10. The Last Candidate

And that night, Gery didn't leave the house. He usually preferred to spend the night at his favorite cafe or studio to relieve stress after work by playing billiards and drinking with his friends or business colleagues. He had to give in and stay home to wait for dinner with his dear grandmother.

He knew she had something important to talk about because it was unusual for her to ask him to dinner at home. Yes, Mrs. Daphne had been giving Gery free time in the evenings since she had been driving him all day in the company. That wise woman would know that a young man of Gery's age would also need time to himself to enjoy his life as a young man without the restraints and strict supervision of his grandmother.

"Am I interrupting your big plans for tonight, Gery?" asked Mrs. Daphne when they finally gathered in the large dining room with the large, luxurious oval table that would, unfortunately, be occupied by just the two of them eerily quiet.

It was also the reason why the two of them very rarely had dinner together at home because, at that time, there would be a feeling of emptiness there. It was different when they were having breakfast together, even though they were in the same room. Still, they had a lot of things about work to think about, so they needed more time to get carried away with the quiet conditions in that magnificent house.

"Not really, Grandma. I just missed one night out of many. No problem," Gery replied, trying to be friendly this time because she still felt guilty about forgetting the flowers for her grandmother.

"That's good, then. I didn't want to interfere your plans with your girlfriend," Mrs. Daphne said as her eyes deliberately darted toward her grandson, wanting to watch Gery's expression upon hearing her words.

Just as expected, Gery then shook his head. "Ah, come on, Grandma. Don't tell me that you want to bother me again about a future wife!"

Mrs. Daphne waited to respond. Instead, she put food on her plate while telling her grandson to start eating.

"Come on, Gery. We should eat this before it gets cold. The chef says this soup is best when eaten warm," Mrs. Daphne said, turning her attention to the garlic soup served by the family chef.

"Oma knows very well that Maggie always manages to execute various soups. The flavor won't change even if it gets cold." Gery replied as if refusing to divert their conversation from the critical matter that her grandmother had planned since the beginning.

Mrs. Daphne continued to savor the delicious soup of the meat stew, which, though simple in appearance, had a unique flavor typical of the dishes from the hands of Maggie, the mainstay chef of their family. Meanwhile, Gery hadn't even touched anything. He had a bad feeling before he heard what her grandmother would talk about that night.

He kept silent until he was finally forced to feed himself as he received a sharp glance from Mrs. Daphne. He certainly didn't want to spend the rest of the evening being lectured at length about how it was rude to refuse to eat food that someone had worked hard to prepare or to leave his parents eating alone or anything else.

It was when they finished eating that Mrs. Daphne reopened the conversation.

"Gery, you must know that I am no longer young. Every day my age allowance is getting less and less while my biggest dream is yet to be realized."

Gery let out a long sigh. That sentence was undoubtedly the opening words. It would be followed by a series of requests for Gery to introduce her future wife immediately, or else her grandmother would introduce him again to the girls from any trade union or the daughter of their business partner. Ah, Gery was tired of being nagged like that.

"I told you I will get married when ready, Grandma. Not with any girl that you introduce. So far, you have always brought girls unsuitable for me, so please don't try that stupid thing again. You're acting like you're sure I am so incompetent to find a wife on my way that you have to interfere," Gery complained.

Mrs. Daphne let out a long sigh. Her old face was now made to look pitiable to break the ice of her grandson's cold demeanor.

"Don't you feel sorry for me when i am gets too old and can no longer hold grandchildren, and you still haven't given me another grandchild, hm? Have a pity of this old grandma, Gery."

It was Gery's turn to exhale harshly. It was always age that Madame Daphne used as an excuse to force him. And he couldn't help it even though he knew very well that he couldn't possibly accept any of the candidates brought by his grandmother. Yes, his heart was only for Cheryl Andrews. Forever only the girl of his first love will reign in his heart and one day become his wife in one way or another. He just needs to find the right way for that.

"You can't accept that Gery will only marry Cheryl?" asked Gery, about to get up from her chair. It seemed clear that the rest of the conversation would be more damaging to him if it continued.

"You're the one who can't accept that Cheryl has clearly rejected you and ran away from you. Where's your dignity as a man of honor and power if you're going to be humiliated like that with that woman, silly boy!" Madam Daphne lost control whenever she heard her grandson's girlfriend's name mentioned. She was hurt because what that sly girl had done to Gery was cruel. Unfortunately, Gery had already loved her half to death and had difficulty moving on and forgetting her. Gery stupidly kept waiting for the girl to return to him for who knows when. What a crazy thought!

"She didn't run away but asked a permit, Grandma. And she also promised to return as soon as she accomplished all her dreams," Gery argued as his expression hardened.

"And by then, you might have gray hair or even use a walking stick, Gery!" Mrs. Daphne responded harshly.

Gery still needs to answer. It had been almost two years, and Cheryl had not told her when she would return to New York and resume their relationship. She had gone to Germany for college and a job offer as a model there. It's okay if there are plans to return and become Gery's wife, but the problem is that even to Gery himself, the girl doesn't want to give any commitment. She only said wait if you can wait for me. What kind of agreement is that? It was unbelievable for Gery to be fooled like that.

"Just take your grandmother's word for it this time, Gery. Try to meet the candidates I've provided--"

"All of them are not suitable for me, Grandma. We've got so many tries, haven't we?" protested Gery, who was getting tired of the various marriages arranged by her grandmother.

"No, this time, i am sure the result will differ. Listen, just one time. It will be the last time. I swear!!"

Hearing Mrs. Daphne's promise, Gery frowned thoughtfully. There was no harm in obeying his grandmother's wishes again this time. Hopefully, it was confirmed that this was the last try. Hopefully, Mrs. Daphne would resign herself to waiting for Cheryl to return to be her granddaughter-in-law, Gery's future wife.

"Alright, tell me when and where to meet," Gery replied.

And Mrs. Daphne smiled with relief. Her mind already imagined how exciting the meeting between Gery and Eve would be!