Till Death Do Us Part

Holiday

Chapter 12- Holiday

"Mr. Blofis on the line for you, Mr. Jackson," announced Katie Williams as she peered through the door. The weather outside started to get cold as people chatted and cheered outside busy shopping and rushing for the holiday season. He had been in the office since six o'clock in the morning and it's now five thirty in the afternoon. And he planned to stay there for how long he did not know. Just until his body ached and asked for rest. Not until his eyelids dropped due to fatigue. He grabbed for the phone while signing a stack of letters for his secretary to mail. At least the job in Singapore was off his back. Now he'd be getting ulcers over the medical center in San Francisco. His job was a never-ending stream of headaches and demands, contracts and problems and meetings.

"Hello Paul! What's up?"

"Your mother's in a meeting, but she asked me to call and tell you that we'll be back from San Francisco tonight." Sally and Paul left for San Francisco three weeks ago to set the new office of Jackson Inc.

"Is everything all right there?" Percy sounded anxious as he anticipated his trip.

"Yes everything is fine. And I hope Perce you would find time to go out and roam around the city. It's beautiful out here though the breeze is definitely cold. Comes January, I hope you can come up on your sleeve and transfer the whole team with you. Is Nico doing well there? By this time I hope he already came up with ideas of finishing touches on the walls of the medical center."

"I've got that settled."

"Good and please rest for the holiday lad. You're working yourself to death for the past two years." And there was guilt in his voice as he said it. It's been two years now since the accident. And Annabeth kept her promise. There was a pain in his chest as he remembered now. In the beginning, he knew he was doing the right thing but now...but now he almost wanted to kill himself for what he did to Percy. He was a good son, obedient and yet there was simply no life in him. He did not get over it because he refused to. Sometimes, Paul did not know how to recuperate for all his sins. To both Percy and Annabeth. But he did not have the heart to tell Percy the truth. Percy might kill him. It's madness! And lately, his health was starting to fail. Those headache attacks were just too often. The doctor said he needed some rest. Maybe it's time Percy will be handling the chairmanship of the whole company. He deserved it. And Jim Jackson will be too proud.

"Paul?"

"Yes, I'm still here. Will you be home for Christmas Percy? Your mother is expecting you. She invited some friends along together with your team in San Francisco. I hope you will make it."

"Not sure. Jut not in the mood to meet some friends. Anyway, I'll be seeing Nico after the holiday before we leave for San Francisco."

"Okay, suit yourself. I'll tell Sally. She misses you a lot! I hope you will change your mind."

And he hanged up.

A day before Christmas, a surprised guest knocked on his door. Rachel Elizabeth Dare, the millionaire's daughter.

"It's been ages Percy since we saw each other. Still working yourself to death?"

He just smiled as she stood in front of him. "What a surprise! I did not know you were in town Rachel."

"I just arrived yesterday. Don't tell me you don't have time for another hang out with friends. The whole group will miss you."

"And when will this be?"

"Maybe after the holidays"

"I'll see if I could pitch it in my schedule. Anyway, you're looking great Rachel."