Chapter 5: Devoted Grandfather

Thea entered the study. It was a large mahogany desk in the middle of a vintage Victorian room filled with books. She then noticed her grandfather standing there, his arms crossed behind his back, facing the tall french window. Thea experienced a surge of emotions because she hadn't seen her grandfather for so long following his funeral.

Thea gulped down a lot of salivae as she braced herself to confront her grandfather, her heart pounding with shame.

Grandfather, we ended up hating each other in my previous life, but I swear this time I'll give you all the love you deserve. She pondered.

Thea lets out a long breath as she works up the confidence to confront her grandfather. "Good morning, Grandpa. I'm sorry for keeping you waiting."

The way her granddaughter spoke caused Old Man La Roche to flinch for a little while. He glanced at her, but was startled by her gesture when she bowed her head at him with a regretful face that was unfamiliar to him. Old man La Roche was aware that his granddaughter would never waver in front of anyone, not even her paternal grandfather. He was aware of her character; even in the face of death, she would carry herself with dignity.

The shock Old Man Thomas feels upon suddenly spotting her with her tail up, however, is far greater. He knew his granddaughter well and knew that she was his favorite. Yet, for the time being, he ignored the whispers that his granddaughter was shrewd, cunning, and willing to use anyone or anything to get what she wants. Of course, the Master Thomas would tend to disregard all those stories.

The Old Man decides to keep his ground after misinterpreting Thea's gesture as an attempt to make him back down from his desire for an arranged marriage. They need to talk about some serious issues.

One of the most well-known and influential people in the nation, "Thomas La Roche," was a business tycoon from the time he was 25 years old until the present. His name is attached to a massive conglomerate company that includes the mining sector and the production of weapons for the army of their nation. Yet, he was a devoted grandfather to Thea who lavishes her with attention.

Thea stood up in the midst of her feelings, oblivious to her grandfather's critical look. Grandfather, I've been missing you. Her head bowed as she contemplated.

Thea looks up at her grandfather after grandfather Thomas clears his throat. The old guy remarked with a strong, serious voice, "Thea, we need to discuss your behavior yesterday."

They had a heated quarrel on her birthday, which led to her being hospitalized for excessive drinking. She stubbornly rejected her impending engagement to the Warton family, deliberately caused chaos at her 25th birthday party while intoxicated, and spoke out against it in front of all the investors and senior staff members of their company, which did severe damage to Thea's image.

But because Grandpa La Roche loved his granddaughter Thea so much, he donated gifts and a lump sum of money to everyone who attended Thea's birthday party to keep them quiet while they confiscated any films or photos that might have captured her granddaughter doing inappropriately.

In response to her granddaughter's disastrous birthday celebration, grandfather Thomas can only shake his head.

Thea thought her grandfather was unsure of how to approach her, especially in light of the commotion she caused on her birthday. She recalls the incident and immediately growls in humiliation. She is known to everyone in the mansion, including her grandfather, as the arrogant and spoilt heiress of La Roche because at this precise moment, no one was aware of her being reborn. Thea pondered.

"Thea... I know that your father didn't pay much attention to you growing up... and that's... that's why I as your grandfather give you all of your necessities to fill in your dumb father's carelessness," Grandfather Thomas muttered as he stared at her granddaughter.

I apologize, Grandpa. Thea continued to drop her head and talked softly because she was ashamed to look her grandfather in the face.

Thomas's grandfather sighed once again. He looks at Thea's pursed lips and says, "Well, it's fortunate that you felt sorry for what you've done Thea.

"..."

"But now I realize Thea, that my love for you, will end up destroying you, resulting in you growing up as a spoiled, and stubborn lady and what worries me is nothing fear you, I'm afraid that I doted on you too much dear... and it's my fault. " he shook his head in defeat.

Thea immediately turns to face her grandfather and exclaims, "NO!" Thea doesn't want to hear her grandfather take responsibility for all the horrible things she has done because she has already harmed herself too much and received too much affection from him.

Thea's lips quiver in sadness, she was too blinded by greed and jealousy before her regression, without thinking about what his grandfather felt. All this time grandfather blames himself.

Thea struggled to speak through her trembling lips, "N-o, p-lease grandpa... d-on't blame yourself... blame me it's all my fault.. I-m sorry."

"..."

Grandpa Thomas vows to keep his position since he can't bear to see his granddaughter trembling. Yet, his firm resolve was tested once more by the tears that were streaming down his granddaughter's face. and after saying all that, he admitted defeat. He was aware that he would always lose against his granddaughter.

"Oh... dear this grandfather of yours is terrible for making you upset darling." The old man strode towards Thea, he guided and soothe her to sit down.

"..."

Hearing her grandfather's loving gesture, Thea's tears flow even harder. This is something she overlooks. As they both sat in the chair, Thea felt a warm hand patting her head as she continued to sob, her fist balling on her lap, unable to face her grandfather out of embarrassment.

"Thea.. sweetheart, it makes me sad to see you like this. I only want you to be happy because I promised your mother that I would look after you, but as you can see, I'm not getting any younger."

Thea firmly responded, "No grandfather, you will live longer. I promise," provoking her grandpa's chuckle.

"Well... I hope so dear... whether I live longer or not, I need someone capable to guide and protect you, which is why... I chose to arrange this marriage for your own good, he may not come from a prestigious family, but he's a good and capable man with a humble background, his father is an old friend of mine, and I know your mother will also agree to this engagement," Grandfather Thomas said carefully.

"..."

"Thea, trust me on this, I'm doing it for your own benefit," the grandfather says. "I'm a very selfish man to those people that I love and I just want the best for you. And I know that he is capable of protecting you in the future."

Hearing her grandfather's remarks, Thea nodded and thought.'I know grandpa, he is indeed a capable and great man that will protect me, as she remembered her prior life in the hospital.

Thea said softly, "I understand, Grandpa. I know you won't believe me now but... I'll do what you want.. and from now on, I will listen to you. You don't need to worry about the engagement because I accept it." Thea held both of her grandfather's hands.

Grandfather Thomas was surprised to hear that his granddaughter had finally agreed to get married and asked, "You accept the engagement?" while trying to keep his smile from showing.

Thea nodded with a smile spreading on her face. Grandpa, I accept the engagement, so yes.

"That's fortunate, my dear, especially considering General Warton is coming over tomorrow. Grandfather Thomas said with a smile, "I hope you treat him with respect.

Thea says with a smile, "You don't have to worry about that grandpa; I'll make sure tomorrow will be the ideal day to meet General Warton.

When Grandfather Thomas first saw her granddaughter smiling and heard her fiancee's name on her lips without any further curse words or foul language, he knit his brows in skepticism. I hope you're on your best behavior tomorrow Thea. Since that child is a good man," he said fearfully. "Your sudden changes scare me, my dear.

Thea laughed at her grandfather's remarks, remembering how, in everyone's eyes, she had always been a spoiled brat. She sighed at the enormous amount of effort that lay ahead of her after finally recognizing that she needed to improve her appearance and impression on everyone.

Thea raised her right hand and swore to behave properly in front of her fiancé tomorrow as she turned to face her grandfather. "Oh.. please trust me, grandpa. Tomorrow I will behave and treat him with respect. No tricks and no schemes. I promise," she said.

Grandfather Thomas patted Thea's head and said, "Oh dear... I hope so," as his laughter resounded throughout the large library as he observed his granddaughter acting like a child.

Thea returned her grandfather's smile. In her former life, the two of them had never engaged in such a relaxed discussion because Thea always opted to leave or ignore her grandfather's advice. She absolutely despises the idea of being married against her choice. Today, though, is different.

Thea's goal following her regression is to be married to Erick and nothing else, and she vows to herself that she won't repeat what happened in the past. Upon realizing this, Thea had an idea.

Thea gently asked her grandfather, "Grandpa, may I request permission to go out today since I need to prepare and buy something since tomorrow I will meet my fiancee."

With that soft voice of yours, Old Man La Roche shook his head and said, "Alright, but bring your bodyguards with you."

"No, Grandpa, I want to be by myself today. Please! I swear I'll act properly in public and I won't do anything that would bring shame to our family."

Grandfather Thomas sternly commanded, "Silly child!, you don't have to worry about ruining our names I will take care of it, as long as you are safe, don't forget who we are, the La Roche, no one would want to mess with us."

Thea nodded. "Am I now free to leave?"

I'll let you go now because I know you won't ask my permission to leave in the first place, but please come back right away because you're going alone.

"Thanks, Grandpa," Thea said, standing up and rushing to give her grandfather a tight hug. Grandfather Thomas was taken aback and nearly broke down in tears; he never imagined there would be a time when Thea would embrace him once more, as she had when she was eight years old. He was ecstatic to be back to embrace his precious granddaughter.

Grandfather Thomas patted Thea's back and murmured repeatedly, "Be careful, my dear... be safe."