Chapter Six.

DIANA.

“Miss Diana, Miss Diana!” a maid called out with a panicked voice.

“Yes, what’s wrong?” I asked, getting up from the bed.

“It’s grandma,” she said, and I felt like the whole world had paused when she said that.

“What happened to grandma?” I asked, gripping her hand.

“She... she—”

“She what?” I couldn’t wait for her to finish. I rushed out of my room and went straight to grandma’s room. Upon entering, I saw her lying on the bed with a pale face.

“Granny, what’s wrong?” I asked, sitting in the chair next to the bed.

“Honey, what happened again?” Grandpa Smith walked in.

“I don’t know what’s happening, but my chest feels stuffy,” grandma complained.

“Call the doctor,” Grandpa instructed the maid, and she hurried out.

“It’s okay, honey. Nothing will happen to you,” he said affectionately, rubbing her hand. The maid rushed back in with the doctor, who quickly examined grandma. He asked her some questions before standing up and sighing loudly.

“She’s not feeling too well; her heart is still fragile from the accident, and any little shock can affect her. So anything she wants should be given to her,” the doctor explained while packing his instruments.

“But will she be fine?” I asked, my anxiety showing.

“Yeah, if she isn’t stressed. I will also prescribe some medication for her.” The doctor wrote down some names on a piece of paper and handed it to Grandpa, who gave it to the maid.

“Kate, go get the medication.”

“Granny, please don’t give us a fright like this again,” I said, trying to make her smile. Leo and Liam rushed in.

“Grandma, I just saw the doctor coming out of your room. Is anything wrong?” Liam asked.

“She complained of some stuffiness in her chest, but the doctor said that if we don’t stress her, she will be fine,” Grandpa explained, looking exhausted.

“Okay,” Liam replied, but his phone started ringing. He picked it up and moved to the corner of the room to answer the call. After a few minutes, he hung up.

“Grandpa, I have to go now. I just got a call about an emergency that needs my attention at the hospital.”

“You can go,” Grandma said, and he pecked her forehead before leaving.

“Honey, can you please excuse us? I have something to say to Nardy and Diana.” Grandpa nodded and left the room.

“Nardy, I want you to look for a good fashion school and also one for modeling.”

“What do you need a fashion school for? Don’t tell me you want to be a model again,” Leo teased, and I gasped. Grandma was an ex-model—wow!

“Stop that! It’s not for me; it’s for Diana.”

“Oh, you’re just in luck. I have one already.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I opened it a couple of years ago. Whenever she is ready, I’ll take her there,” he said as if I wasn’t in the room.

“I also have something to say to both of you,” Grandma said suddenly, shifting to a serious tone.

“Go on, Grandma,” Leo urged.

“I really want Diana to be my granddaughter-in-law, so I’m thinking of getting her engaged…”

Leo cut in. “What? To whom? Liam, you know that man is always busy, and now you’re arranging a fiancée for him,” he chuckled.

“I’m not talking about Liam; I’m talking about you! I want you and Diana to get engaged and married,” Grandma said, and I gasped. What is Grandma talking about? She wants Leo and me to get married when we don’t love each other? Scratch that—we don’t even know each other!

“What the hell, Grandma? How can you come up with such an idea? Don’t tell me she pushed you into this!” he said, looking at me with disdain.

“I know what I’m doing, Leonard. I really want you to stop your playboy lifestyle and settle down. Diana is the right one for you; she is a good girl, not like those girls who are after your money.”

“And how are you sure she isn’t after my money?” What? Does he realize I can hear everything they’re saying?

“You’ve seen for yourself, Leonard. She isn’t after material things, and I really want you to think about it.” Grandma said, breathing heavily. Oh no.

“Granny, calm down. Okay? Breathe in and out slowly like this,” I instructed, and she followed, gradually calming down.

“I’m leaving,” Leo said, glancing at me before walking out.

“Granny, I don’t love him. Why did you suggest an engagement? He isn’t my class. How can a world-renowned actor marry a commoner like me?”

“You are not a commoner or an orphan, Diana. You hurt my feelings when you say that. I’ve told you that I am your family, and very soon, you will be my granddaughter-in-law, the daughter-in-law of the president, and also Leonard Smith’s wife. So please, don’t say that, okay?”

“Grandma, we don’t love each other. How are we going to cope under one roof?” I asked, pouting.

“Love is a matter of the heart. You don’t know when you will fall in love with him or when he will fall in love with you. So please accept my proposal. And let me tell you, I know about those secret glances you throw at him whenever he’s around,” she said, and I blushed. She laughed, which led to her coughing, and I panicked.

“Okay, Grandma, I’ll do it, but Leo doesn’t—” Granny interrupts me. “Don’t worry, Leonard is my grandson, and he loves me very much, so he will do it.”

“Okay, but you need to rest now.”

“You can go now. Don’t worry about me; I’m fine.” I covered her with the duvet before leaving.

**************************

MRS. SMITH (Grandma)

I can’t believe my plan worked out so well.

“Why are you smiling? Do you find something amusing?” Lucas asked as he walked in.

“The plan worked,” I said, still smiling.

“Really? Leonard agreed?” he asked, sounding surprised.

“He hasn’t agreed yet, but don’t worry; he will come around. I know my grandson very well.”

“Alright, you have to rest,” he said, and I hummed in response.

“Thank you for supporting this idea, Lucas.”

“Of course! You know I love you, so I will do anything for you.”

“Oh honey, I love you too.” I pecked his lips.