Hundred and twenty-two. Papa Grams
That evening, Kim brought Mr Silas Grams to the gardens. The old man was led to the living room where he was served tea by Madam Angela.
"You should wait a little. The young master will be down soon" Madam Angela said.
"That's alright. I will wait for him" Mr Silas said and took the tea.
Inside Monalissa's room.
Monalissa was dressed up in a loose evening dress. She was accompanying Ezekiel to meet the guest who was coming to the gardens that evening. The door to her room was pulled open and Ezekiel walked in.
"Oh Kiel" she called him and continued preening. "Do I look okay? I hope I don't disappoint" she said, doing a little twirl in front of the long mirror.
"You never do baby" Ezekiel said. He came to stand behind her, sliding his arms around her waist. He delivered kisses on her neck which made Monalissa chuckle.
"We're going to see someone Kiel, stop" she said with a cute pout.
"Call me that again?"
"What? Kiel?" Monalissa asked.
"Yes, please" Ezekiel pleaded.
Monalissa chuckled. "Then would you allow me to see Arianna and Kayla?"
Ezekiel paused. "Why would you want to see them? Are you feeling pity for them?" Ezekiel asked, with a little frown. His face was still buried in her neck. He was breathing in her scent and couldn't get enough of it.
"No, I'm not. It's just, I think they have atoned enough. I think, they have learnt from their mistakes" Monalissa said. "Kayla even, she was trying to protect a man she loved. I would do worse things even".
"Really?" Ezekiel asked his voice filled with amusement. "What would you do for me?"
"Kiel, I would kill for you. Just so you know. I love you that much".
Ezekiel turned her around to face him, and was about to cage her lips with his but was stopped by Monalissa. "Hey, I just did a little makeup, later okay?"
Ezekiel chuckled. He brought her close and pecked her forehead. "I love you".
"Yeah. You do, 'cause I said I would kill for you?"
"No" Ezekiel chuckled.
"That's a line that couples use. I was just saying" she said with a playful chuckle and freed herself from his grasp.
"Walker, you tease" Ezekiel growled.
Monalissa chuckled and ran to the door. She stuck her tongue out for him before opening the door and running out, chuckling. Ezekiel also ran after her, their playfulness putting everyone into a certain dimension of awe.
"Don't tell me you actually believe that" Monalissa laughed.
"You wait till I get you Walker, you have really learnt how to tease huh?" Ezekiel was grimacing in embarrassment. He believed her.
Monalissa ran into the living room and met a man who was settled down, sipping from his tea. That was when it dawned on her that she was being a little playful and disturbed the guest. Ezekiel joined her immediately and was brought to a pause when he saw Mr Silas.
"You're here" Ezekiel said, regaining his composure immediately. His face turning cold in an instant.
The man stood the moment he saw Ezekiel and the woman next to him. That woman, he thought to himself, is that Monalissa? The woman looked all grown and beautiful. She looked quite soft and tender, a contrast to the girl who walked around with knives and swords, always at the throat of anyone who dared her.
"Monalissa?" Mr Silas called her.
Monalissa wasn't lost too. She recognized the man immediately. "Papa Grams?" she called back. She couldn't believe her eyes. "Papa Grams! It's you!" she cried. Immediately, she dived into his arms, holding him tightly. "Papa Grams" she called again, her voice coming out in muffled whispers. "Where have you been? I missed you" she sobbed.
"My little one! Papa is really sorry. I'm so sorry! I came back but, it was already too late. I learnt that Winter walls was no more" he said softly. "Forgive papa, okay?"
"Papa" Monalissa sobbed.
Ezekiel stood with his hands in his pocket as he watched the warm reunion between the duo. Kim came close, and whispered something to him, after which he handed him the tablet that he was holding.
Ezekiel nodded with a strange smirk. He gave Elijah some instructions and the latter left. He focused on the duo who were still hugging. Monalissa was sobbing, crying even. She never thought that she would see someone who was like family to her.
They separated from the gun allowing the old man to look her over. "You have grown so much little one" he said.
Monalissa chuckled tearfully. "How have you been Papa? How's everything been going?" she asked, helping the old man to his seat. The man smiled gratefully at her.
Monalissa went to sit next to Ezekiel. She spared him a glance and gave him a gentle squeeze on his hand while mouthing a 'thanks'. Ezekiel gave her an assuring smile.
"Good evening Mr Don" the old man spoke.
"I'm grateful you honored my invitation" Ezekiel said.
"Yes. I'm more grateful to you for letting me meet with Monalissa, my little one", the old man said.
"That's alright" Ezekiel said.
"I never knew this was how we would be on the day that I found you at the Ginn river, on Tiarre grounds" the man said. He had already gotten the cue to say some things related to Monalissa's past and childhood.
"Ginn river?" Monalissa asked, her brows furrowed.
"Yes. That was where I found you. You looked like you were captured by some people and had managed to escape with the ropes that were fastened on you and all that" he said.
Monalissa felt her head throb. "You never said anything about this to me. You just told me you found me in a place that wasn't good for me and decided to bring you to Winter walls" Monalissa said.
"Yeah, that. That's because, I was waiting for the right time. And now seems like one"