Protectiveness Vs. Possessiveness

The next morning Jacob arrived earlier at Eve's. But before that, he dropped by at Joe's and Lani's to get the supplies that J usually picks up from them with the additional stuff that he promised to bring the kids when he returns.

On her way to Lotus City J called Joe and Lani to say that she is on her way to pick up the supplies only to find out that Jacob had already picked them up an hour ago with additional orders. She assumed that Jacob is already at Eve's now.

He did as he said, he would see her today at Eve's. And he fulfilled his promise to the kids that he will return with the stuff that they requested.

Thinking about what Jacob said yesterday, she wondered if he would bring that up again today. And if he did, how would she respond? She hopes that he wouldn't.

She drives directly at Eve's not even bothering to hide her sports car from Jacob as he already knew about it.

When she reached the orphanage, she heard the voices of the kids cheering. It sounds like they were having a great time in the backyard. She wonders what could they be doing? Is Jacob with them?

She walked inside the mansion but found no one inside. She peeked at the window, the boys were playing football with Jacob while the girls surrounded them watching and cheering.

Jacob seemed to be having fun with the kids. Does he really like kids? J wondered. Then he heard someone clear her throat behind her. She turned around to see Ms. Eve.

"You're here. The kids are having fun. Why don't you help me prepare lunch in the kitchen?" Ms. Eve said smiling at J.

J smiled back and nodded. She then followed her to the kitchen.

Ms. Eve and some of the helpers were busy preparing food. J noticed the amount of food that they are preparing. It is more than usual.

"Hmm... are we going to have a feast?" J said amused.

"Yes, we are. Dr. Jacob wanted to. He bought all this. He said he wanted to treat the kids for a special lunch since he won't be able to stay until dinner." Ms. Eve said enthusiastically though with a tone of regret at the end.

"Is that so? Since when did he arrive?" J asked.

"About two hours ago. He already bought the supplies and the toys that the kids asked him. He was such a good person. He is going to be such a good husband. His future wife is lucky." J felt that Miss Eve's last words have a hidden meaning.

Is she lucky? She thought.

After they are done with the cooking, they bring out the food on the dining table in the garden. Then Miss Eve handed her a towel. She shot her a confused look.

"You might be needing that." after she said that she walked out to call the kids.

The kids including Jacob fled towards the garden and they eventually saw J.

"Miss J!" the kids screamed out in unison then ran towards her to hug her.

J laughed and said, "Oh you guys stink! Come on, wash your hands before we eat." she teased them then smiled.

Jacob came holding Nana's hand. She looked at him and their eyes met making her heart suddenly flutter. His face has beads of sweat, his hair is messy, his shirt and jeans have a trace of dirt on them but he still looks even more handsome. He placed Nana into an empty chair of the dining table before he walked towards her.

"I thought after yesterday you wouldn't be appearing today," he said smiling at her.

J blushed when he mentioned the event that takes place yesterday. She pouts her lips and rolls her eyes.

"I came an hour ago. You were all so busy playing that you didn't notice that I arrived."

"I did." Then he grabbed the towel that J is holding and used it to dry his sweat.

"I saw you peeked at the window." he gave her a teasing smile.

J frowned realizing that the towel that Miss Eve gave her was intended for Jacob. Is she playing matchmaker or something?

"Where are you going?" Why do I have to ask? J thought to herself.

Jacob turned to her and said, "I'm going to change my shirt. Would you like to help me?"

J frowned and said, "You wish!"

Jacob chuckled before he left. J turned around to see Miss Eve watching them with a meaningful smile.

She returned her smile before keeping herself busy with Nana.

Soon they were all seated and devouring the delectable dishes that Miss Eve and J prepared.

After lunch Jacob stayed a couple more hours playing with the kids then he decided to leave. He said that he has a meeting to attend.

He left without having a word at J. Which irks her. She indeed had hope that he would not bring out the event last night but left without even saying goodbye. She was dumbstruck.

Then after a couple of moments, she received a text message from Jacob that makes the corner of her lips curve.

'Miss Eve has been suspecting us so I have to make a distance. I'll see you at home tonight.'

She stayed at the orphanage until dinner and once the dinner was done, she had said goodbye to the kids and promised them that she will be back next month.

J parked her sports car in the private garage then took a taxi going home.

When she reached the apartment Beauty and Beast pounced on her wagging their tails. It has been two days since she last saw them and looks like they missed each other.

She gave them dog food then went to the bathroom to take a warm shower.

Earlier, Jacob arrived at the Twelve Army Headquarters where he met with James and Capricorn.

At his office, they were greeted by four equally masculine men all about six-foot in height wearing rugged casual attire.

The four of them stand up simultaneously and raise their arms in salute towards Jacob, James, and Capricorn.

James being Jacob's right-hand man had undergone training under the Twelve Army.

Jacob looked at each of the agents and frowned internally and looked at Capricorn. He wonders, does Capricorn have a requirement that his team has to be good-looking?

Not that he doubts himself when it comes to physical attributes he could definitely match and even surpass these men in front of him. But these are the men that are supposed to protect his wife. As much as possible he doesn't want any men to surround his wife.

However, the need to protect his wife outweigh his possessiveness.

He takes a seat in his armchair and as Capricorn starts to introduce his team Jacob is scanning their personal profiles.

"This is Daniel Li, the team's strategist and a computer genius, Stefan Mayer, he's a gun expert and a sniper, Felix Martinez, he's the best spy that I got and Arthur Brown, he's also a strategist and an expert in hand-to-hand combat." Capricorn proudly introduces his team.

Capricorn although in his late 50's still managed to maintain his muscular build. He has an oblong face with a slightly smaller chin, although there was stubble on his jaw and chin, his cleft chin is highly noticeable.

"Good! I would like to have a word with them." Jacob said looking at James and Capricorn.

James and Capricorn who seemed to understand the meaning behind his words nodded at each other then walked out of the office.

"You probably have an idea as to what this assignment is. Although this assignment was originally from my father, I will personally take charge and supervise this assignment. Meaning you will be reporting directly to me and getting orders from me." Jacob said in a cold tone looking at the eyes of four men.

The men returned his gaze without a blink showing how professional they are.

"This is a highly confidential assignment. You will be protecting a VVIP, which is my wife. And there are some things that I want you to remember. One, no one should know about your assignment nor the identity of my wife. Two, my wife didn't know about this..." now Jacob noticed the brows of the men in front of him snapped together as expected. "Meaning, you will be protecting her from a distance. She shouldn't know about this, so don't do anything that will give her an idea. She is very observant of her surroundings."

"Three, I want you to report to me who she meets and talks to as well as her locations. And..." Jacob paused for a moment then looked at the door. "I have a special task especially for you Felix."

Seeing Felix's eyes twinkled Jacob continued "My wife is quite mysterious. I know there is something that she is not telling me, and I want to know what that is. Whatever you found out, report it directly to me. Capricorn or my father shouldn't know about this." After saying this, his jaw set.

"This is my forte boss, I won't disappoint you." finally one of them speaks up. Felix seemed to be enthusiastic about this extra mission.

"Good! Any questions?"

"What are the threats?" one of them directly asked. Jacob looked at Arthur, he seemed to be the leader of the team. Aside from his cold aura, he noticed his striking appearance. Based on his expertise, if needed he will be the person who is most likely to be guarding his wife in the closest distance and it displeases him.

"The fact that she is my wife, makes her susceptible to future threats...as to what or who... it's for you to find out." Jacob shot Arthur a serious look.

Arthur seemed to understand, he nodded his head then said, "Copy that sir!"

"As for now here is my wife's schedule." he gave Arthur a folder assuming that he is the leader.

"She is a nurse at CLP Hospital, for 13 days she will be having her morning shift starting tomorrow at the Department of Surgery. She starts at seven in the morning then her shift ends at three in the afternoon not unless she is stuck in surgery. Aside from her duty, her daily schedule is quite unpredictable. But most of the time she goes directly and stays at our apartment, which address is written there. After her 13-day duty is her 2-days off. Which will be your day off as well since I will be accompanying her during those days not unless I ask you to standby."

After the meeting, the four men got up and went out of the office. Once sure that they were quite at a distance from Jacob's office Felix blurted out his thoughts.

"Phew! I don't know about you but at first, I thought this was going to be a boring assignment not until the boss talked about the extra assignment. I just hope that this wife of his got something exciting hidden in her closet. And I can't wait to unravel it." Felix who is highly talkative, enthusiastic, and active is having a hard time doing nothing. So, the thought of having boring assignments kills him. He would rather engage in riskier assignments than be a nanny of a homebody wife.

Stefan who is more relaxed, quiet, and easy-going chuckled and said, "I find this assignment quite interesting. Well at least finally I can be at peace." After saying that, he hummed and put his hands in his side pockets as they continued walking in the corridor.

"Hey! Daniel, what do you think about this assignment?" Felix asked Daniel.

Daniel is the opposite of Felix, he is quite introverted. He is a deep thinker and a perfectionist. This makes him a good strategist, having detail-oriented behavior is an advantage to him. He thought for a moment then said, "I guess there is no serious threat yet. The boss is just being overprotective of his wife. But the fact that the Chairman was the first one to assign us to this assignment, means there is something that he knows that the boss doesn't. And the boss had sensed that. That's why he gave you an extra assignment."

Felix's eyes sparked, "Right! You are such a genius, Daniel! Come to think of it you have a point there."

Arthur who was listening to them has the same thoughts, although he tends to be an introvert just like Daniel, he is the leader of Capricorn's A-Team. Being independent and goal-oriented, he was good at being their leader. He is a logical person, so his thought goes the same as Daniel's.

"Assignment starts tomorrow, I'll see you at the rendezvous." and with that Arthur walked away from them waving his right hand in the air not looking at them.

"What? Wait! Where's our rendezvous?" Felix half-shouted at Arthur.

Daniel patted Felix's shoulder then walked out in a different direction. Leaving Felix and Stefan behind.

"Sometimes I think those two have telepathy. Does Daniel already know where our rendezvous is? Looks like he doesn't even care." Felix broods at himself.

Stefan shrugged his shoulder and said, "I'll see you tomorrow." then walked away.

"Wait! You knew the rendezvous?" Felix runs after him.