Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Kent's POV

The dialing tone filled the car as I raced back home. I was already halfway there and wanted to get an update. My foot tapped the carpet restlessly as I waited for the call to be picked. 

Just then I heard someone take the phone, “Kent" 

My mother. 

“Mom, tell me what's happening right now? Is he still stable or has anything changed?" I waited anxiously for a reply. Her earlier statement hadn't been reassuring and the last thing I wanted to do was make it late and unaware. 

She answered me thankfully, “He's still stable but the doctor isn't sure how much longer he will be, get here as quickly as you can. Where are you now?" 

I looked out the window as I had forgotten where I was. “A few miles out. I should be there in fifteen minutes" already I was passing the familiar landmarks. 

“Please be quick" 

At exactly seventeen minutes after the call ended, I pulled into the car filled garage and jumped out of my car. One of the maids began to come towards me but I rushed past with barely a smile. 

My mother met me in the sitting room. She sat down, brows furrowed with worry. 

As soon as she saw me, she stood up. "You're here”

I nodded, "Yes, traffic held me for a while” I looked around for my father but he wasn't around. "Is he still there?” The question lingered in the air, my heart racing so hard that I was sure she could hear it in the silence. 

"He is-”

I didn't allow her to talk anymore, rushing into the main house and upstairs to his room. My grandfather held the second largest room in the mansion. He was almost always up there, working or doing something with his son. I couldn't imagine the vacancy if anything happened to him. 

When I reached his room, I found two maids waiting in front. 

“Welcome back sir" they greeted. 

I simply nodded and then knocked on the door. 

“Who is there?" the deep and familiar voice called out, my father's. 

“It's me, Kent" 

“Come in" 

I walked into the surprisingly cool room. It surprised me when I found his windows open. My grandfather hated the outside air as he called it. 

He was laid on the bed, my father beside him. Both of them looked at me, worried in my father's usually hard eyes. “You came," he said. 

I shrugged, “Of course I did" it wasn't a matter of choice. 

“I'm just surprised since you hardly ever come home" 

I gritted my teeth in annoyance, resisting the urge to respond. That wasn't what I had come here for and I wouldn't let it happen. Instead I turned my attention to my grandfather, “What happened? How did it happen so suddenly?" 

He looked away, “I'm not sure but I'm glad you're here now" he extended his hands and without any words, I took the seat beside him and took his hands in mine. They were warm despite the cool room. 

"What else did the doctor say?” 

It was my father that answered, "he's saying he's not sure how much longer he has, it could be any time now” 

I felt my body tighten with pain. Despite our differences I couldn't imagine losing him. He had been my father figure when I was much younger with my own father travelling the world and building a company. 

Subconsciously, I held his hands tighter. 

After a while of silence, he spoke, "Which is why I must ask of you something very important”

I felt my hackles rise in alarm. Usually it didn't end well whenever things started like that. “I'm listening" I waited, wanting to hear what he would say. 

He shifted slightly in his chair, fingers wrapping around mine as if to hold me still. “Before I die, I want to see you married" 

He paused and I didn't speak. 

“To someone I wish you to marry-" 

“No" it didn't matter that he wasn't done speaking. There was nothing else I needed to hear. "I'm not going to do that” 

He shifted but stayed close, "you've pushed a marriage too far back even with all the chances I gave you to find someone of your choice” he coughed and his body shook as an effect. He cleared his throat and continued, "I can't die without seeing it. You're my only grandson”

Of course he had to add that. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, "Yet I'm not your only grandchild, you have other grandchildren and they are married” 

He spoke quickly, "You're the heir to this family." He squeezed my hand in his, “It is your duty to continue the legacy rightly" 

I was just about to speak when he broke out in a cough. The machines beside him on his left side began to beep and my heart started to race in fear again. I felt my hands tighten while holding his. 

The beeps slowed down and then finally came to a stop. He looked at me, "I'm sorry” . My grandfather handed a tablet to him which he took and gave me his full attention. 

I shook my head, "You don't have to say sorry-” I wanted to say more, change the topic but he spoke up before I could. 

"Please Kent, you must marry before I die” he shook his head. "I can't leave without a grandchild, you can't do it to me” he didn't hold eye contact the way I knew I could. 

I didn't have an answer yet but his fragile hands in mine were convincing enough in a way. I shook my head, “I can't believe you're using this to get your way" 

He moved with great difficulty, his breath heavy and fast. “It just has to happen. I can not die without at least seeing my grandson marry someone that will stand by him no matter what for this empire" 

The words were just like him and I sighed, “Who then? Who do you want me to marry" 

The question caused the room to go still or maybe it was simply in my head. My father stood up and I followed his huge figure as he went to the door. 

“She's already here?" I asked when he stepped out in part surprise and past disbelief. 

My grandfather didn't answer and when I looked at him, he didn't look as pitiful anymore, just more determined. “You have to agree please" 

My answer came suddenly, the pressure suddenly too heavy. There was no way I could keep saying no. “Alright, please, as long as you let me be now" 

Just then the door opened and she walked in. 

As soon as I saw her, I felt my body freeze and hands stop mid air as I made to stand up. 

It couldn't be possible.