004

MARA

"Grandson?" The word echoed inside my head. I tried to step back, but Grandpa's arms prevented me from moving. Does that mean he is Jay Jay? But what if he is pretending? Grandpa said he didn't know him. What if he is a bad person? I need to confirm if he is his grandson.

"How could you be his grandson? He said he doesn't know you."

"Miss, he is his grandson. Grandpa has Alzheimer's, and that's why he forgets him once in a while." The guy with him said. But it doesn't convince me.

"If you are his grandson, what does Grandpa call you?" I'm sure only his grandson knows. If this guy is a fake one, he won't know.

"Jay Jay," He replied. I gasped and quickly bowed my head.

"I'm so sorry, sir. I thought you were a bad person. I only want to be sure," I explained.

"I want to talk to your manager," he said, and my eyes widened in fear. What is he planning to do? Is he going to ask my manager to fire me? The way he dressed, in a sharp suit and polished shoes, and looked, with his piercing eyes and stern expression, he seemed a powerful man, and I might lose my job if he wanted to. I planned to beg him not to tell my manager what happened, but my manager was already approaching us. Maybe someone told her about the commotion. The diner was buzzing with activity, but it felt like the world had stopped at that moment.

I nervously bit my lower lip, thinking about where to find a new job if I got fired. Grandpa pulled away from the hug and held my hand, looking around us.

"Mr. Fernandez, is there any problem here?" my manager asked. Grandpa looked at the manager, shook his head, and said no; then he looked to his grandson, whose arms now crossed over his chest, looking at his grandfather.

"Jay Jay?" he gasped and hid behind me. "How did you know I was here? I didn't tell you I was going here," he asked nervously.

"Now, you remember me." Jay Jay said, his cold face softening.

"Of course. Why shouldn't I? You're my only grandson and only family. You offended me." Grandpa pouted.

"I'm just joking, Grandpa." He cooed, smiling, and I swooned. God, he was so handsome when he was smiling.

"Mr. Fernandez, is my employee bothering you?" My manager asked again. My fears heightened.

"Can I talk with you in your office?" He asked, and I started to hyperventilate. I'm sure I'm going to lose my job.

"Okay, sir."

"I want her to come with us." He pointed at me, and my manager guided him to her office, and I followed the guy with him and Grandpa.

"Good pretty lady, why are you sweating and trembling?" Grandpa asked. Grandpa, you don't need to voice it out. I thought.

"It's just hot today." I lied, but he frowned.

"Hot? But it's not hot in here."

"Grandpa!!! Do you need to point it out? I thought but didn't voice it out. Yes, the diner is centralized, and it's freezing sometimes, but despite the coldness, I'm sweating because of fears of losing my job. I'm sure I will be homeless after, and I have no one to run for help because of my boyfriend, who I thought could help. I now see myself as a stranger. What a life I have.

We stepped inside my manager's office, and she let Jay Jay sit on the two sitters' sofa. The guy with him sits beside him, and I guided Grandpa to sit on the single sitter, and I stand beside him.

"I have a favor to ask from you, Miss Ana."

"Mrs. Sir." My manager corrected him. I'm getting anxious now. What favor is he going to ask? Is he going to ask my manager to fire me? Please, dear God, anything but that. My manager frowned but waited for him to continue.

"You see your employee...

."Please, sir. I'm so sorry for what I have done. I don't mean it. I'm just worried about Grandpa's safety. I know he has Alzheimer's, and I thought you were a bad person trying to take advantage of him. Please, sir, if I lose my job, I will be homeless in a few days." I pleaded, kneeling before him without letting him finish what he wanted to say. I'm sure he will ask my manager to fire me. Grandpa gasped and quickly helped me to stand up, but I stayed in my place.

"Jay Jay, Why are you bullying a pretty good lady? She did nothing wrong." He scolded him.

"I don't finish what I wanted to say yet." Stand up." He said, glaring at me. I scampered on my feet, head hanging down.

"Before you interrupted me, Grandpa seems so fond of you. I wanted to ask your manager if she could let you work for me. Your work is to take care of my grandfather. If you agree, I will double your salary here if your manager lets you."

My eyes widened. I looked at my manager, and she smiled and nodded at me. For the first time, my manager smiled at me. I looked at Grandpa, and he also smiled. I looked at Jay Jay. He raised his eyebrow at me, waiting for my answer. I bit my lower lips.

"I'll give you two months' pay in advance as soon as you say yes." He said, urging me.

"Please, good, pretty lady. Please stay with me. I'm not mocking your apartment, but you will be comfortable if you stay with me."

"Wait, you've been in her place?" JayJay! Asked, surprised. " I thought you just met her here."

"He stays with me for three weeks."

"What?? Jay Jay asked, surprised. He stood up from his seat and fist-balled beside him.

"Grandpa, we need to talk when we get home." He said, and Grandpa nodded his head nervously.

"What's your answer to my offer, miss?" I looked at Grandpa, and his pleading eyes met mine. I took a deep breath and then nodded my head. Grandpa grinned widely, and I'm afraid his lips will split because of too much smiling.

"Can she go with us now, Mrs. Ana?"

"Yes, sir." My manager answered.

"I'll return this favor soon." He said, causing my manager to smile wider.

"Then we are leaving now. Thank you." He said and left, followed by the guy with him.

"You're so lucky, Mara. Do you know that man? He owns the huge building across the street, Jayson Fernandez of Fernandez Corporation."

"What??? Oh my god. He is the Jayson Fernandez that my co-workers are always talking about?"

"Yes, now go. Don't make Mr. Fernandez wait." She urged.

"Thank you, ma'am, for giving me a chance to work in your restaurant

"You are welcome, Mara. You are a good employee, Mara, if only another person asked for a favor. I won't let you go. But it was Mr. Fernandez; I know you'll have a better life if you work for him, and I don't want to hinder your future. Now go, but come and visit sometimes." Wow! Am I a good employee now? But I don't comment on it.

"Thank you so much, Ma'am." I bowed at her before I guided Grandpa out of her office. We found them waiting for us just outside the door, and Jay Jay was talking with someone over the phone. The car stopped before them, and the guy with him signaled us to get inside.

I guided Grandpa inside, and I settled beside him. The valet boy handed the key to the other guy while Jay Jay settled in the passenger seat, and we drove off.

" Good, pretty lady. Are you happy you live with me?" Grandpa asked. I smiled and nodded my head.

"I'm happy, too." He said and leaned his head on my shoulder. I kiss his forehead and run my fingers on his now grey hair.

The car stopped in front of the gate, and after a few seconds, the automatic gate opened. The vehicle continued moving. My eyes widen to see a huge mansion not far away from us. We continued to drive for about ten minutes before we reached the huge garage with ten expensive cars parked there.

Grandpa, is this rich? They are a billionaire. We stepped out of the car, and I followed them to the front door with Grandpa sticking beside me.

"Young master." A lady in her fifties greeted us at the door. I wonder how Grandpa left this place without someone noticing it. A tall concrete wall covers the whole area, and guards are at the gate. How does he escape from here?

"Call everyone," Jay Jay said to the old lady. He went to the living room, and I followed with Grandpa. I didn't know what to do, so I followed him.

After fifteen minutes, more or less fifty servants and guards are standing before us.

"About a few weeks ago, when I was away, is there something that happened?" Jay Jay asked casually, leaning on the couch with Grandpa beside him while I just stood behind Grandpa. Everyone becomes nervous instantly, and their eyes darted everywhere but him.

"Babe! A woman's voice said, and I looked up to see a beautiful woman wearing a black dress that showcased her stunning body figure.