Chapter 7

POV: Monte

He was surprised that this is how the girl has become. In the eight years they've been together, he hasn't seen her speak like that. He couldn't find bad in her character. He was amazed earlier. She's not afraid anymore, unlike before. The day isn't even over, and she already impressed him.

The elevator to the penthouse opened. It's very neat. Many times he has come here to rest, but today is different. He was impressed. Everything was in order.

He saw his grandfather sitting in a wheelchair, while the nurse rested on the couch on the side.

"Grandpa," he grabbed his attention.

The old man faced him and smiled.

"Lo," Almira approached and kissed him, "how are you?"

"Señor," Gov greeted along with his wife.

"How are you, my future in-laws?" the old man asked with a smile.

He winced at what was said. The old man truly believes he will marry Almira.

"We're good Señor," Miranda replied. "Theres a lot of food."

"Let's eat," the Señor said. "Please prepare the table," he ordered the two waiters who brought the food.

When they have visitors, the restaurant really provides two servers for their order, and because they appreciate the effort, they compensate them well.

The fragrant aroma of the food filled the air. Just from the smell, it's delicious. There's cutlery, bulalo, rice, stir-fried vegetables, buttered seafood, and mixed fruits. It's really mouthwatering.

"Looks delicious lolo," Almira remarked.

"Of course, Ericka prepared that," the old man smiled. He didn't notice the frown on the mother and daughter's faces. "Alright, let's eat."

He attended to his grandfather. They didn't bother the nurse so he could rest well. Perhaps he's tired because his grandfather can be quite persistent.

"Señor, what important matter are we discussing?" Gov asked while eating.

"Well, your only daughter called me earlier, she said she has good news," he smiled at Almira.

"What's the good news?" Gov asked.

"You, my dear, should tell them," he instructed.

"Well," she looked very happy, "I'm getting married!"

"Really?" he asked casually. "Congratulations to both of you!"

"You're getting married?" Gov asked. "Who? We should go there." He went along with what she said.

"Daddy," Almira pretended to be a child, pouting. "Of course, it's Monte."

"Grandson, they said you proposed to Almira." his grandfather held her by the arm.

"Wow, the merging of our families is really pushing through," Miranda happily said. "When's the engagement party?"

"Me?" he asked. "But I didn't say anything like that to her."

"Monte, baby, what are you doing? Don't embarrass me here," Almira whispered to him. Every word she spoke had emphasis.

"But what you're saying isn't true," he emphasized in his words.

"Just go with it, okay?"

"I don't want to."

"Do you want to disappoint Grandpa?"

He fell silent. That's the last thing he wanted to happen, to hurt his grandfather. Almira really always gives him a headache.

Almira smiled when he became silent. For her, it meant he agreed to what she said.

They had a happy conversation while eating and planning the wedding. He didn't interfere anymore. Until Almira's family bid goodbye, he couldn't manage to be happy. He just opened the elevator card, no longer insisting on escorting them.

His grandfather noticed his lack of response.

"Monte, are you okay?" he worried. The nurse was eating, so only the two of them were in the living room.

"Nothing, Grandpa," he replied.

"I know you, I know you have something on your mind."

"I don't want to get married, Grandpa."

"What? Why?"

"Almira and I have been separated, Grandpa, since last year," he answered.

"But why didn't I know?"

"Because, Grandpa, you're happy when you talk about us getting married, so I don't say anything. I didn't expect Almira to do something deceitful."

"You didn't propose?"

"Never, Grandpa... I don't want that woman. Her attitude is too harsh... and..."

"And what?"

"I have a hunch she's involved in Montana's death."

"They said it was just an accident."

"Grandpa, I know how careful my sister was. And she wasn't drunk at that time."

His grandfather also pondered. But Almira was truly what he wanted. From a young age, he had been paired with her—beauty pageants, Santa Cruzan, escorting—in everything. So others thought they were really a couple.

He admits that he tried to be in a relationship with her. They didn't go through courtship. They had monthsaries and anniversaries that he couldn't figure out how happened. She became Montana's best friend, so he truly came to love her. As long as he saw his sister happy, he was happy too.

They had been together for several years, over ten years. Marriage was the next step they needed. Before the tragedy with Montana, he had really planned to propose to her. However, this became the turning point for him to open his eyes to the long period they had been in a relationship. He had tolerated all her temperamental behavior and even bullying others. But now, he really doesn't want it anymore. He won't be tied down to her no matter what happens.

"What are your plans now?" echoed in his grandfather's mind.

"I won't marry her, grandpa," he replied with determination.

"Give me reasons why you don't want her, and you might convince me," his grandfather challenged.

"She's too childish."

"She's affectionate but a bit spoiled."

"She's insensitive in her speech."

"Almira is just too straightforward."

"She's a bully, grandpa."

"You think she's a bully just because she's playful."

"I have a feeling she's involved in my sibling's death."

"You're accusing again, grandchild, that's not good."

His grandfather had response to everything he said. Every point he raised had its own logic. What could be the best excuse now? He thought for a moment before surprising the old man with his words.

"I already love someone else, grandpa. That's why I can't love Almira anymore."

"Repeat and clarify what you're saying, Monte."

"I'm in love with someone else, grandpa."

"Who?" his grandfather asked with a furrowed brow.

"Just someone. I'll introduce her to you later."

"What kind of girl did you replace Almira with?"

"A good woman, grandpa," he replied.