The Shadow Man

PAST LIFE: PART III

"Where is he?" Grandfather Wayne said whilst darting a look at his son.

"Father, Jasper is in the room upstairs, and James is still in the ICU." Father Wayne replied shocked when his father walked towards him and slapped him.

"Father?" Mother Wayne cried, shocked by what the old man did. She never expect the man who loved his son so much would dare raised his hand on him.

"It seems you have forgotten something important. I know James was in danger, but it seems you have neglected your son." Grandfather Wayne said as he turned his back at them and walked away.

"What just happened?"

"Sir are you alright?"

"Honey, why did father did that, didn't we just…" Before Mother Wayne could finish, she realized why her father was so angry. She hurriedly ran to the room and saw his father was next to the boy who had fallen asleep on the sofa.

"You neglected him all these years, now he is back, you didn't even bother to check on him. I know James was in danger, but you could at least have the servants to look after him." Grandfather Wayne said as he asked the servants to hand him a blanket. "Since neither of you can take care of him. I shall personally be taking care of him from now on."

"Father, wait, you can't just take my son. I just…" Mother Wayne cried as she was being held back by the old man's servants.

"Madam, please call down."

"Master, you need to calm Madam down."

"What do you have any rights to still take care of him? You can't even give him a second of you time."

"Father, please, we were all so busy and…" Father Wayne couldn't further talk as he saw he had made a mistake. Despite they were all worried for James, they should have indeed at least had someone take care of the boy.

"Excuse me Sir, you can't just take Jacob. He is still…"

"Don't worry, you'll be fully paid for what you've done. I've arranged everything. Technically, he is not your son. Your son is safe and will continue be taken care by our family. If you wish to live with the boy, you can. However, that decision still lies with James."

The old man wrapped the blanket around the boy and carried him. When he saw how peacefully the young boy was sleeping, he smiled. "If you all have nothing further to say I'll be leaving. Tell Jasper and James, I'll visit them once they are well."

Instead of checking on his parents, Jacob decided to visit someone else. He knew that the Blake might be watching him, in case he'd make contact with his parents, and they'd use it as a chance to gain something from them. But since they've all been acting strangely towards him. He notices right away that the people they have hired to watch over him were no longer around. It just proves that they no longer need him as he had been useless since day one.

"I'll have one mocha please with extra wipe cream on top and a special chocolate sprinkle and lots of chocolate on top." Jacob said as he made his order.

The barista who was cleaning up was shocked to hear the strange order; however, it reminded him of someone who particularly enjoyed such drink. As she turned around slowly, she replied, "I'm sorry we do not…" She excitedly ran up front, jumped, and extended her arms to hug the man. "Jacob, my dear, it's been a long time."

"Jade, how are you?" Jacob said as he embraces the woman who had over the years continued to treat him like he was still their little brother.

As the two sat down and chatted with each other. Jacob fill Jade with his current situation. Of course, they were aware of his marriage as they were informed of what Jasper had been up to.

"Seriously, why don't you just leave her already? If you like, you can work her rather than stay at the house of yours." Jade said angrily as she thought of all the horrible things the Blake family had done to him.

"Don't worry, I'm fine. Anyways, how's James?" He inquired whilst enjoying t

"Oh, I almost forgot." Jade ran back to the counter and got something for Jacob. When she returned, she handed him what she looked for. "Here."

"What's this for?" Jacob asked without even seeing what was given to him.

"Could you at least bother and check it first than ask."  Jade replied rolling her eyes couldn’t believe that she has such a brother.

Jacob didn't argue back and opened it. Inside, he pulled out an invitation letter. It was an invitation letter to James’s wedding.

"He's getting married?" Jacob said, all shocked and surprised. Never in his wildest dream would he expect the man to get marry. Again, a lot has changed while he was away from them.

The fact James was almost like Jasper, who never took any woman seriously and marriage was far from reality. He was a workaholic since he was a doctor and didn't really bother going out with any woman. Apart from taking his mother and sister out on a date, no other woman has had the opportunity to be with the man.

"Impossible, what poison did that witch poured in his drink that he plans to get married?" Jacob said wondering if his brother was trapped to like Jasper.

"What poison, you idiot. He's in love, what's so wrong about that?" Jade replied, hitting the man in the arms, annoyed by his words.

"As if, tell me, which lady was able to tame then?"

"You know her, remember Ruth?" Jade said with a smile on her face, as she is very pleased with the woman who had won his brother's affection.

"Oh, Ruth?" Jacob didn't say much as he recalled that Ruth was far from your ordinary lady-like and didn't seem to be marriageable. She was more of a man who enjoyed wild activities just like him. She was his close friend back then when he was growing up. As he thought about it, he could see the possibility of the two being in love with each other. "I can't promise I can go."

"Hmm, we know. We just hope you can still come. Mother missed you a lot since you were away for a while, and when you returned… Sadly, something like this had to happen."

"I promise to visit soon. Don't worry." Jacob replied as he got up and prepare to live.

Jade watched as the man walked out of the store showing no sign that he was bothered by his current situation. For, Jade, she felt terrible that the man had to go through such a life. He had to be away from his family for too long, and now, he returns to find out he'll be married off to someone because of his brother's affairs.

Just as he stepped out of the store, he accidentally bumped into a woman whose face was covered by her hair. She looked like a mess, as if she had not washed for days. As he walked out, he glances for a moment at the woman that had arrived. Seeing that Jade reacted as soon as the woman entered just meant the two must have been acquainted.

Jacob didn't bother and just left. He wanted to enjoy the freedom he had for today and traveled to all sorts of places. He even visited the old part he and his other two brothers used to visit.

"I should buy something for Auntie Ruth." He said as he went around looking for a decent stop to purchase something special for her.

When Jacob returned home, it wasn't even late when he arrived and notice the different cars parked outside their home. Seeing all sorts of luxurious cars parked, he soon realizes the reason as to why the family had been so kind to him and gave him money to go out. He decided to check out what was going on by going through the back. He didn't really want to cause a scene, nor was he interested in attending their secret party anyways.

"Who would have thought that the big boss of the Black family would fall for Jessica?"

"But isn't Jessica married already to the son of Wayne? Aren't the Wayne far richer than the Black."

"What are you talking about, the Wayne that Jessica married was the good for nothing son who was raised in the country. It would have been better if she married the other son. Despite not having any blood with the family, the family cares so much for him."

"My, I feel sorry for Jessica. Didn't the man force himself on her. Yet, the family doesn't even show any care for Jessica and give her a little support."

"Why would they give her any support when the person who did it doesn't have any face to hold in the family?"

Jacob heard all the gossip the elderly women were talking about. Despite they were whispering amongst each other, it was loud enough for those near them to hear. He didn't even bother as he walked out through the back door of the house once again. As he was about to leave, Vic notice him and hurried to her.

"Why are you here, you should go inside?" Auntie Vic insisted as he felt sorry for the man who was being toyed with by everyone. Her eyes were reddening, feeling all emotional seeing how delighted everyone was, yet forgetting the man's feelings. He had done well to them all those years and had served them well.

"No need, I'm not even invited. I rather go and not ruined their mood." Jacob replied as he left and wondered off once again.

In the end, Jacob ended up at the park near Jade's coffee store. He didn't bother going there and cause the girl to worry about him. He sat down on the bench, looking like he was a beggar looking all lifeless and a mess.

Jacob sighs annoyed, "When will this end?" He had played along for too long; he had skipped his work for too long. He had enough played the good-for nothing son-in-law. He felt annoyed by the fact, the family didn't even know how much effort he had put in for them. Despite the Wayne family not helping, with his capability, he helped their company survive when it was hiding rock bottom because of the marriage. Even though he despite the family for what they did, he didn't want them to suffer for his brother's misdeeds as well.

"Here."

Jacob who was looking at the ground, looked up when someone stood in front of him. He notices the pair of shoes that looked somehow familiar. When he glances at the person in front, he recalled it was the woman from earlier.

"You should drink this, it's quite cold out here."

The woman handed him the coffee with a bright smile on her face. The woman didn't look beautiful at all. She looked like those ordinary ladies out there. As man who been with many women can tell right away that the woman in front of him doesn’t even bother taking care of herself. Her hair was a mess; she had no makeup at all to brighten her face, nor did she even bother to dress herself up a bit. One would think she was the beggar not him.

As soon as the man accepted the warm coffee, the woman left right away and didn't bother to say anything afterwards. She walked happily because the man accepted her offer.

"I wonder who she is." Jacob pondered as he enjoyed the warm coffee. As he tasted it, he knew right away that the drink was from Jade's store. The fact is, it was him who ordered those coffee beans for Jade. The fact that he travels around a lot, gives him vast knowledge of things and far greater connections.

It was already passed midnight when Jacob decided to go home. To make them think he had a good time, he returned carrying a bottle of wine and was drunk. When he arrived at the door, waiting for him was his so-called wife.