Chapter 27: Chapter 27

“Wow! She could not help but be in awe. She had never been to a house like that before. She had never tried to find out how rich he was because she did not care, but the thing was that his wealth was beginning to make her hesitant.

Did she do the right thing by agreeing to the marriage?

Sana came to their apartment that morning as she had called her to decide an outfit for her. She was so shocked to see the number of gifts he had sent her. Her mother and Mary were also surprised. She had to tell them because her tiny room was filled up with boxes still. She did not have a big wardrobe to fit them all in.

Sana was insisting to let her know his name. Upon her insistence, she told her his name. She pulled out her phone and typed something on it. She suddenly let out a gasp.

“What happened?” She was worried at the sudden gasp. Her face looked like she had seen a ghost.

“Olive??? Do you know who he really is?” She asked with shock. She seemed surprised.

“Yeah, he told me he is a billionaire.” She shrugged her shoulders making Sana’s eyes go wide.

“Bitch? He is one of the most eligible bachelors in LA. His grandfather owns the biggest chain of hotel industry in the state. He is listed second in top ten youngest billionaires list. Here. He is surrounded by paparazzi. Oh my God, he looks yummy too. You just hit a jackpot.” She was jumping excitedly up and down while looking still shocked.

Her heart skipped a beat. She had never really thought of it that way. Marrying a billionaire meant she would be in the eyes of media. Her eyes widened.

“Sana, is there any picture of me anywhere with him?” She asked with nervousness. She had never been in such limelight before. She feared that their engagement pictures were captured.

“No, Olivia. I cannot find anything related to you.” Sana assured after scrolling down for a few minutes.

She was relieved at that time, but the feeling of insecurity hit her again as she looked at the house.

A maid came to welcome them as they stood at the door while Olivia was gawking at her surroundings, “Good evening Mr. Thomas, Ms. Olivia. Please come in.” She was surprised that she already knew her name. She gave a questioning look to Thomas.

“I have told everyone the name of the guest who would visit them today. You see, my grandpa takes hospitality very seriously.” He whispered and the maid took them to the living room. She felt like she was dreaming.

There was a huge staircase in the middle of the spacious living room. It was the double, if not triple size of her whole apartment. The clear and shiny marble floor was making her fear that she was getting it dirty with her shoes.

And the beige sofas placed in intricate manner with glass table and different vases and plants placed besides them…the paintings placed on the wall, everything was making her feel like she had entered a movie site that had modern plus ancient touch to it. She loved every detail.

But she could not ignore the fact how insecure it made her feel.

“Please take a seat. He will be here any moment.” Thomas said with a smile. Strangely, his presence was having a calming effect on her. It was funny because he was the one who always got on her nerves.

She took a seat and he followed suit. Since when was he a gentleman? She thought.

“Don’t be nervous. I am here.” He commented with an assuring look in his eyes. Her eyes snapped towards his and she kept looking at him silently.

He saw how uncomfortable she was. The moment that they exited the car, he noticed her looking around anxiously. She was also playing with the straps of her bag. He could understand how nervous she must have been.

Meeting his grandfather was not an easy task. But he was still trying to comfort her.

But she was caught off guard by his kind words. In fact, he surprised her a lot. He was basically hot and cold. One moment, he was insulting her and irritating her and another moment, he was comforting her. What was he?

She was deeply immersed in thoughts when she heard someone clearing their throat. She snapped out of her thoughts and saw Thomas standing up. She also stood up in a daze as she looked at the old yet graceful man walking towards them. He had a grim expression on his face. Her heart picked up pace. She always got nervous around elders. And to be very honest, he did look intimidating.

“Grandpa, this is Olivia. Olivia, he is my grandpa, James Walker.” Thomas introduced them coolly while the grandpa was looking at her with calculating eyes. Getting over her nerves, she put her hand forward with a warm smile.

“Hello, I am Olivia. Nice to meet you.” She introduced herself politely while waiting for the handshake. He kept looking at her with the same expression but then he grabbed her hands and gave a firm shake.

‘Well, he is indeed a powerful business tycoon.’ She thought judging from the handshake and the serious expression.

He did not say a word but gestured for her to sit. She did. Thomas sat beside her and passed a smile her way. It was the second time he was assuring her that day. She could not have asked for more.

“So tell me lady, how did my grandson choose you?” His question threw her off guard. She looked at Thomas and then at James.

Thomas did tell her beforehand that he will ask about how they both met. But she never expected him to put it out like that.

“Um, we met at a restaurant.” She lied just like how Thomas had told her. He nodded his head.

“Were you a waitress there?” He threw the second question with a taunting way. She clenched her fists.

It was never insulting for her to be a waitress or something or to be referred to as one. Whatever profession a person had, nobody had the right to mock them or taunt them for it because nobody knew why a person was doing something. Nobody had the idea of one’s suffering, so they did not have the right to judge. But the way he asked, it seemed insulting.

She took a deep breath before answering.

“No. I was there with friends.” She answered with a smile. Whatever the circumstances, she could not lose her cool. Thomas had told her to say the same words because otherwise, he would not let the marriage take place. She needed money for her mother’s surgery.

“Grandpa, I had told you how we met. Shouldn’t we discuss the marriage?” Thomas intervened just as James was about to, probably, continue his interrogation. She sighed with relief as James nodded after giving her a hard look.

“This is my grandson’s wedding. I want to have a grand wedding for my grandson. Some of the country’s politicians, business tycoons, media persons, and other friends and acquaintances will be invited. I want to make the whole world experience your big day.” She was horrified to hear him say that. She gave a helpless look to Thomas.

Thomas was glad that he had stopped his interrogation of her. Most of all, he was happy that he had not asked about her parents. She was very emotional about her mother. He had already warned James not to ask her such questions. It was surprising that he still had not asked her about her father.

But he was annoyed at the new implication. He knew he would not budge from his wish for extravagant and grand wedding for his only grandson, but he did not want that.

“Grandpa, we want a small wedding. We don’t want hustle and bustle.” He tried to convince him, but he shook his head before he could finish his sentence.

“I don’t want to hear any objection on that matter. You went with your wish and chose this lady as a bride, but I can’t let you reject my wish. It is my wish, and it will be fulfilled. Now, let’s go and discuss the details over the dinner.” He cued the maid who nodded and rushed to the kitchen leaving both Thomas and Olivia baffled at what had just happened.

They both were so persistent that they did not want a big wedding. Olivia had already informed Thomas beforehand that she was not in for such pretentious events when their wedding was nothing but a contract. Thomas reciprocated the same ideas. And the grandpa zipped their mouths as if they never knew how to speak.

He got up from the couch and gestured for them to follow him. They both stood up looking at each other dumbfounded. Neither said a word as they followed him to the dining table.

“What just happened?” Olivia could do nothing but think as she looked at the strong-willed man.