"If that is what you think is right..." Grandma Manoban offered Jennie a warm smile after listening to the latter's request. "... then I trust you."
Jennie smiled back in satisfaction. "Thank you, Grandma. I know what I am asking is a little hard, but..." she trailed off when Grandma Manoban shook her head.
"I've lived long enough to understand some things are meant to let go over time. I'm simply relieved that even when I have to let go of this life, I know my family is in good hands," Grandma Manoban expressed from the bottom of her heart, nodding at Jennie reassuringly. "Little Jennie, before anything else, I want to introduce you to someone."
"Someone?" Jennie's brows rose, staring at the smile plastered on the old woman's wrinkly face.
Grandma Manoban reached her hand out, which Jennie clasped on instinct. "You'll know once you meet her."
Deep lines appeared on Jennie's forehead, noticing the excitement flickering across the old madam's eyes. With that being said, Grandma Manoban told her to come with her. Jennie assisted her, treading carefully as they headed to their destination.
Initially, Jennie didn't know where Grandma Manoban was taking her until she realized they were heading to the old residence's greenhouse. It had been a while since Jennie moved into the old residence, but she barely had a house tour. Not that she would get lost in this old mansion, no matter how vast it was.
Even so, this was her first time stepping foot in the greenhouse she usually ignored since moving into this place. When they arrived, Jennie looked around the greenhouse.
'It looks like a jungle,' she thought, a little surprised that the inside of the greenhouse was different from what she expected. Although it was quite massive than an average greenhouse.
Lisa's previous home also had a greenhouse, but they were mostly vegetables. The reason for this was to make sure everything Jevin ate was fresh and organic. But this greenhouse... it was strange from its size and the overgrown plants and trees.
"Grandma, does Butler Fu neglect the greenhouse?" asked Jennie, as that was what it looked to her.
"Haha." Grandma Manoban laughed, casting her a quick look before setting her eyes on the jungle ahead. "Mercy, come out!"
Jennie furrowed her brows, confused. However, her puzzlement quickly disappeared when she heard a low growl from somewhere. When she turned her head, her pupils dilated at the beast coming out of the jungle.
Grrr...
Jennie held her breath, eyes fixed on the black panther strutting in their direction. It had a bright pair of golden eyes, furs as black as ink, and a natural intimidating air that could make any human freeze on the spot.
It let out a low growl as it approached.
"Grandma..." she called under her breath, frozen on her spot as the black panther walked around her while sniffing her. "... is this... the pet Jevy kept talking about?"
Grandma Manoban chuckled as the black panther named Mercy went to her. "Yes, her name is Mercy." She dropped her hand to pat her pet while her other hand held onto her cane.
Grr...
"It's alright, Mercy. She is my little Jennie," she cajoled upon sensing the wariness her pet was giving off to Jennie. "Jennie is Jevy's mom, and she's very precious to me. Be good."
"..."
Jennie pressed her lips into a thin line, watching Grandma Manoban pet the black panther while talking to it. She already knew Grandma Manoban had a pet, and according to Jevin, it was a cat. However, she had never seen a cat since moving into the old residence until now. Not that she thought it was important.
But now, everything somehow made sense to her.
'No wonder...' thought Jennie, still speechless at this discovery. 'Gosh... Grandma really is cool.'
"Hehehe." Grandma Manoban flashed Jennie a smile. "Little Jennie, meet my little girl, Mercy. She's always been a part of this family. Please be good to her."
Jennie pressed her lips into a thin line as she shifted her eyes to the black panther. "Hi, Mercy..."
Grrr...
"Uhm..." Jennie cleared her throat, scratching her neck at the obvious hostility from Mercy.
"Mercy, behave." Grandma Manoban patted the black panther's head, and the latter stroked its head against Grandma Manoban's leg. "She can be very hostile towards others, but she doesn't harm anyone for no reason."
'So, it still harms others if it has a reason... for example, it's hungry?'
"Mercy is very protective of me and Jevy. She hates many things and likes staying indoors during the day, so Butler Fu lets her out at night," Grandma Manoban continued, rendering Jennie even more speechless.
'Why am I only hearing this now?' she wondered. 'What if I went out in the night? Does that mean I'd get ravaged by her?'
"But once she likes someone, she can be very clingy," Grandma Manoban added, flashing Jennie a big smile. "Jennie, did you know that even Marco and Chittip couldn't tame her?"
"Huh?"
"For some reason, Mercy thinks Marco and Chittip are his little siblings. So, she rarely listens to them." A sigh slipped past Grandma Manoban's nostrils, letting Mercy lick on her fingers. "Lucas has been scared of her since they were children until now. Lisa is the only person besides me Mercy listens to."
Grandma Manoban's smile stretched as she set her eyes back to her dearest pet. "She will like you, eventually."
"She will...?" Jennie trailed off as Mercy growled once again, just as she spoke quietly. 'I don't think so.'
"Jennie, I'll let you do whatever you like, but..." Grandma Manoban paused, setting her attention back to Jennie.
The moment their eyes met again, Jennie couldn't help but gulp. Hearing the word "but" already gave her an idea of this side quest.
"I ask you of one thing if you could tame Mercy and command her, then I'll give you more than you ask for," Grandma Manoban continued. Her gentle tone changed into a solemn and sincere one, holding Jennie's gaze firmly.
'How the hell did I think Grandma wouldn't ask anything in return?' Jennie mentally sighed, but the corner of her mouth curled up as her eyes glinted excitedly. "Challenge accepted, Grandma."
A look of satisfaction turned up on Grandma Manoban's face, seeing the determined glint shining in Jennie's eyes.
"Good luck."
YOU ARE READING
My Precious Family 3 [Jenlisa]
RomanceREMINDER: STORY NOT MINE She was known as an underground empress, leading the mysterious and most notorious assassin organization called the Reapers. She was intelligent, cunning, and ambitious, living her life trying to reach a height where no one...