My heart craves yours

Chapter 7

Anneliese's POV

I made my way towards the group of people standing in the parlour.

My grandmother, Ursula snickers annoyingly when she saw me.
I glanced at Antonio to see him giving me an apologetic look probably blaming himself for having me to face her in the morning. But it was now or never.

I smiled back warmly at him to assure him that I am okay to which he nods which was far from the truth ,my mind was in a turmoil. I went to my grandfather and sat on his laps giving him a kiss on his cheeks. To him I could care less about my weight, we were close like that .

From the way his eyes were puffy I knew that he had also cried very badly if not more than me for losing his only son and a good daughter in law. But my grandmothers face was devoid of any hint of sadness .She clearly did not want to ruin her make up caked face crying over a son she didn't have any compassion for him because he refused to marry the daughter of her friend but instead choose to marry my mother.

"I am here grandma ,you were asking of me ?" I raised my eyebrows at her . She straightened her posture and started talking.

"Let me get straight to the issue at hand ,and don't ever call me grandma. It is ma'am, understood little girl? "

"Yes ma'am",I answered her softly as I felt my grandpa tighten his hold on me . I felt content by his act of affection and support. I really needed it. Sometimes I wonder why she is so obsessed with acting like a young woman when she was old.

"Alright then",she continued "As I was saying since your parents are now dead and you are yet to turn eighteen and clearly you don't have a legal guardian  I deem it fit that you move into the manor at Chicago with your grandfather and I". She said all this in one breath and I winced showing my displeasure.

"Do not give me that look girl . This house is too big for you to be staying alone in .And no granddaughter of mine would be leaving at the mercy of maids an butlers when her grandparents are still alive. I advice you to think about your decision carefully", she shouted at me. I moved my hands  to cover my ears to prevent it from any form of damage. My grandfather chuckled at my action making me grin at him.

No ,no,no ,there was no way I was going to leave with this woman even if she is my grandmother and that I love my grandpa . I won't be a sacrificial lamp at her mercy.

I turned on my grandpa's laps facing Antonio who was sitting next to us on the double sofa and uttered the very first words that came into my mind .

"I will stay with Antonio .You will have me stay with you , won't you ?".I asked hopefully while looking at him and waiting for his reply .