It was about three hours before midnight and all of Adrian's family is now in the living room. The tension in the air could be felt in real time as it was very quiet. Maria, Adrian's mother, looked at her father with a glare as she did not expect that he would come to their home unannounced.
Maria told everyone about their grandfather and what his current status in life is. He is named Jose and us currently an owner of a huge mountain located at the southwest corner of the island. It seems that he came here because he wanted to reunite with Maria and her children.
"Why did you come here, dad? I already told you that I am not going back with you. You have my brother as a successor to that household and I said that I no longer want to be part of it." Maria stated as she broke the quiet atmosphere.
"I have already told you that you are still family even if you no longer want to come back. I am also a grandfather that wants to see his grandchildren. I like that you trained them just like how I trained you. Mina is great with her instincts, and I bet Adrian is like that as well, but I cannot try that because of his current condition." Jose stated with a smile as he could clearly see that his grandchildren's body are trained.
Adrian and Mina suddenly felt a shiver on their spine when their grandfather said that statement. They could feel that he is actually worse compared to their current trainer which is their mother. The both of them were sitting side by side to their grandfather and they moved one space away from him as a reaction.
"You are not that sentimental, Dad. What happened? You will not come visit here because you suddenly wanted to see me." Maria stated.
"I did come to see you because I did want to reconcile with you. I do not want you to stay permanently at the ancestral home, but I do want you to visit. I want my grandchildren to visit me at least once a year or do you want me to suddenly show up like I did just now." Jose stated as he picked up the tea that was served to him and sipped.
"You are always welcome in our home, Sir." Richard stated but Jose only looked at him with one eye before savoring the taste of tea again.
"If you want your grandchildren to visit you, then you must first respect my husband." Maria stated.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Do not get me wrong, Iha. I do respect your husband, but I still do not like him from taking you from me. Coming to this place already took quite some time and that is via plane. Why not move closer to us then I might soften a bit?" Jose stated.
"You are welcome to visit this house as my husband stated but we are not moving. The children will visit you on your birthday and we will go to the ancestral home during New Year." Maria stated.
"Spend the Christmas and New Year there and I shall agree." Jose stated.
"I will not back off with my demand." Maria stated.
"Fine but can you add one more day. At least the day of your mother's remembrance." Jose stated which made Maria soften her facial expression.
"That is fine as well." Maria stated with a face full of melancholy.
"Well, since that is done. Richard! Prepare the alcohol! We shall drink tonight!" Jose stated with a smile.
Richard smiled as Maria smiled a little as well as she realized that her father has softened up a bit. She was the youngest daughter of the family which is why she was doted upon. One could say that her father is extremely overprotective of her which is why he did not like Richard when they started dating.
It was not like they did not interact for Adrian's whole life. Her father visited her multiple times before at special points in time like when she gave birth to Adrian. His last visit was five years ago but Maria and him fought which resulted in them not speaking ever since.
"I want to talk to my grandchildren while your father prepares the food and drinks. Tell me, what are both of you up to?" Jose asked.
Mina was the first one to open up as she lost to a game of rock-paper-scissors. She told him all about what she did and what she is currently doing. Adrian observed how their grandfather nodded in approval to all the things that she has done as if he already knew everything but wants to hear it in his grandchildren's mouth.
"Why do you not tell grandpa about your overseas boyfriend?" Adrian stated a very inflaming statement.
"Boyfriend?!" Jose exclaimed in a rather interested manner, but something could be said about his tone.
"You do not need to know much but we are serious. You really should shut your mouth when it is not your turn." Mina stated as she glared at Adrian, but the latter just enjoyed the embarrassed face of his sister.
"If you are serious then I would like to meet him. You should invite him once when you visit me." Jose stated in a calm tone but there is a passive aggressive feeling as well.
"Anyways, that is all for me. You should ask him now." Mina stated as she passed the baton to Adrian.
Adrian then told everything that he was doing as well. Their grandfather also had the same warm reaction to Adrian telling his side of the story. It was an atmosphere that made one feel the warmth of a family and they would even laugh even if the jokes were not that funny.
"I see. You also play that game called Pandemonium. Some of your cousins are also playing that as well which messed up their training schedule at times. They did show some improvement which is why I do not scold them severely. Is that game really fun?" Jose stated.
"Your grandpa is here, and I brought presents!" Richard's father, Gerard stated as he just burst from the door as if he owns the place.
Gerard suddenly saw another old man getting chummy with his favorite grandchildren. The two old men stared down at each other as if they were having a fight with their eyes. Their stare down lasted about two minutes as both of them suddenly stood face to face.
The tension in the room suddenly filled up once again as Adrian and the others do not know what is going to happen. Gerard and Jose then looked at each other from head to toe as they suddenly liked arms for a handshake. The two old men suddenly reached an understanding that those watching cannot understand.
"Jose, Maria's father." Jose stated as he gripped Gerard's hand.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Gerard, Richard's father." Gerard stated as he gripped Jose's hand as well.
"What is happening?" Adrian asked Mina.
"Do not ask me because I am not a man. Dad?" Mina stated as she passed the question to their father.
"It is the friendship of two men starting." Richard stated as he nodded.
"Those two should not be friends if all the things you talked about your father is true." Maria stated as she prepared one more plate.
"They seem to have reached an agreement." Adrian stated as both Gerard and Jose are now laughing heartily as they talked to each other.
"As long as we are not bothered. I am fine with that. I will help with the table setting." Mina stated as she avoided being the one to humor the two grandpas.
"Apologies for the sudden intrusion, young master." Bernard, Gerard's butler, stated as he has finished putting all the gifts inside the house.
"No worries, Bernard. I know about my father and his tendencies. At least, he came here with a clear head and sober." Richard stated.
"You should thank, Young Master Adrian for that. He told Master Gerard that he stinks of alcohol which is why he keeps his distance when he last visited. It was very effective as the master only drinks on special occasions or events." Bernard stated as he suddenly grabbed Adrian by the shoulders.
"Yes? Do you need something from me, Bernard?" Adrian asked.
"You are my only hope, young master. Listen to this old man's requests." Bernard stated as he started to talk about his misgivings.
Needless to say, the birthday the next day was loud but fun. The two grandpas were basically flexing their generosity by giving monetary gifts to those that showed their talents and won in games. Adrian and his friends enjoyed themselves and refreshed their mental capacities.
Thankfully, the small get together ended without any mishaps and full of smiles. Adrian and the other hopped back into the game with this cheerful and great energy. They went back in because there has been news of movement from the faction of the Shadow of Apophis.