"How was the show, sweetheart?"
My grandmother sat on her rocking chair while she knitted a long scarf with rainbow colours. It was thick and took her months making it at least two metres long due to our busy schedule.
Grandma wasn't as tough as she was before. Her feet gotten worst by the years an most of the things she could do is sit while working on our dress from her room. Thankfully her room was only next to mine and there was a door within our room that would connect to us since we did have the same bathroom.
It was a request I made from Aryan so I could still be close to her since he didn't want the two of us to be sharing rooms anymore.
Why? He has no idea when sharing room would make their accommodation much cheaper and that speaks volume since Aryan though, not frugal still cares about how the money belongs to the House of Dolls is being used.
"It was great, grandma. 7 out 10 girls. I mean.. being sold is not the best thing in the world but I've seen those men. Single, good reputation, late 20s and smitten."
My grandmother rolled her eyes to that and her finger continue to work on her knitting.
"No doubt using their parents money."
I giggled at her and lightly pushes her hand.
"Don't be that way, grandma and no, they are self made. I've check all of them myself."
I winked at the last sentence and walk back to her bed. I lie on my back and release a long sigh, moaning at the softness of her bed after a long day at work. I did taken ny shower before that;)
"You sure care for the girls, don't you sweetheart?" My grandma ask me, smiling as she puts her knitting fabric down.
I sat up again and smiled back at her.
"You cared for me. I did the same for I would want to be treated that way too."
"You are my granddaughter, of course in would be biased towards you. I'm sure if they have their own grandmother or parents taking care of them_"
"They wouldn't be here in the first place, wouldn't they?"
I sighed. "I pity them grandma. Once we leave, what will happen to them? Who will soothe Aryan's anger if you're not around?"
My grandmother got up from her chair and slowly walks towards me. Though she lips and obviously would appreciate some help bringing her forward, I decided against doing that because I know how proud and sensitive she was so, trying to help her would only annoys her.
She finally arrived at my spot and have to hold on to her cane before popping her bottom to her bed.
"I know, sweetheart but right now, I have no choice but to focus and protect on no one but you. We both know why..."
Memory of me and Aryan earlier flooded to my consciousness all of a sudden and I felt an uncomfortable heavy sensation on my chest. "Yeah. About that..."
My grandma who has always been alert of her surrounding notice my face paled a little. She frowned and cup my cheek.
"What is it, sweetheart?"
I contemplated on not telling her for I was worried of what he may do and what Aryan will do in response because my grandma definitely don't take crap from anyone.
Alas, just one look into her ocean blue eyes made me gave in.
"Aryan told me of his, ugh, wishes to make me his... woman."
I never knew my grandma's eyes could go that wide. She gasped and her voice was so loud, I cringed from the force.
"He what?"
"Grandmaaaa... sheesh." I tieed to shush her and even pat her back so she would calm down but I realise that it was only a fool's errand.
"He told me he will make me his soon. One of the reason I'm not being Auctioned, grandma. Plus, he mentions how the two of us did have it better than the other girls. Maybe.."
My grandma, sharp as ever definitely know where I'm going with this because she slam her hand on the bed hard before yelling.
"Ridiculous! Don't let that man make you feel like you owe him something, child! We owe him nothing! Unlike those other girls, bless their soul, we actually worked in this manor. We don't just sit around doing nothing. Those dresses he sold all over the years plus the one those girls wore, that is ours! Especially yours because God knows how hard you work on them since you were 12."
"Dammnit! This is what I'm concern about. I never thought him keeping you here was because he wanted you all to himself child. I have to act soon."
"Act? What are you going to do, grandma? Surely..."
"We're moving out at the end of this month."
What?
"2 more weeks? But grandma, we still owe him a lot of_"
"And I will handle them. You don't have to worry about it. We probably suffer a little once we're outside but in a few more months, we'll be much comfortable, sweetheart. You can count on your ol' grandmother here."
"How are you going to do that grandma?"
"You leave that all to me."
Why does that statement doesn't sit well with me?
....
No POV
Aryan was sitting in his office and sporting out documents for the night when a knock on his door made him look up. He groan in annoyance at the fact it was already 1am and he wants nothing more than to end his matters quickly before going to bed with the though of Lilibeth in his mind.
As soon as his eyes falls on the elderly woman currently limping towards him slowly, he snorted. "You've gotten out of your bed, Lady. I almost thought you were dead."
Lady groans too and when she sat in front of Aryan, she spoke.
"Asshole"
Aryan responded with a chuckle. He puts aside a document and clear out the space in front of him. "Oh no, Lady! You know I don't roll that way but, I'm sure some of The Boys would be willing to entertain you. I heard some of them works like that."
Lady rolled her eyes. "I appreciate the offer but no. That's not why I came here for."
She slammed a medium size satchel bag. Almost the size of a children shoe box and shoved the heavy thing to Aryan. He frowned at first and pulls the bag and opens the satchel to look at what inside.
His eyes widen and mouth slightly open in shock. He looks back at Lady who stare at him with disgust. He puts his hand inside the satchel and pulls out a gold bat, so heavy, it feel like carrying a dumbbell. How was she able to carry this thing in the first place?
"Where did you get this?" Aryan asked her.
"It belongs to my family for generations. It's worth is almost 100 grand and you being a businessman would've figure that out without me saying a thing."
"Lili knows about this?"
"We're leaving? Yes but, the bars? No. She's kind. Would've break her heart to know I just gave my family heirloom to you. Payment including the debt and you not to bother us ever again, you got that?"
Aryan puts back the gold inside the bag and push it aside. He leans back on his chair and crossed his arms. "So, what's you plan next?"
"Leaving this dump and create a better life for me and my granddaughter. As simple as that."
Her response seems to ticked Aryan off so he leans forward and almost spat on her face. "I know how much I paid you, Lady. You giving me this means you would be a beggar in the streets. The fuck you want to put your granddaughter in a shitty situation just because you want to finish up your debt?"
He sighed and tell his inner self to calm down. As much as he was pissed at the nerve of the old lady to speak that way to him, Lilibeth cared for her too deeply so to get his woman is to pass the old toad here.
Look, you can have this gold back. I do6nt need them. I can easily get this amount by selling 4 to 5 girls. I love your, granddaughter. I can give her a good life, Lady. Heck, she'll live like a queen in my stead and she will never want for anything in her life. I'll even find a good house for you to stay. Imagine, staying by the beach in you pension years and having a maid or butler serving you. I can do that, Lady. I can do anything."
"Yes. I have no doubts about that and I've stayed by you for more than 10 years."
She took a deep breath before her eyes wne tcold and bore down on him with so much hatred.
"I also know how you are capable of cutting the fingers of people who stole from you, kill those that insults you, sell young orphaned girls and abused orphaned boys including doing side business like selling drugs and firearms."
She for up and pulls the gold beside her on the table. She hold the satchel again and slammed back to Aryan's front.
"Like hell I would give my only flesh and blood to you." Lady spat on him.
"You would condemn her to life of hardship and begging on the streets, Lady? I never claim to be a saint but know this, I love your granddaughter and what I loved I protect and cherish. All I want is the same sentiment, including you."
Patience is a virtue indeed but with stupid people, it was beginning to wreck Aryan's nerves.
"As if I could love a devil. Nor will my granddaughter. Keep the bar. We'll be leaving in two more weeks. The Chapel of Mother Mary will be our refuge while we get ourselves stable and on our feet so you don't have to worry about what will happen to her. Trust me, she won't feel the same way about you."