Chapter 24: Job granted/ purpose
Kathe frowned slightly. She was definitely not happy to remember that scene. To make matters worse, he stretched out his hands to her, but he was stopped by Jark, who slapped his hands away.
"C’mon, brother. Can’t I even say a warm welcome to my sister-in-law? I wasn’t present to witness your wedding, brother," he said, making sure to emphasize the word "brother" while still displaying his full smile.
Kathe turned to look at Jark. She never knew that he had a brother, but when she looked at him, the energy he gave wasn’t a brotherly one but more like he was staring at his worst enemy, making Kathe brush away her earlier thought of them being brothers.
"Jacklyn!"
"Jacklyn!"
The old lady’s and Rhea’s voices sounded at once, both in shock at who they were seeing. Rhea supported the old lady to her chair as they both stared at him.
"Why is everyone so shocked to see me? I wished Mom had welcomed me back with drums rather than a silent one," he said, opening his arms wide and laughing.
"Rhea, you’ve grown more mature than before."
He rushed and gave Rhea a hug.
"Don’t touch me," Rhea said, dusting her body. She didn’t appreciate his hug. She turned to look at Jark, hoping he could see her dusting away Jacklyn’s touch.
But Jacklyn didn’t seem to mind her attitude as he rushed toward the old lady.
"Grandma, I’ve missed your scolding."
He gave the old lady a hug. Unlike Rhea, the old lady was able to compose herself as she gave him a light tap.
From the little hint that Kathe gathered, she suspected that Jacklyn might be Jark’s relative. Just as she was making calculations in her brain,
Shashe walked in, directing the maids who were carrying Jacklyn’s bags on how to hold them properly, with a smile on her face.
"Mom, didn’t you inform everyone at home that I’m coming?" Jacklyn asked Shashe with a grin.
"No, honey. I wanted it to be a surprise," she said, looking around.
"But it seems that no one is happy to see me."
Jacklyn walked up to his mother’s side, resting his head on her shoulder and acting pitiful.
Shashe pulled his ear.
"Silly boy, they are just surprised."
Shashe turned to the maids.
"Bring the bags with you and follow me."
She left with the maids carrying Jacklyn’s bags to his room.
Jacklyn turned back to Kathe’s direction.
"I’m so happy to meet you after 4 years. I never imagined that in my life I would meet you again."
He was about to stretch out his hand again, but the aura that Jark released at that time stopped him. He knew when to test patience.
Kathe could sense the coldness. Jacklyn and Jark seemed to be brothers, but the relationship seemed to be on a thin line, like a war could break out if care wasn’t taken.
"Jack, I think we should get going to the office now. We have some meetings today."
Rhea walked towards Jark as she said that. Kathe couldn’t help but envy how her voice sounded professional at that moment.
"Oh, I just arrived, and you all still want to go to work," Jacklyn said, acting pitiful.
"You should know that Jark isn’t as idle as you," Rhea defended Jark, raising her chin proudly.
Jacklyn rubbed his hand on his forehead slightly before raising it in a surrendering manner.
"It’s okay. You all can go. I think Kathe will keep me company, or do you have any job to attend to?" he asked as he wiggled his eyebrows at her.
Kathe shook her head slightly.
"No, I don’t..."
"She has a job," Jark interrupted her before she could complete her sentence.
Even the old lady raised her eyebrow at his action. Rhea and Thompson were dumbfounded.
"Do I?"
Kathe turned to him in confusion as she asked.
"Ain’t you the one who applied for a job a while ago?"
From his tone, he wasn’t asking her but rather telling her she had a job.
"I..."
Kathe found herself unable to say anything.
"Let’s get going. You don’t want to be late on your first day."
Jark took her hand in his and walked out.
Thompson and Rhea followed behind. It was more like Rhea was an ignored picture.
She quickly rushed out to keep her pace with Kathe and Jark, mainly Jark.
When they got to the car, Jark opened the door for Kathe to get in. Kathe, still in a daze, went inside.
Rhea was about to get into the car too, but before she could get in, Jark had already gone inside, leaving Rhea and Thompson outside.
"Thompson will drive you to work today," Jark said.
"But I’m the one who always rides with you to work," Rhea whined, annoyed.
But all her whining didn’t make any difference as Jark shut the door on her. He wore his glasses and gave Thompson a slight nod, which Thompson understood.
The car pulled out of the parking lot, but before it left, Kathe didn’t forget to give Rhea a winning smirk.
Rhea couldn’t believe how quickly things had changed. Just a day ago, she was the one who had smirked at Kathe, but today it was Kathe.
"Miss, the car is ready," Thompson reminded Rhea, who was still staring at the departed car in anger.
.....................
Back at the living room, after staring at the door for a while, Jacklyn turned to the old lady, who was seated with a cup of tea in her hands as she observed her surroundings.
"I guess it’s just you and me for now, Grandma."
"I think you should go shower after the flight struggle."
It was obvious that the they old lady was trying to get Jacklyn away from her, but he didn’t seem to mind
"You are right, Grandma," Jacklyn replied as he jogged his way upstairs.
The old lady turned to look at his departing back keenly as she felt that his return wasn’t for good.
"What are the mother and son planning now?" she murmured as she shook her head slightly, taking a sip from her tea.
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