Chapter five: The promise 1

Kevin's POV

I had taken a day off at work to spend some nice times with my folks. Mother and father had gone on their yearly visit to Paris. It was a couple goal for them and they never missed it. They left Los Angeles just a day after Shawn's arrival. 

Shawn White is my younger brother. He was more like an explicit version of my younger self. He was a nerd who would spend hours exploring the technological world, wearing those big eyeglasses of his. 

He had just returned from America. He was away for more than a year to further his studies and he finally came back. It was quite an emotional reunion for us all especially Purple, who had been the closest to him in the family. 

To celebrate the arrival of Shawn, I took Granny, Shawn and Purple on a family picnic. Laurel hotels and resorts belonged to mother. The hotel was surrounded with the hue of nature. It was beautifully defined with forest greens. Laurel hotels and resorts was the kind of place that gave tranquility and calmness to one's soul.

The sea behind the hotel added life and fascination to its build. It had its room designed in beige tones and tailored to provide luxury and comfort to the guests. It was furnished with the best exterior and interior designs, giving it a fanciful look.

I decided to book the hotel garden. It was so serene and surrounded by beautiful flowers. The sweet scents of rose, daisy and tulips rented the air. Colourful butterflies danced around the attractive ornaments. The fresh air and tranquility the garden gave was exactly what Granny needed.

Behind us were four bodyguards while granny's nanny sat beside her.

I smiled as I watched my folks talk and laugh out loud. I was glad that I was able to spend some quality time with them. It wasn't something I was always chanced to do due to my busy schedule at work.

"Purple, stop running. I'll get you another one. Just leave it to him. You might fall down and hurt yourself at this rate." I implored Purple who was in close pursuit of Shawn. It was obvious that Shawn was having a fun time outrunning her.

"Give it back!" Purple shouted with frustration as she ran. 

I shook my head and sighed. The whole situation was because of my silver bracelet. Purple had seen it on my wrist and admired it.

"Kevin, I love your bracelet." She said, pointing to the wristwatch. "Can I have it please?" She pouted. "You can always get another one " She persisted. I chuckled and shrugged.

 "Sure, you can have it." I chuckled and shrugged, taking it off.

"I want it too." Shawn chipped in with a mischievous grin. I immediately knew that he was up to some mischief. Before I knew what was going on, he had snatched it from my hands.

"Thief!" Purple screamed and jumped on him, attempting to retrieve the bracelet but Shawn overpowered her and ran off with it. Purple, who would not let it go ran after him.

"Kids, stop running." Came Granny's feeble voice but they could barely hear her.

"They are always on each other's necks." I commented with a giggle. 

 I held her hands with fondness as I peered into her alluring eyes. She was beautifully dressed in a green dress made with fine silk. She was in her early eighties.

She adjusted her eyeglasses and patted my head. "Son, remind me to tell you something after lunch today."

I nodded in understanding, wondering what was wrong. My curiosity took the better part of me. "Is something wrong Granny? Do you need me to get you something?" I asked with worry.

A smile appeared amidst all the wrinkled lines on her cheeks and she held onto my hands. "No son. Nothing is wrong. I just have a question to ask you."

I silently nodded while she continued with the newspaper she was reading. I found it amusing and boring.

"Who reads newspapers these days?" I thought aloud with a chuckle. 

Nana lifted her head and looked at me with amusement. "Kids of these days. They prefer to use the social to chats and gossip. They would rather watch movies and dance to loud music than get information about what is going on around them and in the world.

The newspaper has been an essential part of my daily life. There was no social media in those days. Reading the newspaper will strengthen your reading skills. It is also the best source of general knowledge. You will get up-to-date information. You should cultivate the habit son." She lectured.

"Hmmm" I nodded. "I have a gift for you Granny." I brought out a necklace from my pocket. It made with pure diamond. I attached a locket containing her picture to it and showed it to her.

"See what I got for you." The beautiful look of surprise on her face was priceless. "Oh dear, I love it. It is so pretty." She said with admiration and tilted her head to take a closer look at it 

"I am glad you love it" I said with a delightful smile. I stood up and carefully hung it on her neck. It fitted her so perfectly.

I silently watched her as she felt the necklace with her hands, her face beaming with appreciation. "Thanks son" She said and clasped her hands into mine.

She turned to her nanny, a short, frail looking woman of about thirty eight years. "Julian, what do you think? It looks so good on me right?" She asked her.

Julian grinned and nodded in affirmation. "Of course Nana. It is very pretty." She commented. "Young master really has a eye for good things." She said, referring to me.

"Thank you." I replied with a smile.

After what seemed like an eternity, Purple came back with the bracelet on her wrist, wearing a smirk. Shawn walked behind her, panting.

Granny and I looked at them as they argued.

"I willingly gave it to you " Shawn argued.

"No, I caught up with you and collected it." Purple ascertained.

"I only let you have it because I pitied you." Shawn defended himself.

Purple carelessly shrugged. "Well... that is your loss. I never begged for your pity." She said and smirked again.

"How old is Shawn now?" Old Nana inquired from me.

"He just turned twenty two." I responded her and bit into one of the apples that was in a fruit bowl on the table in front of me.

"Right! Shawn is so childish." Old Nana said, still gazing at the duo.

"Exactly! He acts like a teenager." I said with a scoff.

"Gosh! When will those two ever stop bantering?" I said in a soliloquy.

Purple walked up to us as she beamed with smiles. "I got it!" Purple announced as she waved her wrist in the air for us to see. Shawn looked at her with a scoff.

"Good for you." I said and clapped with sarcasm. "Are you guys done playing the cat and rat game? Can we enjoy the picnic now?" I said in a tired tone.

"Yes brother." Purple said in a low tone and looked at Shawn, her eyes burning with accusation. 

Shawn began to defend himself. "No, you started...."

"It is okay children, stop arguing." Old Nana intervened.

Shawn and Purple pointed to her necklace. "Granny! Brother got you a necklace. It's beautiful" They simultaneously said, their eyes beaming with excitement.

"He is so thoughtful" Granny said with admiration and patted my shoulder.

Purple suddenly looked at me, making a pitiful face. 

"Don't start" I told her, knowing what she was up to.

"Please" She pleaded with a pout, making a baby face.

I laughed out loud at her silly attempt to get to me. "Young lady, that won't work on me. I am not going to get you a necklace. You have tons of them at home."

Her face fell. "But the one you made for Granny is so pretty. I want the exact replica." She pleaded.

"My answer remains no." I insisted and called on the some waitress to bring the menu.

"Come on! I don't like that look on your face." Shawn half-embraced her and patted her head. Purple said nothing. She stared into space, looking tearful.

"Okay okay" Shawn raised his hands in surrender. "I will get you the exact replica with a purple locket." Shawn promised. 

I shook my head as I saw Purple's face lit up. 

"Really?" 

"Yes"

"Don't break your promise later or I might have to break your arm." 

"Yes ma'am"

Purple gave him a tight hug and grinned, making funny, mischievous faces at me. "Thank you Shawn, you are the best brother in the whole wide world." She said loudly, intentionally attacking me.

"And you are the best sister in the whole wide world." Shawn returned her gesture, playing along.

I shook my head as I watched their display. "Clowns!" I muttered.

A waiter walked up to me and bowed. "Young master, here is the menu you requested for." He said and handed a notebook computer over to me.

"What should we have for dinner guys?" I asked the others. After minutes of argument between Purple and Shawn, we decided to settle for macaroni and cheese, cioppino, baked beans, chicken fried steaks and desserts. I ticked the foods and placed the order. I handed the notebook computer back to the waiter who collected it with a bow and left.

After lunch, Shawn suggested that we play a game of Go. We spent the next hour playing the game. I was stunned by Old Nana's professionalism in the game. She won all the rounds.

"Wow!" Shawn opened his mouth in awe. "You are too good grandma." He raised his hands in acknowledgment and gave her a thumbs up.

"Kids, you didn't apply the rules of the game correctly, that was why you kept losing." She took a glance at me and continued, "Kevin is the only one that really understands the game but he was no match for me." She teased me and we all laughed.

I was about to challenge her to another round when she suddenly fainted. "Granny!" Her nanny called out. Everyone was thrown into confusion. I was able to regain my senses and rushed to her. 

"Granny" I held her in panic thinking that she was dead. "Wake up!" I shook her. 

"Nana!" Purple cried while Julian poured water on granny.

"Young master! She is not dead. She just fainted. We need to take her to the hospital now!" Her nanny said to me in a panic-stricken voice.

I felt numb as the bodyguards carried old Nana into car. Seeing her limp body being carried away from me made my life stood still. 

"Brother! Come in. I'll drive." Shawn called out to me in a hurry.

I ran into the car as tears blinded my eyes. "Drive straight to the hospital now!" I ordered.