IAN’S POV;
I watched grandma paced around in her room and sighed in between. Her gray hair was neatly tied in a low bun, but the lines of worry on her face made her seem older than her years.
I walked up to her and held her by the shoulder. “You should stop pacing already, you would get dizzy at this rate and feel sick.”
“Are you sure you have nothing to do with Saraya’s arrest?” She asked me with worry written all over her face.
I guess despite not having a good relationship with Saraya, grandma was worried about her, after all, saraya is also her grandchild.
“Are you worried about Saraya or the company?” I asked.
“Don’t you digress from my question and answer it already.” Her voice was gentle yet stern.
“Come on, grandma!” I began, “why should I do something that would tarnish the image of the company I would soon be taking over?” I asked. “The one person I have issues with is Saraya and not the business itself. I know nothing about this.” I added completely refuting her claims.
“Ian,” she said, her tone ruffled. “Is that the truth?”
I crossed my arms and looked into her eyes. “Grandma, I’ve told you. I didn’t have anything to do with her arrest. Maybe someone else have grudges against her.”
“Like who?” she asked, raising her eyebrows.
I rolled my eyes. “How am I to know, grandma?”
Grandma sighed heavily and sat down on the edge of her bed. “The Newman family cannot afford this kind of mess. You may not like Saraya, but she is a Newman, and if she goes down, so does the family name.”
Her words irked me, but I knew she was right. Still, I wasn’t about to take the blame for something I had no hand in.
“Ian, promise me, you’ll stay out of this. No more schemes or petty fights with Saraya. We can’t afford it now.”
I scoffed, offended at her words. “I already told you I didn’t do anything. If Saraya got herself into trouble, maybe she should start taking responsibility for her actions instead of everyone pointing fingers at me.”
“This allegations of fraud levied against Saraya sound so unlike her, she just took over the family business and I doubt she must have soiled her hands already knowing fully well I’ve got my eyes on her.” She replied.
“What if she is so desperate she soiled her hands?” I countered.
“Ian, she is not someone like that.” My grandmother shot back.
I took a step back and let out a bitter laugh, unable to hide my frustration any longer. “You know what, Grandma? I only came back here to celebrate your birthday, to make you happy. But it seems my presence is nothing more than an excuse for everyone to make me the scapegoat for something I know absolutely nothing about.”
Her face softened, her worry turning into a plea. “Ian, no one’s making you the scapegoat. We just need to find a way to handle this situation as a family.”
“As a family?” I shook my head, my voice tinged with disbelief. “You think this feels like family? You’re not even listening to me, Grandma. You’ve already decided I must have had a hand in this just because Saraya and I don’t get along.”
“That’s not true,” she whispered, but the doubt in her eyes betrayed her words.
“Can i also assume you have a hand in it since you two don’t get along as well?” I accused.
“Ian!” She snapped at me.
I ran a hand through my hair, trying to rein in the anger bubbling inside me. “It doesn’t matter what I say, does it? I’ll always be guilty in your eyes. So, you know what? I’m done. I’m leaving. Clearly, I’m not welcome here.”
Grandma stood up abruptly, her face a mix of panic and desperation. “Ian, wait! Don’t be hasty. This is your home. You belong here.”
I shook my head again and took a step toward the door. “No, Grandma. I don’t belong here, not when everyone is so quick to point fingers at me. You can celebrate your birthday without me.”
“Ian, stop! Please!” she called out, but I ignored her and walked out of the room, the door closing with a loud thud behind me.
As I made my way down the hallway, I could hear her muffled voice calling my name, but I didn’t stop. This place didn’t feel like home, not anymore.
As I was about to step out of the house, I heard my name. I looked back and it was Mary.
“Ian,” she called out again. “Wait.”
“I’m sorry but I’m not in the mood to talk to anyone.” I said, walking away.
But as I reached my car, many questions ran through my mind but one struck me the most. “Who would have reported Saraya for fraud and why?”
ISLA’S POV;
I stood frozen at the door Ian had just walked out of.
His question echoed in my head. “Are you worried about Saraya or the company?”
My heart skipped a beat at his question, I rubbed my chest, pressing down the sensations I felt there.
I couldn’t help but scoff. “Why would I be worried about her?” I asked as though Ian was there to hear my reply. “Saraya has been nothing but trouble to this family.” I added but couldn’t believe my own words.
The sound of footsteps pulled me out of my thoughts.
I turned to see Mary, walking towards me, I dropped my hand from mu chest.
“Mother, are you all right?” she asked, her voice soft but probing.
I gave her a small nod though I was everything but fine. “I’m fine, Mary,” I replied. “Have you heard anything from Alex?”
She hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. “Not yet, but I’m sure we’ll hear from him very soon, I’m sure he is working tirelessly to get things resolved.”
Her words were meant to be comforting, but they only deepened the ache I was feeling.
Mary watched me closely, her brow furrowing slightly. “Are you worried about Saraya? Or is it the company?”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “Mary, stop sounding me out. You know better than to play games with me.”
“I’m sorry, mother.” She quickly apologized. “I didn’t mean to sound you out, let me help you back to your room.”