Arlo didn’t let go of Lily’s hand. Don Thomas cleared his throat, his eyes fixed on Arlo’s hand, which was tightly holding Lily’s.
“Good evening, Grandpa,” Arlo greeted his Grandpa respectfully.
Arlo leaned down and placed his Grandpa’s hand on his forehead as a gesture of respect. Lily stood still, upright in her place.
“Lily, my dear,” said Arlo’s mother warmly to Lily.
Everyone turned to look at the elderly man who had just arrived.
Even Lily was startled. She thought she had seen this older man before, someone about the same age as Arlo’s Grandpa. Don Thomas greeted his friend with delight.
“Dad, what does this mean?” Arlo asked his father.
“Son, your Grandpa…” Arlo shook his head in disbelief at his father.
Lily didn’t understand what was happening. Arlo approached her.
“Is this Arlo?” asked the older man.
“Yes, this is the grandson I’ve been telling you about,” Don Thomas replied, introducing Arlo to his old friend, Damian Ramos.
Don Thomas then instructed Arlo to show respect to Damian.
After Arlo paid his respects to the elderly man, they invited Damian to sit down.
“Arlo, don’t embarrass me in front of my friend,” Don Thomas whispered firmly to Arlo.
LILY
“Arlo, my friend told me you’re the owner of Mega Winery Bonde’s Company. Even in other countries, your wines are well-known. I’m so proud of you,” Damian praised Arlo.
“Thank you, Ramos,” Arlo replied politely, expressing his gratitude.
Arlo held my hand deliberately, making sure everyone could see. He smiled at me, raised my hand, and kissed it. Sitting in my place, I felt a mix of nerves and unease. But Arlo seemed ready for whatever might happen tonight.
I could clearly see the confidence radiating from his face. My heart raced when Arlo whispered, “Relax, babe, I’ve got this.”
I secretly smiled at his words. It was such a simple phrase, yet it felt so cool coming from him.
“My dear, can I speak with you for a moment?” Don Thomas said, directing his question to me.
Arlo and I exchanged glances.
“Of course, Thomas,” I replied respectfully.
“Grandpa, I want to speak with you as well,” Arlo interjected.
“Arlo,” his father said as if trying to stop him.
Arlo stood up and held my hand. Don Thomas didn’t seem pleased with Arlo’s actions. I had a feeling that things might not go well tonight.
I glanced at Arlo’s mom, who was holding her husband Philip’s arm. She whispered something to him, and he simply nodded. Even Damian seemed curious. It felt like there was tension in the air because of me.
“Is there a problem, friend?” Damian asked Don Thomas.
“No problem, friend. I just want to speak with my grandson’s friend,” Don Thomas replied.
“Grandpa, Lily is not just a friend to me,” Arlo stated firmly.
“Arlo, you and Lily, follow me!” Don Thomas commanded in a loud voice, grabbing his friend’s arm.
“Thomas, what does your grandson mean by saying Lily isn’t just a friend?” Damian questioned.
“Friend, I just need to talk to my grandson,” Thomas explained to his friend.
If Thomas’s demeanor was stern, his friend Damian’s was even more intimidating. He looked like someone perpetually angry with the world.
“Son, please talk to your Grandpa respectfully,” Philip pleaded with Arlo.
Arlo and I followed Don Thomas. When we reached the door, Thomas told Arlo that he wanted to speak with me alone first.
I was startled when two men stepped before Arlo, holding him by both arms.
“Arlo, don’t make me angry, or you won’t like what I’ll do to you,” Thomas warned.
“Grandpa, do whatever you want to me, but let me tell you this—I will never agree to what you want!” Arlo retorted defiantly.
I intervened, pleading with Arlo to calm down. I smiled at him and gently squeezed his hand, even though I was nervous about speaking with Don Thomas. Thomas noticed how Arlo seemed to calm down because of me, like a tamed lion.
A moment later, Thomas and I entered the large room. The interior was decorated with antique furnishings.
I heard the door close behind us, and my chest tightened. I stood frozen in place.
“Take a seat, my dear,” Thomas said to me.
