Then, the cruelty of fate acted upon his best friend. On the day of his graduation, Philippe died on his way to the hospital. He didn't need to think twice. He left the venue and went to find him and at this point, a dead body was what greeted him. Philippe's parents were there as well as his girlfriend who looked like a zombie. Her eye bags were so dark and her eyes were swollen and red.
When she spoke, the nasal tone of her voice showed just how much she cried because of the man's death.
Jackson who became more cheerful because of Philippe started shutting himself against the world once again. He couldn't even remember the times that he talked to his mother or joined her during meals. This lasted for a year. On the day of his death anniversary, Jackson received a message from his best friend and he was so scared he thought a ghost had come to haunt him.
Then, as he read the message, he realized it was set up to be sent to him after a year. It turned out that he asked his girlfriend to set up the time for his messages if something unexpected happens to him. Even when he was suffering, his best friend still thought of him.
- If you are reading this, I am probably causing you grief once again even though I never wanted to be that person. Jack, I always wanted to see you smile and hear your laughter. I always admire how strong and brave you are to continue moving forward despite the pain and difficulties you were facing.
I don't know if you are spending your time with your virtual girlfriends once again and if you are, I hope you'd stop doing so. I really hope you would learn to mingle with real people. I hope you will meet someone who will value you for who you truly are. Next year, I will be sending you another message. By then, I hope things have changed. -
On the second anniversary of his death, Jackson did receive another message from his best friend.
- You are receiving this because things haven't changed. You are still the same. I am worried for you and your mother. I mean, you're the only one she has now and if you continue to be the way you are now, she will be sad.
I know you are aware of how much your mother wanted to spend time with you but she couldn't force her way since she felt awkward for acting all close when she left you for six years. Jack, you have to take care of your mother before you lost her, too. -
The second message was what pulled Jackson back to reality. He realized the things he had been missing ever since he lost his father. He ignored everyone who wanted to show care for him and turned a blind eye to the feelings of others. He didn't notice his best friend was suffering and most of all, he didn't notice how much his mother wanted to spend time with him.
Yes, he was hurting from the loss of his father. He was in excruciating pain. Yet, wasn't his mother suffering like him? Instead of facing the pain alone, he should have stayed with his mother who needed him as well.
The second message woke him up from the long sleep he had and he decided to take things seriously this time. He didn't want to run away anymore.
That day, he came out of his room and hugged his mother out of nowhere. It stunned his mother to hear him apologize to her for the lack of care all these years. The voice that has grown manly without her noticing it, made her sob silently. She missed her son so much.
On the same day, Jackson asked his mother if she could accompany him to shop and style his hair. He wanted to look prim and proper, instead of looking like a grouchy man. He had dinner with his mother for the first time in a long while and he took this chance to really look at her. She looked older compared to the last time he paid his attention to her.
"Ma, do you want to go on vacation this December?"
"Anywhere? I'll find a job and save for it."
"O-okay. We can go somewhere that you like."
When they returned home from shopping and having dinner, Jackson opened his computer but did not play games or watch anime. He really searched for work. Then, he came across the post that Stefan created. It was shared by one of his social media friends, probably a classmate when he was in college or high school, he couldn't remember anymore.
Anyway, he grabbed this opportunity and prayed to his father and best friend to guide him throughout the way. He wanted this position so much because he knew that the couple wasn't malicious.
He needed someone who understands their employee's needs and not just the profit that their employees bring. The day that he applied for it was also the day that he got accepted.
Sitting on the passenger seat, Jackson smiled as he looked at the sky outside the car. He didn't know if his father or his best friend were watching him but he wanted to thank them for taking care of him despite being a handful to them.
"Ms. Yen, why didn't we meet when I still got my best friend?"
"Ha? Did you say something?" Cayenne inquired because she wasn't sure if she heard him right.
"No, nothing. I am just thankful that God gave me the opportunity to meet you." It was a white lie since he didn't want to expose the truth. He must have forgotten that all of Cayenne's bodyguards were equipped with recording devices and what he said was obviously recorded.
She could easily ask for the recording to know what he said. As long as it wasn't anything bad, Cayenne won't do anything against him.
"We're here." The driver said as he parked the car next to the other vehicle of the bodyguards. "Madam, we can only stop here because the streets ahead are narrow and it would be difficult to maneuver the car. We'll have to walk the rest of the way."
"I don't mind. I haven't walked for today so we can take this chance."
"Leave three bodyguards to look after the vehicles," Kyle told the driver and the latter immediately contacted the rest of his colleagues to discuss who will stay behind.
"This is a safe place, right?" Jackson asked when he noticed that many people were looking at them and they seemed malicious to him. "I have never been to a squatter settlement."
"Don't judge them. We need to be friendly and honest. Leave this matter to me." Kyle commented and walked to the closest sundry store with a faint smile on his face. Four men were drinking booze but they don't look drunk to him. Two women were gossiping and sometimes, they would steal glances at him and the people behind him. "Good afternoon," Kyle greeted politely and bowed his head a little.
"We're from City A and we're currently looking for Mr. Julio Laborada. Do you happen to know him?"
Suddenly, the men turned alert and they looked at Kyle with menacing eyes. He felt like a small lamb in the middle of huge tigers. "My sister Cayenne learned that Mr. Laborada needs help with his child's treatment. We wanted to offer some help."
"In exchange for what? For his kidneys? His heart? His eyes? Which part of him do you want this time?"
NOTE: Jackson Mondejar is a very important character in my next work "My Dumb Doctor, Please Look At Me". Check out my next work and discover how he's related to the characters. Come and have a glimpse of Belle's complicated world after Ceres came to occupy her body even though she wasn't dead yet.