The Ties that Binds Us

Chapter 7 "My husband's bestfriend"

Beside is a picture of Luke Graham :) 

"Ms. Grant, your grandmother is here to see you." Stacey gently smiles at me.

"Let her in Stacey." Returning my smile to Stacey, she walked out of my office and went on her way to escort my grandmother to my office. My grandmother walked inside and did not bother to sit first on the chair in front of my table before she pulled me to a really tight hug. And I mean really tight hug. I think she just pushed all the air out of my body and I swear my grandmother hasn’t lost her strength after all this years.

"Querida nina!"

"Too tight, abuela." I smiled gently at her while straightening my clothes. Trying to catch my breath, I steadied myself leaning on my desk. I got a little light headed after she released me. My grandmother looked well and I mean really well. Her bright green eyes shined with mirth, and just merely by her presence, she illuminated the room. She had a huge smile on her face, which was a little infectious and I couldn’t help but smile myself.

"I'm sorry querida nina. So how are you?" She finally sat down on the chair in front of my desk and relaxed, leaning back on her chair.

"I'm good abuela. How about you? And mother how is she?" sitting down behind my desk, I saw a tinge of agony cross my grandmother’s face with the mention of my adoptive mother. Though her discomfort showed on her face, she managed to give me a soft smile before she answered my question. She inhaled deeply and released her breath slowly before she answered me.

"Your mother is doing fine at the center querida. And I'm also doing good." she beamed at me with the softest of smiles. 

"That's good to hear abuela. How about we go out for lunch? I’ve finished half my work so I can take you out for lunch." I grabbed my bag from my desk drawer and picked up my phone lying on my desk and put it inside my bag.  

"Yes of course." She stood up from her seat and led the way outside my office and I followed suit.

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"Me alegro de que me has traído aquí, mi querida. Supongo que usted no es muy cómodo?" (I'm glad that you brought me here, my dear. I suppose you're not very comfortable) We both sat down on our seats as the overfriendly waiters assisted us to our seats by pulling our chairs back.

"No abuela, no me siento cómodo. Pero, por supuesto, cualquier cosa por ti." (No, grandmother, I am not comfortable. But of course, anything for you.) I gave her a sweet smile and grabbed the menu from the attentive waiter standing beside me. Ordering some pasta for abuela, and myself I also asked for their oldest vintage wine. Once we’ve ordered, the waiter nodded at me with a rather wide smile on his face. My abuela saw how the waiter acted in my presence; she just smiled at me and shook her head. When the waiter arrived carrying in his hand a bottle of wine, abuela’s eyes widened with surprise.

"Mi querida, alcohol at this time of day?"

"It's just wine abuela. No need to worry." I reached out to touch her hand on the table and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze to tell her that I’m not like my adoptive mother, Carmen.

"So what's with the surprise visit abuela? I thought you were in Madrid visiting papá?" Taking another sip of wine, I leaned back on my chair and relaxed for a moment after the hectic schedule I endured earlier in the morning.

"I leave tomorrow morning querida. The reason why I visited you is because, Luke visited me yesterday and told me that you were looking good. He said that you were blooming and of course I had to see for myself. Is it because of that boy you brought with you? What’s his name again querida?" I blushed at her question and looked down trying to concentrate on my meal. "Well?" She looked at me intently.