5. Grandfather's parcel

AZIZ'S POV

   After my conversation with Madame Clinton, I hurried towards the garden overlooking the lake which I learnt over time that it was Mia's favorite place to be in.

   I know how hard this news of her grandfather's death must have hit her. Mia's someone I've admired for a while now. I almost couldn't believe it when the late Chairman made me swear to him right on his sickbed, entrusting his precious granddaughter in my care.

   I was about entering the garden when my phone suddenly ring. I paused on my stride and glanced at the caller ID. It's a call from my mother, Mrs Jennie Garrett.

   Why's she suddenly calling me? I clearly told her not to bother me this morning.

    "Yes."

    "Aziz, don't tell me you're really getting engaged to that child! You should know better than that!" Her shrill voice yelled immediately the call connected.

   "Mother, that's for me to decide. It's my decision to decide with whom I'm gonna be spending the rest of my life with. You shouldn't meddle with my decisions!" I countered, feeling stressed once more because of her.

   "You...you shouldn't make such decisions on your own! Clearly, that child doesn't love you! You're only gonna get hurt and also you'd hurting Aubrey."

    "You shouldn't bring her into this conversation mother. Anyway, I've gotta go now." 

   "Aziz wait..." She said and I returned the phone to my ear while frowning in displeasure.

   "What now mother?" 

   "Your father is home, Aziz. When would you come by?" She said and I sighed.

    "I'm not sure if that's gonna happen soon." With that, I ended the call and continued towards the garden facing the lake.

   Only that when I got there, I was once more reminded of the intensity of the late Chairman's Will and how greatly it would affect his granddaughter no matter what choice she makes.

   I hope she finds the direction and guidance to choose that which is right. 

   I raised my gaze and immediately sighted her sitting by the lake. But she wasn't alone, a guy I'm quite familiar with, was with her. His hands were holding onto her shoulder blades as she nodded smilingly at him.

   Without anyone introducing him, I know he's Clarion, her best friend from childhood. Whom to her__it's quite obvious__that he's more than just a friend. 

   'Yet another reason for me to feel so bad for her.'

Her grandfather's decisions were supposed to help her but she wouldn't know that. She wouldn't until she's been made to understand why he did so. And only then, would Mia be able to make a decision I hope she would never regret.

   In the moment of my thoughts, she suddenly glanced ahead and her eyes met mine. 

   Seeing she already saw me, I bowed my head slightly in greeting. Afterwards, I walked towards them.

____

MIA'S POV

   Seeing Aziz walked towards us so boldly, I subconsciously held onto Clarion's arm and he noticed. Clarion turned sideways and was surprised to find Aziz here.

   Of course, he wasn't a stranger to Aziz Garrett's societal status and neither was he unfamiliar with his relationship with my late grandfather.

   "Ms Stewart, if you don't mind, I'd like to have a word with you." Aziz said and Clarion looked back at me in concern.

   I nodded slightly to him and he understood. 

   "I'd go bring the others, Mia." He pat my hand gently before he stood up and left.

   I watched him till he was out of eyesight before I turned back to Aziz.

   I stood up and faced him directly. 

   "Mr Garrett, it's good you're here. You and I have seldom ever spoken to each other and neither do we even share any sort of relationship between us. I wonder, why or what brought about the idea that we're engaged? If what happened a few minutes ago was some sort of prank, I hope you could go back and tell the others it was a mistake." I said without any restraint, still finding it hard to believe that his words could be real. 

   Staring at him up close, he looks really tall and gorgeous. He even exuded a confident aura that's always been acquainted with him. But that meant nothing to me.

   "Ms. Stewart, I apologize for the sudden manner in which you heard this news. I'm sincerely sorry. But this was a decision made by the late chairman on his sickbed some hours ago. I know how confused and heartbroken you feel right now but it's not in my place to say more than this for now." He paused and took out a phone from his pocket. Wait, that's mine! "First, I'd give this to you as Madame Clinton requested of me." He handed the phone to me and I received it. When I ran out of the villa earlier, I didn't take my phone with me so Xara must have asked him to help return it to me.

   "Also, your grandfather asked me to give this to you." He said and I raised my gaze back to him. 

   I watched curiously as he retrieved a big brown, thick looking envelope from his briefcase. The envelope has a seal which looks really familiar to me. It's having grandfather's seal.

   "The Late chairman hoped you'd understand him a little after going through this." Aziz smiled sadly and handed the envelope to me. Without a word, I collected it from him as I wondered what could be inside.

   "Then, I'd leave you now, Ms. Stewart. Please contact me after going through it. Let me know your decision." He added.

   "Okay." I said and he bowed slightly again before he exited the garden, leaving me to brood over the contents from grandfather's parcel.