Grandma Mary sat in her armchair, dialling her grandson Leonardo's number. She hadn't seen him in weeks, and she was eager to catch up with him. The phone rang a few times before he answered.
"Hello, Grandma Mary? How are you?" Leonardo's voice came through the phone.
"Oh, my dear boy, it's so good to hear your voice," Grandma Mary said, smiling to herself. "I was wondering if you'd like to come over for lunch. I've been missing you."
"Grandma I'm very busy now, but I can make out time for my sweet Grandma. What time should I come over?" Leonardo asked
"Let's say noon, shall we? And do bring a big appetite - I'm planning to make your favourite dish," Grandma Mary said, laughing softly.
After hanging up the phone, Grandma Mary made her way to the kitchen where Hailey was washing dishes.
"Hailey, my dear, I have some news for you. Leonardo is coming over for lunch," Grandma Mary said with a smile.
Hailey's eyes widened in surprise and a small smile appeared on her face. "Really? That's wonderful news, Grandma Mary. What should I make for lunch?"
"Oh, don't worry about that, my dear. I'll take care of everything," Grandma Mary said. "But I do need you to help me with a few things. We'll need to set the table and make sure everything looks nice for Leonardo's visit."
Hailey nodded, feeling a sense of nervousness rise within her. She couldn't help but feel a bit anxious about seeing Leonardo again. Grandma Mary and Hailey had been busy in the kitchen since early morning, preparing a sumptuous lunch for Leonardo's visit. Hailey had helped with the chopping and seasoning, while Grandma Mary handled the cooking.
As they worked, they chatted about their plans for the upcoming summer and shared stories about their families. Hailey loved spending time with Grandma Mary - she was like a mother to her, always kind and supportive.
The aroma of the food wafted through the house, filling it with a delicious scent. Grandma Mary had outdone herself, and couldn't wait for Leonardo to taste the food.
"Hailey, dear, would you please set the table? Leonardo should be here any minute now," Grandma Mary said, checking the oven.
Hailey quickly set the table with the finest china and silverware. She arranged the flowers in the centre and lit the candles. Everything looked perfect.
As they put the finishing touches on the meal, they heard the sound of a car pulling up outside. Grandma Mary smiled and wiped her hands on her apron.
"That must be Leonardo," she said, excitement in her voice.
Hailey felt a knot form in her stomach as she heard the front door open. She took a deep breath and reminded herself to stay calm.
"Grandma Mary, I'm here," Leonardo called out as he walked into the kitchen.
"Leonardo, my dear boy, welcome! It's so good to see you," Grandma Mary said, embracing him warmly.
Hailey smiled shyly at Leonardo as he greeted her. He looked handsome as ever, dressed in a dark suit and tie.
As they sat down to eat, the conversation flowed easily. Grandma Mary regaled them with stories of her youth, while Leonardo shared updates about the company.
The food was delicious, and Leonardo complimented Grandma Mary on her cooking. Hailey blushed as she heard his praise.
As they finished their meal, Grandma Mary excused herself to take a phone call, leaving Hailey and Leonardo alone in the kitchen.
"Hailey, I wanted to talk to you about something," Leonardo said, looking serious.
Hailey's heart skipped a beat. She wondered if he was going to bring up the proposal he had made to her.
"Hailey, I want you to know that I appreciate all the hard work you've done for the company. You've been a great help to us. But as we're going to get married soon, I don't want my wife to work as a cleaner in my company," Leonardo said, looking at her intently.
Hailey was taken aback by his words. She didn't expect him to ask her to quit her job, especially since she enjoyed working at the company and had built good relationships with her colleagues.
"Leonardo, I appreciate your concern, but I enjoy working at the company. And it's not like I'm not capable of doing the job just because we're getting married," Hailey said, trying to reason with him.
"I know that, Hailey. But I want to provide for you, take care of you. You won't have to work if you don't want to. I want to be able to support you fully," Leonardo said.
Hailey couldn't help but feel touched by his words. She knew that he was trying to do what he thought was best for her, but she didn't want to give up her job just because they were getting married. "what if he betrays her like Ezra? She thought to herself. She looked at Leonardo and then decided to listen to him.
Hailey took a deep breath and looked at Leonardo. "If you think it's the best decision for us, then I will quit my job," she said, giving him a small smile.