Chapter 39 - The Game

"How are you able to keep up with your daily expenses?" Jacob asked her. They are now in the backyard of the mansion.

"Donations. There were a lot of groups and individuals who regularly donate food, clothes, school supplies, medicines, and money. One of them is Miss J. Plus look at this place. We have a lot of space to plant trees and vegetables." Miss Eve showed him a big garden full of vegetables.

Jacob saw the kids running towards the big lawn. "How many kids do you have here?"

"64 kids. 50 were here. The other 14 kids were in college. Kids come and go. Some were adopted. Some were already graduated in college and already have a work of their own." Miss Eve bends forward to meet a little girl running towards them.

She lifts up the girl and introduces her to Jacob. "This is Nana. She is five years old. She is the youngest."

Jacob smiled at her and raised his hand to shake hers. "Hello Nana, it's a pleasure to meet you," Jacob remembers that this is the girl who saw J earlier upon arriving.

"They are going to play dodgeball. They wouldn't let me in" the little girl said while pouting her lips.

Jacob chuckled at the little girl. "Look at them, they are all bigger than you, you might get hurt if you were hit by their ball."

"That's unfair." Nana whimpered at Miss Eve.

"Hmm...how about this. I play on your behalf. If I win, you win as well. You like that?" Jacob tried to console Nana.

Nana was delighted at that thought so she immediately said yes. She takes Jacob's hand and drags him towards the other children to announce her participation with Jacob as her representative.

Everyone agrees. J looked at Jacob. He has taken the little girls' hearts. She also noticed some of the teenage girls giggle when they saw Jacob joining them in the game. It looks like he also wins over other girls' hearts. Tsk… He sure knows how to impress.

The game started. Six girls including J against six boys including Jacob. They made an imaginary central line in the middle. Three balls were in the middle. Then the opening rush started. J wasn't good at throwing, catching or dodging a ball, she just enjoyed the games with the kids that's why she joined them.

Soon J was the first one eliminated. Then followed by the other girls. The boys headed by Jacob won this round. And the happiest person was Nana whom Jacob promised earlier that if he wins, she wins.

Another round begun followed by another round. This time Jacob tried not to hit J. He deliberately missed her. Sometimes he intentionally hit other girls. Until they were the ones left. J and Jacob throws and dodges the ball at last J was able to hit Jacob and finally girls win. Jacob lost but he felt like a winner seeing J happy that they won. As much as possible he will try to keep her happy because he knows that once they return to the city she will return to her cool and distant self.

But one girl is not happy with his loss. He looked at Nana's side and saw her heartbroken. He has to think of a way to make up for her.

He walks towards Nana. "Hey I'm sorry, I lost," he said while scratching the back of his head. Nana was gloomy and didn't even bother to look at him. "How could I make it up to you? Hmm?" Jacob makes an adorable look at Nana.