Chapter 144

Mr. Lawson Senior was already seated on the other chair. Calhoun braced himself for whatever he had coming his way. He sat down and faced his grandfather. Calhoun could see the seriousness amidst the wrinkles on his grandfather's face.

"I see what you've done with the business," his grandfather spoke, "I must say that I'm proud of who you've become."

Calhoun sensed that there was a twist in all of this.

"But I must say," his grandfather implied, "I'm disappointed with your choice of women."

"There's only one woman in my life grandpa," Calhoun objected.

"My point exactly," grandfather replied. "She's not the best of choices you've made my boy."

"But you've not even given her a chance."

"I think I've seen enough of her in her parents."

"Ow great, you've seen the news," Calhoun rolled his eyes.

"Of course I have."

"But she's nothing like them grandpa. She's different."

"Boy, the fruit never falls too far off the tree," grandfather cautioned.

"I'm sure you'll be saying a different thing altogether when you finally get to know her, if you wanted," Calhoun tried to assure him.

"What I want is for you to stay clear of that girl. You're not yet married and she's already causing this much headache. Listen boy, with the progress of this company, you don't need to be distracted."

"She's no distraction grandpa, if anything, she's contributed to the recent performance of this company."

"And you wouldn't want this performance to be ruined by the media do you?"

"Grandpa, forget about the media, not everything they say is true. You know that. I'm sure someone paid to get Ariana and her parents defamed and I'll surely get to the root of it."

"You see that? That's exactly what I was afraid will happen. You're bent at getting married to someone who's image the media is always after. For how long will you keep shielding her? You can't protect her forever. Eventually, you'll get tired yourself and live in regrets."

Calhoun sighed. It was pointless trying to convince his grandfather. They both had variant views.

"Grandpa, I'll never get tired of loving Ariana. I'll never get tired of protecting her. Let them come at me with a million attacks and I'll be here waiting for them."

Mr. Lawson Senior kept silent and allowed the words of his grandson sink deep. He knew how foolish young love could be. Calhoun had no idea what he was up against. He thought he got it all figured out.

"And," Calhoun added, "Ariana will never have anything to do with her parents again, I assure you of that."

Grandfather sighed. "Well, I think that's enough talk about that. I just want to remind you of who you are, a Lawson. Don't you ever forget that."

Calhoun wondered what he meant by that.

"Your aunt says you don't call. You don't even pick her calls," grandfather inquired.

"What aunt? I spoke to aunt Bianca and elsie not long ago," Calhoun said with confusion in his eyes.

"I am speaking of Lily," the man muttered.

"Ah, grandpa! I've told you to stop believing whatever Lily's saying. She's full of many tricks and lies. Just like the green snake."

"That's some serious allegation boy," grandfather warned.

"I know what I'm saying grandpa," Calhoun insisted. "She's not who you think she is."

"She's family, Calhoun, you can't take that away from her."

Calhoun hissed.

"I see that this woman is beginning to turn you against your own family."

"Ow grandpa," Calhoun dragged, "Ariana has got nothing to do with this. Lily's the one who's trying to cause the whole commotion. You really need to check up on her."

"Do what suits you Calhoun, but don't let a woman lead you to your doom."

"Grandpa, if Ariana will lead me to my doom, then so be it. I'd rather be doomed with her than live without her. I love her grandpa, I really do."

Grandfather was silent. He never understood the young lads these days. They saw and thought differently. He could still remember holding Calhoun in his arms. Now he's all grown and in love.

Nonetheless, grandfather wasn't going to let Calhoun get blinded by this love and end up ruining himself, his career and the family's reputation. He's going to find a way to know this girl and see for himself what's so special about her.

Mr. Lawson Senior stood up and was about leaving. "I came in to check up on an old friend of mine. It's been ages. I get to be on my way now. Take good care of yourself boy," grandfather patted Calhoun's back and went out.

Calhoun sat down and reflected on the words of the old man. Why's he so pessimistic about Calhoun's relationship with Ariana? There was no stopping this love train. It's taken off the station and wouldn't stop for anyone, Calhoun decided. It was either Ariana or no one. Not even grandfather could undermine this.

Calhoun picked up his suit jacket and went out as well. Ariana was home already. Calhoun had asked that she be dropped at home after the park. He alone returned back to the office to iron things out with his grandfather.

The sweet aroma of a delicious dinner was being prepared. Calhoun fell in love with the scent. He went straight to the kitchen, grabbed Aria from behind and began planting kisses on her neck.

"What was it all about?" Ariana smiled, but deep down she was dying to know what Calhoun's grandfather had said.

"It's nothing serious," Calhoun replied, still kissing her. He didn't want her to be worried. Her body thrilled by every part he kissed. Every touch sent sensations down her soul and soon it was hard for her to concentrate on something else other than the kisses.

"You left early," Ariana tried to concentrate, using any means of initiating a conversation as a tool.

"Yes," Calhoun didn't stop, "I couldn't leave you all by yourself. And besides, we had unfinished business."

Ariana stopped chopping the onions and turned to face him. "What unfinished business?"

Calhoun came closer now and there was no longer any space between them. "This!" he said and kissed her on the lips. Ariana never understood why she always melted whenever they kissed. She no longer had control over her body. She surrendered into his.

Calhoun lifted her up and sat her on the kitchen table. He cleared off everything. He didn't care the noise they made as the utensils went crashing down. They were both panting now. It was like they've never been together before.