For the Record

XXIV - Setting Boundaries... Again

Sofia clenched her jaw. He's impossible. But before she could argue, the nurse called out, "Dr. Reyes, the supply truck for the mission is arriving early."

Sofia blinked. "Today?"

"Yes, ma'am. They need signatures and someone to check inventory."

"I'll do it," Jake said before she could respond.

Sofia whipped around. "You will not—"

But he was already rolling up his sleeves, following the nurse to the loading area.

Outside, by the supply truck

Jake looked completely out of place — a cardiac surgeon in spotless white sneakers trying to wrangle crates of gauze and IV fluids. But he didn't complain. He lifted, carried, and sorted with the younger volunteers until sweat beaded on his forehead.

Sofia crossed her arms, watching from the doorway. Part of her wanted to scoff — this was the man who once thought hospital vending machines were "unsanitary." And yet here he was, bent over a box of syringes, listening intently as the supply officer explained inventory protocols.

When he noticed her, he gave a short nod. Not cocky, not smug. Just... steady.

"You don't have to do this," Sofia muttered when she finally walked over.

"I know," Jake said, jotting down quantities on the clipboard. "But you do. And if this is your life, I want to learn it."

Her throat tightened, but she forced herself to stay composed. "This isn't a publicity stunt, Jake. No cameras. No followers to impress."

He looked her squarely in the eyes. "Good. Then the only person who'll see is you."

--

By the time the crates were sorted, Jake's once-crisp lab coat was smudged with dust and sweat. Summer, who had returned after school, wrinkled her nose. "Dad, you look gross."

Jake laughed, ruffling her hair, trying not to notice how good it felt being called dad. "Best compliment I've had all day."

Sofia tried not to notice how natural the exchange sounded, She gathered the mission paperwork, her tone clipped: "We leave Friday morning. Remote site, five hours away. It's cramped, exhausting, and there's no comfort. Don't bother tagging along."

Jake wiped his brow with a grin. "Sounds perfect. Save me a seat."

Sofia walks away, muttering under her breath about how infuriating he is. But deep down, a tiny, dangerous part of her is unsettled — because for the first time, Jake didn't run from the hard work. He leaned into it.

Friday Morning – Mission Departure

The clinic parking lot buzzed with activity: volunteers loading medical kits, students packing boxes of food rations, nurses triple-checking supply lists. Sofia moved through the chaos with practiced efficiency, clipboard in hand.

And then she spotted him.

Jake — dressed down in jeans and a plain shirt, a duffel bag slung over his shoulder. No entourage, no luxury car, just him.

Her pulse spiked. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Following instructions." He smiled faintly. "You told me not to bother tagging along. So I bothered."

Sofia opened her mouth to argue, but before she could, Summer leaned out from the van where the volunteers were climbing in. "Mom! Dad saved me a seat!"

Jake's gaze softened at the word Dad, though he didn't let it show too much. He simply gestured toward the vehicle. "Looks like I'm already recruited."

Sofia closed her eyes briefly, muttering, This is a disaster waiting to happen.

Still, she climbed into the van after them. The engine roared to life, and as the city skyline faded into winding rural roads, Sofia told herself this was just another mission. Nothing more.

But deep down, she knew — Jake had just crossed the first line of her boundaries.

--

By the time they reached the mountain province, word of the mission had already spread — and so had the whispers.

Sofia overheard a volunteer murmuring about her funding application being "flagged" at the last minute. She froze, the air around her suddenly colder.

And in the capital, miles away, Jake's mother poured herself a glass of wine, her lips curving into a satisfied smile as she told the ex-fiancée over the phone:

"Don't worry, dear. This little reunion of theirs won't last long."

-----

Author's Note:

Sorry for being MIA, I was sick and life was life-ing LOL but I promise to publish the remaining chapters on schedule (every Tuesdays and Thursdays). Let's keep Jake unravel and spiral until he can't do it no more LOL