"Don't say that my love. He's only trying to put me up against you. The truth is, he had asked me to choose between you and my inheritance."
Ariana had known this already. She had in fact listened to the whole conversation. She stood by the door of Calhoun's office eavesdropping on them. She couldn't believe her ears. Calhoun chose her over his inheritance? Was there any man who could do that? But this was not any man.
Ariana stopped what she was doing and went over to Calhoun. She held out his arms and placed them around her. They both looked into each other's eyes.
"I know how difficult it was to have made that decision," Ariana's voice was soft and gentle. "But I think you should really think it over again. If you let me go, you'll have nothing to lose-"
Calhoun pressed his finger gently over her mouth before she could finish her speech.
"Don't you understand what's happening?" Calhoun said, "it's us against them, against the whole world. I'm not going to leave you simply because they try to threaten me. To hell with their inheritance. It's you that I want my angel. Can't you see? I love you. You're the very source of my joy, and I pledge my life to also be a source of joy to you too Aria."
Ariana looked into his eyes. She could see that he meant the words he had said. She loved him also. She loved him very much. She couldn't stand losing him.
"I'm sure your grandfather didn't mean what he had said," Ariana tried to reason. "He probably just needed some proof that I'm good enough for you..."
"There's no proof to show," Calhoun almost flared up, "if he can't take my word for it, then fine."
Calhoun was just trying to be stubborn.
"My love," Ariana pressed against him closer, so that he could feel her breasts on his chest, "he's your grandfather, whether you like it or not. Someday he's not going to be here, and you don't want to have regrets, when that day comes. We'll be needing his blessings if we're ever going to get married."
Calhoun's heart melted as Ariana spoke. He was defeated. "We're getting married alright," he finally spoke. He sighed. "What do you suggest we do now?"
"Let's take him up on his offer," Ariana responded, "Why don't we go over to the house and stay a couple of days as he wanted. That way, he gets to know me better and from there, he probably would change his mind."
It was a good idea. But Calhoun had his reservations. He knew the kind of family he comes from. His uncles and aunts could make life quite unbearable for Ariana, a girl they'll try to look down upon because her family's not from their circle. What if the whole plan went sideways?
"Okay my love," Calhoun submitted, "if this will please you."
"I love you," Ariana said, and kissed Calhoun, "we've got a trip to prepare for," she jumped excitedly.
Calhoun struggled to call his grandfather later on. He wondered how the conversation would turn out. The one they had had earlier on was largely unprecedented by both of them. Each of them allowed emotions to crowd the space where their sense of judgement was supposed to occupy. The end result wasn't cordial at all. Now was a chance to undo what has been done. But what if what had been done could not be undone?
"I believe you must have finally come back to your senses," Mr. Lawson Senior said, going straight to the point.
"I was never out of it grandpa," Calhoun tried not to sound arrogant. "I feel we got off on a wrong footing and I just called to apologize for reacting a bit off earlier at the office today."
"Off? You call that sounding a bit off? I really can't place the blame on you. It's that girl who's caused this whole madness. Anyways, I've told you what I wanted to tell you. I hope you're not trying to renegotiate our agreement? Remember you chose her over your inheritance."
"Oh for goodness sake grandpa, Aria hasn't caused anything bad except brought light and joy into my life. I know you won't believe me."
"Of course I won't. You're a blind man now. No one listens to the directions of someone who's lost his own direction."
Calhoun slapped his forehead with his hand. Grandfather was just impossible.
"I didn't call you to fight grandpa, and neither did I call for a renegotiation. I called to ask if your offer was still open."
"What offer?"
"You had asked me to come over to the house along with Aria so you get to meet her and know who she truly is, remember?"
Grandfather had not forgotten. It was in fact his greatest desire. He had wanted to spend time with the girl who had succeeded in turning his grandson's head upside down and understand what's so special about her.
Lily had also shown concern about Calhoun's recent behavior. She said he had changed completely. She had advised grandfather to invite the girl over so the family got to meet her and know who she truly was. The reports coming from the media were not doing any good in Ariana's favor. Everyone now saw Aria as some wannabe girl from a family of wannabes who wanted to just rip off from the excess of Calhoun's family wealth. Even though many people believe this, Mr. Lawson Senior had to verify for himself if it was actually true or not.
"You have my permission. But know this, I won't hesitate to throw her out the second I find any questionable character." Grandfather hung up.
Calhoun was pleased the conversation had ended the way he had wanted it to. Whatever threats grandfather was issuing was just because he was trying to prove hard. But Calhoun knew grandfather too well. He was soft on the inside. Most especially for his favorite grandchild.