GRAYSEN

“Welcome home, Mr. Damari. Your father is waiting for you in the study.” Julius announces after opening the door for me.

I murmur a thanks while loosening my scarf to pull it off of my neck before marching

across the living room and climb up the second floor. I don’t know what father’s agenda today is all about but as soon as I was notified of his call, I immediately come over the villa without any delay.

The last time I’ve lived here was during my high school. But when I take up my college at the university in the city, I’ve moved out and have lived alone by myself. I only come for a visit from time to time but always stay during thanks giving and Christmas. Although now with dad’s condition, I want to spend more

time with him, but the villa is rather far from the office and way impractical for coming and going.

I give a perfunctory knock at the door to the study before pushing it open. My father is standing by the huge window, leaving his wheelchair for a moment, while his nurse is on the couch in standby. As soon as the door opens, my father turns around and nods at the nurse to give us a moment before he motions

for me to go to him.

I give my father a hug and a kiss to his cheek and he pats my head in return before I help him sit back behind his desk. I then round the table and sit in front of him and wait for any directives. Perhaps he calls me about company concern. Although I’m still new to managing it with my tender age, I’ve come to

apply my knowledge with auspicious result.

“Graysen, I’ve called you because I have something to tell you. Although I’ve already

decided, I still want your opinion and hopefully your approval on the matter.”

My back straightens at my father’s tone. Already decided? Wanting my approval? Is

he… Is he planning to remarry? Dread suddenly wraps my entire form. I don’t

want to deprive my father of his second chance of happiness but at this day and

age, a lot of women are only after his money, especially with his age.

“What is it, dad?” I ask directly, wanting to get this conversation done with.

“A certain Joshua Coleman came into one of our casinos and lost a lot of money. He wasn’t able to pay his debt before he died. But he gave his house and vineyard

as collateral.”

Dad slides a folder to me so I pick it up although I don’t open it just yet. I feel like the lightweight folder holds so much for my future. I’m both anxious and scared.

“Apparently, the house is registered to his brother, John Coleman who has a daughter, Diana Coleman. When I had Albert checked up on the father and daughter, I found out that John had also been dead a year ago, leaving his daughter orphan. Therefore, Joshua was only Diana’s sole guardian and didn’t have the right to the property. Although he had the title of the land, this will be passed on to the niece as soon as she turns of age. Right now though, Diana is just sixteen and can’t decide on her own. You know that we’re all businessmen, right Graysen? Besides, the vineyard is really so tempting. That’s why I made a decision.”

“What decision?” I ask just above whisper.

“I want this kid to be your sister. I’m going to adopt her so the property under her father’s name will be transferred to me without abandoning this child alone. With that, both parties will be of win-win, don’t you think?”

“Sister?” I repeat in astonishment before flipping the folder open.

Among all the words that scatter in the paper, only the picture at the right upper corner is all I ever noticed. Long red hair, gray eyes, pretty nose, cheeky smile and beautiful face. So angelic. So seductive… So… Perfect! To my

surprise, I feel both my chest and pants tighten.

Stunned, I suddenly bolt up from my seat and hurry down the door. “Sorry father, I’ll think about this first. I’ll tell you my answer the soonest possible time, I promise!”

With that, I run into my bedroom and slam the door shut. I have to leave just so I can hide my sudden bulging crotch from my father. With shaky hands, I flip the folder open again. Oh, my God! She can’t be my sister! No way! This girl. I can’t accept her to be my sister! I clutch my chest to calm my heart while looking down between my thighs.

I’m already twenty-four not fourteen for Christ sake! Why am I having a boner just by looking at a picture! Besides, it’s just a decent picture where I don’t even see any flesh lower than her neck. What the hell is up with my reaction all of a sudden?

But I really like her though. My heart is beating faster and wilder the longer I stare at her beautiful face. Why haven’t I met her before? Right, she’s still sixteen. She’s still a baby compared to my age. But I can wait. I will wait for her. But I definitely can’t be her brother.

With a determined huff, I grip the folder tight and open my bedroom door once again. I return to my father’s study and open the door without knocking. Dad is still sitting patiently behind the desk as if already expecting my return.

“Well?”

“I’m sorry, father. But I can’t have her as a sister.”

Dad’s eyes flash with disappointment and understanding at the same time. He nods at

me and motions to the seat in front of him, probably ready for a long discussion. But I don’t take it. Although my knees are shaking, I need to be on my feet of what I’m about to say next. I need to act like a mature man for the proposition I’ll offer.

“I want her to be my wife, father.”

“Wife?” My dad repeats in astonishment, his eyes bulging in surprise. “But she’s just a

child, son.”

“I’m willing to wait. I’ll wait for her. I…” I look at the picture of my future bride and my heart slams against my chest one more time. “I love her already.”

After a long dazed silence, my father suddenly barks out a loud laughter like I just told him a really good joke rather than a heart wrenching confession. I scowl at him, ready to fight him about this but he just waves his hand at me, shaking his head in disbelief.

“I know you took almost all of your attributes from me but I didn’t know you’ll also take this side of me, son. Don’t you know that I’ve eloped with your mother when she’s still fifteen?” Dad laughs one more time as if remembering the past like it only happened yesterday. “But her father found out and sued

me. Good thing your grandpa bailed me out from jail and advised me to wait until Grace turns eighteen.”

“Then does this mean you understand me, right?” I ask excitedly.

“Of course.” He waves his hand dismissively. “Alright. I’ll arrange this matter with the Coleman’s lawyer. Go now!”

I pull out Diana’s picture before returning the folder back to my father and dash out of the villa with a renewed spirit. I’ve never felt this excited and happy after mom died. It’s like color has returned into my life. Ah! I’m in love!

I kiss Diana’s picture and tuck it in my jacket pocket just above my heart. Giving it a light tap, I look at the bright blue skies and smile. Diana, my sweetheart, I’ll wait for you. Through my love, I’ll show you how this world

can be as sweet as a candy.

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