"That night, I am sorry."
The gentle voice whispered near her ear. His breath was hot that she felt gooseb.u.mps all over her skin. She was aware of his tall and strong body with muscles. Michael always took good care of his health. He still had a very well-built body without fat on his stomach. The age only made him look more dignified and powerful.
"I forgot it already."
Said the soft voice. She was lying. She had never forgotten that night. The night he returned to see that she was packing her suitcases, preparing to move to the country home.
He was very angry. That time, the children had gone to bed already. They had talked about it before and agreed that Stefan would be with Michael while Sam would go with Jacqueline until he grew up. Michael stormed out after saying harsh words to her. He also kissed her aggressively with no gentleness as if he wanted to punish her. He went out again and did not come back until morning.
When he came back, it was too late that she had already left with Sam. Stefan went to school as usual. Michael remembered how much pain he had to see the house was without her. His heart was broken into pieces.
"I miss you every time I listen to this song. It"s painful but I listened anyway."
The deep voice murmured and tightened his arms, gathering her closer. Jacqueline tried to control her heart not to let it beat too loud and fast. She was afraid he would know that she was shaken by his words and his warm body. He always had ways to pull out her emotional feelings.
"Only this song, if you don"t mind."
Jacqueline said and looked up to him. The handsome face bent down. His face was away from her face only an inch. He gave her his charming smile.
"Okay, only this song."
The deep voice said, raised a corner of his mouth in a cheeky smile. Jacqueline was staring for a bit before ignoring his sparkling eyes.
Michael turned to see his son holding his woman"s hand and led her out of the dance floor. The moment that Stefan turned to look at him, Michael sent a signal to his son. And they understood each other!
"Why did you choose this song? "
Wirata asked when they walked out of the dance floor.
"It"s my parents" favorite. They danced to this song on their wedding night and so many nights after that. I remembered when we were still together, I used to be between them. They would hold my hands and we danced together."
He sounded a little sad when talking about the past. Wirata leaned in the kiss on his cheek.
"I like it. Can it be our favorite song as well?"
She said to cheer him up and he lit up a smile immediately.
"Yes, why not? In fact, I can compose a new song to be the family"s favorite song and let our children carry it on through generations."
He spoke with his voice full of fun and happiness.
"Can you write a song?"
She asked with a surprise. She knew he could paint but she did not know he could write songs.
"Yeah. I can play the piano, guitar, ba.s.s, and a few other things."
He told her and laughed to see her widen her huge eyes.
"Really?"
"Yes. Why are you so surprised? I am a man with many talents, don"t you know that? But tonight we still have a thing to run. Let"s put away my talents for now and help my parents to get back together again."
Stefan said and Wirata nodded.
"Yeah, let"s put every talent of yours away for tonight."
She mumbled. But he could hear her.
"Oh, only one talent that I will carry on telling you later, don"t worry."
He said with his crafty smile. The man was never slow with his words and ideas, especially when it came to his specific talent!
Ben and James walked toward them. Stefan nodded to his men.
"Well done. The next step is when they go up to their floor. Do as we talked. Don"t" forget Summer."
This plan needed a little help from the puppy.
"I"ll go up to prepare him, boss."
James said. Then walked to the elevator. Ben went back to the control room.
Jacqueline was dancing in his warm arms. At the moment, her heartbeats had slow down. Listening to this song and thinking about the past made her feel as if tears would flow out. She blinked rapidly trying to push away the sad feelings that had occurred.
Then she just came to realize and notice that the song kept playing repeatedly. He was still silently crafty without change! Michael Mackenzie still had plenty of tricks under his sleeves!
One song but repeated many times!
She lifted her face up, wanted to look at the cheeky man. It was the same time his dark face bent down. His nose touch on her forehead. She hurriedly turned away then her cheek touch his lips. Jacqueline jerked away and looked up again. He was sending her his charming smile. Her heart leaped as usual with his unique attractive smile.
"This will be the last round, Mike. "
she said sending him her knowing gaze. He laughed lightly in his throat
"Okay, darling. "
he responded with his gentle voice.
The big hands pulled her in, their bodies attached. Jacqueline sent him a glare and but he was not bothered.
Still headstrong, What had changed?! For many years now. Jacqueline sighed and let him embraced her as they were the boss"s parents and she did not want to make a scene here.
She changed her thought by looking at her eldest son. Seeing Stefan held Wirata"s hand, led her to the table. He asked a waiter for a gla.s.s of juice for his young lady. They were sitting and talking like there were only two of them in this room. Jacqueline smiled, very happy to see her son happy.
When the party was over near midnight, Stefan and Wirata went up to the penthouse. James and Ben were there waiting. James carried Summer in his arms. The little dog looked a little nervous.
Summer thought at this time of the night, why James was carrying him like this. He hoped James was not gonna take him to see his doctor again! Summer was very sleepy because it"s sleeping time. He used his paws to rub his eyes.
"Arf!"
Summer greeted his daddy and mommy when he saw them walked in.
"Ready for the next plan, boss."
James said. Stefan nodded. Wirata walked to pad Summer"s head gently.
"I"m sorry, baby to disturb your sleeping time like this, but it"s for good cause and you can carry on your sleep in a bit, okay?"
She said to him. Stefan put his nose to Summer"s nose.
"Do it for your daddy, okay, boy?"
Stefan whispered to him and rubbed his head tenderly.
Ben was carrying Summer"s mattress and necessary supplies.
"Don"t forget his bowls and food."
Stefan said to Ben.
"No, boss. Everything"s here."
Ben replied.
"Good. Let"s do it!"
The boss said then James and Ben walked out of the penthouse. They rode the elevator down to the VIP floor. This zone was preserved for Stefan"s family. There were luxurious suite rooms. Usually, it was only his father and Sam to stay there when they visited Las Vegas. His mother would stay with Stefan in the penthouse when she came.
Michael just got in when he heard the knock-knock on the door. He opened it and hoped it was Jacqueline. But he was surprised to see Stefan"s bodyguards carrying the small dog and stuff in their hands.
"Sorry to disturb you, sir. But our boss and Miss Wirata are going out to her mother"s place. So he asked you to look after their Summer until they come back, sir. Hope you don"t mind."
James said politely.
Michael looked at the little dog in front of him and he smiled. For the powerful G.o.dfather, one thing that he could love without any condition was dogs. Just like Stefan.
Mikael had a few dogs in his life. Having just quit raising them not long ago. the last one was the Alsatian. He died two years ago because of his old age. Summer looked like the dog that he bought for Jacqueline for Christmas many years ago.
"Okay, got it."
He said in short and reached to grab the little puppy to hold. He was very small in his hands.
Jacqueline heard some people talking in front of the room. She thought it could be Stefan so she opened the door. She saw James and Ben. Michael was carrying Summer in his hands.
"Sorry if we are making noise, Madam."
Ben said to Jacqueline and she smiled.
"Not at all. I thought it was Stefan. Good night."
She said and then close her door. Seeing Michael with the little puppy, reminding her of many years ago when he brought a small dog home and gave her as Christmas present. He was big with the puppy in his one palm. She remembered it so well for that year.
Ben put all the items in the living room, then they said goodbye to the president. Michael looked at the puppy then looked at the next door.
Knock-Knock
"Queen," the deep voice called as if knowing that Jacqueline was still standing behind the door.
"Yes?"
"Um ... Can you help?"
He asked. Jacqueline opened her door again. Michael smiled at her.
"I am not good at small dogs. Used to Lion"s size. I feel as if this little Summer"s going to slip out of my hands any time."
He said while he was holding the puppy awkwardly. She could not help but smiled. She remembered Lion, his Alsatian.
The puppy looked at her with his puppy"s eyes. Jacqueline stepped out of her room and closed the door.
"He can walk, Mike. Don"t have to carry him like that. "
The soft voice said. Michael looked at her amused smile and relaxed posture. He smiled and felt hope inside his heart. Perhaps he might still have a chance if he tried harder and gave his best shot.
"Give him to me. What happened? Why this cute is here?"
She asked him. Michael handed Summer to her. She carried him inside his room. Jacqueline saw all the puppy"s stuff on the floor near the couch.
"Stefan and Wirata are going out to her mother"s. So they asked me to keep an eye on this little one."
Michael told her what he had been asked to do. Jacqueline nodded to acknowledge. She sat on the couch and Michael sat next to her. They then started to talk to Summer and consulted each other if he was hungry or not... Or should they send him to bed...