Daniel froze, the silence suddenly enveloping the room. He hadn’t expected his grandfather’s sudden visit to Emily’s house.
“Who is it, Em?” Fred’s voice sounded approaching, his steps light but full of curiosity.
When Daniel’s grandfather appeared in the doorway, Fred’s brow furrowed, forming lines of confusion. “Excuse me, but who are you?” he asked, his voice full of caution.
“He’s the chairman of W Company, Mr. Daniel’s grandfather,” Daniel replied, his voice muffled by Emily’s voice, which was now the vessel of his soul.
“Chairman?” Fred gulped, surprised. The apron that had been wrapped around his waist slipped off and fell to the floor.
“P-please come in, sir,” Fred said, his voice shaking slightly with nervousness, inviting Jake to enter.
Jake stepped inside, his keen eyes scanning every corner of the room, catching the gleam of the picture frames displaying Emily’s happy smile. There was also a picture of Fred and Emily, looking so warm and familiar, like father and daughter in an inseparable bond, their smiles holding a thousand stories.
“I’m sorry, sir. Your sudden arrival meant I didn’t have time to clean up,” Fred said, his voice a mixture of embarrassment and respect. He began tidying up the room deftly but carefully.
Fred, with a warm yet slightly nervous smile, turned to Jake, who was still standing with undeniable authority. “Sir, perhaps you’d like to join us for breakfast?”
Jake, who had previously looked like a marble statue, now showed a faint, almost imperceptible smile. “Very well,” he replied, his voice low but clear.
They sat down at the simple dining table, and Fred opened the conversation with vigor. “This is my cooking, a new recipe I’m trying out. I hope you like it, sir,” he said, pouring a cup of black coffee whose aroma filled the room.
Jake nodded, his sharp eyes examining the plate in front of him before tasting. “Hmm, this is good,” he said after a few mouthfuls, his normally loud and stern voice now sounding soft.
Fred smiled widely, relief and pride mixed. “Thank you, sir. I’m glad you like it,” he said, the satisfaction clear on his face.
“But what exactly brings you here?” asked Daniel, his voice curious yet respectful.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang again.
“Let me open the door,” said Fred.
When Fred opened the door, he was confronted by Emily trapped in Daniel’s body, standing in his doorway.
“Mr. Daniel?” Fred stared at the figure in front of him with a puzzled look.
“I told him to come,” Jake, Daniel’s grandfather, said, his voice carrying an undeniable authority. “I have something important to tell you.”
The four of them then sat at the dining table in silence, each lost in their own thoughts, before finally moving the conversation to the more comfortable living room.
“I’ve come here to say that I have given my blessing to your daughter’s marriage to my grandson,” Jake said, his voice firm.
Daniel’s brow furrowed, a sharp question hanging in the air. “What made you change your mind?” he asked firmly. Emily’s eyes also rounded in disbelief at the unexpected approval from Daniel’s grandfather.
Jake smiled faintly, an expression rarely seen on his usually emotionless face. “In my old age, I don’t want to be haunted by regrets anymore,” he replied, his voice low but filled with certainty, looking at Emily and Daniel.
Jake’s expression turned sad, his usually sharp eyes now looking dim, sinking back into memories of his son, Daniel’s father, whom he had once rejected when he wanted to marry the woman he loved from a different circle. Daniel was silent, as if he could feel the weight of regret that his grandfather carried.
“I wanted to apologize for what happened last night,” Jake said, in a softer voice than usual to Daniel, whom he mistook for Emily. “I have offended you by refusing Daniel’s proposal to marry you. It was my mistake, and I hope you can forgive me.”
Jake then turned to his assistant, who stood quietly in the room’s corner. “Please bring me the gift I have prepared,” he ordered.
The assistant quickly walked away and returned with an elegant black suitcase and a small box.
“As my approval and blessing of your marriage to Daniel, I would like you to accept this,” Jake said.
The assistant carefully opened the black suitcase, revealing rows of neatly arranged cash, and when the small box was opened, an elegantly shining diamond necklace was displayed before them. “This is a dowry from the Winston family. On your wedding day, I want you to wear it,” Jake said.
Emily covered her mouth, unable to believe everything that was displayed in front of her. Daniel’s eyes immediately caught Emily’s expression on her face, and with a meaningful look, he signaled Emily to remain calm so that their identity would not be revealed. Emily, who understood the meaning behind Daniel’s gaze, immediately calmed the wave of feelings that hit her heart.
Fred stared at the box of diamond necklaces and the suitcase of cash with an expression that was a mixture of awe and concern. “I’m sorry, sir, but this gift… it’s just too much,” he said, his voice filled with humility.
Jake’s hand patted Fred’s shoulder gently. “Nothing is too much when it comes to my grandson’s happiness,” he replied firmly, his voice echoing certainty. “This is the first time Daniel has brought home a woman and said he wanted to marry her. I’ve done him wrong in the past, and this is my move to make up for it.”
Fred nodded slowly, understanding the intent behind Jake’s words, but there was still doubt playing in his eyes. “I appreciate your good intentions, but…” his voice trailed off, searching for the right words.
“Accept, and do not refuse this gift,” Jake said again in a firm tone.
Fred took a deep breath, then turned to Emily and Daniel. His eyes met theirs, seeking wordless agreement. “Alright, I understand.”
After getting Jake’s approval, Emily and Daniel left for the office together. No one spoke, both of them lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Emily broke the silence, her voice low yet filled with doubt. “Is what we’re doing right? A marriage based on agreement? Dad and grandpa would be disappointed if they knew the truth.”
Daniel turned his head, his eyes fixed on Emily. “No one will ever know,” he replied.
***
In the Walton family’s dining room, the morning sunlight slipped in, dancing on the breakfast table spread with various delicious dishes. Olivia sat with perfect posture, her biological father, Edward, presiding at the head of the table, while her stepmother, Eleanor, was busy with her toast, and her younger half-brother, Alex, chewed his cereal with indifference.
“I heard that the man you were set up with chose to marry a commoner instead,” Alex said, her eyes flashing with curiosity as she stared at Olivia.
Instantly, the peaceful atmosphere turned tense. Olivia stared at Alex with a sharp gaze. “What do you care?” she asked, her voice cold as ice. “It is none of your business.”
Edward Walton lifted his gaze from his morning paper, his eyes narrowed, showing deep disappointment and worry. “What have you done to make the Winston family break up your arranged marriage? Have you made a mistake?” he asked, his voice heavy with responsibility.
Eleanor Walton, in a soft but worried tone, added, “Olivia, couldn’t you have told Daniel to change his mind? After all, if you get married, our company will also benefit in many ways.”
Olivia took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her family’s expectations. “I’m going to solve this,” she replied firmly.
“How are you going to solve this?” asked Eleanor, her voice full of curiosity.
“Why should you know about this? This is my problem. I’ll take care of it myself,” Olivia challenged, her voice rising slightly, showing pent-up frustration.
Edward admonished in a firm voice, “Watch your language, Olivia. She is your mother.”
Eleanor held up a hand, calming the situation. “It’s okay, dear. Olivia’s got a point. I’m getting too involved in her problems,” she said, her voice full of understanding.
With her emotions running high, Olivia slammed her spoon and fork down on the plate with a sound that startled the entire room. “I’m leaving,” she said in a choked voice, filled with frustration.
“Olivia,” Edward’s voice echoed with urgency, “figure out a way to change Daniel’s mind so he’ll marry you. This time, the fate of the company depends on you.”
Without turning around, Olivia walked quickly out of the dining room, her steps echoing off the marble floor. She got into her car, slamming the car door with a force full of seething emotions.
“Damn it, who exactly is this woman Daniel wants to marry? How can I lose to her?”