Later on that day, Jackie stayed behind to finish a few things left undone for the event, most of them her job. Her other team mates had done theirs perfectly. She didn’t want Dean to think she was not doing her job well because she was no longer afraid of him.

Well, she was afraid of a few things. One, Brian himself and what he might do to Dean. Two, Dean and his reaction tonight after she told him everything she had done.

Dean’s office lights were still on and she knew why he was still lurking around. He was waiting for her to finally say whatever she planned to say.

And she saw that in his eyes when he looked up at her the moment she entered his office. For a moment she felt so proud of herself that she could enter the Devil’s Room without her heart racing in fear. It was racing, alright, but it was because of the intense look he had on his eyes and the confession that she was about to make.

“So, you are ready to talk?” he asked.

It was getting dark outside. Everybody else had gone home. It was just her and Dean.

When Jackie just stood in the middle of the room, rooted to the spot, Dean pushed his chair away from the table. He motioned with his head. “Come here,” he said, holding out his hand for her.

Jackie tried to muster all the courage she had to do this. She had to tell him. She couldn’t go on pretending that everything was alright. She couldn’t be that unfair toward him.

Slowly, she made her way to where he was sitting and took his hand. She sat on the desk before him, sitting on the papers he had been reading a while ago, and facing him as he sat on his chair, looking at her with worry.

“Tell me. I know something’s bothering you.”

“You will probably hate me for it.”

He smiled. “Try me.”

Jackie opened her mouth, closed it again, opened it and then closed it again in frustration.

She gave off a small whimper. She didn’t want him to stop looking at her the way he was now. Calm, patient and loving.

Jackie continued to study his face as she sat down before him, engraving in her memory that smile he had on his face, the slight twinkle of his eyes and the calmness despite the awaiting news she had for him. She could feel his thumb gently massaging the back of her right hand, telling her it was going to be alright.

She couldn’t imagine how his gentle face would turn into the one she never wanted to see. That look he only wore during bad meetings behind his closed door. And it could be worse. That was what she feared the most.

And she couldn’t bear the thought of him letting go of her hand.

She used him to protect herself from Brian and now she realized she had depended on him far more than she intended or even wanted. She was falling for this man who could give her the protection that she wanted, the feeling of security and love that she had been looking for ever since she decided to leave her home and family to be independent. He could be everything the police or the president of the freaking country couldn’t: he could protect her and love her. She could see it in his eyes and she could feel it in the assuring hold of his hand in hers. Love was coming her way. And she wanted that--desperately so, in fact.

But she had to make it or break it tonight. It would be Dean’s decision.

When she took more time than she intended to try to speak again, Dean sighed and reached out his other hand to hold her free one.

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to,” he tried again.

Jackie lowered her gaze and closed her eyes.

“Hey.” Dean stood up, his full height looming over her. Standing close before her, he let go of her hand and with his forefinger lifted her chin so she was facing him. “Look at me. Is it about Brian? Did he do something?”

A tinge of anger was now visible in his eyes as he scanned hers for answers.

Jackie couldn’t turn her head so she just lowered her eyes. She had to gather all the courage she had left. “He is the reason why I am going to talk to you, yes, but--”

“I will talk to him.”

“But, Dean, I have to tell you--”

He stopped her words by swiftly claiming her mouth for a kiss, the kind that was hard and aggressive at first but slowly changed to something soft and patient.

Jackie felt his lips against hers, the warmth they offered and the promise they represented. She took it like it was the last drink she could have before she goes to a long journey to the desert.

Dean’s hand slowly travelled from her chin, around her neck and finally resting at her nape, pulling her close for a deeper kiss. His other hand had let go of her hand to land behind the small of her back, slightly pushing her to the edge of the desk, pressing her closer against him.

Jackie’s hands had not been behaving like they would in church as well. They went around his back to cling on to his shoulders. She didn’t want to let go. She wanted to stay like this forever--with him, just Dean Gamboa and his moods and fantastic self.

But she had to tell him. Like right now. Maybe after a few seconds.

But what were seconds at a moment like this?

She had to do it now.

“Dean,” Jackie forced herself to say when their lips parted for a breath. “I really need to tell you something--”

His heavy-lidded eyes looked at her with warning. “Jackie, don’t talk about that guy at moments like this.”

“But--”

Dean stopped her words by claiming her mouth once more.

“Stop thinking about that guy while we’re kissing,” he said against her lips. “I don’t find it sexy,” he added before finally claiming her mouth for another shattering kiss.

Jackie groaned and let herself enjoy the moment. Everything she had to tell him disappeared with the sunset outside the window.

  *****

Georgie drove me the next day and it was boring. I didn’t feel the usual thrill I would often feel when she was behind the wheel. No breaking the traffic rules, no over-speeding--just plain boring.

She was definitely bothered about something and I had an inkling it was about that Jordan Ledesma guy who had been following us last Sunday.

But the following day, when I was back under my lonely acacia tree, was a little exciting.

Beatle was back.

Again.

Hey, buddy!

It didn’t answer. It ignored me.

Come on, you’re still angry over what happened with your tire? It looks awesome now, doesn’t it?

Still, no answer.

Jackie climbed out excitedly saying, “Oh, Beatle is back!”

Yeah, you can murder him again. I might consider being an accomplice this time. He is getting in my nerves like a woman with PMS.

“Hey, Beatle!” I heard Jackie say to him. “I am so sorry about what I did to you. You should forgive me. I was just getting desperate and…”

And then I heard Beatle accept her apology.

Really? That was all it would take?

It said yes.

Oh, so now you are talking to me?

It said yes again.

Honestly, I was quite happy. I didn’t have to put up with the narcissistic BMW now that I had my old friend back!

  *****

Jackie had been very busy the rest of the week. She barely had time to think about her problems and even Dean. There were a lot of people to talk to, details to follow up and even more people to talk to.

And when the day of the event finally came, a horrifying realization came to light.

She didn’t have anything to wear.

“Just wear any of your dresses,” George said dismissively.

“You have a lot of them,” Dannie added.

“I need to look fabulous tonight!” she cried out.

“Yeah, because of Dean,” George commented with a yawn. “I need to take a nap. Solve your problem on your own.”

“But--”

“We know you can pull it off,” Dannie cut in as she stood up to go to her room.

“Guys! Girls! Boys! Help me!”

But her friends didn’t hear her plea.

For almost two hours, Jackie had changed from one dress to another.

It was too late to buy a new one. And she didn’t have the budget for that anyway.

In the end, she settled for a cream-colored cocktail dress with a square neckline. The shoes were not a problem. She wore the nude pumps she bought a year ago.

“Less accessories,” she uttered as she looked at herself in the mirror. “What about the hair?”

As if in answer, a knock rang out from their front door.

Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw the time. It was six o’clock!

“Dean!” she cried out as she ran to the door. “I am so sorry. I am not ready yet,” she said as greeting. “And you look so cool, by the way.”

He was wearing a white shirt with a v-neckline and layered a black suit to make it look formal. And of course, he was wearing dark pants and black, formal shoes. His hair was the usual one he would wear in the office: neat and brushed up. However he pulled off such a cool outfit and still look like the office Dean Gamboa was a wonder.

“You look great,” he commented with a smile.

“I still have to do my makeup and my hair. What do you think? Should I pull it up or just leave it like this?” she asked, stepping aside to let him in.

He looked at her for a moment before answering, “What would you do with it if you leave it like that?”

Jackie shrugged. “I don’t know. Curl it, maybe?”

He winced. “Then pull it up.”

“You don’t like the curls?”

He shook his head. “No, I don’t like the waste of time. If you pull it up, we might get out of here sooner.”

Jackie slapped his arm. “I hate you!” She walked back to her room.

He followed her with a laugh. “You look great whichever way you fix your hair. So just pull it up.”

“I can’t believe you were actually thinking about the time.”

“I am serious. It doesn’t really matter,” he said as he watched her do her work before the mirror. “See? Saved more time,” he chuckled when she finally managed to make a messy bun.

Jackie groaned. “I really need a girl’s opinion. You’re not helping.”

“Why? You’re not trying to impress the girls, are you?”

“Girls know better!”

“Not always, no. I am a guy and I know that you look wonderful tonight and that we are going to be very late.”

When Jackie just stared at him dryly, he smirked. “It’s late in the evening, she’s wondering what clothes to wear. She puts on her make-up, and brushes her long…black hair…” he sang and made her chuckle with the slight change in the lyrics. “And then she asks me, ‘Do I look alright?’” he continued, stepping close to her and taking her hand in his. He twirled her around with his hand and continued, “And I say, ‘You look wonderful tonight,’…” He planted a chaste kiss on her lips before stepping back to say, “Now, get ready fast. Because really, you look wonderful tonight.”

“Awww…” Jackie couldn’t help but feel the butterflies in her stomach. “Why do you have to be so wonderful?”

Dean shrugged. “I try to be.”

Jackie laughed. “Okay, give me five mintues.”

  *****

The clients loved the event. They liked how the team was able to pull off a mini-Panaad Festival inside the hotel’s function hall. Local radio and television networks were present to witness the event. The variety of food was perfect for the product.

The next step was how to meet the expectations after the event. The clients were already making plans on how to market the product with as much success. But that was for another team to handle, Jackie thought.

For the first time in her career, she was proud of what she did. It was her idea, she worked hard for it and it finally came out just as she had imagined it.

And Dean being beside her was a plus point. He was there as her boss, but she knew he was there to make sure that her plans didn’t go awry.

“I am beat,” she sighed when the last of the guests finally walked out, bending down to remove her pumps. She looked around the function hall. “Look at all the mess!”

The different kiosks had left a lot behind them.

Dean laughed. “Well, at least the mess came after everything was over.” He looked at her and added warmly, “Congratulations, Miss Ramos. You did a great job.”

“Not without your help, I guess. Thank you, boss,” she said with a wink.

“I hate to say this, but would you like to dance?”

“I hate to say this, but no.”

Dean chuckled. “A painful rejection.”

“Stop moping. Let’s go.” She stood up and started walking to the doors, shoes in hand.

Dean walked behind her, but before they reached the exit, he grabbed her hand and pulled her to the center of the hall.

“Dean, what now?”

“Just one dance. Here, let me get these,” he said, taking her shoes from her hand and held them himself.

“There was even no dancing earlier! What’s up with you? You don’t act like the drummer Dean or the boss Dean. Is this another side of you?”

He pulled her close and started swaying. “I guess so. You should enjoy this side of me. I don’t show it very often.”

“And why is that?”

He bent down to look at her. “It only shows up at moments when I am completely overwhelmed with wonder. Did I tell you that you were wonderful tonight?”

“You’re not going to start singing again, are you?”

“We go to a party and everyone turns to see…” he started anyway and Jackie pushed him to walk away. People might see them! And if she was someone else, she would probably puke seeing the scene. And Dean was obviously doing it because he was enjoying her reaction. “You can’t go anywhere. I have you shoes. Come on, just a little bit more,” he said in between his laughter, pulling her against him once more. “This beautiful lady that’s walking around with me. And then she asks me, ‘Do you feel alright?’ and I say, ‘Yes, I feel wonderful tonight.’…”

His singing voice was husky. Not as husky and sexy as Eric Clapton’s, but it still got to her. She suddenly forgot about her inhibitions. Every girl secretly wants this. Every girl secret wishes for a guy to sing them a sweet song. She didn’t realize she leaned her head against his right shoulder as they swayed in the middle of the messy hall and the only music she could hear was the gentle beating of her heart. She felt so calm and at peace. It was a perfect moment with the man who had unexpectedly given her a lot of reasons for so many things in her life.  

“And that’s the reason why,” he said, his chin against the crown of her head.

“What?” she asked lazily.

“Why I am so cheesy tonight. I feel wonderful.”

Jackie smiled. “So do I.”

She hated to think about the things she needed to tell him. She’d keep them inside the tiny room at the corner of her mind for a while. Ruining the evening would only make things harder for her. But she had to try again soon. And he better listen and not give her any distractions again.