Jack's Perspective, A Few Seconds Later

Monica left his office, the door cracked open, and Jack sat there. He went ahead and opened a fresh bottle of bourbon, and poured himself a glass.

Someone kocked on the door and he froze a little bit. Did someone see Monica come in? That would be some trouble for him if the BA or Verlax knew he was interfering with the plans of both.

"It's Lyla." The door was pushed open gently and the HR Head came in. She smiled at Jack.

"Oh, I didn't realize we had an appointment, beautiful." Jack put the glass down and stood up, but she motioned for him to sit down, and he did.

"Monica looks a lot like her, huh? I saw it the first time when I interviewed her. Didn't think you two would get the opportunity to meet, but I guesw that was inevitable." Lyla took a seat on his desk, crossing her thick legs and looked down at him.

"Indeed she does." Jack smiled and looked up at Lyla, "She even has the same attitude, and is a smart gal."

"And the same name as your daughter you abandoned all those years ago." Lyla said bluntly.

"Yep, that too. Had I known it was her, I don't think I'd have helped that guy, the BA trying to brainwash her for his own lusty ambitions," Jack grabbed the bottle and poured a glass for Lyla.

"I know, you'd never hurt the women you care about." Lyla comforted.

"You know that isn't true," Jack looked her in the eye. "It's been more than 15 years. She must be nearing 20 now. A good father wouldn't never have left their daughter behind." He began pouring himself a 2nd glass.

"You didn't abandon her. Maria said she never wanted you involved in her life, remember? You tried your best to convince her to let you in. It was her decision to have her daughter not know who her real father was." Lyla flipped up a picture frame on the desk that seemed to have been face down for a long time.

"Still..." He downed his glass.

Lyla interrupted, "Look, it's done, and there's nothing you can do about that. I think what matters is that you made a pretty great decision."

"Yeah?" He raised his eyebrows.

"You did." Lyla leaned in, and kissed him on the lips. "There's something sexy about being so noble. Maybe after work you can make a good decision for me too." She smiled.

"Sounds like a plan, baby." He grinned.

"Great. Well, I'll let you get back to your brooding." Lyla winked and left the room.

Jack leaned back, and sighed, his smile fading. He should work on a plan to keep protecting Monica, nothing was finished yet. The Brand Adjuster would no doubt be trying something, and Verlax would too.