"So, this is Escueza! This is why papa's hands are itching to get it," Jackson said. He is Jacob's stepbrother. They aren’t in good terms. He’s in awe when he looked around the hotel.

"Babe, do you really need my presence tomorrow? Daddy called me. We need to make a surprise for mom's birthday," Ivana said while caressing Jackson's chest.

"Babe, are you avoiding Jacob? Do you still love him?" Jackson asked seriously.

"O-of course not! I'm not by your side now if he's the one that I love. What are you thinking, Jackson? You’re disappointing! I have exerted much efforts to accompany you here. I chose you rather than my business meetings and now? You will accuse me of something like that? You’re so annoying," Ivana said pretending to turn her back on Jackson. She smiled when he suddenly hugged her from behind.

"I'm sorry. You know that Jacob is my rival in the bidding, right? You also know that Mr. Clinton loves you. You won't do anything tomorrow except looking at the old man. We only need your smile and boom! The prize is ours! Jacob will regret that he chose to ignore your demands,” Jackson said.

Ivana and Jackson laughed. They were immediately greeted by the hotel staff and taken to their room.

"Room 313. Hmm, not bad," said Ivana as she watched Jackson carry their suitcases. "What are we going to do today?"

"Wear your best dress. We're going to play some games!" Jackson replied, because he likes to play poker, roulette and sports betting.

Ivana forced a laugh because she was bored with such things. She would rather soak herself in the pool all day than to plaster a fake smile and play with the elite.

"O-okay," said Ivana.

"You do not want it?" Jackson asked as he raised his eyebrows.

"N-no! Of course, I like it. As long as you are by my side, no matter what we do, I will not feel bored," Ivana lied.

Jackson stared at Ivana's red lips. After a minute, he's kissing her aggressively.

"Close the door," Jackson ordered. "I miss you so much my dear Ivana," he added.

Ivana ran to the entrance and closed the door. They both miss each other that's why they are both eager to taste heaven again.

~~~

"Answer your fucking phone, Ivana! I won't let you leave me just because of that stupid birthdate!"

Jacob has called his ex-girlfriend Ivana almost ten times. He expected her to show up. They already talked about the bidding. He also hoped that they will get back together again. He thought she was just hitting on him because he forgot her birthday.

"I need you here, Ivana," Jacob whispered calmly.

Jacob knew that the owner of Escueza, Mr. Clinton is interested on her ex-girlfriend. If she will be by his side later, he was certain that he would get the hotel that his father had dreamed of for a very long time.

"Damn it!" Jacob shouted as he threw his cell phone on the floor when Ivana hung up on him. He held onto his lamp. It's only a matter of time before the bidding begins.

"Sir Jacob, Miss Diana is calling you. It is already time for your breakfast. She said that the bidding and your meeting with Mr. Clinton have been moved tomorrow," his bodyguard bowed and said.

Jacob's eyes widened when he looked at his bodyguard.

"So what am I going to do here all day? I will look at the ceiling? Shit! Mr. Clinton knew how desperate I am to acquire his hotel that's why he is acting like that! Once I got what I want, I will never greet him again! Anyway, did he arrive?" Jacob asked.

"W-who, S-Sir Jacob?" the bodyguard asked fearfully.

"Mr. Clinton probably! You think I am going to ask if my evil half-brother, Jackson arrived? Use your fúcking brain!" Jacob poured his annoyance to his innocent bodyguard.

"Miss Diana did not yet confirm anything regarding that. I think, Mr. Clinton will be arriving tonight, sir," his bodyguard answered directly.

"Alright, go to the dining area first. I'll just follow. Please tell Diana that I had sent an email for her last night. She hasn't replied yet," Jacob ordered calmly. He accidentally took a glance to the opposite room when he saw the back of a boy wearing a black speedo. Jacob didn't know why he felt better when he caught a glimpse of the kid. His bodyguard had already left without him realizing it. When he turned around to get his V-neck t-shirt, Freya came out of the opposite room.

"Son, don't go away from mommy. I know you know how to swim, but still be careful. Do you have your goggles?" Freya asked.

"Yes mommy. I brought it. Let's have breakfast first before we go swimming, mommy!" Yael was excited for the whole day. He was also curious about what kind of food he’s going to see on the buffet table.

"Yes son! Here it is and mommy is hungry too!" Freya brought her belly close to Yael's ear.

The mother and son laughed as Freya's stomach suddenly churned.

Jacob took off his V-neck t-shirt again and wore a black long sleeve and white denim shorts. He had put his Double Rainbouu swimming trunk before he wore his white denim shorts. While he was walking to the elevator, Diana called him.

["I will go down first. You're so slow, kuya! By the way kuya, I'm leaving for a while. I will going to shop some things. Don't worry, my bodyguard is with me."]

"Okay as long as you will come back here before lunch," Jacob replied.

["Kuya Jacob! It's only three hours before lunch time! You know that three hours are not enough for me when I go shopping!"]

"It's not my problem anymore. If you don't get back before lunch, expect papa to call you." Jacob heard Diana cursing on the other line so he hung up. He quickly ran towards the open elevator but he didn't reach it.

Freya's smile was ear-to-ear when she saw Jacob rushing. "It's good for him. He didn't make it," he whispered.

"Mom, who is that?" Yael asked.

"Ah, nothing 1 child. Mommy just remembered something," answered Freya.

"Mommy, don't lie. Do you want your nose to grow as long as Pinocchio's?" Yael threatened his mother.

Freya laughed.

"Okay son. I'm sorry. I can't answer your question earlier because mommy doesn't know the name of the man who ran near the elevator earlier," explained Freya.

"Okay mommy. Apology accepted!" Yael screamed. The mother and son laughed inside the elevator.

After Yael and Freya ate breakfast, Yael went straight to the swimming pool. His mother strictly instructed him not to go too far or he might end up in the deep end. Freya left for a while to get dressed in swimming attire.

Jacob's jaw almost dropped when he saw Yael paddling in the pool.

"That kid. Who is he? Why … why does he look so much like me?" Jacob said in disbelief.

He was about to approach Yael when Diana suddenly arrived.

"Brother, I didn't go shopping anymore. Wait, did you saw a ghost? Why do you looked like one? Who are you looking for?" Diana asked with a frown.

"Fuck! Where did that kid go? He's like my carbon copy when I was a kid!" Jacob was annoyed as he looked around. He lost him!

Diana left because she knew that her Kuya Jacob would ignore her. He stopped walking when she remembered what Jacob said earlier.

"Carbon copy? Wait! Omg! Did he see Yael? Are Freya and Yael here?" Diana exclaimed.

"Mom, why are we hiding? I still want to go swimming," Yael said.

"Son, I'm sorry." That was all Freya could reply to Yael because she did not want to lie anymore.

When Freya saw that Jacob had left, they came out of their hiding place. She was holding Yael's hand. Her shoulders slumped when Yael suddenly gave up on asking questions.

"Yael," said Freya.

"Are you hiding something from me, mommy? Lately, I have noticed that you always seem anxious. Are you hiding something? Do you have a huge debt like the ones I saw on TV?" Yael asked with a frown.

Freya was about to speak when suddenly, someone spoke behind her.

"Is he your child?" asked the man.

Freya turned and put her arms around Yael. "Yes. And you are?" she replied.

The man's eyes sparkled and he smiled mischievously. "Have we met before?" he said.

Freya frowned. 'Why am I talking to someone I don't even know?' she thought. She shook her head and then turned away from the man. She quickly went down to the pool with Yael.

"Mommy, you haven't answered my questions before," said Yael as he swam away from his mother.

Freya swam towards Yael. She swam carefully because she didn't know how to swim. Fortunately, they are in the lower part of the pool. She held his cheeks and kissed his forehead.

"I'm really sorry, son. Mommy can't say it right now. I hope you understand mommy." Freya pouted and then frowned. She knew her son couldn't stand her when she was sad. "Don't be angry with mommy, please," she added.

Yael crossed his hands across his chest. Later, he couldn't stop himself from hugging his mother. "I'm sorry mommy. I'm just really wondering about your actions lately. When I get a job mommy, I will help you pay off all your outstanding loan balances,” he said.

Freya couldn't stop smiling at what she heard from her son. How could a seven-year-old child think like that? He should be focusing on playing games and studying at school.

"We are here to enjoy, Yael. The drama is over, okay? Come on, let's swim over there!" said Freya.

Ivana walked briskly towards her boyfriend.

"Jackson! I thought we were going to the casino? Why are we here at the pool? I would have worn a bikini if ​​I knew we were going here," Ivana complained.

"Sorry babe. I saw someone earlier. I thought I knew him, but I didn't," said Jackson.

"Why are you smiling like a devil again? Are you planning something bad again?" Ivana asked with a frown.

"Nothing. I'm just imagining how my brother Jacob will react when he sees us together tomorrow," Jackson lied. The truth is, he had a strong hunch that the boy he saw earlier was Jacob's son. He can't be wrong. He looked exactly like his stepbrother when he was young!

"Jackson! Jackson!" Ivana called out in annoyance. She looked at who Jackson was looking at. Her nose twitched when she saw Freya. She didn't notice the boy with Freya because Yael was submerged in the pool water.

"Damn!" Jackson screamed when Ivana slapped him. "Why did you slap me?"

"I've been calling you for several times already and you've been ignoring me. Are you attracted to that girl?" Ivana pointed at Freya.

"N-no! No, I’m not!" Jackson answered quickly.

"Eh, why are you looking at her over and over again? I didn't trash Jacob just so you could treat me like this, Jackson. Do better! If you're going to replace me, make sure you will choose someone who is prettier, sexier, richer and better in bed than me! Look at that woman, she's nothing compared to me!" Ivana exclaimed.

Ivana rolled her eyes. She didn't want others to surpass her at all aspects. Most of all, she didn't want to be robbed. She's marking her properties and no one should dare to touch it.

Jackson pulled Ivana's waist closer to him. He stared at her lips while his other hand caressed her cheek.

"I will look at other women but that's it. They won’t be able to taste me because my body was made just for you. They won't experience how a Jackson Gray can love because my heart only screams your name." He took one of Ivana's hands and placed it on his chest where his heart was.

Gradually, Ivana's smile appeared on her face. Jackson knew her weakness. His words were more than an assurance to her.

Ivana knew Jackson's mouth was really flowery but she also knew that was where she first fell for.

"Want me to kiss you?" Ivana teased.

Jackson nodded and soon he felt Ivana's lips on his.

"Let's go?" Ivana asked.

"Mommy Freya!" shouted Yael.

Jackson turned to where the boy was. Yael is drowning. He also saw how Freya swam to where her son was. ‘Something was wrong,' he thought.

"Jackson, I said let's go," Ivana repeated.

Jackson kissed her on her cheeks.

"I'll just save the kid," he said.

Ivana would have objected but when she saw that the child was really drowning, she let her boyfriend go.

Jackson quickly took off his long sleeves and recklessly jumped into the pool. Based on his observation, Freya doesn't know how to swim very well and he was not mistaken in his suspicions. This time Freya is also drowning.

"Shit!" Jackson said while doing freestyle swimming.

Jackson managed to save Yael. He quickly performed chest compressions on the child.

"Wake up kid! I also need to save your mom! No one will help her except me!" Jackson said.

Yael quickly opened his eyes when he heard that. He also spit out the water which he swallowed from the pool.

"Save my mom, please," Yael pleaded.

Jackson immediately returned to the pool to rescue Freya. He needs to gain the boy's trust so he needs to impress him.

~~

"Kuya Jacob!" shouted Diana. She had to stop him from going back to the swimming pool area. She immediately knew what was happening there because of his bodyguard.

Jacob turned to Diana. He frowned. He was about to turn around to go to the pool when Diana suddenly screamed again.

"Kuya, your laptop is missing. I just went into your room and I couldn’t find it! Aren't you going to use it in your presentation to Mr. Clinton tomorrow?" Diana lied.

"Shit!" said Jacob before running towards where the elevator was. He couldn’t afford to lost his laptop.

"Jacob," Ivana whispered when she heard Diana's scream. She couldn't figure out why her feet spontaneously stepped to follow him. She looked at Jackson first. When she saw that he had rescued Yael, she then sped off to follow Jacob.

Abruptly, Ivana hid behind one of the pillars of the building when Jacob suddenly turned around.

"Is someone following me?" Jacob whispered. When he didn't see anyone, he continued running towards where the elevator was.

Ivana just stared at Jacob's back because she couldn't follow him to the elevator. They will only have arguments when he sees her. She went to the buffet area first because she felt hungry out of the blue.

"Since today is cheat day, I am going to eat my favorite sweet foods! I am going to get back to you later, Jackson," said Ivana.

Meanwhile, Jackson carefully lowered Freya after he lifted her out of the pool. Everyone in the pool area was looking at him especially the women. His body is as hot as hell.

"Kid, I am going to save your mother's life but you should follow my order. Is that okay with you?" Jackson politely asked Yael. He looked up at him because he was kneeling on the floor.

"That's fine with me, just … just save my mom. I beg you," Yael's eyes watered.

Jackson nodded. "Now, turn around and don't move until I say so," he ordered.

Yael immediately obeyed Jackson's command. Jackson frowned when he couldn't see where Ivana was but he continued doing cardio-pulmonary resuscitation on Freya.

Jackson placed his hands at the center of Freya's chest then he pushed hard and fast, about twice per second. He lifted his entire body weight off her in between each compression. He repeated it thirty times.

"Kid, don't look yet. I still need to do two rescue breathing," said Jackson when he noticed that Yael already wanted to face the two of them.

Jackson stared at Freya's lips. He swallowed his own saliva and closed his eyes before doing rescue breathing. He failed at his first try so he decided to repeat it. When he was about to put his lips to Freya's lips, he was surprised when she suddenly pushed him away. Freya was in awe.

"What did you do? What the hell are you doing?" Freya said with glaring eyes as she folded her hands over her chest.

"Mommy!" Yael shouted as he faced and hugged his mother. "Sir, thank you! Thank you for saving my mom!" he said crying.

"Saving?" Freya whispered. She looked around. People are already whispering about her.

"If I were in her position, I would pretend to be unconscious so Pogi could kiss me!" said by a woman.

"Same girl! Look at her. She's the one who was saved by him but she still had the guts to be rude," said another woman.

People left their side and returned to their respective places earlier.

Freya's cheeks flushed suddenly. She could feel nothing now but shame. She stood up and put her arms around Yael.

"Ahmm.. I’m .. I’m so-sorry if I pushed you. I-I thought you tried to uhmm ..."

"It's okay. I'm glad you are fine now," Jackson said with a smile on his handsome face.

"By the way, thank you for saving me and my son," Freya said shyly.

"You're welcome. Next time, do not rescue someone who's drowning when you are not trained to do so. Be careful and look after your son." Jackson stood up and walked closer to Yael. "What's your name, little kid?"

"I'm Yael Anderson Gray," Yael replied with a smile.

"Anderson Gray?" Jackson whispered.

"Yes. Mommy Freya said that she followed my name after my dad’s name. How about you? What is your name?"

"I'm Jackson," he replied with a smile.

"I'm sorry, Yael is really talkative. Thank you again for helping us," Freya said while bowing down.

"It’s nothing, Freya. Can I ask you something … if you don't mind?"

"Sure. What is that Sir Jackson?"

"Just call me Jackson. Hmm, where's your husband? I’m sorry to ask this but I noticed he’s not around. Sorry again for being too nosy hehe," Jackson pretended to look around. He already knew that Jacob was Yael's possible father but he also needed to hear it directly from Freya's mouth.

Freya smiled and then told Yael to sit down in one of the modern pool lounge chairs. She looked at where Yael was sitting.

"Since you saved our lives, I'm not going to lie but … promise me that you will not tell this to anyone, especially to my son."

"You can count on me." Jackson was excited to hear Freya's answer to his question.

"I told him, his dad died a long time ago but..."

"But?" Jackson asked with excitement displayed on his entire face.

"But it's just an excuse so he won't tease me anymore about his daddy's identity. The truth is..."

Jackson raised his eyebrows. Why does Freya stop talking again?

"Yael's father is J—"

"Jackson!"

Freya and Jackson turned their faces to Ivana's direction at the same time. Her face was indescribable because she saw her boyfriend talking to that girl. She doesn't know why her blood boils every time she sees her.

"Babe, have you been there for a while?" Jackson asked wryly. He was very annoyed because his girlfriend showed up when he was about to confirm if Jacob was really Yael's father.

Ivana walked faster and pulled Jackson away from Freya. She scanned Freya from head to toe. Jackson did nothing. He just looked at the ceiling.

"What's your name?" Ivana asked.

"F-Freya,” she answered.

"Freya, what a common name! Anyway, don't you already have a child?" Ivana looked at Yael who was now playing on Freya's cell phone while lying on the lounge chair.

"Yes why?" Freya asked.

"Then act like you have one! Stop flirting with random guys especially if you know it's impossible for a guy to not have a girlfriend. Get it?" Ivana remonstrated.

"Babe, Freya and I were just talking. What are you talking about? Don't you trust me?" Jackson replied.

Ivana looked directly into his eyes.

"I'm not talking to you so shut your mouth." Ivana was really not in the mood anymore. Even Jackson felt sorry for Freya.

"Miss, don't worry. I have no intention of taking Jackson away from you. I just thanked him because he saved me and my son from drowning. I'm sorry if you were jealous of us. You have nothing to be jealous of—"

"Jealous? Who told you I'm jealous of you? I know Jackson, he won't consider a CHEAP woman like you." Ivana laughed.

Freya clenched her hands and then slowly opened them. "Sorry again. Uhmm, I'll go first. My son is waiting for me," she said.

Freya didn't wait for Ivana to speak again because she was afraid of what she might say, so as long as she could keep her composure, she turned her back on the lovers.

Jackson's gaze followed Freya until she landed next to Yael.

"Babe, why are you acting like that? You're not like that! She's just being grateful. You know me because you know me so why are you acting like you're being jealous of her?" Jackson said.

"Babe, I'm sorry but for some reasons I can't explain, my blood boils every time I saw her. She looks like a slut! Look, it's like her son has no father. Maybe, he left them for some shitty reasons! I'm sorry, okay? I didn’t … I just don't like her!" explained Ivana.

"I haven't confirmed yet if Jacob is Yael's daddy," Jackson whispered.

"What did you say, babe?"

"No babe. Let's go back to our room. I'll get dressed before we go to the gaming area."

When Jackson and Ivana left, Diana approached Freya and Yael but did not reveal herself.

What are the mother and son doing here? Why out of all the people in the world, they had met my brother, Jackson? Hey! What should I do? Should I introduce myself to them as Yael's aunt? Erase. Erase! They might avoid me. Wooh Brother Jacob! I want to bury you six feet underground while you’re still breathing! If you didn't ignore them, I wouldn't be feeling guilty for them now! Your son looks just like you! Wait, why are Jackson and Ivana together? Has Kuya Jacob and that slut broke up?’ Diana stopped listening to her thoughts when Yael nudged her.

"Miss, your hat fell off," Yael said as he reached for Diana's hat.

"Thank you, kid. So kind of you," Diana said while smiling. 'Yael is handsome, especially up close! His eyes are as big as Freya's, but his presence screams Jacob’s genes! He's definitely a Gray!' Diana said silently.

"Yael, come on. Let's go swimming again later," said Freya.

Diana immediately put on her shades and hat when she felt Freya was looking at her.