"GOODNIGHT, Lolo." Callea kissed her grandfather's forehead. She brought tea to his room and made sure that he took his medicine. While in Villa Callea, she was his nurse. It was past ten in the evening and he had just finished having a chat with her cousins.
"Callea, please don't play the piano this midnight and please turn off your scary sound effects. I don't want to scare our visitor. Jorje hasn't warmed up to you yet. Even your Kuya Lee was very sensitive to sounds. A little rustle and he would have a panic attack. And he is scared of ghosts," her grandfather instructed.
"Yes, Lolo. I won't work tonight because I will bring Don Jorje to the underground cemetery tomorrow."
Deive convinced his grandfather to stay in Villa Celesta for a couple more days so he would get to know her. The real her. She would be his tourist guide tomorrow and would even cook for him. Deive wanted to show his grandfather that despite her weird character, she had a good heart and simply perfect for Deive.
"Did I give you a hard time, hija? I feel like I failed you as a grandfather. I want you to marry a man who is practically a stranger. I want you to change your identity. In the end, Deive, who is practically a stranger, appreciated you more than I do. I am such a shame as a grandfather, right?"
"Lolo, I know that you love me and you want what's best for me." She caressed his creased forehead. "Thank you for bringing Deive into my life. It was sheer luck, I know. I thought he was a disruption in my peaceful life. He turns out to be a gift instead."
"I hope you are still happy even if I am a failure as a grandfather."
She embraced him. "You reared me well, Lolo. And I love you."
"I love you, too."
When she left his room, she was sure that her bond with her grandfather was stronger than before. They learned lessons from each other. Callea learned how to accept her strengths and weaknesses. In the end, they realized that respect was important so they could get along.
When she passed by the living room, she saw Don Jorje looking at the window. He was not asleep yet. "Do you want tea, Don Jorje?" Callea asked.
"There is no need. I am about to sleep," he said and walked towards the guest room beside his grandfather's room. They were designated on the first floor because they were too old to climb the second floor.
"I am sorry, Sir. My grandfather has no intentions to ruin your trust and feed you lies about me. He just wants me to have my own family and have a normal life."
"That is nothing, hija. Deive is right. I should not judge you just because you are different. You don't hurt anyone. Like us, we just want our own place in this world. From now on, I will respect that."
Her eyes sparkled. "Really, Sir?"
"Yes. Just take care of my grandson. It looks like you used a love potion on him so he won't leave you."
"Sir, I didn't use any magic spell or love potion on him," she disagreed.
He suddenly laughed, erasing the seriousness on his face. "I am just joking. I want to know you better, hija."
"Thank you for giving me a chance to be with Deive."
He nodded. His eyes were kinder now. "Go to my grandson. I think he is having an argument with your cant. Again."