt guilty but she really can't let him follow her. So, she sends him a message. "I'll be home tomorrow."

Jacob's phone rings, he saw a message from J. Although he felt a little at ease, he still can't relax. She will be coming home tomorrow. That means he will be alone tonight again in the apartment.

When J reached the Lodgepole Estate, Mrs. Potters is already waiting for her on the porch. The old lady hugged her and escorted her inside the house before J exhaustedly asked for Mrs. Potters to send her a tea in her personal library.

"Is there any problem?" Mrs. Potters asked her while putting down the tea on the table. She sensed that something bothers J. She had taken care of J since she was a child so she knew her better than anyone.

J sighed heavily before she told Mrs. Potters about her marriage to Jacob. She needed someone to tell her about her situation. And she thought it was best to tell it Mrs. Potters since she is the person who knew her and her grandfather the most. Mrs. Potters might know her grandfather's way of thinking since she grew up with him. Mrs. Potters had served their family since she was a kid, at that time her grandfather was still in college.

J never had a mother figure. Never had a lover or suitor before, not because no one is interested in her but because she just didn't give them a chance to approach her and pursue her. Now that Jacob appeared as her husband, she has no idea how to deal with the situation. She is now following Lance's advice which is to go with the flow. But it seems that the flow is not going where she wanted it to be.

Her original plan is to divorce Jacob, but Jacob rejected it and said that he wanted to try out this marriage first then decide whether to divorce or not later on. But based on their situation right now, how Jacob treats her, and how she reacts, there is no way that the divorce is going to happen anytime soon.

That is why she is now seeking a piece of advice from Mrs. Potters.

Mrs. Potters seemed to understand J's worries and J seemed to notice that she is not even surprised. She wondered if the old lady knew about her marriage or she just knew the way her grandfather thinks that she knew this would happen.

Mrs. Potters sit on the armchair across J's and says, "Elder Do must've been worried about you. You were so hard-headed and persisted that you would rather grow old and die alone. Who in the right mind would want their granddaughter to grow old and die alone?"

J's back straightened as her brow jerked and instantly understood what Mrs. Potters meant.

J sighed and asked, "Then what should I do?"

Mrs. Potters stared at J and shook her head. This girl is so innocent and clueless. She appeared strong and hard-headed but inside she is weak and innocent. Elder Do knows this very much, that's why he married her off to someone to make sure that she would be protected and taken care of. She must make a way to get to know this Jacob.

Mrs. Potters gazed at the vast ocean. She didn't answer J's question, instead asked her back, "How do you feel about him?"

J was surprised. She was not prepared to be asked this question. She didn't even know how to answer this kind of question. Because even she is asking her the same questions to herself. She flinched and changed her position but found it more uncomfortable.

Mrs. Potters are now staring at her. More like reading her movements and emotions. She felt more uncomfortable so she averted her gaze and looked at the ocean instead. But the ocean that she relies on whenever she is stressed didn't help that much. She sighed.

Mrs. Potters gave off a meaningful smile and patted J's hand that rested on the machete of the armchair.

"Know your heart, Miss J." Mrs. Potters then stood up near the railing of the balcony then asked, "Does he treat you well?"

"Uhm... h-he cooks me breakfast, he protects me from his mother, he gets worried when he can't find me... I-I guess so." J didn't mention the way he cuddles her during sleep and when he embraces her earlier when he found her.

"How about you try and open your heart first Miss J. That way you can appreciate the things that other people do for you. Then you will be able to tell how you feel about them. Don't rush, you have all the time in the world. I know you are afraid to trust anyone, but there is a saying that the best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them." Mrs. Potters said then left after she patted her on the shoulder.

Trust him? J thought to herself. She sighed. Now J felt that it became more complicated.

J's phone rang, she received a message from Jacob. She opened it and was surprised, "I'll see you tomorrow at Martha's Home." How did this guy find out that she is going to Martha's Home tomorrow? He sure has his way of finding information.

Then her phone rings again. It was another message from Jacob. "If you wonder how I find out about it? It's Miss Eve, I called her while I was looking for you. She told me that you might be at Martha's Home. But Miss Nancy said that they are expecting you tomorrow."

With that, a smile appeared on J's face. So that's how he looked for her. He even talked to Miss Nancy. But how did he end up in the speedway? She didn't ask him, instead she replied with "Okay."

She waited for Jacob to reply but he didn't. She felt disappointed.

That night was the first time that J had a hard time falling asleep in her own bed in Lodgepole Estate. She hates to admit it but she missed Jacob's presence. She thought about how he would slowly slide his arms under her head making her lie in his arms then pulled her close to his embrace. Although she was awake, she didn't protest, she pretended to be asleep and stayed in that position until both of them fell asleep. She didn't know why but she liked it and got used to it, now she missed it.

The next morning, she woke up and felt a little bit excited. She had her breakfast and drove her sports car back to Lotus City. She left her car in the private parking, then took a taxi to Martha's Home.

She was met by Miss Nancy. Miss Nancy is the older sister of Miss Eve. While Miss Eve is the head of the orphanage, Miss Nancy is the head of Martha's Home which is a home for the aged.

J scanned the whole place but didn't find the person she is looking for wondering if he was just bluffing when he said that he'll see her at Martha's Home.

"Did you get the package? I came directly from Lantana so I didn't have the time to pick up the goods." J said smiling at Miss Nancy.

"Yes, they arrived yesterday." Miss Nancy smiled back at J gratefully.

Miss Nancy is way more sophisticated and strict-looking than Miss Eve, while Miss Eve is more laid back and soft-spoken. She is already 58 years old. She's got fair skin, a prominent jaw, a pointed nose, and thin eyebrows that were in a perfect arc. She's got red lips and copper hair that is in a perfect bun. When not smiling she gives off that strict aura.

Miss Nancy leads J to a group of old females then leaves her while she begins chatting with them. Aside from being so fond of the kids, J also has begun being fond of the elders. When it comes to them she has a lot of patience.

After an hour she saw a familiar figure enter the main door. He was looking at her. Their eyes met but soon his gaze was diverted to Miss Nancy who was approaching him. They talked for a minute then she saw them walk towards Miss Nancy's office. J wonders what they could have been talking about.

"I'm surprised by your call yesterday." Miss Nancy said after Jacob was seated in an armchair in front of her table. "I see you found her."

Jacob nodded and said in a formal tone, "I found her yesterday. Thanks for your help."

"Mmm.." Miss Nancy nodded then said, "By the way, I'm Nancy Moore. You can call me Miss Nancy. I'm the head of Martha's Home.

Jacob raised his hands to reach for Miss Nancy's hands and said, "Jacob... Dr.Jacob Parker."

"Evangeline told me about you. I'm her elder sister," she said as she leaned her back in her chair. Jacob had guessed that earlier as they both looked like each other. They were both sophisticated but Miss Nancy looks scarier and more intimidating than Miss Eve.

"She said you're Miss J's friend. The fact that you're here means Evangeline didn't believe you," she said nonchalantly.

Jacob was confused, "What do you mean?"

"I mean, you're not Miss J's friend. Who are you?" she replied.

Jacob chuckled and said, "I'm her friend."

Miss Nancy didn't speak, instead, she pinned Jacob with a piercing look, "Miss J doesn't have any friends except for the two that I know, more so, a male friend." Miss Nancy said, emphasizing the last words. "She might have close acquaintances but she would never bring them here or to the orphanage."

"I insisted on coming with her at the orphanage and today, I came on my own," Jacob said in a serious tone.

"Even if you insist, she wouldn't let you." Miss Nancy was still persistent. She was staring at Jacob and not moving an inch waiting for his reply.

"Speak." Now Jacob felt defeated. How could this woman order him to speak?

"I'm her husband," Jacob said later on with a blank face.

Miss Nancy stared at him for a couple of seconds as if trying to confirm if he is telling the truth or just bluffing.

"Our grandfather married us off five years ago," Jacob said when he felt that Miss Nancy was doubting him.

Then Miss Nancy nodded and said, "Evangeline was right about you." She stands up then walks towards the window where she saw J helping an old man with a walker.

Jacob followed her with his eyes bewildered.

"Miss J didn't know about it but Evangeline and I knew that her grandfather married her off five years ago. Her grandfather sent us a letter. But he didn't tell us to whom he would marry her off. We didn't have the chance to ask him because, by the time that we received the letter, he was already dead." then the room was filled with silence.

"So, you personally know her grandfather?" Jacob asked because Miss Eve told him that J just found out about the orphanage when she passed by it. But it seems like there was another story. It looks like Miss Eve and Miss Nancy personally knows J's grandfather.

Miss Nancy turned to look at Jacob who was now looking at J and ignored his question but instead asks, "How did you find out about your marriage?"

Jacob told her about the marriage contract that his grandfather gave him and the events that happened after that.

"So it's fine with you? Being married to her?" Miss Nancy said with doubt.

Jacob confidently said yes looking at Miss Nancy's eyes. Where did he get the confidence to say that he doesn't know? But he was serious when he said that.

Miss Nancy shook her head and said, "Her grandfather probably wants Miss J to be protected that's why he married her off to you. To tell you honestly, I don't trust you. I don't know what he saw in you that he chose you for Miss J. But I have to trust Elder Do."

Jacob was slightly irritated at Miss Nancy for being straightforward. How could she judge him that easily without knowing him first? Does she think he cannot protect his wife? But more than that, he wondered why J needs protection?

"I am the Chairman of the CLP Group of Hospitals and Twelve Army. Based on my status and capability I am confident that I can protect her. I will protect her with my life if I have to. And with all due respect Miss Nancy, I was married to her without my knowledge and opinion. We indeed share the same animosity here but I accepted it, I embraced it. I don't know what I will get out of this marriage but I've said it before, I am seriously considering this marriage." Jacob stood up with his temper rising. If it wasn't for J he would have already left after saying those words but he remains standing.

Miss Nancy was amused but later on said, "She doesn't know you."

"I don't know her either, so what difference does it make?" Jacob instantly replied.

Miss Nancy smirk, "We can only trust you...S-she..." Miss Nancy sighed deeply while her face softened. "She deserved to be happy. Can you do it?" she said beseechingly.

Jacob was amused at the sudden change in Miss Nancy's articulation. Miss Eve, Nana, Harry, and the rest of the kids, and now Miss Nancy. They were all beseeching him to protect J. This is getting more peculiar. To others, they wouldn't understand why a completely unrelated person cares too much about J's welfare.

J grew up with Elder Do and Mrs. Potters. And sometimes, Mrs.Potters would send her to Miss Eve's or Martha's Home where Miss Eve and Miss Nancy would take care of her. So, technically, she grew up with these people. They knew of her situation being born from a family that has to create a heist to help other people and then hide their identity. With her situation, they never heard J complain ever since she was young. She had learned to think first about other people before her. She has preferred to be alone and never talks to anyone to keep herself and her family safe. That's why Miss Eve and Miss Nancy hope that someday, things will change for her and that someone would take care of her the way she should be.

They don't want to see her be alone for the rest of her life just like what she always says. J deserves more than that.

"Jenny doesn't trust me either, but I've already been trying my best to make her happy. Although I don't know what I will get after this, I decided to not expect anything from her in return." he let out a gloomy sigh as he shrugs his shoulders.

Miss Nancy was taken aback. She didn't expect Jacob's words. It was unexpected for someone who was arranged to be married to someone you didn't know and who didn't trust you. She is starting to have confidence and respect for this man. Who could this person be and how did Elder Do know him?

"I don't trust you but I will trust your words." Miss Nancy said later on.

The time passed and soon it was time for J and Jacob to leave Martha's Home.

J and Jacob said goodbye to the elders and Miss Nancy.

"If you need anything please call me. My hospital will be providing you with medical services." Jacob said to Miss Nancy.

Miss Nancy nodded and said, "Thank you, Dr. Parker."

"We'll be back again next month." J was taken aback, she said it without giving it a thought. She said 'We' instead of 'I'. Before she was able to take it back, she already saw a grin on Jacob's face. Jacob was grinning on the outside but laughing on the inside. That means they will still be married in the coming months. Jacob thought to himself.