Chapter Three
Conan’s POV
5 years ago.
“Aurora.” I turned back at the sound of a high-pitched voice calling a name. A name so peculiar I couldn't ’t gets it out of my head.
Two bodies collided in excitement like the other would disappear if they let go, bright smiles on their faces.
They finally pulled apart to burst into a fit of giggles at the sight of each other’s faces.
They took a seat at the table in front of mine and for some reason, I could not seem to take my eyes off them. I couldn’t help but notice the contrast between them as they chatted away, two girls, two different personalities. One quiet maybe shy, another bright and bubbly.
Their conversation became a blur; the café reduced to nothing as I was drawn by the black luscious hair resting gently on the delicate curves of her hips. I couldn’t take my eyes away; I could only see her. I could barely breathe. My eyes traced her face from her lashes down to her nose. I could only see perfection—so perfect that I was tempted to draw her. Nevertheless, a picture of her face clicked into place—never to be forgotten….
Present day
I drove into the gate of my grandpa’s villa. I’d always loved this house, with the long driveway lined with pine trees on both sides, and it looked even more beautiful when the flowers bloomed. It was a joy to drive through them every time but not today.
I had just received a call from my grandfather’s doctor, calling to inform me that his sickness was getting worse.
Grandpa had been diagnosed with Chronic Pulmonary disease for a year now and I’d been informed that he had just a year to live.
I sped through the driveway before parking haphazardly in front of the mansion.
I rushed through the doors held open for me by the butler. The door opened to reveal a long winding staircase leading up the different floors of the mansion.
I rushed down the hallway behind the staircase to the room where my grandpa had to move into after he found it difficult to walk up the stairs.
I told him to get an elevator done, but he refused, saying he wants the house's charm to remain.
I pushed the huge oak doors open to reveal my grandfather with his doctor beside him talking in hushed tones.
“Doctor Maxwell, I got here as soon as I could,” I said as soon as I walked in.
“I’m sorry I called. You must have been busy.” He replied in an apologetic tone.
I waved it off.
“What’s wrong with my grandpa? I couldn’t make proper sense of what you were saying over the phone.”
Before the doctor could respond to me my grandpa spoke up.
“Could you please stop talking about me like I’m not here. Ethan, please leave us for a minute.” He said to the doctor.
“Conan, see me before you leave.” Doctor Maxwell said to me before he left.
“A ‘hello grandpa’ would be nice. A hug would be nicer too. This is why your sister is my favorite grandchild.” He managed to say all that before coughing into the napkin in his hand.
“Well, hello grandpa. I would hug you but I’m still angry with you. We spoke 3 days ago, how could you hide your condition from me?” I said before sitting on the chair next to his bed.
“What’s there to tell you about an old man dying?” He laughed.
“This is not the time for your jokes. You should have told me.” My tone is firm but soft.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I didn’t want to bother you with my old problems, you have a company to run, Conan. You can’t be at my beck and call all the time.”
“I would always love to be at your beck and call,” I said as I held his hands.
My grandfather had always been a strong independent man all his life so he finds it difficult to ask for anything, even if it’s comfort from his grandchildren.
“We need to talk.” He said firmly and I knew exactly what he wanted to talk about.
“I only have little time left, Conan. You need to take the will seriously. I am dead serious when I say the company goes to charity if you don’t get married with a child before I die.” He repeated the words he had been preaching for over 2 years like it was his favorite sermon. He wasn't even a believer.
“Grandpa, that clause in the will was very unnecessary,” I said pointedly.
“You know why that clause is there. That same clause is the only reason why you’re CEO right now.” He shot back at me.
“I’m not like him and you know that. You raised me to be a better man.” I assured him.
“Well, if you put it that way, I also raised him. My judgment cannot be based on that.”
“I’m getting married soon, grandpa.”
“That’s what you’ve been saying for 2 years now and I’m yet to meet this mystery woman of yours.”
“You’ll meet her soon. Very soon.” A distant memory surfaced, and a woman’s face flashed in my mind. I still couldn't get her off my mind.
I shook my head trying to shake off the distraction and focus on the present.
“I hope I meet her before I die.” His words broke the spell.
“You’re not dying anytime soon. You still need to walk Sabrina down the aisle. I’m not doing your job for you.” I gritted out.
“I’m not sure I can promise that Conan. You’re going to have to be there for your sister when I’m gone.” He said weakly.
“I’m going to leave now so you can rest. I will be back tomorrow before I fly to Italy.” I refused to acknowledge his words. I refuse to believe that the strong man who raised me is leaving so soon.
“You don't have to treat me like a ticking time bomb.”
“Bye, grandpa.”
As I turned the corner, I saw Doctor Maxwell waiting for me by the foyer, briefcase in hand, ready to leave.
“Let me drive you to the hospital. It’s on my way.” I offered.
“I drove here. Sebastian is dying, son.” He said solemnly. He might’ve been my grandpa’s doctor but he was also one of his closest friends.
“How much time do we have left with him?”
“At most a year but he’s a fighter and it could be longer. I’m trying my best.”
“I’ll see you at the next appointment,” I made my way out of the house to my car.
I had a way of ignoring reality and deluding myself, but this was one of those things I couldn’t ignore.
As much as he tried to make it into an official thing, I know this was his last wish.
I needed to get married. As soon as possible.