Chapter Twenty One
I will love only when you find love
Jeff got back to school after the meeting, and he had his lectures and returned home. His grandfather was already at home waiting for him. He loved preparing his food whenever he wished to give him a treat. Today was not an exception.
'He had been so resourceful. How would I nor anyone had seen the jingle of the sale of the island? How did he know that it was going to be useful to the organization?'
All these thoughts beclouded his mind as he prepared his meal.
"We are home, Mr. Morris."
Leon announced. Mr. Morris walked out of the kitchen and welcomed them.
"Welcome back. How had your day been?"
"Splendid."
"Marvelous."
"Go and change. Your meal will soon be ready."
"All right dad. You are the best."
When the meal was over, Leon returned to his room while Jeff walked to the grandfather's suite to discuss more on the just acquired island.
"Jeff, you have made us proud at Cherry Fields. Everyone is happy with the island."
"I'm happy that you like it. What about my dad, is he as happy as you are?"
Mr. Morris chuckled before responding.
"Your dad appears to be happier than I am and everyone else. He had given the island a name already."
"Really? What name did he give to the island?"
"The Cherry Fields Island."
"Wow! That's good."
Jeff concentrated on his phone while Mr. Morris was visualizing his future with his great-grandchildren. Jeff, who was lying on the couch opposite him, suddenly drifted off to the day he got to know about the island. He remembered how they laughed ecstatically. He could not help chuckling. Mr. Morris was happy when he saw that.
'He must be in love with someone. If yes, that will make my day.'
The thought of that made him so happy that he decided to ask.
"Jeff."
"Yes dad."
Jeff recollected himself and focused on him.
"It is like you are keeping something away from me."
Jeff searched his mind and said.
"Nothing I can remember. What do you think I'm keeping away from you?"
Mr. Morris looked at him critically as though he would see through his mind and made an earth quaking statement
"I think you are in love with someone."
Jeff sat up from the couch and looked at the grandfather whom he loved so much. He had broached the topic he tried to be silent about until whenever.
'It was time for him to know.'
He thought. His grandfather's face was beaming with a smile as he awaited his positive response.
"Dad, I think you should know this. I have made up my mind never to love until you find love. Think about that. Good night."
Jeff left for his suite, leaving the open-mouthed grandfather to ponder on what he had just said. Mr. Morris bent his head down and began to recall the past. How he told him the story of his past. His heart became heavy.
'Maybe I shouldn't have told him the story of my past. I didn't know it would have such a negative effect on him. This is a big problem because I know I will never love another woman apart from the late Jessica Murray.'
He needed someone to talk to. He had forgotten about his past. Furthermore, he had to focus on the future of his grandson. Then, he looked at the time, it was 7:30 pm, by now, and it should be 1:30 am in Nigeria.
"Ken must be asleep by now."
He said to himself.
"I must wake him up. This is a serious matter?"
He picked up his phone that he dropped by his side when Jeff dropped the bombshell and dialed Ken's number. Ken picked almost immediately.
"Hello father."
"Hello, son. Why are you not sleeping?"
"I just got off a call with Jeff. How are you?"
"I'm fine. You mean Jeff called you?"
"Yes, father. Just now."
"Why was he calling you by this time of the night?"
"He called to inform me of the discussion he just had with you."
Mr. Morris was speechless, but Ken, who understood the severity of the discussion, arrested his mind, which was about to wander away instantly.
"Father."
The startled Mr. Morris answered.
"Yes son. By the way, where is Dora?"
"She is sleeping in the room."
"In the room? Where are you?"
"I'm in the parlor. I got out of the room to speak with Jeff, so I don't disturb her."
"It is all right. Can we go on video call?"
"Certainly."
Ken was able to see that he was stressed and urgently advised.
"Father, calm down. We will have it sorted out. You have always kept your head above water. This will not be an exception."
"How do you mean? I'm not ready to love anyone because I'm comfortable with the love you all have for me. Besides, I'm old."
"You are right, father, but you can see the effect of your decision on Jeff. That means we are not going to have the much expected grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As for being old, I take an exception to that."
Mr. Morris only looked at him without saying a word, and Ken continued.
"Father."
"Son."
"Let's not dwell so much on this. For now, put everything behind you and cheer up. If he noticed that you are depressed, it may affect him negatively. As you can see, you are his role model."
"Thank you son. I will do as you said."
"You're welcome but keep your mind open and understand that you are not old. You may meet someone that would love you like Jessica Murray. I love you, father."
"I love you too. Sleep tight."
Mr. Morris was not too worried, as expected. The decision he took two years ago to move on with his life by loving the people around him and the conversation he just had with Ken helped him to cheer up.
'I will be strong lest I become a bad influence on my grandson.'
He concluded and went to the kitchen, took his favorite yogurt and returned to his suite with the Organic Tea. He logged into his online game and smiled.
"Jeff is online."
He giggled and joined in the game. He had been at loggerheads with Jeff, the Super Killer, but today was different. The moment Jeff and other players saw him, they knew that Super Killer was in trouble. He was trying to get across to him, but the Super Killer was running and avoiding him, certainly. Whenever he had an opportunity to strike, he would strike him mercilessly, but Loving Daddy would sidestep sharply and would continue to chase him. Finally, he caught him and the other players were stunned. They watched with trepidation, hoping to see him crush him to death, but Loving Daddy held him closer to his chest and requested.
"I will do whatever you asked me to do if you permit me to be your Loving Daddy."
Super Killer who was petrified few seconds ago became emotional.
"Promise you will make me happy all the time."
"I promised."
The other players could not hear what they were saying, only looked on open-mouthed. They hugged each other and continued the game, this time, as a team. Until now, Jeff wasn't aware that Loving Daddy was his grandfather, but his grandfather knew that he was the Super Killer.
When the game was over, Mr. Morris was elated. He had temporarily forgotten the demand placed on him to get a lover. He walked to his room, had his shower and went to sleep. Likewise, he woke up in the morning sexually aroused for the first time after he lost Jessica Murray, and he was happy about it.
"It means I'm not too old to love. I will accept and love any woman they chose if that will make them happy."
He got out of bed revitalized, prepared for work and walked to Jeff's and Leon's suite and knocked.
"Jeff and Leon, I'm waiting at the dinning table. Join me quickly."
"We are on our way, dad."
Jeff, who had been thinking of how to face him this morning, was enraptured. They had their breakfast excitedly as though nothing happened. At last, they left the house for work and school.