Alex's POV

“Dad, are you sure this is going to work?” I finally asked after encountering endless rejections for six months. “What? Did I ask something wrong?” I asked my brother how was now glaring at me.

“If you can’t help, at least shut your mouth, Alex,” he ordered.

Ignoring him for a second, I made my way towards our dad’s desk only to find him emerged in his work.

“Dad,” I called and he looked at me through his reading glasses. “Look, it’s been six months already. No one is ready to invest in this project. How long are we going to do this, huh?”

“Alex!” Ryan yelled at me from the other side of the room and that’s when I lost the patience that I was holding back for the six months.

“Dude, can’t you see that no one's ready to invest in this project. How long are we going to beat around the bush?” I turned my face towards Dad, who was now standing at his desk. “Dad, we all know this is not going to work then why are we wasting our time and energy on something so useless—”

“Shut up, Alex!” Ryan slammed the files on the table as he made his way towards me, fuming with anger. “Do you know how important this project is for the company? Forget about the company, do you know how important this project is for Dad?”

“Ryan.”

“Not this time, Dad,” my brother told dad without removing his gaze from me. “He's not a little boy anymore.”

“That's right. I’m not a little boy anymore and I can see how useless this project is—

“Do you have any other idea? Huh? Let's hear it,” he asked, his grey eyes sucking my soul out. I said nothing.

“Tell me, Alex. Do you have a better plan?” His voice getting louder with each word but I was mute.

“Tell me!”

“NO!” I yelled out of anger and frustration.

He scoffed and tearing his eyes off me, he walked away. “Do you know what surprise me the most, Alex?” he said rolling his sleeves. “It's your confidence to call other things useless when you are just as worthless.”

As much as I wanted to punch him in the face, I was quiet because, to be honest, we both going through the same situation. The only difference was the endurance, which I lacked.

Running my hand through my hair, I let out a sigh.

“Alex,” Dad’s calm voice caught my attention. “Come with me, let’s get some fresh air. You too, Ryan,” he called my brother.

“I’ll be getting a call soon, Dad, you two can go. I’ll join later.”

Dad nodded and walked towards the door while I simply followed him.

We ended up on the terrace of our building. The view itself was refreshing. The sun was about to set and the wind was blowing which was slowly vanishing my stress but then again it also bothered me that we ended up wasting another day without doing anything.

I looked to my side and found my dad enjoying the scene. There was no hint of frustration, anger or worry on his face. He was as calm as millpond.

“Dad? “I called, he hummed in response. “How are you doing this?” I asked looking at him.

He let out a small chuckle. “Doing what?” he asked without looking at me.

“How are you holding everything back? Don’t you feel discouraged?”

He simply smiled at my question which only triggered my annoyance.

“Dad this is not funny. I’m so—”

“Done with everything that all I want is to run away and never come back.” He completed the sentence for me, while I just stared at him.

He then looked at me with my most comforting smile, “I know it’s exhausting. I also feel the same way as you do. I also want to run away from all these problems and never come back. But then, I can’t help asking myself, ‘Is it the right thing to do?’ ‘How long will it last?’ ‘Do I have enough energy to run that far?’ Then, I look at you and Ryan, doing your best without giving up. All the thoughts of running away just vanish away on their own. Do you know why?”

I shook my head.

“Because when I look at you and your brother a question pops in my head ‘How can I do this to my boys? When they both are ready to face the problem then how can I give up on them? If I run away right now, then who is going to support them when they will fall?”

“Dad.”

“Cade, I understand how you feel. I understand that you are tired. But ask yourself, ‘Is it the right thing to do?’ I know sometimes it gets too tough but you should know that running away is not a fair option. If you are tired of facing rejection so is your brother, so am I and so is everyone else at the company. But they are not giving up, because they still have hope that this project will work out. They all believe like any other problem this will also pass that’s why they keep trying. If you give up on them and run away then they are going to lose their hope. Do you want that to happen?”

“Dad, I understand, I really do. But…”

“But what, Cade?” he asked softly.

“This project… I still think that this project is not going to work out. You see, I have only been trying for like six months but what about Ryan and you? You both have been trying to make this work out since when? One year or so? And there is still no result,” I took a deep breath. “Our company is not ready to work on something this big right now. If we keep our financial position aside, even then we don’t have enough resources to make this work. Here, finance is not the only issue, dad.”

“You need to have patience, Cade, things will not always go the way you want them to be. There will be times when you will need to have patience.” He gently held my shoulder, “You need to have faith in people you work with, son. You must trust and support them because you cannot always put yourself first. You should also think about the efforts others are putting in to make this workout.”

“Dad—”

“I heard you, Alex and I respect your opinion but remember you are the one with the least experience. Believe me and your brother when we say this is going to work out, we are more experienced than you.”

“I understand,” I sighed out of defeat. He’s right, I’m still new to this while he has seen the worst. “I’m sorry for reacting like that earlier. I was just too exhausted with everything.”

“It’s alright as long as you learnt something new, “he smiled. “Come on, it’s getting late.”

“DAD!” I heard Ryan.

He ran at us as if someone was chasing after him. His face was awfully red which made it obvious that he ran up here.

“What happened, son? Are you okay? Dad exclaimed out of worry and shock.

I quickly gave him a hand as he was fighting for breath.

“I’m…fine,” he said between breaths.

“Are you crazy? You could have taken the elevator,” I said as I helped with calm.

“I was in a hurry,” he said as he stood straight. “Dad,” he looked at dad with a wide smile.

“What happened?” dad asked him but instead of answering he hugged him.

“Dad,” he began after releasing a minute-long hug. “I just got a call from, Raymond. Mr Ashworth wants to have a meeting with us regarding this project.”

I couldn’t believe my ears.

“W-what?” Dad laughed in disbelief. “When?”

“On Monday,” Ryan told him. And this time it was dad who gave my brother a big hug.

This was the first time in months I’ve seen my dad and Ryan this happy. This was sure big news for all of us. After years of hard work finally, someone showed up to help and the fact that it is one of the topmost successful business firms makes it the happiest moment of life.

Alex’s POV

“Where are you?” Ryan asked from the other side.

“I’m almost there,” I told him, putting on my shoes.

“Hurry up —Rayva— Alex—” I could hear Ava in the background comforting my hungry little niece.

“I’ll be there in 5. Order something for me.” I told him in one breath and ended the call before he could say anything. Then taking my car keys I quickly rushed out of the place.

All thanks to my habit of procrastinating, I had to complete all the last few days work in one day and in the process, I totally forgot about the family dinner dad had arranged tonight. It had been ages since I last ate with my whole family. Thanks to the little success that we have achieved recently, we’re finally eating together.

As expected, it took me 10 minutes to reach the place. It was a very famous restaurant with a chic interior and by far the best food. As soon as I entered the place found my phone buzzing in my pocket, Ryan again.

“I’m here,” I told him as I took long strides towards the dining.

This place was huge and packed as usual so at first sight, I saw no one.

“I can see you,” he said.

“Where are you?” I looked around.

“On your left,” I followed his words and found the bunch of familiar faces looking my way.

Ending the call, I took long strides towards them and right then it occurred to me that not just I was late I was also under-dressed. While my whole family looked classy, decent and on fleek, I looked as if I came right out of my bed in my white sweater and grey jeans.

“Did you take a bath?” Dad asked squinting his eyes as soon as I reached the table.

“Come on, dad. I don’t look too bad.”

“What took you so long, honey?” it was mom this time.

“Traffic,” I shrugged and focused on my niece who looked so beautiful in the little pink dress.

“Seriously, did you take a bath today?” Ryan asked as I sat beside his wife.

“I still look better than you, don’t I, Ava?”

She winked at me and said, “You look always look dope.”

“That’s my girl,” I gave her a high-five while Ryan rolled his eyes.

“Sorry, my princess. Did uncle make you wait too long?” I asked Rayva who was sitting on her mom’s lap.

As an answer, she babbled at me with a cute little scowl on her face, as if scolding me for showing up late.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” I laughed and kissed her cheeks. This girl never keeps me from laughing.

“Sorry for keeping you waiting,” I apologized to my family.

“Ah, don’t be. We didn’t wait for too long. Your brother was acting up as always, just like his dad,” Mom assured with a smile.

“Really?” Ryan and dad said in unison.

“There we go again,” I whisper in Ava's ear and she nodded with a chuckle.

“Why? You are just as fussy as your father. I still can’t believe that Ava is your wife. I don’t know how she deals with you.”

“Mom,” Ryan whined. “I’m a dad now.”

“And I’m your mom,” Mom nagged him.

“When will you two stop?” dad intruded on their little bickering.

“Never,” Mom teased playfully.

“Looks like your mother is in a very good mood today, kids."

“I am since it's your treat after so long.” Mom said with such a coy smile.

I cleared my throat, “Anyways, did you order for me?”

“I did,” Ava answered quickly. “It’s your favorite dish.”

“You’re the best.” I gave her a thumbs up.

Then, we went on with our normal family chit-chat and caught onto things that we missed in the last couple of months. Ava also showed me some photos and videos of Rayva while our food was served.

“She can roll over now?” my eyes widen as I watched Rayva’s video.

“Yes, uncle Lex. I can roll over now,” Ryan sang in a high-pitched voice, rocking Rayva on his lap.

“Oh, that’s so cool,” I awed at Rayva who was now smiling ear-to-ear.

“Rayva is like our stress reliever,” Dad smiled nuzzling his forehead at her.

“So true,” Ryan agreed. “It’s like you look at her and your stress vanishes. Right, my daughter?” he kissed her forehead.

“Give her to me. I need her the most right now,” I stretched my arms across the table and Rayva effortlessly climbed into my arms. I sat her on my lap and kissed her chubby cheeks countless times.

“Eat your food, Alex, not my granddaughter.”

“But my niece is tastier, Mom,” I told her in a baby voice, looking at my cute little princess giggling on my lap.

“What’s happening over there?” Ava signaled at the table behind Ryan.

It was a couple; the woman’s back was facing us while the guy face was in full view.

“What?” I asked looking at the table for two.

“Something is wrong,” she sensed.

I looked at the couple again, from the arm movements I could tell that the woman was enjoying her food while the man was talking.

“They look quite normal to me,” I stated still looking at their table.

“No, something is off,” she said frowning her brows.

“And, what is that?” I asked tilting my head.

“Come on, detective duo, focus on your food.” Ryan snapped us out of our investigation.

“Sure, whatever?” Ava muttered as she took a bite.

As we carried on with our dinner, I couldn’t keep myself from peeking a glance at the couple and that’s when my eyes scanned the suited man again. He was now poking his cheek with his tongue and looked annoyed than a few minutes before. The girl was on the other hand, was now sitting erect at her seat.

“Anyways, have you met Mr. Ashworth before?” Mom asked Dad, as I brought my focus back to my family.

“Mom you’re asking as if he’s Dad’s childhood friend?” Ryan smirked, feeding Rayva her baby food.

“Well,” Dad’s lips stretched into a proud grin. “His son was.”

“What?!” Ryan and I exclaimed in unison while Ava almost spat her soup on Rayva.

“Slow down, you all,” Mom glared at us forcing a smile.

I looked around, thankfully no one noticed.

“You are friends with the Ashworth’s?” Ava asked her eyebrows reaching her hairline.

“I was. Andrew was my best friend,” Dad said with a smile that reached his eyes.

“No way,” I gasped.

“How? Since when?” Ryan shot questions at Dad like bullets.

“Since, high school,” Dad answered without thinking.

“Mom, you knew about this?”

“Kids, you’re being too loud.” Mom warned again.

“Dad, why didn’t you tell us before?” I questioned in a low voice.

Our father was friends with the richest person in the country and he never told us. It’s felt like Dad stabbed us all in the back and was now enjoying our reactions.

“Dad, you and Mr. Andrew Ashworth were friends?” Ryan laughed with disbelief.

“Yes.”

“Then, why didn’t you tell us before? It would have been a whole lot easier to arrange a meeting with Mr. Ashworth since you two already know each other.”

“Relax, Ryan. It was a long time back so I don’t think Mr. Ashworth knows me.”

“But still—”

“You crazy, bitch!” someone yelled all of a sudden.

I quickly looked around and found the suited guy standing in his chair. His face flushed and veins on his neck and forehead popping out. I looked at the girl, she was sitting erect on her chair unbothered by the man.

Anger and annoyance started to take over me. I hate when someone insults someone like that in a public place, especially when it’s happening to a girl.

“Oh no, Rayva, it’s okay.” Ryan consoled his now crying daughter.

“I told you something was wrong,” Ava whispered to me.

All of a sudden, the suited guy poured a whole glass of water over the girl’s head. The whole place filled with gasps but for some reason, I couldn’t seem to part my eyes off the girl. Even after all this, she was quiet, sitting erect on her chair, taking all the shit the guy was speaking to her.

“How could he?” Mom gasped.

“I can’t tolerate this anymore,” I found myself rising from my seat.

“Sit down, Alex. It’s their business,” Mom pulled my hand.

“But they’re disturbing all of us.”

“Alex, sit down,” Dad ordered.

Just then, I saw the girl rising from her seat, that’s when I noticed that unlike, the suited guy, who was formally dressed, she was in casual clothes.

The girl then took a step towards the suited guy and said something that made him scoff and after slowly patting his shoulder, she walked past him towards the exit.

“What the—”

The expressions on the suited guy’s face changed to fear? His face turned white as he literally dropped on his chair.

“What just happened?” I mumbled.

“Looks like you’re no longer needed, brother” Ryan turned his face to me.

“I know.” I sat down.

The suited guy was still there looking terrified as ever.

“Will you eat now, Alex?” Dad scolded and I focused on the food.

Once again, we were back to being our normal selves. Dad started telling how Andrew and he became friends in high school. Ryan was still annoyed by the fact that our dad never told us that he was friends with the owner of the most successful business in the country. And while Ava and Mom were enjoying the bickering among the father and son, I on the other hand was struggling to focus on my family. For some reason, I just couldn't seem to take that girl out of my mind.

“Why are you smiling?” Ava asked with a suspicious smile.

“Am I?” I had no idea why I was smiling.

“Like a fool,” she laughed.

“I don’t know,” I mumbled.

George's POV

"You must be loving it here," I heard Sage, my caregiver.

"Absolutely," I said taking a deep breath and inhaling the pure air which I've been missing for weeks. I wish I could have huge lungs to store all this freshness.

The chirping of the birds feels like a blessing to my ears. The scent of fresh greenery mixed in the cool moist air was touching my skin like the calm ocean waves touching the shore. I feel like a bird that has been set free from its little cage.

"Mr. Ashworth?" called the masculine voice but I chose to ignore and focus on the little freedom that I've got after weeks.

"Sir?" like a pin the voice tried to pierce into my little calm bubble again but I chose to ignore it.

"Mr. Ashworth?"

"It's Sunday, Raymond," I said nonchalantly. "Go home have fun with your wife."

"I don't have a wife, Sir."

"Then take Sage with you and leave me alone," I told him, annoyance for intruding my peace clear in my voice.

A loud sigh was heard from my Secretary.

"Sir, did you talk to Lyn about your meeting with the Evans'?" he asked and I ignored him yet again.

"The meeting is tomorrow if you remember," he added.

Groaning, I opened my eyes and lifted my head from the back of the chair.

"I'm her grandpa and the chairman of the company. Why do I need to inform her about everything?"

"Sir, you know I can't let you do anything without Lyn's permission."

"And I'm pretty sure that little brat won't let me do it," I grumbled, sitting straight. "Anyways, where is she?"

"Probably home since she returned last night," I nodded to Raymond as I took a sip of hot coffee.

As the bitter liquid covered my tongue I couldn't help mumble, "Perfect," under my breath.

"Also," Raymond began, ruining yet another heavenly moment of the morning. "As told her, she went had dinner with Daniel last night."

"What?!" I coughed, choking on the coffee I just sipped. "She went on a date right after returning from a month-long business trip? How did it go? When are they marrying? Gosh, that's why she didn't even call last night. Thank goodness, she finally fell for some—

"You're taking it all wrong, Sir," my suited Secretary cut off my strings of happiness. "She must've wanted to get done with it like she always does. It was far from being called a date as her guards suggest."

My shoulders dropped hearing his words.

"And, she did call you last night but you were already asleep by then so she hung up after asking her usual questions," added Sage, trying her best to keep herself from laughing at my crushed false hopes.

I sighed.

"So, how did it go anyway?" I asked sounding defeated.

I saw Raymond stiffen at my question, avoiding making eye contact. Something was wrong.

"What happened?" I inquired, my face harden and my voice sounded deep as the sudden seriousness took over me.

"Well, as her guards informed me," he hesitated.

"Yes?" I encouraged.

"Daniel insulted Lyn publicly and also poured a whole glass of water over her."

By the time Raymond finished his sentence my blood started running in my veins at full speed. My jaw clenched and my hands resting on my thighs turned into fists.

"Mr. Ashworth, please calm down. Anger is not good for your health," Sage worried as she attempted to approach me.

"That bastard," a growl escaped my mouth leaving my caregiver frozen at her spot.

"Mr. Ashworth, calm down," Raymond said as he passed me his iPad. "Everything has already been taken care of."

Tearing my eyes off his anxious face, I focused on the screen and that's when my breath stuck in my throat. My body froze as I read the headline wide-eyed.

"She has practically destroyed that man's whole career," Raymond summarised for me.

"Lyn did this?" I asked him again. My sudden rage was completely frozen by utter disbelief and shock.

"I did it, yes."

My head snapped to the side at the source of the voice and there she was carelessly leaning against the doorframe looking at her grandpa with her lips curled up ever so slightly to make any difference.

"It was solely her this time. I only heard about it this morning but it was already too late," Raymond explained.

"Why?" I asked her in a low voice, frowning my brows.

"You would have done the same thing for me, grandpa, so I took care of it before you," she shrugged walking towards a vacant chair across me.

"But you never do such things," I pointed out still staring at her to read the expressions that she was hiding under her blank face.

"I was exhausted and starving and that guy couldn't keep himself from getting under my skin so" she drawled, pulling her chair out.

"She told him something he didn't like and he,"

"Correct," Lyn pointed her index finger at Sage for getting the point.

I released a loud sigh. No matter how many times I ask her, she is not going to tell me. That's how she has molded herself now.

"Keeping that aside," she turned her face at me, "How are you, grandpa?" she asked.

"I should be asking you." I smiled covering my thoughts.

"I feel heavenly."

She chuckled at my reply, "I can see that."

For the first time in months, I get to hear and see her smile like that. It's always pure bliss for a grandparent to see their grandchildren smile. It is heavenly for me since it happens rarely in my case.

"Are you two working on something?" she knitted her eyebrows as her eyes scanned the table, that was thanks to Raymond could be now called my study.

"Why is your hair still wet?" I noted, making a vain effort to divert the topic from work. Her waist-length hair was still damp probably making her grey shirt damp underneath.

"Too lazy to use a dryer," she said, eyeing Raymond and me with an intense stare drying our blood in the process.

I could feel the sweat making its appearance on my palms, feet, and forehead. It's unbelievable how my granddaughter was capable of snapping people's airways shut with just her eyes.

I looked at Raymond for help. After peeking a nervous glance at the hawk sitting across the table, my Secretary hesitantly got up from his chair.

"I'll give you two some privacy," he said smiling nervously, and before I could say a thing he grabbed Sage's hand and dragged her inside.

I cursed under my breath glaring at his retrieving back.

"So?" came the voice from across, I turned at Lyn. "What is it?" she demanded.

I cleared my throat and wiped my hand on my trousers. But before I could say anything she added a question I was certainly not prepared for, "What is this file doing here?"

"So you know what's in this file?" I raised my brows at her while pointing at the Evans' Co file kept on the table.

Her looking away at my question made me scoff. The fear that I felt minutes ago was replaced with anger.

"It was Raymond, right?" she muttered, still avoiding my gaze.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked.

She shifted on her chair and crossed her arms over the chest.

"You knew who they are and still you choose to ignore, why?" my voice was stern and it took me everything in me to keep myself from yelling at her.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she shrugged as she answered carelessly.

"I'm talking about the Evans' Co, Sebastian Evans' company. The same Sebastian who was your father's best friend."

"And?"

"And his company wants to have a partnership with us. They want to work on the same project that your father was planning six years ago."

She was about to say something when I cut her off and added, "Since you already have quite a knowledge about this project, I want you to work on it."

"Grandpa," her eyes pierced into mine, "I can't, that's my simple answer."

"Why?"

"I don't want to."

"That's not an answer, Lyn. Give me a reason that makes sense."

I knew I was pushing her off her boundaries I could see that on her face. However, I wanted her to discover things that she was missing by caging herself in her little world.

She released an exasperated sigh before speaking, " Look, grandpa, no matter how much you force me, my answer will always be a simple no. I'm not going to work on this project."

"I need a reason, Ismay," I demanded sternly. I wanted her to say the truth. I wanted her to speak out her feelings which she hardly does. But as expected, she looked away without saying a word.

Although I was fuming with anger inside, yelling at her would only make the matter worse. I needed to be patient to convince her.

I took a deep breath and began, "Lyn, why don't you read their project report one more time before making any decision. I read it and found it quite interesting. We should definitely give it a try. What do you say?Huh?"

"I guess we are done here for today," she said rising from her chair.

"Sit down," I ordered.

"Why?"

"You are letting your emotions take over your professional life. It's not good for you."

"Grandpa."

"I know exactly why you don't want to do this project." I stood up from my chair, walking towards her. "Because it's your father's."

Her eyes leaving mine were the indication that I was right. I slowly reached her, at the same time to keep a comfortable distance between us. "Lyn, child, you are not the person you believe you are. You are—"

"Enough, grandpa." She took a deep breath. " No matter whatever you say my answer will not change. I'm not going to do it that means I'm not going to do it. You should rest now." she said and turned away.

"Maybe I'll see you tomorrow," she told me as she started walking towards the door.

"It was his last wish!" I shouted at her back and it was enough to stop her in her tracks.

"What did you just say?" her voice was low as she turned to face me.

"This project was your father's last wish. He promised Sebastian that they'll work on this project together... I want to fulfill his last wish and I need you for that. Please, dear."

Her face hardened at my words and her hands turned into fists. Turning her head to the side she spoke her voice as cold as ice.

"Then he should've lived to fulfill his dreams. It's not my duty to make his dreams come true."

The rage I had been holding back couldn't keep itself from breaking out after hearing her cruel words.

"Gracelyn Ismay Ashworth!" My fist slammed onto the table as I roared on top of my lunges.

Her eyes snapped up at me with worry for a second before turning ice.

"I don't care if you want to work on this project or not. Just don't expect anything from me," she said and walked away, leaving me alone frozen at my spot.

"Then he should've lived to fulfill his dreams. It's not my duty to make his dreams come true."

Her words kept repeating themselves in my head, like a stake penetrating my heart leaving me in excruciating pain.

"I don't care if you want to work on this project or not. Just don't expect anything from me."

Tears started to sting my eyes as I recalled the things I just heard and saw.

Looking up at the sky, I smiled.

"I'm not crying because of what she said to me. I'm sure she must be in a thousand times more pain than I am. I'm crying because I couldn't save her. It's all my fault she became like this."

It was quiet as I silently wept under the calm sky.

"But don't worry, son." I took a deep breath, comforting myself. "I will change her no matter what," I wiped my tears. "She will become the same Lyn from six years ago, I promise. I've failed you once, I will not fail again. I will bring your daughter back, I promise. I'll bring your Gia back," I promised to my son, who now lived in Heaven.