Nightmares and Nerves.

Chapter 1

Present day.

New York.

Jack line.

"Miss Acker, Miss Acker... JACK"

I come to abruptly, but without making any moves, that might hint to my true state of mind. Considering my surrounding, I remind myself of my whereabouts discretely. In the limousine at the Acker industries' private garage.

Looking up I see Allister, my butler and chauffeur, looming over me from the limos' door. His face unreadable. Without any utterances, I exit the vehicle and make my way through the garage, to my private elevator.

The bodyguard assigned to my security, do not make eye contact with me, nor do they acknowledge my presence. Just as they were paid to act. Other than Allister, no one has witnessed my laps, and even he would not know what it was about. No one can know what is in my mind and heart.

The nightmare or rather the memory I had last night, kept me from getting enough sleep, which resulted in me dozing off on transportation with more resurfaced memory. I never do that which is why it is so rattling.

And as much as I want to curse the slip I had, I cannot do that either, not even mentally. What my mother taught me in the few years I had with her, remain as precious as a treasure, which I can never do without.

The elevator takes off, and I lean my head against the wall. God, I dread the meeting taking place today, which is why I am in this state. No amount of experience in the business world would ever help me manage my reaction toward this individual attending it.

What did he think he was doing, using a verb synonym of his name? That I would not know? Or That I would know, but powder on it until I became a ball of nerves? The nerve of him.

The only thing sure is that I must not participate in any discussions taking place today. I must give no reaction until I find out the real intentions of Drake farrow, my Drake.

I gave him time to prepare himself and take care of his family like I did with mine, so that we can be together freely. If he came back after ten years to play, he will be disappointed.

⁂

Drake

Walking into my closet, I reach for my tie drawer to choose one that would project my intended image. I do not usually take my time to dress, but today is a special day.

Today I will reunite with my love. My one and only Jack « Jack-line Acker ». I select the silver tie to go along with the black pristine three pieces suit, and white dress shirt. Jack always liked me in black, said I looked dark and mysterious, and it made my eye seem bluer. Taking my key and phone, I check for any new mails; seeing as nothing new has come, I check the time; 8:15 am. In a normal workday, I'll already be at the company working in my office, but there is nothing normal about my reunion with Jack.

Exiting my bedroom, I head to the kitchen. I find Caleb my little brother and right-hand man, sitting on a bar stool reading newspaper while sipping his coffee, and Belle my housekeeper, on the stove probably making my breakfast and knowing her, I'll have to eat it. The lady of 56, has been like a grandmother to us in the brief years I have known her. She took care of our eating and general hygiene, also I can also truthfully say that her cooking is addictive.

Spotting the coffee machine, I head directly to it. Behind me, I hear Caleb whistle. I do not acknowledge it while I poor myself a cup of coffee, then I go sit on a bar stool while Belle shove a plate pilled with eggs, sausages, gravy, and biscuit. A real English breakfast.

" So... it's today huh?" Caleb says while eyeing me over the newspaper he is reading with an amused look.

I continue to ignore him, and shovel a mouthful of eggs; Messy, yeah but I never pretended to be a gentleman.

"Come on man... you have got to say something aye..."

Taking a sip of coffee I answer him in a matter-of-fact manner "It is today".

Caleb shoots me an eye roll and sigh "you are no fun, and here I thought-seeing as you are all dressed up- that you'll be in a more festive mood"

"I always dress up» I fake an offended expression "I am a very pristine man" picturing that I gulp my coffee like a beer shot. I hear Belle soft snort and I smirk.

After i finishing my food, I thank Belle and go to my office and make some phone calls. First to Aidan my secretary, with today instruction, and to Winter who answer at the second ring with a gruff hello. I tell him to be ready to go in 5 min. Although he owns a quarter of the company, and he is the husband of my baby sister Ella, he still act as my chauffeur and bodyguard -not that I need one, but he said he wanted to keep up the appearances.

Also, Winter is a longtime friend, he Caleb and I, have seen and battled the hell my father had put us through. Nothing could break that bound. Although Caleb and I have not always been close. But the abuse of our father made us share a burden, and mended our differences

The same thing applies to my relationship with Jack -although vastly different from that I share with my men. She and I had met in our teens, a period other would describe as unstable and fleeting. To us - and I still believe in us- it was everything.

My Jack is mad at me now but soon, I will heal her pain and revive our love. I just hope I do not lose my breath when I see her -wishful thinking-I know that like the first time, I will be speechless in front of her. My need to see her is so overwhelming, my body shudders from its force. And now that I am close to my objective, God help me.

I remember, our first meeting. Her walk, her eyes, when they locked with mine as we stared at each other. At that moment I knew that she was the most beautiful girl I will ever see. That day I also fell for her when I was seventeen.