Chapter 1 Married

Jackson

'Mr. Carter there's a phone call for you.' My secretary's voice told me through the phone.

'Who is it?'

'The London client who we wanted to invest in our Star-Dream Project.'

My eyebrows furrowed. 'Weren't talks with them already done and dealt with?'

'Um.....They want to renegotiate.'

'Tell them it's not possible.'

'Sir, their investment is important for the project.'

'And so is my opinion on this.'

'But sir....' She was about to say something when my phone beeped. I unlocked it to check the message.

'Claire.'

'Yes, Sir?'

'Cancel the deal.'

'But....all of a sudden.'

'Things are always uncertain in business. Just make sure the London client know we're no longer interested.'

I pressed the button to end the call to not give her a chance to pursue me. Claire had been my secretary for nine years and I was sure she was going to be for more because she was the only one who'd got the guts to reason with me. No one in this office said anything against my word. It was almost as if they didn't have an opinion. But she didn't shy away from doing so. It was mostly because of her strong and independent nature but also because of the little something that we had in common, the scars of the past.

Buttoning the suit when I got up, I looked out the window. My company's building matched the one in front. Pride filled my chest. I've made progress, some phenomenal progress in past nine years. So much so that I've become what boys from the place that I come from only dream about. L.A. had become my home now but I craved for more. I wanted to rule it. Let's just say I'm one step away from achieving my dream. Then, the building in front of me would seem small.

As I walked out I was met with Claire's hawking eyes. 'What?' I asked.

She scoffed. 'Sir, London clients are important.'

'What if I tell you, there's even a bigger client?'

'Is there?' Now she wanted to listen.

I chuckled. 'There is and we're going to meet them right now.'

'Right now?! But I didn't get a chance to prepare myself.....'

'There's no preparation required. It's a done deal.'

'Have you met them before?'

'I have.'

'I see.'

The drive to the restaurant was quick. I would've asked Claire to book this same place but my guest's secretary had beaten me to it. You see, both me and my guest had a history with this place. Our story together had progressed greatly right here from this restaurant ten years ago.

I found myself opening the door to the private section booked especially for this meeting, as I was told. He was sitting in there quietly staring at the empty glass in front of him. I'd received a text from his secretary that he wanted to meet and there was no way I was going to say no. I can never say no to him. For he's the reason I'm well and alive today, not to mention the successful business I'm running.

His head turned and a warm smile formed on his face when he saw me approaching. 'It's been long, Jackson.' His low but clear voice greeted me.

'Very Long, Mr. Takahashi.' Tears were to their brim in my eyes. It felt hell to cry as a grown ass man but that I'd got a chance to see him again was nothing but emotional.

He got up to embrace me. When we separated he said, 'Call me Grandpa. I've told you this before.'

I nodded shyly. 'I'm too old to call you that now especially when....'

'Blood ties are not always important Jackson. If they were I wouldn't have come here only now.'

'What do you mean?'

Placing a hand on my shoulder he said, 'Sit. Let's eat first.' I obliged happily. Sushi was the first thing I had in mind when we were to order but instead he ordered steak. 'What? I've not travelled all the way from Japan to have sushi again. I eat that plenty in my home.'

'And you don't eat steak?' I asked playfully.

'Ah...now I eat that too.' Both of us laughed.

'So, Mr. Taka....I mean...Grandpa....do you mind if I ask about the reason for your visit this time?' He usually stayed in his family home in Japan and rarely came to America. Last time he was here was seven years ago probably which is why the wrinkles on his face seem more evident to me now.

He nodded. 'Of course not. There is someone I have to help.'

'Someone? I thought you came to see me.' Jealously hit me like the corner of a table, it doesn't bleed but hurts a lot.

His wrinkled skin lifted up from the corner of his lips. 'I did. I came to see both of you.'

'So do I know this someone?' Now I was curious. He was here to meet someone else too. I thought the old man had no family and I was the only one he was close to. Then who's this other person?

'Jackson, being jealous at thirty doesn't suit you.' He said calmly and I composed my expressions.

'Sorry.'

He started laughing. 'I was kidding, son. When had there been an age to express emotions?'

'Grandpa.' I muttered.

'Okay, let's do this. Since you're curious to know who this person is, I'll ask her to join us.' Was he serious? He was going to call her here? Wait a second, he said, 'Her'. He knows some woman? I hope this is not one of those gold-diggers who're ready to empty his bank accounts.

'I didn't know you were dating someone.'

My comment made him press his lips in a thin line. Holy Shit....did I offend him?

'I meant.....'

But he laughed harder this time. 'Oh Jackson, why would you think that?'

'We haven't seen each other since past seven years and have had minimal contact. Maybe you started seeing someone...'

'I'm afraid my ship had gone long past that harbor. But it was nice that someone thinks I've still got it that a woman would be kind enough to see me as a romantic partner.'

'If it's not someone you're seeing, then?'

'It's my granddaughter.' The breath was knocked out of my body. Mr. Takahashi has a family. He has his own blood running into other people. I closed my eyes and it was barely tolerable fact. For years even when he didn't contact me I still thought I was his only family and felt....safe. There was always a comfy blanket to fall on even when I never intended to fall on it. Now that he's mentioned he has a granddaughter, what does that makes of me?

'I see. How come you didn't mention her before?'

'I, myself, wasn't aware of her existence up until now.' He met my eyes and then continued, 'About two months ago I got a call from this girl who claimed to be my granddaughter. For obvious reason I didn't believe her. But she kept on insisting and I finally decided to run a DNA test.'

'So it's confirmed. She is related to you.' He nodded. 'If you knew about her since two months then why are you coming here only now?'

'Jackson, I'm sorry I didn't tell you before but I've been in L.A. for past one month. I came here to meet her immediately after the test confirmed our relationship.' Something pierced in my heart. He flew down from Japan to meet her the every moment he realized she is his own flesh and blood but didn't bother to return my calls when I asked for his help while facing difficulties with the Star-Dream project.

'Looks like she's your new favorite.'

Mr. Takahashi chuckled. 'She must be here anytime soon. You should decide after meeting her if you want to be jealous of such a beautiful lady or not.' The moment he said that, I had a feeling he was trying to set us up. I sighed hoping desperately he does not ask me to date her or anything because I'm not made for this. Casual has always been my style. This was TMI for grandpa and he didn't need to know this. Maybe I should just tell his granddaughter when we're alone that she can reject me, that I wouldn't mind.....

I was busy in my own head that I didn't realize that some had entered the private section. It was when a familiar voice hit my ears that I knew there was no escaping from this hot mess.

'Grandpa, I'm here.' I didn't dare to look. No, this cannot be true. Please no, this is not happening to me again.

Mr. Takahashi's introduction left no space for introspection. 'This is my beautiful granddaughter Cordelia Rosette.' My ears were on fire to hear the name I hated. If Satan had a synonym it was Cordelia. The very girl who turned out to be the granddaughter of the man I respected the most. Oh, god definitely has his ways. 'And Delia, this is the young and dashing Jackson Carter.'

I swear I wasn't going to look at her even if Mr. Takahashi had thought of me to be a psycho but then she snorted. 'Young and dashing?' Her questioning my looks made me turn my head and glare at her. Her brow shot up but she had the look of amusement and not that of shock. She knew I was going to be here!

'Cordelia.' That's it. This was my greeting to her.

Instead she crossed her arms in front and smirked. 'Hello there Jackson.' A strong stare game began, leaving Mr. Takahashi in confusion.

'You guys know each other already?' He asked.

I scoffed. 'I wish I didn't.'

'The feeling is mutual.' Satanic princess remarked.

'Well, it seems you two aren't on the best terms. But what to do, this has to change. After all, I plan on getting you two married.'

'Married?' Both I and the one-whose-name-I-hate shouted together.