CHAPTER 7: NO WAY

Winter’s POV

My eyes immediately widened as soon as grandpa told me I was going to marry the stupid man in front of me. 

“W-What did you say? M-Marry this man? Are you even serious right now, grandpa?”

“Matthew is a decent man. I know you don’t know him yet, but I know the family where he came from. They are good people, and aside from that, Matthew is a smart man who can run our company in due time. He will take care of you, trust me.”

I stood up. “Grandpa, I don’t care if this man came from a good family. Can’t you even see him? He looks so cheap. I don’t even think he owns the car that he used to hit me.”

“I did not hit you. And about the car, that wasn’t actually mine. I just borrowed it from a friend.”

“See? He can’t even buy a car! How can you say that he can run our company? What if he just robs us and then disappears when we’re already bankrupt?”

The man stood up and looked at me. “I may not be born rich, but I can assure you that I was raised by a good family. I don’t rob people, and I don’t take things for granted.”

“Oh, really? And do you think I believe you? In your dreams, asshole!” I yelled at his face, then I walked out of that room. 

He wants me to marry that stupid man just because he wants someone to run our company?!

That is so unfair! I don’t even know that man! Who cares if he was raised by a good family? That doesn’t make him a good man at all! 

Themis’ POV

“Thank you so much for coming here, young master Themis.” 

“You can just call me Matthew. You know, I’m trying to hide my real identity now.” I replied. 

He nodded then he smiled. “Matthew. So, is there something I can do for you? It’s been so long since I have talked to one of your family members. I can’t believe you are the late young master of Zach’s grandson. It’s such an honor to meet you again. What a beautiful surprise after twenty long years.”

“My grandfather used to tell me so many good things about you. He used to tell me how good friends you were back when you were just kids.”

“I see. I hope he only told you some good things about us.”

I laughed. “Of course, he only told me good things about you. And as I’ve heard about you, I think you are a good man with a good reputation.”

“Thank you so much for that, young—I mean, Matthew.”

“By the way, there is actually a deep reason I came here to see you.”

The expression on his face turned into a more serious one. “Sure, I am more than willing to help you with anything.”

 I took a deep breath before looking at him again. “You know my brother and I had to leave together with the other servants and butlers that survived the incident twenty years ago. Until now, we still don’t know who did that for our family. We’ve been hiding from the world for twenty years now, and because of that, I decided to leave them there for a while so I could find the people behind the death of my family. I want to know what’s the name of the devil who made our family live in agony for twenty years.”

“And that is why you’re trying to hide your identity?”

“That’s the only way I can protect my brother. I don’t want to lose someone again if ever that same person knew that we’re still alive.”

“I understand you. And what can I help you with?”

“I need to pretend to be your son. I mean, you can just tell everyone that you lost me twenty years ago or maybe five years ago? You know, I just need a place to start with.”

He didn’t speak immediately. He thought for a while before looking at me again. “Don’t you think people, especially my family, would be suspicious if we tell them you are my long-lost son? And you are too young to be my son. You’re the same age as my grandchildren.”

“Hmmm.”

“Perhaps you can just marry one of my granddaughters.”

My eyes widened. “M-Marry one of your granddaughters? Are you even sure about that? That is such an off-handed decision.”

“Of course, I am. I know you’re a good man, Matthew. And I won’t mind having you as my grandson-in-law.”

“But how about your granddaughter? What if she doesn’t want to marry someone like me?”

“Well, she actually never had a boyfriend before. But for sure she’s going to like you.”

I heaved a sigh. “I am so sorry, but I don’t think I can have any romantic relationship with anyone. I came here to find the person who killed my family. I don’t want to drag someone for my revenge. Especially since she is your granddaughter.”

“Then you can divorce her after if you finally find out who the killer is.”

“A-Are you sure?”

***

“Oh, really? And do you think I believe you? In your dreams, asshole!” she yelled at my face, then she stormed out of the room. 

“I am so sorry for the attitude that Winter showed you. She’s just a bit spoiled brat, but she’s a good kid once you get to know her.”

I nodded my head. “No, it’s actually fine. She’s the one I want to marry.”

“Huh? You mean, you like her?”

“It’s not like that. I just want a woman that will never fall in love with me. And based on the reaction that she showed me a while ago, I don’t think she would love to be with me for the rest of her life. But I just don’t know if she’ll agree to get married to me.”

“She will, for sure. Don’t worry, Matthew. I’ll handle this.”

“Thank you so much.”