Chapter 155

"Let's better get back to the house," Calhoun suggested, "by now grandfather must have been out of his study."

Ariana took a final glance at the tree house as Calhoun held her hand, leading them down the rickity-rackity ladder. God knew how the housemaids got into the tree house to get it all cleaned up.

"Let's take a quick detour." Calhoun grinned as he led Ariana through to a garden where flowers flourished and grasses were ever green, even at summertime. The ground was soft and the air was different. Fresh.

"You're too slow," Calhoun called out and began to pace ahead like a child. Ariana smiled gayly. She knew what he was doing. She huddled up behind him trying to catch up. But Calhoun was too fast for her.

Calhoun would turn and look backwards as he jogged through the garden. He did this so he could catch a glimpse of Ariana's hair floating in the wind and her shirt rising and falling, revealing her belly button as it did so.

Calhoun saw that she couldn't catch up so he slowed down. Ariana finally caught hold of him but she was too exhausted to stand and so she fell on him. Calhoun also lost his balance and fell carefully on the soft earth as they giggled and rolled like little children.

In no time Ariana was lying facing upwards and Calhoun was directly on top of her. They stared each other in the eyes as Calhoun drew closer, inch by inch, slowly and tenderly. Ariana closed her eyes as his lips was set to meet hers.

Just then a clearing of the throat disrupted the moment. Calhoun hissed and looked up. It was grandfather.

"I see that you didn't have the courtesy to even tell me you had arrived," grandfather fussed, "it's a shame I had to hear that from the maids."

Ariana and Calhoun stood up and straightened their selves. Ariana's head was fixed to the ground like that of Eve in the garden of Eden. Calhoun, just like Adam, had to do all the explaining.

"I knew you'll be in your study, so I didn't want to disturb you," Calhoun stood on his defense.

"Nonsense! That's no excuse for galavanting around the house with an un-introduced guest."

Calhoun held out his arms, at this point, around Ariana as he spoke, "grandfather, this is Aria. She's my..." grandfather waved his hand to interrupt what Calhoun was about saying.

"Young woman," grandfather addressed Ariana, "I do not think that from where you come from they teach you to ignore your host and get all comfortable without his consent. Or do they?"

"I'm sorry sir," Ariana apologized, "I didn't know to displease my host was contrary as to pleasing his grandson."

Grandfather stared at Ariana for a while speechless. Words failed to come into his head. It was like she had conjured him. No! No way! She wouldn't hypnotize him just the same way she did his grandson. He was the umpire. He couldn't afford to compromise his position. He must find out who this girl truly was and hopefully, put out Calhoun from his impending misery.

"So, you've got yourself some smarty pants ey, Calhoun?" grandfather asked rhetorically.

There was a sudden crackle of dried leaves somewhere in the garden. The sound stole everyone's attention. It seemed someone was there. But after observing for a few more seconds, nothing was heard again.

"Sorry, grandfather, I didn't mean to sound rude," Ariana apologized innocently. Although she had intended her initial remark to have it's desired effect on grandfather. Ariana had prepared for this. She wouldn't let Mr. Lawson Senior try to prejudice her into giving up on Calhoun. She would withstand the tantrums and opposition, this time.

"I'm not your grandfather," Mr. Lawson Senior rebuffed. He was trying his possible best to be difficult. But Calhoun could read through all of it.

"Let's go into the house grandfather," Calhoun pleaded, "there, we could get more acquainted with one another."

Grandfather wasn't going to let this girl win this round. She was intelligent, that he would give it to her. But he'd have to show her that he was the boss around here and so even Calhoun himself could not protect her from him.

"That won't be necessary, boy," grandfather said, "I've got an assignment for you."

Calhoun raised his eye brows. What was this old man trying to do?

"Come over to the office and I'll give you a document you'll present to Mr. Leo. His company is seeking a partnership for their new energy deal."

"But why me? Send Matt or someone else," Calhoun protested.

"You know why. You know the in and out of the company. I'm sure you can tell a deal that's best for us and one that isn't."

Grandfather really wanted to get Calhoun away from Ariana. He was worried the two were getting too attached. They were already acting as a couple, with Calhoun not wanting to leave her side.

Calhoun rolled his eyes as they all headed back into the house.

Lily had been in the garden for as long the conversation had gone on. She had even mistakenly stepped on some dried leaves. She heard everything and wondered why grandfather was still going soft on Ariana. Lily saw the need to do something and fast, to erase whatever doubts may have been lingering in grandfather's mind.

Ariana sensed that grandfather was up to something. He was in a dire need to proof to Calhoun that she wasn't the one for him. Ariana went straight to her room as Calhoun and grandfather headed for the study. Maybe she was going to cry, maybe she was going to be thinking. This whole thing seemed more harder than she had imagined.

Ariana was confused. She wished they could just return back home. Her encounter with Mr. Lawson Senior was not a good one and she already saw that he didn't really like her. But what mattered really? After all, Calhoun loved her, with all his being. That was enough consolation for her. She would cope with his family. She must!