7. He felt dejected and worthless

“Good morning, grandfather, grandmother," Jacyn greeted both of the elders as she yawned sleepily.

Her grandparents were currently having breakfast. She sat beside her grandmother as she looked at the food on the table. Her stomach was already growling as she forgot to eat at the party last night. As she was ready to devour every food on the table, she heard a soft laugh. She slowly looked up and her eyes grew wide upon seeing the person on the other side of the table. She was still so sleepy that she didn’t notice that there was another person eating with them. She blinked her eyes twice to make sure that she was seeing the right person.

“Good morning, sleepyhead.” He chuckled, amusement was evident in his eyes.

“Oh, I am so– - -I am very sorry. I just didn’t expect you to be here so early.” She smiled at him consciously. She wondered what he thought of her, she’s just in her pink pajamas, which have hello kitty prints in them. She hadn’t even taken a bath nor combed her hair. She looked like a mess.

‘A beautiful mess’ - that’s what he thought of her, unbeknownst to her.

She gazed at him secretly, he looked more gorgeous and hot even in a white, simple shirt. She was still dazed when he looked up and smiled at her, showing a perfect set of white teeth and cute dimples on his cheeks. She was in a trance, like everything stopped moving as she stared at his handsome face. They locked each other’s stare when suddenly, her stomach growled loudly in hunger. He laughed at her upon hearing it, while she looked down in shame. Her face was burning red.

Not noticing their little interaction, her grandparents looked at them wonderingly, as her grandmother affectionately urged her to eat her breakfast.

She was feeling ashamed and famished at the same time. But food is life, and even a handsome man couldn't stop her big appetite. She concentrated on her food and ate as if there was no one watching her.

“Jacyn, hija,” Grandfather Hou Lou said, getting back her attention.

“Yes, grandfather.”

“You’ll go to the company today, and William will accompany you," he informed her.

“But grandfather, I can go by myself. I couldn’t disturb Young Master Lee’s work, could I?” She was annoyed, but she still respectfully answered her grandfather.

“Jacyn, you’re still new to this and William here, could assist you to learn things," her grandmother convinced her.

But how could Jacyn agree to this? She only met him last night at the party and now, her grandparents looked like they’re already giving her away.

“I can take care of myself, grandfather. Please, just trust me with this.” She looked at him with pleading eyes. “Please?”

Her grandfather softened at the sight of her pleadingly, “Ok Jacyn. I can go there with you today for the introduction. But promised me, if you’ll need support in the future, you can let William teach you things, ok?”

“Oh, my grandfather. Thank you so much. I promise, okay?” She stood up from her seat and gave him a hug. She could only compromise now.

“William, is it okay with you if I just go with my granddaughter today?” Grandfather asked, facing him.

“It’s okay, grandfather. Maybe some other time.” He felt dejected and worthless, but he couldn’t let them know. He nodded and smiled at them. Fortunately, his phone rang, saving him from his predicament. “Excuse me, I’ve got to get this.” He stood up, while showing them his phone. He went out of the dining room.

Jacyn breathed out of relief. His mere presence made her uncomfortable, she's suffocating. She would always feel nervous whenever he looked at her. It’s as if he could see through her, and she couldn’t hide anything from him.

“Jacyn, William’s a good person, I watched him grow up. I know we could entrust you to him.” Grandfather Hou Lou said, looking at his grandchild helplessly.

“I know, grandfather.” She gave her grandfather a reassuring smile. She just didn’t want to linger more on this subject. She didn’t want to talk about their engagement. She felt that she wasn’t ready yet and she never will be.

“We just want what’s best for you, Jacyn.” Her grandmother added, she patted her on her head like a good child. “When we’re gone, we know he could protect you.” Her eyes softened looking at her granddaughter who hadn’t been with them for a long time. Now that they are old and couldn’t stay longer to protect her, they needed someone who they knew loved her as much as they loved her, someone who could stay longer to protect her. William was the best and only candidate. He knew and loved Jacyn from the day she was born.

“Grandma, don’t ever talk like that, okay? You’re not that old and you’ll stay with me longer this time, okay?” She looked at her grandmother with tears in her eyes. She only just came back and she wanted so bad to be with them. She wanted to stay with them as long as she could. She hugged her grandmother and buried her face in her embrace. She longed for this feeling, she longed to be in her family’s embrace.

“Hush child, stop crying. You’re too old for this.” Her grandmother scolded her, with teary eyes. She also couldn’t stop being dramatic. She missed her granddaughter this much, as much as she missed her son. Her only son, who every time she looked at Jacyn, she could see her son. Jacyn got her dad’s eyes. She had brown, expressive eyes, just like her father’s.

“Both of you, stop being dramatic. You’re both making me cry, too.” Grandfather Hou Lou joined his dearest wife and granddaughter for a big hug.

Jacyn looked at them lovingly. How she wished she could stop the time, so she could stay with them a little longer.

“It’s too early for this drama," her grandfather said, and they ended up laughing together.

As Wiliam went back to the dining room, they were back to their seats as they chatted and laughed together. He looked at them weirdly as if he missed something.

“I am sorry, grandfather, but I have to go first. I need to attend something urgent in the company,” he said apologetically, disappointed that he had to go at this moment.