A few minutes later.
Theo, who was still in deep meditation, was disturbed by the ringing doorbell.
He gradually opened his eyes and noticed that his Skylink was getting multiple messages. He forgot that Agata and Maya were visiting today to finalize the offers.
Rising from the ground, Theo tidied his clothes up and walked toward the door.
As soon as he opened the door, a white-haired old man jumped forward and hugged him. "My grandson! My beloved grandson! Oh my god… I'm sorry that I haven't met you this whole time!"
He screamed while tightening his hug.
"Ehm…" Theo maintained his poker face. He had seen Leonardo's face when searching for his mother's information, so he knew the one hugging him was none other than the War Saint, Leonardo Guerrero, his grandfather.
Yet, his heart was unnaturally calm, as if he had no emotion toward him. His face was filled with confusion as Theo took a step back.
"Grand…" When he was about to call him, he didn't know why but the words stuck in his throat. In the end, he said, "Elder…"
The shock was reflected in Leonardo's face as he helplessly closed his eyes, realizing that Theo must have a trauma.
Hence, he made a hard decision and released him. Straightening his back, he looked Theo in the eyes while offering the best smile he could give. "Yeah. It's been 18 years. To think my grandson has become this big."
Theo looked down, feeling bad for his grandfather. After all, he knew that the man before him didn't even know he existed this whole time.
After taking another step back, he soon found a middle-aged man standing behind Leonardo.
Although he didn't know who the man was, Theo hurriedly extended his hand and asked, "Please come in first. We can talk inside."
"Right! Hahahaha!" Leonardo laughed awkwardly and entered the house.
With his grandfather's figure out of the way, he could finally see the other four people standing in front of his house.
"It's been a while." Agata smiled and waved her hand.
"Look at this! I have brought you a big present." Maya, on the other hand, laughed while pointing at the middle-aged man. "He is my father, the current CEO of the Star Group!"
Theo made an awkward smile and extended his hand to the middle-aged man. "I am sorry for not recognizing you earlier, Sir. I am Theodore Griffith. Please come in."
"Unacceptable. I won't forgive you unless you marry my daughter." He jokingly mentioned it again. Bernard simply couldn't help it, especially after seeing Theo's talent.
However, Theo didn't have a change of expression and smiled at him. "That is, unfortunately, something I can't comply with."
"Daughter, you suck." Bernard teased Maya before patting Theo's shoulder. "I guess I can't joke around with you."
"I can only say there is an appropriate time and topic." Theo shook his head.
"Bernard vs Theo. 0-1!" Leonardo shouted while laughing. He had made himself comfortable on the couch.
"Hey, old man. Should I slap you with money?" Bernard's eyebrows twitched.
"In this cashless society?" Leonardo stuck his tongue before laughing again.
Bernard frowned and walked toward Leonardo, sitting next to him. He tried to get closer to Leonardo while trying to push him. "Sorry, but… can you move a bit? It's too small."
"Are you trying to say my grandson is too poor to get a long couch?" Leonardo glared at him.
"I am saying you are on the way." Bernard harrumphed.
Suddenly, another Theo walked out of the kitchen while offering orange juice to them.
Seeing both Theos, the two couldn't help but stop and become civil for a moment.
Agata shook her head helplessly and said, "Don't mind them. They have been like this from the airport…"
"You came together?" Theo widened his eyes. It was a surprise because the two couldn't settle down.
He then extended his hand, gesturing for them to come inside.
Before entering his house, Agata asked, "How are you doing these days?"
"It's fine. I have settled a lot of things." Theo smiled.
She didn't know why but Theo seemed to have changed since the last time she met. Compared to the one she saw a few months ago, the one before her looked more mature.
She couldn't help but wonder what had happened in the past few months. Unfortunately, it wasn't something she could ask right now, so she smiled back. "Then, please excuse me."
On the contrary, Maya walked nonchalantly inside his house as if she already knew what to expect from this place. Looking at her expression alone, Theo knew she had come to this place before.
After both of them entered, Theo glanced at the old man outside.
The latter simply waved his hand and smiled, "No need to concern yourself with me. I am here just to protect my boss."
"I understand. Do you need anything? Maybe a drink?"
"I will just have a cup of water."
"Okay. I will bring it to you." Theo nodded as he walked away, letting the door close by itself.
Now that everyone had gathered, Theo stood in front of them while saying, "Ehm, thank you for coming, considering not many have come here."
"This is his fault!" Bernard pointed at Leonardo.
"What do you mean? Those countries had conspired together to make my grandson suffer, so there's no way I will let them go. I am just making them regret their choice. Hahaha." Leonardo laughed again.
Theo tilted his head in confusion before Bernard opened his mouth. "No need to think about it. All you need to know is that… We are here to offer you something you can't reject. Unfortunately, your grandfather seems to be a bit too poor for you. Why don't you just come to my place?
"You can have anything you want, including my daughter's hand in marriage." He looked away while coughing.
"How about you make your daughter know something about humility first?" Leonardo frowned.
"I do you one better. Why should you decide what my daughter needs to do?"
"Ehm…" Theo stopped them and asked, "Why are we talking about marriage? That's the last thing I want right now."
Both of them stopped for a moment and pointed their hands to him while saying at the same time.. "Right."