Seventeen

When that torturous lunch was over, I was relieved to get away from my mother’s death glares and my father’s indifference, yet I felt a little sad that I had little time to talk with my grandfather. As we’ve gone our separate ways, taking their own car to head back home, I offered my grandfather a ride back since he hadn’t asked his driver to stay and wait for him. I always find his considerate characteristic admirable.

“How have you been, my dear? How is work?.” He asked lovingly as he looped my arm around his and lightly patted it.

“I’m doing well, granddad. Work had been a little busy, but I’m doing well that I expected.” I replied smugly.

“That’s good to hear. From what I heard, that young Burns is working for you. And, I remembered you weren’t in good terms with that young man.” He stated in worry as he studied my expression.

I tried not to flinch at his words, but I couldn’t help cringing at the memory of the past week. “He is… Okay, for now…” I stated in uncertain assurance. What should I say? I can’t tell him the deal I made with Hugh. He would think something deeper is at play. But, really, we both are just desperate at this point.

“Is he doing any funny business?” He asked, eyeing me sternly.

I couldn’t help but chuckled at the gravity of his tone. My grandfather had always been on my side with my indifference with Hugh Burns. My mother was annoyed that I started this cold war with him. And, let’s not start with my father. He knows about my bad blood with Hugh, yet he pretends to be neutral about it. He was just afraid that it would affect our financial connections with the Burn’s family. It was slightly pathetic at that time. But, I wouldn’t hold it against him. The Burns did help our family business in the long run.

“So, are you two still at it until now?” He asked in amused interest, a smirked tugged at the end of his lips.

“Yes. We still have different opinion on everything.” I replied with a grin, rolling my eyes at him.

“Good. And, try to keep the young man on his place. I heard some things about him…” He stated, wrinkling his nose in disgust.

I laughed at his expression. It was sweet of him to be doing all the hating for me. “Don’t worry, granddad. He isn’t going to play me that easily anymore.” I pointed out with a smile.

“Good to know.” He stated as he accepted my reply. There was a short paused before he changed the topic. “So, who is this man you are actually meeting? You can’t avoid not telling me now.” He asked in challenge.

I shook my head in disbelief at his persistence. “We just met yesterday. We are having dinner tonight.” I replied truthfully yet vague.

“Oh, is that so? What is his name? Have I met him before?” He asked in interest, his face perked up as he waited for my reply.

I smiled at his child-like expression before replying. “His name is Robert Klein. His family owns an international export business. He is currently handing a few branches.”

“Did you do a background check before meeting him tonight?” He asked seriously, a question I knew he would ask.

“Yes. I read his file this morning.” I replied shyly, but not really embarrassed on this fact. He was the one who taught me to check the men first before you try to marry him. I never had done it with my past boyfriends before since they weren’t husband material in my family’s eyes. Since I’m in search of one, every candidate is subject to a background check.

“I taught you well.” He stated proudly, patting the arm that he held again.

I chuckled in reaction to what he said. My grandfather is much more protective towards me than my own father. How they differ in personality was like two side of a coin. But, I had heard a few rumors about my grandfather being identical to my father when he was around his age. It made me hopeful that my father could still change in the near future.

When the car arrived, I asked him where he wanted to be dropped off. My grandfather has two houses in the area. One was located in the city, and the other was where he stayed on weekends. It was a small farm around the edge of the state border. I never get his fascination on wanting to live in seclusion. It was admirable yet sad at the same time. He looked much better than I hoped when my grandmother passed away.

“I think I will stay over at the farm for the week.” He replied with a smile.

I nodded in understanding before offering him to get inside the car ahead of me. As Russell drove us towards the main street, I instructed him to take us to my grandfather’s house. He replied with a brief nod.

The drive started with an eerie silence before my grandfather tried asking me an identical question a few minutes ago. Maybe, he was trying to catch me off guard.

“So, how are you and Hugh handling each other?” He asked with a toothy grin.

I eyed him in surprise before I shook my head in disbelief. “Why are you so interested about my relationship with Hugh?” I countered, dodging his question.

“It’s nothing in particular… I just heard things. And, from what I remembered, you told me something about him a few years ago.” He replied seriously as he eyebrow scrunched together in concentration.

I tried to remember any conversation I had with him in regards to Hugh Burns. Have I talked about him with my grandfather before? My memory was hazy from another memory that cancelled anything nice I’ve once thought of him. My lips thinned into a grim line as I eyed my grandfather.

“From the look you are giving me, I’ll assume you forgot.” He stated with a soft chuckle, his eye wrinkling as he smiled secretly.

“Could you please enlighten me? I seemed to neglect any memory I had with him after that episode…” I asked sourly, not really in the mood in discussion the past. But, he seemed to find this topic fascinating.

“Don’t worry about it, Mitch, dear. You’ll remember it when you are ready to remember it.” He stated, waving his hands in dismissal. “So, tell me more about this Robert guy.” He changed the topic quickly, making me sigh. He does have a habit of changing topics when the conversation wouldn’t go his way.

“I just met him, granddad. So, all I know about him are basic facts. But, when I met him yesterday… He seemed interesting enough…” I replied, trailing off with a ghost smile as I recount my encounter with him yesterday again. I can’t help think about him whenever he brought it up.

“As a first impression, do you like this guy?” He asked in interest, his eyes sparkling as he waited for my reply.

I laughed at his expression, feeling refreshed at how hyped up my grandfather was from talking about my love life. I think he is overdoing it sometimes, but I can’t help but go along with it. He was only filling for grandmother. My laugh slightly quivered as I remembered my talks with her.

My grandfather noticed my slightly slip-up and gave me a soft, comforting smile. He reached out to grab my hand, holding and caressing it with his thumb, creating soothing circles on my skin. I looked at him and smiled sadly. He knew I missed her as much as he did.

“So, did you kiss him already?” He asked after a brief silence, and then winked.

I laughed hard at his way of getting the mood back. If I didn’t have him, I wouldn’t be able to look anyone’s faces with a smile, and walked in the professional world with confident strides. He was one of the reason I am who I am.

When we reached his vast farm, I felt a sense of homesickness. I remembered being here when I was young. I wasn’t too exposed with the socialite until I reached middle school, which I’m grateful. It made my childhood less miserable than it should have.

“I will see you soon when I get back, okay.” My grandfather stated as he got out of the car, leaving the door wide open.

“Sure. I’ll call you when you get back in the city. If things went well with tonight’s date, I will tell you about it.” I stated with a grin.

“Even if the night didn’t went well, please tell me about it as well.” He offered.

“I will.” I nodded brief in reply before I said my farewell.

The drive back to the city gave me enough time to mentally prepare me for the date tonight. How am I supposed to appear in front of Robert? What are we going to talk about? Is it okay to tell him about the hundred-day deadline? When I felt myself get worked up, I let out a huge breath of calm myself. I sounded like I’m not used to going out on date. Why am I so nervous about this?

When we finally reached my apartment, I had little time to prepared. I gave myself at least thirty minutes to wash-up, changed and looked classy enough like I had from the last time we met. I’m putting more effort than my get-up from the party last night.

I was relieved that Jade and Paige decided to stay overnight, and wait for me to get back from the date. I would need someone there to vent out, whether I was happy or frustrated with the outcome. I was short in time and really wanted this to work. Robert Klein was by status, my perfect-match. And, my only fear about it is our personality clashing. We had a few banter when we met, but that was because I was on guard. I hope he acted less arrogant tonight or this will be like last time, a waste of my precious time.

When Russell slowly parked the car in front of the French restaurant, I could almost hear the beat of my heart on my ears. I know it was bad to expect something to someone you don’t know. The end result will never go in your favor. But, tonight seemed to be with me.

“Table for two under Newman, please.” I stated as I stopped at the inner door where a podium was placed with a waitress attending to the customer that waited to be seated.

“Ah, yes. Your date is already here, Ms. Newman.” The girl replied shyly, her cheeks slightly flushed as she looked away from me.

I eye her for a moment, confusion by her shyness. Did Robert do something to make her react this way?

She called another waiter to escort me to my table. A man in classic, butler typed clothes walked towards me with a welcoming smile and greeted me with a slight bow. I couldn’t help but smile at their formality and greeted back with a smile myself.

The waiter escorted at the far end from the door. It was slightly embarrassing passing through the room as a few socialite people eyed me in interest. I knew a few of them know who I was, and some – mostly men – was just ogling out of interest. When the walk of shame ended, I faced a grinning Robert who was already seated with a wine in hand.

I gapped at him, slightly admiring how he dressed. He was going with the casual yet sophisticated look, with a blazer and button-down shirt, the two top buttons undone.

“Good evening, Michelle. I thought you were going to ditch me tonight.” He greeted as he stood up, signaling the waiter that he would help me seat down.

He walked towards my chair across from his and pulled it out for me. I continued to study his face before seating down. After he pushed the chair gently as I sat, I waited until he went back to his chair before properly greeting him.

“What? No hello?” he asked, interrupting me.

“I was about to until you interrupted me.” I replied grimly, but smirked.

“Sorry.” He apologized softly. “Thank you for coming here.” He stated with more volume, his smile was dazzling.

“I’m the one who contacted you. So, thank you.” I said as I smiled back. “I’m surprise to see you here a little early. I categorized you as a man who liked to be fashionably late.” I amused lightly.

“Well, there are thing that contradicts my outer appearance. I wouldn’t hold it against you if you think I’m like most men. I think I should be flattered that you thought about me that much…” He said and trailed off as he winked at me.

“I can’t deny that I had been thinking about you.” I admitted as I shook my head in disbelief. “But, don’t get it in your head. I’m always cautious to any men that I’m going to have dinner. It would be bad for the media to find me having dinner with someone less acceptable.” I added sarcastically, rolling my eyes at my last sentence. “I hated it that they think I actually care who I ate with…”

“I will also admit it. You aren’t the same as the women I had you categorized with. You are just a whole category yourself.” He chuckled in amusement.

“I’m flattered that you felt the same.” I smiled back in reply.

The waiter reappeared in front of us, interrupting our conversation. He handed us both the menu, a little surprised that he hadn’t order anything aside from the wine glass in front of him.

“I was waiting for you, if you want to know that badly.” He teased when I eyed him in surprise.

I slightly blushed at his admission but brushed it off with a smirk. I looked down on the menu and settled with something light, but enough to satiate my hunger for some viable proteins, which consist of anything that is meat. And, to go with our main course, I eyed the wine that was in front of him for my beverage.

“I think I will have a glass of that.” I said, pointing at the glass in front of Robert. “That will be all for me.” I stated in conclusion.

“I will have another glass then…” Robert said after me, as he glanced at me quickly.

“Okay, sir. I will be back with your drinks. Your meal will be served in ten to fifteen minutes.” The waiter said before excusing himself.

When we were finally left alone, I glass up at Robert in time for him to have another sip in his drink. He looked sultry doing it too. “Do you want to try?” He asked with a grin.

“I’ve already ordered a glass. There is not point in drinking your glass.” I replied grimly, but there was hardly any bitterness in my tone.

“I was just being friendly. You don’t have to be defensive.” He replied sadly, though he didn’t look affected by my rejection.

I smirked at his confident aura. I’m glad that he wasn’t the type to take things too seriously, but that is a factor that I need from someone who I’m going to marry. Since this situation is hardly a serious matter, I’ll let his playfulness slide.

We started a light conversation, talking about wine since we were on the topic. I couldn’t hide my grin as he told me his preferences, and his adventures on wine auctions since his best friend owned a restaurant. With interest, I asked if I knew his friend, but he brushed it off and told me his friend lives in Italy. I took note on it. So, he is a man who travels a lot.

As he continued to tell me his tale, the waiter reappeared with my glass of wine. We clanked out glass together before taking a sip. It was fruity and sweet, which made me smile. He had a good taste for wine.

While we waited for our meal to arrive, Robert and I started on question and answer game. It felt light and natural as we exchanged information about each other. I was a little shy on one of his questions, which turned personal fast.

“So, what kind of guys do you like? Is there a possibility I have at least one of those qualities?” He asked smugly, though he looked a little hesitant at the question.

In my embarrassment, I looked away from him and studied the room for the first time. I can’t believe I’ve been so absorbed this whole time. And, before I could come up with a proper answer to his question, my eyes landed on a familiar clear blue eyes that I wouldn’t dream of seeing tonight.

I closed my mouth and grinded my teeth in frustration as I continued to stare at him. He didn’t glance away from my stare, keeping me under his hypnotic gaze. Like he understood why I couldn’t look away, a slow smirked turned up at the end of his lips. I grimaced in reply. Begrudgingly, I tore my eyes away when the waiter interrupted my concentration as he served our food.

My mind had gone blank for a second. As I tried to recover my trail of thought, I couldn’t help the rage bubbling up in my chest. What the hell is Hugh doing here?

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A/N: Hey everyone! I had fun writing this chapter so much.  And, that ending though, hahaha... Just thought about spicing things up. I hope you liked it.

Have an awesome day and happy reading!