"That's why she was running all over town, searching for the best high-selling products," I continue, remembering those times. "I loved to go shopping with her, especially when we were able to spend that much money. It would be wonderful if she could have a box like that, with such great products for the whole family."
When I look up into Jack's eyes again, I see that he's watching my every move, as if trying to understand what I felt during those times.
I feel goose bumps covering my skin from that look.
"My parents were so busy working that they let me buy anything I wanted with my nanny," he says after a long pause. "She then wrapped the gifts in beautiful paper and put them under the Christmas tree. I opened them and never felt surprised; it was just another day. Sometimes my parents weren't even in town."
That sounds awful. I'm not surprised that he wants to spend Christmas Eve at work. He simply doesn't know how to celebrate properly.
I knew Jack came from a wealthy family. I thought children like him got everything they want. But I couldn't even imagine that he might be missing the most important thing parents can give to their children: love.
"Maybe that's why I'm a shitty father who left his seventeen-year-old son to spend Christmas with friends," he adds, and my jaw practically drops to the floor.
I didn't know he had a child, especially a child the same age as mine. That means his son was born…when Jack was only twenty-two.
I bet his employees don't know about it. I’ve never heard gossip like when the girls in the office talked about Jack, which they do all the time.
Why is he so honest with me? Is it because of the whisky?
Or is it something else?
Jack turns to face me again and smiles. I realize that I'm staring at him with an open mouth.
"What? Are you surprised that monsters like me can have kids?" he laughs and then takes a big gulp of whisky, emptying the glass.
"No, of course I'm not," I lie, because of course I'm surprised, shaking my head and trying to smile, "Even monsters like you sometimes need someone to love."
I laugh at my words, obviously joking, but Jack looks at me without a hint of a smile.
What did I do? Am I really making fun of my boss? Is he offended?
A thousand words rush around of my mind in a second, and Jack's deep gaze makes me hold my breath.
"Yeah," he says quietly after a pause, not looking away for a second. "Yeah, we do."
Even monsters like you sometimes need someone to love…I just told him, and that’s his answer.
And that look. Goose bumps appear again, this time not only on my back. My whole body is trembling from that look.
We do…
He just admitted that he needs someone to love.
Maybe the heart of the monster isn't so cold?
"You said your son spends Christmas with friends," I say, looking away because I can't take it any longer. "What about his mom?"
"We haven't seen each other for seventeen years," he says abruptly and turns away.
We spend the next couple of minutes in silence. The flight attendant takes our glasses, and Jack refuses her offer to refresh his drink.
Well, I guess our honest conversation is now over. The mother of his child happened to be his sore subject.
What happened between them? How can a woman give up on her son?
I guess it's a forbidden subject, because Jack's honesty and sincerity evaporated right away, and he’s frowning and gloomy again.
The sign to fasten our seatbelts just lit up, and I realize that we’re landing.