Chapter 34 - Sylvia’s POV

Dean and I drove to the Manor hotel where he had a reservation. We left Jax with Mama and Papa. I’m meeting Jared’s lawyer and I didn’t want Dean to tag along. But there’s one thing I learned about him. He’s so stubborn. When he set his mind to something, he’d do it, come hell or high waters.

I conceded to his request, as long as he’d remain inconspicuous during the meeting. He, his lawyer, and I went to the restaurant Jared’s lawyer set for the meeting.

Dean sat on the chair behind me. Our backs faced each other. Staying true to his word, he changed his outfit when we were in the hotel. Instead of his usual button-down shirt and tailored pants, he wore jeans, sneakers, a shirt, and dark eyeglasses. He looked like the other tourists in the restaurant.

“Hi there, baby!” My head snapped at the greeting. I did not expect Jared to be here. I thought I’d only meet his lawyer.

He wore his signature smile. It’s the one that caught my heart many years ago. His features screamed matinee idol—from his expressive eyes, his prominent nose, to his red lips. Had I not known how much of an asshole he could be, I would have drooled over him. But then, I knew how big of an asshole he is. So his good looks lost its effect on me. All it is to me was a mirage, an illusion, a smoke, a dream, a lie.

I arched my brow at him and shifted my attention to his lawyer. I stood from my seat and shook his lawyer’s hand and introduced my lawyer.

Jared and I remained quiet as the lawyers spoke to each other. To be honest, I understood little from their conversation. I got the part where Jared wanted to sell our assets and he’d like a 70-30 split. 70% for him because he said he spent a lot on the Malta trip I used so he needed to recoup his loss.

Whatever, he could get what he thinks is his. I wanted to end this meeting quickly, so I did not give a shit if he got the bigger chunk. It’s funny how greedy wealthy people could be. Jared came from an old rich family. They got their wealth from sugarcanes and a couple of malls.

I jerked from my seat when I felt something brush my leg. I looked under the table and saw Jared’s foot moving up and down my thigh. Blood rushed to my cheeks as I felt my anger rise. I glared at him, but he only smiled at me as if he had done nothing wrong. His foot even dared to part my leg.

I cleared my throat to call the attention of those on the table. His lawyer looked at me. “Attorney Gonzales,” I called his lawyer, my voice filled with authority. I looked at the lawyer straight in the eyes, my face unsmiling. Jared, being the asshole that he is, did not stop what he was doing under the table. “I’d very much appreciate it if you tell your client to stop his foot from caressing my thigh. Because if he doesn’t, please excuse me for being rude and violent.”

His lawyer looked at him. I also heard the scraping sound of the chair behind me as Dean suddenly stood from his seat.

“Mr. Castro, if you so much wanted to complete the negotiations here, please behave yourself. Otherwise, I’d tell your father I’ll withdraw my services.”

Color drained from Jared’s face. He took his foot away from my thigh and straightened his back. The mischief on his lips has also disappeared.

I also felt Dean sit down and fix his chair.

“Please forgive my client, Ms. Yabut.”

In an hour, our meeting was over. My lawyer told me he asked for a 50% split and nothing less. He said he would take care of all the paperwork and would call me once everything was done. I asked him to have all funds transferred to Jax’s trust fund.

Dean approached my table and guided me out of the restaurant. We were both quiet inside his car. The partition between us and his driver was up, separating us from him.

“You were really bent on spending your life with him, weren’t you?” He gave me a sideways look, then shifted his eyes outside the window. One of his hands absentmindedly played with his chin.

“I was.”

“What did you see in him?”

“Jared always treated me well. Other than Joey, he’s the only one who believed in me. He has his faults, yes, but he loved me. Well, until that text message.” My eyes fixed on the view outside the window. My heart felt heavy at the recollection.

“How about now?”

“Excuse me?” I cocked my head at him.

“Do you still love him?”

I gave him a bitter smile. “I’m not that stupid, Dean. After what he did, I’ve already removed him from my life. I loved him, yes, but he threw it away. It would be foolish of me to continue loving him.”

“Seems like he loathed you for having that Malta trip,” Dean chuckled. “Why did you do it?”

“Why not? That trip was fully paid. The terms stated we could no longer refund it. He must have thought of using it himself, but I beat him to it.” Dean chuckled at my answer. His face finally lightened up.

“I needed that trip,” I continued. His eyes focused on me. “That trip felt like my reset button. I wanted a fresh start after he crushed my world.”

“And did you get it?”

“My reset?” Dean nodded at my question. “Yes, I did. I had Jax. He gave me the sense of direction I never had.”

We both remained quiet and looked outside the car’s window. It looked like we were taking in the view, but we were both lost in our own thoughts. We each had our questions in our heads that we searched answers for.

For me, I was trying to find out the score between Dean and me now that he knew we have a son. How do we move forward? Will anything change between us? Should I even think there’s an ‘us’?

I expect nothing from Dean. Yes, he’s my son’s father, but it does not mean that we have to be a couple now. We’re from different worlds and our meeting in Malta was a fluke.

Honestly, I do not know what Dean’s game is. At first, he said he was happy that my son was not his. And now this. He’s carving a space for himself in Jax’s life.