CHAPTER 7

Back in Margaret’s mansion, safely escorted home by Mike, she replayed her time with Emily over and over again, and each time she smiled from ear to ear.

Lucas drove to the front of the gate, and it opened almost immediately, recognizing his car. He chided himself for taking care of the health and safety of his grandmother; she had always been his greatest support.

He pulled up front and parked, impatient to reach the garage. “Joey,” Lucas called to the mansion’s butler.

“Yes, sir?” Joey replied.

“Where’s she?” he asked.

“You mean the chairwoman? She’s in her room sir,” Joey responded.

Lucas sprinted to her room. “Grandmother?” he called.

“Come in, Lucas,” she responded in a I’m-not-so-pleased-to-see-you tone.

He stepped into the room and met his grandmother’s sulking expression; he couldn’t help but smile, anticipating her usual tantrums to evade being scolded for wandering off without anyone’s knowledge.

“My sweet grandma,” Lucas coaxed. Only around her did he show his vulnerability. Who would believe that the cold-blooded billionaire could sound so childish?

He bent down in front of her favorite recliner, taking her hand in his.

“Granny, why did you run off without letting Mike accompany you at least? I know you don’t like all of these bodyguards but it’s for your safety. We don’t want a repeat of what happened before. If something happens to you, I’ll never forgive myself.”

Lucas thought to himself, “If she can play the emotional game, then I can too,” chuckling inwardly. 

He knew it was wrong to bring this up now, but Grandma would never listen if he didn’t remind her.

Her somber expression softened, her eyes dropping in guilt. 

“I’m sorry, Lu. It won’t happen again. You barely let me out of the mansion, Lucas. I just wanted to take a walk around, I didn’t mean to alarm you.” she explained slowly. 

“Where were you, Grandma? And why did you run off without your cellphone, we couldn’t reach you.”

“Lu, you won’t believe it. I almost had an accident today!” She exclaimed.

“What?! Grandma, are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere? I’ll call the family doctor now; he’ll check on you.” Lucas rambled, worry etched on his face. 

“There’s no need for that, Lu. I’m fine. Nothing happened.”

“A pretty young lady saved me, Margaret said, her face beaming with smiles.”

Lucas remained silent, his grandmother’s excitement amazed him. Was she happy she escaped the accident or was it because of the pretty young lady that saved her, he thought.

“You see, Lu. She’s very pretty, you’d love her if you met her.” Margaret continued. “I collected her contact information. And hopefully, she’ll be visiting soon. You should come by.”

“No, Grandma, I will not be seeing any girl. Lucas said as he got up to leave. “I’d forever be grateful to her for saving your life, but that’s it.”

“Just meet her once, Lu. If you don’t like her, I won’t force you. But I’m sure you will; I did too,” Margaret tried to persuade her grandson.

“I refuse grandma, I’m leaving,” Lucas said, heading for the door.

Margaret’s expression turned urgent. “Why won’t you just meet her? You’ve never brought a woman home. You’ve adamantly refused to get married. Don’t you want me to see my grandchildren before I die?” 

You know you can only solidify your position as the CEO if you settle down as a family man.

Margaret tried to reason with him.

Whatever you say, Lucas sighed in resignation.

“I’m inviting her over for dinner soon and you must be present,” Margaret commanded, exuding an air of authority. She didn’t want to force him, but she knew he wouldn’t listen otherwise.

“If you keep refusing to get married, I’ll stop receiving treatments neither would I take my medications,” Margaret threatened, her eyes flashing with an unmistakable determination. 

Lucas slumped his shoulders in defeat. This was her trump card, the one thing that could make him cave to any of her outrageous requests. 

But he couldn’t possibly meet another woman; he’d signed a marriage contract with Emily, after all. 

“Grandma... I’m already married,” Lucas finally dropped the ticking time bomb.

Margaret’s eyes widened in shock. “What?! You got married without letting me know? When? How? Why? Who’s she? Where’s she from? What’s her name? Do you love her? Does she love you?” Margaret bombarded Lucas with several questions, her voice rising with each one.

Lucas held up his hands, attempting to calm the storm. “Grandma, please, calm down and let me explain.” 

“Speak!!” Margaret ordered her voice firm but controlled.

“Well, the thing is...Grandma, it all happened so fast, I didn’t have the time to tell you. Lucas explained, his eyes pleading for understanding. 

So fast that I couldn’t be aware, was it? Margaret’s tone held a hint of betrayal. 

Lucas felt a pang of guilt, struggling to find the right words. He couldn’t tell his grandmother the truth; it was a fake marriage contract that was signed on a whim. A convenient solution to her relentless matchmaking.

“I swear, Grandma, I was going to bring her home to you. It’s just... everything moved quickly.” Lucas said hoping to pacify her.

He didn’t know what else to say, he just hoped Grandma would accept Emily, he couldn’t think of anyone else. 

Lucas’s thoughts swirled. He hadn’t been in a meaningful relationship for years, he was disgusted at the sight of women especially the ones who threw themselves at him because of his looks and wealth. But, Emily? He’d been frequenting Nexus for a while and he’d been watching her. She was, well... different. 

And when he picked her up he didn’t feel the need to shower and change his clothes like he would normally do if it was an encounter with someone else. 

Margaret’s eyes search Lucas’s face seeking reassurance

“So, was it love at first sight?” she asked.

Lucas hesitated, unsure of how to respond.

“It’s... complicated, Grandma, he replied. 

“Complicated? It’s either you love her or you don’t Lucas.” 

Lucas remained silent.

Margaret’s expression softened slightly.

“Fine. Bring her to dinner tomorrow night. I need to see if she’s worthy of my grandson, Lu.” She said, a small smile playing on her lips.

Tomorrow night? That was too soon. He hadn’t even had a proper conversation with Emily.

How were they supposed to convince his grandmother that they were really in love? Lucas wondered, sighing in defeat.

As he left Margaret’s room, his brows furrowed and Lucas’s anxiety deepened.

What happens when Margaret and Emily unexpectedly see each other? And how would finding out Emily is the pretty young lady who saved his grandmother affect his feelings towards her?