Spoiled Brat Zanilia Harris sat beside her grandfather's bed sobbing louding. Her old man has been diagnosed with stage 4 lungs cancer and had a few months to live. Zanilia Harris was the future heiress of Harris Ji Company, her Grandfather Milton Harris raised her by himself after her mother and father died in a plane crash. Now laying on a hospital bed in a coma, she could not fathom life without her dear old man. The guards were stationed outside the door to avoid media personnel intervening in the family’s private affair. It has been two weeks since her grandfather fell into a coma, the doctor told the family to be prepared mentally because there was little hope for him given his age and condition.  Her cousin Charles was now running the company on his behalf while Zanilia stayed at the hospital to look after her grandfather. Although she was  spoiled and had a very sharp tongue, she loved her grandpa dearly.

Milton Harris was the Chairman of Harris Ji Company, one of the country’s largest corporations. He was a very respectable and easy-going man who had won numerous awards for his  contribution towards Ohio State whether it was through business or charity. Many who knew him or came in contact in him, learnt a thing or two about business and investment. He never had enemies as everyone was very fond of him. Most people admired him for raising his Granddaughter alone after both her parents died. Grandpa Harris was Zanilia's entire world, she felt showers of love from her old man. She can't remember a day where they were apart, whenever he traveled he always took her with him because he was afraid of leaving her alone.

A few moments later, there was a knock on the door. Entering the room was a tall slim man wearing black suit and tie, his name was Shawn Bentley. He held a fruit bucket in his hand as he walked in the room. Puffing her face, Zanilia did not bat an eye towards him. They have known each other since childhood because they were neighbors. Shawn Bentley had always bullied and teased her as a kid as a result she hated him.

“ How’s Grandpa doing?” ….Shawn asked

“ same”...Zanilia replied.

Resting the fruit bucket on the table near the bed, Shawn looked at Zanilia who had puffy eyes. He knew that she had been crying for a long time. Despite knowing each other for so long, the awkward silence in the room eats away at their core.

Clearing his throat to break the silent, Shawn told Zanilia that he will head to work and told her if anything she can reach him via telephone. Shawn Bentley had established his own company  GoldCrown Corporation and was very successful. He looked at Zanilia who just nodded at him, he knew that there was bad blood between them but did not know when it would come to an end. Despite being mischievous as a teenager, Shawn was a completely changed man now that he had grown up. He would often look back at the silly things he had done and laughed in silence.

Reaching for her phone, Zanilia called her best friend Zara Taylor to come over and stayed with her Grandfather while she went and freshen up herself. She looked like a hot mess from all the crying and staying up all night. Zara was happy to help and came over immediately. Zara was like family to Zanilia. Having booked a hotel close to the hospital, she checked in and went straight to the bathroom.

Shawn arrived at work, his mind was on Zanilia who seemed like she hadn’t slept in days. He was worried that if she continued like this she would make herself sick. He thought of what he can do to help ease her burden given that they were no other family members around. He phoned his best friend Charlie who was a psychiatrist to chat with him for a bit. Shawn had a very close net relationship with Grandpa Harris, he was the main reason he had straightened up his life and become a businessman.  After talking with Charlie for a while, he found new ideas of how he can offer his help.

Zanilia had recently finished University not too long ago and was preparing to inherit her grandfather's company before he fell ill.  She blamed herself for not paying much attention to her grandpa even when he was visiting the doctor. Grandpa Harris knew about his condition but did not tell her about it because she was studying at the time and did not want to disturb her education.

The guards were sworn to secrecy, even Shawn knew about his condition and used to accompany grandpa Harris to go see the doctor.  Zanilia sat in the shower and continued to cry non stop. She could not hold herself together at the moment. Suddenly her phone rings, she step out the tub to answer it, without looking at the ID she heard a man’s voice at the other end of the line.

“ Hi, are you okay?”...Shawn asked on the other side of the line.

“ who’s this?”.....took out the phone from her ear and looked at the number.

“ Shawn Bentley…..I always had your number Grandpa Harris gave it to me before he fell ill…..i hope you don’t mind?

“ what can i do for you Shawn?”...her voice sound hoarse on the line

Shawn knew that she had been crying again.

“ Oh….i am getting off work early today so i’ll stay with Grandpa tonight,...you can get some rest”

“ Okay, Thank you” ...she replied

********Call end********

Zanilia was glad for the assist as she needed to try to get some sleep as well. Despite her deep hatred for Shawn she knew that her Grandpa was safe in his hands. She continued her shower and then went to sleep. Shawn was pleasantly surprised that she accepted his help. Normally she will outpour insults to me for she had a sharp tongue. Shawn did not take her insults to heart because he knew that he had done numerous wrongs to her as a kid…...he only hoped that one day she could forgive him and let go of her anger. He was ready at any time to clear the air with her about what happened back in school.

Early next morning, Zanilia headed over to the hospital to take over from Shawn. Upon entering the room, she stopped in her tracks and was pleasantly surprised to see Shawn wiping her grandpa and tucking him in bed. She did not know the reason why Grandpa and Shawn were so close and she did not bother to ask. She went in the room and said thank you to Shawn for his help. He nodded and left the room.

He noticed that Zanilia looked much better today...well rested at that. He was happy that he could be of some help to her. He left the hospital and headed straight for work. Over at Harris Ji Company Charles was posing with both feet on the Chairman desk as he rocked back. He was enjoying the title of being interim CEO of  the largest corporation in Ohio State. He was so busy enjoying his new found wealth that he forgot to visit his Uncle Milton and used work as an excuse to not visit him at the hospital.

Meanwhile Shawn had been keeping an eye on things over at Harris Ji Company, he promised grandpa that he would look out for Zanilia and the company whenever he can. Shawn knew that Charles wasn’t an easy man to deal with and always felt something off about the guy. He just could not put his fingers at it. Interrupted by his cell phone ringing, he answered

“ Hi mom”.

“ Hi son, how are you?”

“ I’m okay for now, just worried about grandpa...he is still in a coma”

“ don’t worry son, grandpa Harris will be fine”...his mother assured him

“ Have you told Zanilia about the promise you made to grandpa”

Shawn paused on the phone and did not answer.

“ not yet, mom”

“ when are you going to tell her then?”..

“ when the time is right”

“ OK son, i trust you to do the right thing”

“ Thanks Mom”

************ Call end********

Shawn now lost in thought........did not know how to cross that bridge he was approaching. He had promised grandpa that he would marry Zanilia if anything were to happen to him….but he knew that with Zanilia temperament that she would not agree easily or even believe his words. He sighed and headed back to his work.

Meanwhile at the hospital, Zanilia was crying with tears of joy….grandpa Harris had finally woken up from a coma. Excited and happy she hugged her grandpa tightly. She immediately phone her best friend and share the good news with her….forgetting all about Shawn...Zanilia watched as the doctors ran a series of tests on him. Grandpa Harris was happy to see his granddaughter  that he called her over . Touching her face and wiping her eyes

“ my child, how have you been?”

“ grandpa i am doing better…..and you?…...are you having pain?……...do you need some water or food?....she continued to talk.

Taking her hand into his , Grandpa told her that he was fine. She was relieved to see him smiling as he once did before. Grandpa Harris asked her if she could do him a favor and call Shawn Bentley for him, he needed to speak with him about something important and urgent.