Chapter 61: Chapter 61

“Grandma Rosa” Lora said hugging her grandma.

“Welcome sweetie” Grandma Rosa said hugging her back in return, and they both kissed each other on the cheeks.

“And who is this lovely fellow here?” Grandma Rosa said, gesturing to Lora and turning to face Michael.

“He's a friend, grandma.” Lora said, rolling her eyes at her grandma's gesture, she knew what the look on her face meant.

“Hello handsome.” Grandma Rosa said as she gave Michael a hug too.

“Hello Ma'am.” Michael replied, returning the hug as well. His eyes met Lora’s and they smiled briefly at each other.

“Grandma, what is the problem? You sounded so low spirited over the phone.” Lora asked Grandma Rosa, turning her away from Michael before she could ask another question.

“You're just coming in, why don’t you freshen up first and bring your lovely companion to the garden so that we can have some meal.” Grandma Rosa said, and turned briefly to look at Michael, who is obviously taken by the view of the house.

“Grandma Rosa...” Lora said, looking from Michael back to her grandma.

“Go on, take your guest in, and come back for some meal first.” Grandma Rosa said to Lora.

“Who do we have here?” Lucio asked as he walked into the living room all of a sudden, Grandma Rosa and the pair turned immediately at the sound of his voice.

“Papa.” Lora said, feeling a little excited to see her dad, he came home early today and this is quite unusual, she thought.

“Princess.” Lucio said and hugged his daughter. “ I didn't know you were coming.” He added, turning to look at his Mother.

“I called her, Lucio.” Grandma Rosa said.

“I thought Papa knew about it.” Lora said, turning to her grandma.

“No Princess, but it's a good thing you came because I was going to call you anyways.” Lucio said, turning back to face Lora, who looked from her grandma to her dad a little confused as she doesn't know what is going on, Grandma Rosa seemed surprised herself at Lucio’s statement.

“And who is this?” Lucio said, looking at Michael.

“This is Michael Williams, he is my friend.” Lora said and introduced the both to each other.

Michael extended his hands to shake Lucio, who took it and looked at him suspiciously.

“Lora, take your friend in and meet me at the garden later for some meal.” Grandma Rosa told Lora sensing the look on Lucio’s face.

“Okay, grandma.” Lora said, taking Michael's hand in hers.

“Lora, I would like to see you in my study after you show your guest to a room.” Lucio told Lora, who turned briefly and nodded to her dad.

“What do you want with her?” Grandma Rosa asked when Lora is out of sight.

“I want to talk to my daughter, do you have a problem with that?” Lucio asked, as he furrowed his brows at his mother.

“No I don't.” Grandma Rosa replied.

“Why did you ask her to come home anyways?” Lucio asked looking at Grandma Rosa skeptically.

“It's none of your business.” She replied, and with that, she walked out of the living room.

***

“I hope I’m not intruding?” Michael asked Lora when they got to the guest room.

“No your not, why would you think that?” she asked, placing Michael’s bag on the bed.

“Its just that, I don't think your dad approves of me being here.” He said, looking at her.

“My dad? Don't worry about him, he's just like that.” She told Michael, who shrugged his shoulders without saying anything.

“My grandma likes you, she thinks you are handsome.” Lora said trying to lighten the mode.

“Hey, I know I’m handsome, and she doesn't think, she knows, didn't you hear when she called me handsome?” Michael asked her teasingly, and they both laughed.

“Freshen up, the bathroom is that way.” Lora said, pointing towards the bathroom. “I’ll come and get you in fifteen minutes.” She added, and turned to leave the room.

“Hey, not so fast.” Michael said, pulling her closer to himself, he brushed her hair backwards and then gave her a kiss slowly on the lips.

“Hmmm, you are going to turn me on like this.” Lora said and kissed him too in return.

“Okay, your dad is waiting.” Michael said, letting go of her.

“Yeah right.” She replied as she turns to leave again.

“Your house is beautiful by the way.” Michael said to her.

“Thanks.” Lora replied and turned briefly to look at him before stepping out of the room.

***

“Papa, you asked to see me.” Lora said as she tapped on the study door that was slightly open.

“Yes come in.” Lucio said, lifting his head from his table. “I was planning on calling you back home, you know, I wanted to tell you something.” He added, gesturing for Lora to sit down.

“I hope there's no problem Papa.” She said sitting down opposite her dad.

“No, to at all, if I may ask, why did your grandma ask you you to come home?” Lucio asked looking into his daughter's eyes.

“I don't know, she haven't told me anything yet.” Lora replied. “Can you tell me what is going on?” She asked getting a little agitated.

She doesn't know why her grandma had asked her to come home and now it turns out that her dad too wants to talk to her, she folded her arms now under her breasts looking at her dad.

“I have a suitor for you princess, it's time for you to get married.” Lucio told Lora, rather slowly, his gaze on her.

“What! Get married how, I mean with who?” Lora asked, feeling confused. Her dad have never talked to her about this before, why does he want her to get married all of a sudden.

“I want you to get married to the son of my friend and business partner, and he's a fine gentleman.” Lucio replied, sitting back on his chair, his gaze still on Lora.'

“Why Papa? Is it because of Michael?” Lora asked again, she saw the look on her dad’s face earlier, when she introduced him to Michael, and she thought that might be the reason.

“No, your guest has nothing to do with it, you see, its for your future princess, I want to secure your future.” Lucio told Lora, who looked at him feeling more confused than ever, she never imagined her dad would want her to get married now, not to talk of choosing a suitor for her.

“Is grandma aware of this? Is that why she wants me to come home?” she asked looking at him skeptically.

“I don't know why your grandma suddenly want you home, maybe she misses you or something, you know how she is.” Lucio said.

“Well, I don't want to get married just yet Papa, and if I decide to get married, I will be the one to find my own suitor.” Lora said, getting angry at her dad's sudden decision.

“Excuse me young lady, I am not asking for your opinion here, it's already arranged and since you are already here, I’ll invite the young man to have dinner with us tomorrow so be prepared. Lucio said, clinching his jaws as he is already getting upset himself at his daughter's refusal.

“Papa!” Lora exclaimed. “I don't want to get married just yet. She added, really angry this time.

“And why not, is it because of that boy you're with?” Lucio asked, his voice a little high and in rage.

“No Papa, I told you he has nothing to do with it, so please leave him out of this.” Lora retorted.

“You are getting married to my friend's son, and my decision is final.” Lucio said, standing up from his chair.

“And get ready to meet him tomorrow evening.” Lucio added and walked out of the study.

Lora sat back on the chair, feeling very confused, this is the last thing she had expected to hear from her dad, and she doesn't know the reason behind it.

“Is it because of Michael?” she asked herself, feeling more confused, but if that's the case then the suitor wouldn't just appear tomorrow.

She waved off the thought, knowing it can't be because of Michael, there's more to it, she thought, first she needs to speak to her grandma to find out if that's the reason why she had asked her to come home.

She stood up from the chair she is sitting on and left her dad's study.