chapter 19: I forgive you

Is he a friend or foe?

“Why should I trust you?”

“Because I'm the only one who can help you keep an eye on things here. In time, I'll prove myself worthy of your trust.”

“And why would you help me? You couldn't care less if I died before so why?”

He paused for a while.

“Helping you would be helping me. I have my own reasons and something I need from your stepmother.”

“What is it that you need from her?”

“I'm afraid I can't tell you that.” I paused for a few seconds and bit my lip in contemplation.

“Let me get this straight, you'll help me without any form of payment or anything? There has to be a catch and I doubt whatever you need from Georgina is all you want as your payment.”

“I guarantee you, I won't be taking any form of payment and what I need from her is far worth more than my payment. So, do we have a deal?”

“Give me some time to think about it.”

“Sure. Although I'll be expecting your answer today. After today, offer's off the table.”

He hung up.

I looked around once more and drew in sharp breaths to calm my racing heart before proceeding to Grandpa's room.

I waited close by till the nurse was done with him and went to his door, I put my ear on the door and heard him muttering to himself.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

“Grandpa,open the door, it's me. Kara. I've come to see you.”

“Who? Kara? Go away. The spirits are angry, I'm not going to let you in, they'll come in with you.”

“Grandpa please open up–” I continued knocking

His voice grew louder and more agitated like he was afraid.

“I said Go away. They're here to kill me. No. Go away.”

The nurse came to meet me.

“Well have to call security to throw you out if you keep this up. He won't open the door, he only listens to what he wants to hear and ignores everything else.”

“Okay,okay. Fine.”

I turned my back to the door and slowly walked in the hallway, pondering.

How do I get him to meet me? What spirits? Why does he they want to kill him? And why does he think they're with me? What does he want to hear?

Then I recalled what he said while I breathed my last. David called him and let him speak to me, crying before plugging back my life support.

“Kara, I can't let you die. I'm sorry, forgive me, please. I don't want to be punished after I die–”

Yes. That's it. Forgiveness. That's what he wants but I don't think he's done anything to me to warrant that. So what does he want to be forgiven for?

I walked back to the door and knocked once more.

Silence.

“Grandpa, I met someone I want to marry, he's a good man and I came to get your permission. I used to hate you,you know. I don't anymore, I've forgiven you for everything, seriously. So can you please open–”

The knob on the door twisted and he peeked outside.

“Do you really mean that?”

“Mhmm. I mean everything.”

“Kara, you knew everything all along?”

“Yes. I knew all along.”

The old man broke down in tears, I watched in confusion for a minute before wrapping my arms around him to comfort him.

“Grandpa, I'll be back. I was around the area and decided to drop by and see you. Here's my phone number, call me if you need anything.”

I dialed my number on his phone and gave him a hug before leaving.

Upon getting outside, I decided to go get my stuffs from my family residence and drove there. I met the whole family seated.

“This is good. Hello everyone, I came to let y'all know that Pierce and I will be having a wedding ceremony. We wanted to just leave it at signing the wedding papers but thought it why not celebrate? It's a thing of joy anyways.”

I paused and smiled, totally enjoy how scrunched up mom and Serena's faces were, father just kept a straight face. Detached. Like always.

“kara! What did you just say?” Mother half-yelled and Serena was to stunned to speak. After all, I'd manage to take someone she had eyes on.

“Kara, for families like ours,marriage is like two companies signing an MOU (memorandum of understand). They'd approve of your sister but I'm not so sure about you.” she managed to say after regaining her composure.

“ Don't worry about that mom. I'll get their permission myself. You and father will sit in the parents’ seat at my wedding and my dear sister, Serena, will catch my bouquet. We should hold the wedding after we've gotten everyone's blessings.”

Serena spoke up this time.

“What? Who'll catch your bouquet? Me? You must be joking.”

“What then? You won't catch it? You know how I have no friends” I smiled sarcasticaly

“ I'll let you all know when we pick a venue. I came to take some of my things, I'll be quick. I hope y'all don't mind?”

I smiled and walked up the stairs to my room. Looking around, I realized the room was really shabby and I had really few things. I hadn't noticed it before.

I dragged a bit suitcase and packed my stuffs in it. Everything fit in one suitcase. My whole life. 23 years of existence, in one suitcase. I chuckled sadly at the thought and brushed it off before carrying the suitcase down the stairs.

“I'm off.”

I walked past the family of 3, towards the door. Georgina followed me and dragged my shoulder.

“You still haven't gotten married to him Kara. Don't get ahead of yourself. You guys still haven't done the pre-wedding meeting where both families meet. You should invite your grandfather too seeing as his grandma will be in attendance.”

“Really mom? Is that why you look so anxious? I'll speak with pierce about the pre-wedding meeting and I'll invite Grandpa. Don't forget to put on a smile when meeting their family, okay?”

She had no idea Grandpa had finally agreed to meet me so I guess I can trust David. For now.

I walked to meet Aiden. He went on his knees as soon as he saw me.

“Kara, I apologize for everything, hm? It's all my fault. Let's just get married. Please. My father, he lost everything we had to gambling and my mom is knee deep in debt. This marriage was our only silver lining so please–”

I scoffed, cutting him off.

“I'm already married to someone else so don't come anywhere near me anymore. Come to think of it, you should be overjoyed. You can be with your one true love since high school now.”

“You knew since then? Even though. Your marriage to my boss makes no sense. You guys just met, within less than a week, you've slept together, gotten married, moved in together and he's already come to your family?”

I stole a glance at the timer on my wrist, said nothing and walked to my car, pausing just as I opened the door.

“You should stand up. We don't want anyone seeing you like that.”

I didn't have the time to argue or explain anything to him.

Too late. Aiden's younger sister, Tasha was coming to see Serena and she stumbled on the sight of her brother kneeling outside in public.