ด้วยรักตลอดไป (With Love, Forever)

Jackson

"Xinxin! Quick, get ready for school! The bus is coming!"

I watched as my 4 year old hopped off the couch, groaning. She went to her room to pull on her uniform, assisted by her helper whilst I rushed around, trying to pack her snack box for school. No matter how early we woke up or tried to get ready, we always ended up rushing like mad eventually. I sighed. This had to stop. I had to think of a better way to get this girl of mine ready for school and not let it become a chore daily. The helper sent her off to the bus whilst I went to get ready for work.

I had long left Got7 when Xinxin was born, but I still did music on my own and often wrote songs and produced my own albums. I also wrote songs for other artists, which paid me really well; allowing me to pay for my helper, a good and comfortable home for Xinxin, and also the occasional babysitter when I needed extra help.

I grabbed my bag and left, telling the helper I would be late tonight. She nodded and proceeded to go off to the kitchen to do her work. She has been with me since Xinxin was born and was a huge asset. I wonder if I can work as hard as I did if I did not have help. Sometimes, I was really amazed at how single parents actually did it with zero help.

I got to work and bumped into the building's secretary. She was this pleasant woman who looked to be in her 50s, always well groomed and presentable. A polite and courteous lady, she managed the building's operational affairs. Since I was renting studio space from the landlord, I often liaised with her, and we had grown to become firm friends. Over my time of knowing her, I found out she was a single mother who handled everything on her own and brought up her son by herself. She told me her son was currently working in a preschool as a music specialist. Seeing the way she spoke about her son; I could tell that she was incredibly proud of him.

"Good morning, Ms Luo. How are you today?"

"I am good, Jackson. How are you? Rough morning?"

"How do you know?!"

Ms. Luo chuckled. "Look at your tie. It is crooked again."

I face palmed as I apologized for my untidy exterior and then adjusted my tie. I filled her in on how Xinxin took forever to get ready for school despite us waking up early.

Ms. Luo laughed as she listened to me and then filled me in on a little trick.

"Stickers. They always do the trick. Have an incentive. She will be motivated to be faster. She's too young to understand the beauty of her efforts and intrinsic praise, so she needs to be rewarded."

I cocked my head at that. That indeed seemed like something Xinxin would like, and if it makes my life easier too, why not? I thanked her for her advice and then went to my studio.

My day was filled with some assignments, and then I worked on my own music before calling it a day at 11 pm. I did call and check in on Xinxin throughout the day, but I knew she would be asleep now. I grabbed my bag and was heading out when I saw a guy standing at the entrance. He seemed damn sus and shifty as he kept pacing the entrance. I got concerned and decided to call the security office when Ms. Luo picked up the phone.

I was surprised that she was still at work, but she told me she had to do some overtime but was going to leave soon. I filled her in on the shady visitor. She said she would swing by to check now. I agreed and decided to wait for her as I did not trust that guy even one bit. He saw me and just looked at me shadily too.

Just then Ms.Luo turned up. I turned to her, and before she or I could say anything, I heard a soft voice call out, "Mae!".

I turned and realized it was the same guy. I was a bit stunned. His voice absolutely did not match his poker face at all. And why did he call Ms. Luo that.......

Oh!! I face palmed internally again as I made the connection. Ms. Luo smiled at her son and turned to me. But when she saw my face, she made the connection and burst out laughing! Her son walked over, and I shook my head desperately at her, telling her not to say anything.

She laughed and patted my shoulders affectionately. Ms. Luo looked at her son.
"Jeff. Come here. Let me introduce you to Jackson. He's one of my building's tenants here. The boy I often talk about at home."

He turned to look at me and then broke into a small smile. I guess he's just poker face by default unless he knew the person. I smiled and shook his head, cringing internally over my false alarm. I told Ms. Luo I was leaving. She nodded and told me to be safe.

I bade both of them goodbye and as I walked off, I heard Jeff telling her that I was stonily staring at him earlier.

Well, he wasn't any better!

A/N: a little fanfic for a fellow reader AiswaryaJM . First time writing one with Jackson in it. Let's see how it takes off :)