High School Again: The President's Secret Lady Boss

Getting married to Jacob would have definitely made a huge difference if that did happen in Winter's past life.

She would not be able to meet Marcellus the way she did, and she would have not realized that she could depend on him. Knowing those things helped her a lot when she traveled back in time. In the end, though, she didn't get married to Jacob. That must be because the Minerva family strongly believed that Bianca would still be the one who'd become the head of the Middleton family instead of her.

'Which means that he must also be in it. He's probably aware that my family wants to get rid of me. While I don't have any evidence that he is also involved in their scheme, it only goes without saying since he is Bianca's future husband,' she contemplated, her hooded gaze narrowing.       

Winter takes a glance at Jacob. 

She finds him staring down at the infant who has already fallen asleep in her arms. He seems drawn to the tiny little bundle, and she doubts he even noticed it. She can't blame him, though. Those chubby cheeks and baby fats are so irresistibly cute that anyone would want to pinch them. 

And he did. Twice.

"Hey, what are you doing?!" Winter bolted out, taken aback.

"Oh, sorry. I don't know why I did that," Jacob apologized, a little flustered.

"Please, don't do that. The baby will wake up and cry again."

"Are you okay with holding them the whole time? That's supposed to be my responsibility. But I really don't know how to carry an infant."

"I'm okay. They're not that heavy. Let's just wait for their mother to come back."

"Alright. Thank you for helping me." 

To think that this ever perfectionist conglomerate heir has such an adorable weakness – it kind of amuses her. She has always thought that he is never what he seems, but she has not considered the idea that he has this pure and wholesome side with him. 

"Anyway, you can do whatever you've been doing. I can handle this," she reassured him.

"No, it's fine. I was only reading. I can just continue it later," he replied then turned to the side when he noticed someone watching them from afar.

"Reading? Is that what you often do during your break?"

"Yeah, it is. I'm not really fond of doing anything else." 

"How about going out? Eating somewhere or hanging out with friends?

"Well, I'm at a park right now, am I not? Besides, I don't have anyone to hang out with." 

"That can't be. I thought you're the center of attention type."

"And I thought you're not the chatty type. You suddenly seem to be very curious about me, huh?"

"You're my big sister's fiance, after all. You'll also be my brother-in-law. How can I not be curious?" 

Jacob falls silent then. Winter smiles.

He appears to be dazed yet enlightened at the same time. It somehow makes her feel a bit accomplished. Seeing his reaction starts to convince her that making friends with one's enemies is better than the opposite. If they're only going to end up crossing paths like this all the time, then it'll be good not to draw a line too much. That way, she wouldn't earn his suspicion.

"Say, Ms. Middleton, you said you're on a picnic, right? Have you come here with someone?" he inquired out of nowhere, flummoxing her.   

"We're having a picnic in the woods. My friends are there. I came here on my own, though. Why-"

Then, she stilled.

This is the second time Winter forgot that someone is following her around. No wonder she got kidnapped twice before – she's just so out of it sometimes. To her surprise, Jacob was able to notice it too. Now, he is about to make his way to the person in question.

"What're you gonna do, Sir Minerva?" she called out to him.

"You're now a member of a prestigious family, Ms. Middleton. You ought to be more careful and vigilant when you're outside, though I wouldn't really recommend what I'm about to do," he said before he continued on his way and confronted her stalker.

"Wait a minute-"

Astonished, she cut herself off when he really went and did what she thought he'd do.

Jacob threw the stranger off guard as he appeared out of nowhere in his hiding place. Winter isn't sure what exactly happened next since they're a little far from where she is, but she can tell that he's trying to apprehend the man all on his own. And that he did. In only a matter of minutes, he's able to do his bidding and take away his cellphone and camera – all of which had been used to do his spying.

Jacob let the stalker go right after but not without getting a hold on his ID. 

"I'm not a cop, so I can't arrest him. Don't worry, though. He'll get captured soon," he calmly informed her after he wrapped up his business and returned to her. 

"So, that guy was really spying on me?!" she asked him, distraught. 

"Yeah. He's taking photos and notes. I didn't get to know why he's doing this and for whom. But I did get the evidences and his identification card."

"How were you even be able to do that?"

"I trained martial arts, so I can defend myself. I also had a fair share of similar experiences before. By now, I'm used to dealing with this kind of thing. Fortunately, that one just now was only a mild case. You should really be more attentive next time."

Winter wanted to say that she was already aware that someone was stalking her, but hearing Jacob say that he was used to this bothered her more. 

He said it with an indifferent expression, giving her the impression that being spied on was already normal for him. Then, she also noticed that he didn't bring his bodyguards with him. He is probably assured that no one would harm him – not because nobody's targeting him, but because he thinks he can handle it on his own.

'What confidence…' she thought.

'Now that I think about it, this side of him somehow reminds me of Sir Lexington. Always thinking that they should be strong all the time. Never showing any weakness. Like some sort of god.' 

Soon enough, the mother of the baby returned.

Winter wanted to give her an earful for neglecting the safety of her child like that, but Jacob already beat her to it and lectured her with a smile on his face. 

His tone and wording were harsh, but his expression was soft and gentle. It's just as she expected from a two-faced guy like him. Nonetheless, she was glad for once. At least, he's still honest even if it's just for a little bit – and he gave the parent a good scolding. 

"Was that too rough?" Jacob then blurted out right after, making Winter chuckle a little.

"Oh, so you're feeling guilty now?"

"No. She deserves that. It's a good thing that it's you who took care of the baby. Not some stranger with a malicious intent."

"What're you saying? She left her child to you. Not me. I only helped you out."

"Still, thank you for that."

"It's nothing. Thank you as well – for dealing with that man for me." 

"I do recommend that you learn self-defense at the very least. You don't even have a single bodyguard around."

"So do you."

"I already told you that I'm used to it."       

She doesn't know what to say from that point on. And so, she just took a moment to think over his recommendation and internalize everything that happened. She can only wonder what would have gone down if he hadn't confronted that stalker. 

"Ms. Middleton, may I ask if I come with you?" Jacob suddenly offered.

"Huh? What?" Winter blurted out, bemused.

"I'll escort you back to your friends. There might still be some spies around. I'll just check then leave right after. I promise I won't interrupt any further." 

"O-Oh."

She knows a genuine offer to help when she sees one.

Yet she's afraid he's getting a little too chummy than necessary. She's still not even sure if he has any ulterior motive or if she should be talking with him like this. Things suddenly became too casual and laidback between them – almost like something is bound to go wrong at any second.     

Still, she's got to remind herself, 'Keep your friends close. Keep your enemies closer.'

Besides, Jacob is Bianca's most beloved fiance. 

He's the ultimate weapon that Winter can use against her. Having that said, she can take advantage of this opportunity and get to know him more. She also has to be careful as she does so, though, considering that he's so cunning that he can outsmart her on any occasion. 

'There's nothing for him to learn more about my friends, anyway.. He already knew about Ace, too. What can possibly go wrong?'