I refused to stay another second after the dinner ended, and the moment my eyes met Jackson's assuaged gaze, a clear indication that he was happy with how the food tasted, he comprehended what my intentions were. Although Mr. Nicholas Slavadge tried to stop us to spend more time sharing a drink or two over some talk, Jackson was direct in refusal. So, we were the first ones to leave, bidding our farewell, and repeatedly hearing how happy Mr. Salvadge was that we came, as well as Mrs. Salvadge. I would have never come to the dinner if not for Jackson, I just feel uncomfortable being a part of such a closed-off gathering but somehow the smile on Nicholas Salvadge's face during adieu washed that uneasiness away.

As I drove toward our mansions, after a pause of utter silence, while I was focusing on the driving, I heard Jackson's voice beside me from the passenger seat, "So, you asked Nicholas' son for help regarding the organization matter?"

His words may sound full of taunting but the underline sharp seriousness they held was nowhere going to go unnoticed from my senses.

Sharing a peripheral glance with him, I casually dismissed, "I didn't."

I have no intentions of stating the whole story, he doesn't need to know all the useless details, because whatever he asks I always give him the truth. And he knows this too well, so the lack of elaboration didn't bother him and he nodded, not bringing forward another question regarding this. I know why Jackos sounded serious, and why this thing felt strange to him because he knows asking some stranger help for my matters in or out of business can never be Allea. And if I did, then the matter would have been too grave for me to walk past my conceit.

Thinking of Aris Salvadge, I don't know to whom he wanted to announce that we are familiar with each other than others, but it didn't bother me much. One thing I'm finding amusing with each interaction with Mr. Salvadge is how along with the things I complied about his character there's so much that I don't know. So, I consider it best to just not think about his actions as, because of the lack of interaction with him in the past, I clearly don't know enough about him. Therefore, It's better to just perceive him a little better before, if I have to, begin making speculations about his intentions.

After a few minutes of another silence, Jackon's voice snatched away my focus toward him, as he muttered under his breath and left the sentence halfway.

"He seems a regal businessman, much sharper than his father and..."

I didn't turn toward him or ask what comes after and, because as far as I can suppose, the little I know about Aris Salvadge is still more as compared to Jackson.

What's bothering me at the back of my mind, is something else.

My gaze flickered toward the rearview mirror, and seeing Kai with his eyes closed, looked deep in sleep due to exhaustion. With an audible sigh I trained my gaze again on the road and enunciated casually, "Jackson, do you not agree with me not indulging Kai in business?"

Jackson never interfered with what happens between Kai and me, and I respect him for giving us space. From past years, It's not hard for me to see that somewhere deep inside, Jackson gets conscious knowing well that he's the one who chose to live his life instead of handling business and raising Kai. But that's no the case with me, I don't think so and I have always asked Jackson's opinions/advice/help as a subtle effort to make him feel that no matter what he will always be an undefied significant part of our lives.

But, from past days, somewhere I'm feeling Jackson's forcing himself, through small actions that I have observed like how he has started insisting though in suppressed words to let Kai involved in business interactions, how easily he agreed and made Kai's introduction to all the people in Nicholas' Salvadge dinner. Maybe I'm thinking too much, but I don't want my mind to sink into useless doubts, so, it's just better to just ask Jackson directly.

Rarely, instead of responding with ridiculous words, he kept his words serious and out of any ambiguousness, "Kai has to take his own responsibility, and it's good as soon as possible."

I remained silent, not reminding him that he's just a kid because I have already repeated it countless times. After a pause when he turned his head away and completed his words.

His tone was lighter, "You too have to live your own life, you can't always spend living it for him."

My mind paused for a second after hearing his reason.

Blinking my eyes, just like always I wanted to dismiss them saying that this is what I want but halted. These moments come quite rarely when Jackson shows his concern for me, so, I basked in it for quite a long while before trying to lighten the mood, "Such words of concern for your least favorite niece doesn't suit you at all."

In response, I only heard him scorn and mumbling something about me always being an ungrateful brat.

As if changing the topic, Jackson pretended to remember something and nonchalantly asked, "What was with that man, Aris's friend?"

I know whom he's referring to, when Jackson inquired about his identity, I saw the confusion in his eyes, because hardly can something/someone escapes his sharp eyes. I have witnessed with my own eyes, if that man wants, no one can also move their eyes away from him and dismiss his existence, truly commendable.

If he was truly interested in his identity, his tone would have not been so milder and dismissive, so I nonchalantly shrugged his existence, "Someone not worth mentioning."

I heard his hmm in response and then maintained his thoughtful silence, which I didn't interrupt until he uttered the contemplative conclusion, "He seemed a little off..." A slight smile appeared on my lips, appreciating his eagle eye, "Too ambiguous-ish."

At Jackson's words, suddenly the image of Zyair Ahlstrom trying to suppress his smile behind his hand and winking at me over-lapped with him standing in front of me with a deadly sneer and marginal look in his eyes, as he stared down at me. For a split second both of his appearances stood contradicting and a far cry from each other. With a slight jerk of my head, I threw away these useless thoughts and just nodded toward his words.

And then fro the rest of the drive toward the mansion Jackson started talking about his favorite topic; food. He almost tried everything of the countless dishes there, and one by one along with their names started giving me details of how they tasted, either good or bad or if he has eaten a better version of it. Seeing him so passionate while talking about something he likes, his eyes were shining too as if recalling the taste, I too smiled and didn't add anything, just hearing his words carefully while also focusing on driving.

.

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[Disclaimer: This work is only published on watt/pad under profile: itsrujihere. The complete rights of the work: Allea belongs under this profile and Ruji. If you're reading [Allea] on some platform other than watt/pad(Unless I, Ruji, say so) then, I'm pretty sure they are stealing my work (i.e, a site that starts with novel), please don't support the thief.]

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Walking out of the car, I woke Kai up and along with him, I walked toward his room so, that he didn't fell off while going there in his sleepy state. Tugging him in bed, I was ready to get fresh and have good sleep myself to start the new week with fresh energy, but as I advanced toward the stairs, I noticed Jackson waiting there for me, instead of going to his room.

I questioningly raised a brow when I reached near him, to which he flatly responded, "Tell Ben to inform me when you have a meeting with that Xit's CEO."

I blinked, wasn't expecting these words from him, too out of the blue, "Why?" my query came out involuntarily.

He stared straight at me, lips pulled in a quite vague curve as he rebuked me, "I neither taught nor saw you ever giving such pathetic companies and people any chance."

Hearing his words, while shaking my head a chuckle left my lips, well, no doubt he is right about his words.

Perceiving my silent smile, Jackson once again spoke and broke me out of my realization. This time the suppressed concern was clear in his tone, "Seeing his stupid son, did priorly he or his father say something too out of their line?"

Meeting his prying gaze, I shook my head, "No, he didn't," And then proceeded to admit my own fault, "It was I, wanting to see him agitate."

His gaze narrowed down on my face and at Jackson's whom, I told him the name of that person.

A look of recognition passed throwe his face after hearing the name, his brows frowned, "What did he do?"

I shrugged, "Nothing," and uttered the truth.

Noticing my reaction, it was evident from my clear tone that my response was the fact, he didn't need to ask again to confirm it. But unlike other times to drop the subject completely, Jackson paused and scrutinized me wholly, I narrowed my eyes at his actions and waited for him to end his thoughtful silence.

"You unruly brat, just say it!"

It was just one sentence he accentuated and his whole focus was on my every movement and his eyes were straighten on my eyes, he stood stiffly but my eyes flickered toward his finger tapping lightly against his thigh.

Jackson is bothered by this, by this trivial thing.

I have seen this careless and lethargic toward so many decisions and matters that him being anxious for such insignificant thing truly came like a little surprise, I want to know what's is going through his mind. If he wants to know then what reason I have to hide such an insignificant thing from Jackson.

Giving him a supercilious smile, a hint teasing him at his concern that was spilling out regarding his least favorite person. He just ignored me and gave me a stare of just-vomit-it-out.

"He's my biological father."

My tone was indifferent and neutral as I stated but every kind of expression and action of Jackson halted the moment my words ended, he stared straight at me as his eyes went wide. Seeing him like this, I suppressed another chuckle that threatened to release.

And finally, my words processed through his mind completely, pulling the ugliest expression, he muttered, "...that asshole."

"Yup," confirmed I.

I waited for him to ask anything else, everything which may include why I gave his a company a chance, whether it because of the non-existent relation I uttered or something else, but Jackson asked none and continued to stare at me and with a smile I too held his gaze.

Seeing me standing nonchalantly returning his prying gaze, his expressions eased a little, I continued to wait for him to respond but he didn't say anything, assuming our discussion ended and the fact that my body isn't allowing me to wait for him to speak, I implied, "It's getting late, good-night."

With that, I walked past him toward the stairs to reach my room, thinking that I still have to go through some emails and documents before enjoying my much-awaited sleep.

My feet touched the first stair, Jackson's soft mummer reached my ear, "You care?"

His two words full of hesitation and dubiousness, but the two words are enough to convey what he wanted to ask; he cares about nothing, but what I want, what I feel. I didn't doubt that he'll think that and this, but I can't deny that some part of me still thought and his just two words cleared all of them.

I turned to face his scowling face, smiled serenely at him, and asserted, "Not a bit."

Easiness filled his face, as I gave him one last smile, I once again proceeded to advance toward my room.

Again, I was intruppted, "Allea?"

Helplessly sighing, I looked at him with tired eyes and raised a brow, "Now what, old man?"

Perceiving the edgy impatience, he grumbled under his breath, "...Such an obnoxious brat."

I stood there facing him, letting him confirm that I'm not running from him but just tired and want to finsh my work and sleep soon.

And when he was done staring at my face, weary me who no longer as willing to just stand here, "I'm too tired to bear your grumbles," stating this I turned around for the last time, not wanting him to stop me again, I hurried my steps and reached the room.

A smile appeared on my lips, the warmth of a family caring for you, looking above your unsaid words, and just being there for you, truly is priceless.