"I'm so happy to see you in love and excited about your future," Carrel said softly, advising her grandson with a small smile as she reminisced about her old life with Tom. "At 19, you're still young, and life has just begun. Take your time, enjoy this journey, and don't rush into anything. Get to know your partner, learn from each other, and build a strong foundation."
"Marriage is a beautiful institution, but it's not just about romance and love. It's about commitment, responsibility, and growing together. Make sure you're both on the same page and ready for the challenges and joys that come with it," Carrel continued, her face radiant with a bright smile as she looked at Ace with serious eyes.
"Most importantly, never forget why you fell in love in the first place. Cherish those moments, laugh together, and always communicate openly and honestly," she advised.
"I'm here for you, and I'll always support you, no matter what. Just remember to follow your heart, but also use your head. You have a bright future ahead, and I'm excited to see what's in store for you and your loved one."
Carrel's words of wisdom filled Ace with joy, and he beamed with smiles as he looked at her with warm, loving eyes. He inched closer and hugged her tightly. Carrel, surprised by Ace's action, smiled warmly and rested her head on his shoulder.
"You're smiling," Carrel said as she pulled herself away from Ace.
"Yes, Grandma," Ace replied. "I really like Aria, but sometimes I feel insecure. I feel like I've found my soulmate, but I'm afraid because we come from different backgrounds."
Ace's voice was laced with worry as he continued, "Rich people often marry their sons or daughters to influential families, some for background and some for power and wealth. I'm sure Father is after that."
Carrel thought to herself, 'This kid surely knows his father. When I'm like this, how did he turn out like that? Ah, children..
"Grandma, I want to marry someone I want, someone I'm in love with, not just to marry for wealth and power," Ace said, his voice filled with emotion. "I believe I can achieve that power myself; I don't need anyone's help through marriage. I'm okay on my own."
Meanwhile, in another conversation:
"What did you mean?" Manson asked, looking for confirmation about what his brain was busy calculating.
"What did I mean? Of course, what I said is what I mean," Helena replied, tilting her head to the side in question.
"You said we should try dating stuff," Manson said, repeating her words as he batted his eyelashes innocently.
Looking at him, Helena was stunned, and her heart skipped a beat as she looked directly into his eyes. Manson inched closer, his expression innocent.
"Did you mean we should date?" Manson asked, looking closely at her.
Hearing his question, Helena quickly snapped out of her reverie. "No, that's not what I meant," she said hastily.
"I mean, we should start dating to know how it feels," Helena said, trying to clarify things. However, Manson and Aria misunderstood her.
Aria thought to herself, 'Is she in love with Manson? And if she is, is this her way of confessing?'
Manson, taken aback, asked Helena to clarify. "Do you want us to date?" he asked slowly and carefully, a hint of hope in his voice.
Helena's eyes widened in surprise. 'Is he out of his mind? Does he want us to be in a relationship?' she thought to herself.
"You want us to get into a relationship and date like lovers?" Helena blurted, looking at Manson with wide eyes.
Manson raised his eyebrows in confusion, thinking, 'Why is she asking? Didn't she say we should date?' He looked at her with a funny expression.
Aria, noticing the confusion, stepped forward. "Guys, wait, and don't misunderstand each other," she said. "She's asking whether you should try dating someone to know how it feels to miss someone you have romantic feelings for."
Manson's face fell, disappointment evident in his voice. "Oh, I get it."
Helena nodded vigorously, like an agama lizard. "Yes, that's exactly what I mean."
As they left school, Aria and Helena walked together, with Helena occasionally turning to look at Aria, who was beaming with a smile.
"Aria, aren't you tired of smiling? Aren't your mouth corners tired?" Helena asked.
Aria couldn't help but smile. "I just can't help it, Helen. I want to see him again; I miss himmm," she said, referring to Ace's return that evening.