Kendrick arrived at the family mansion a few minutes past dinner time, holding an expensive bottle of wine, which happened to be his grandfather's favourite.
He was expecting his grandfather to lambast him for his tardiness, as he stepped foot into the opulent dining room, where the family were already seated and enjoying their meal.
But instead of the old patriarch's harsh and scolding words, Kendrick was received warmly, leaving him wondering what games his grandfather and mother were up to.
He briefly exchanged questioning glances with his brothers, who were equally puzzled by the old man's calm reaction.
"I believe that wine is meant for me."Grandpa Noah's deep and rich voice snapped Kendrick out of his temporal confusion.
"Umm...yes grandpa. It's your favourite." Kendrick replied dropping the bottle on the table beside the old man's golden dinner plate.
"What a thoughtful young man!" Zara complimented, glancing briefly at the crimson-haired beauty seated beside her, as if to say. "My son has impeccable manners."
"If you're trying to bribe me for arriving at dinner late, then all is forgiven." Grandpa Noah spoke calmly, gesturing to the empty chair to the right, beside the family's special guest.
"Thank you, grandpa." Kendrick bowed politely in reverence to the wise old man.
Next, he greeted his father and acknowledged his mother with a warm hug and a brief kiss on the cheek. Then he said, "Hi," to his elder brothers before finally sparing the blushing young woman seated beside his mother, a glance.
Just as Andrew noted, the young lady was a beauty to behold.
Her soft red hair fell in gentle waves, framing a modest, unassuming face that somehow drew her deep blue eyes with quiet grace. Her aura was calm, peaceful, and impossible to ignore. Something was captivating in the way she held herself.
Yet, when compared to the hypnotic image of Carmelita's flawless beauty, the lady didn't stand a chance.
"Hello, Miss..." Kendrick said politely pretending not to know her name
"Mira." She stood up, extending her right hand towards Kendrick, whom he shook formally as if attending to a business partner.
"Mira. It's a pleasure. Please have your seat." Ken helped her adjust her seat like a gentleman before taking his own side beside her, ignoring his brother's amused stares.
"Thank you, Ken." Mira flashed him an irresistible smile. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person. Your mom has told me a lot of amazing things about you."
"Did she?" Ken raised a brow, leaning forward to look at his mother.
"Of course, darling. I am a proud mother of a brilliant and successful young man after all." Zara replied, her voice dripping with ego.
The butler came up to Kendrick and served him his favourite meal while Grandpa Noah initiated a warm conversation to set the stage.
"Ken, do you remember my very good friend, Jacob Aquino?"
"Do you mean suspenders, Uncle Jacob?" Ken asked casually, stroking a chord of laughter from everyone, including Mira.
"Grandpa did like his suspenders a lot, Grand Uncle," Mira said, chuckling, tickled by Ken's sense of humour. "You won't believe he even wears them on pyjamas."
"That is my old school friend for you." Grandpa Noah beamed, clearing his throat. "Well back to my earlier question. You are very correct Kenny. He is the same Jacob I'm referring to. Remember how I told you all about his first son and wife who died in a sea cruise accident."
"Yes." Everyone nodded, including Kendrick, who was pretending to be more interested in the food on his plate.
"Well, seated beside you is the late couple's only daughter, Mira." Grandpa Noah said proudly. "She has been out of the country studying abroad all this time. She recently returned to LamPStone to take care of her ageing grandfather and to start up a career here as a renowned medical doctor."
"Hmm... That's interesting!" Ken replied, taking a spoonful of veg stewed rice into his mouth, to limit his own conversation.
A knowing glint flashed across the old man's eyes as he said.
"Since Mira is still relatively new in this city and doesn't know her way around, especially in the business circle, I have decided that you..." Grandpa Noah pointed at Kendrick, pinning him with his narrowed gaze. "...will help her find her place in this city while getting to know her better as your future wife."
"What!" Ken, though expecting this development was stunned.
"Wife!" Erick whispered in shock, his gaze darting between his brothers and his smiling parents.
"Excellent!" Zara clasped her hands without disrupting the Old patriarch.
"This is not good," Andrew muttered under his breath observing the way Kendrick's countenance turned cold and dangerous.
Malcolm didn't say anything, knowing how volatile his father's temper was. Moreover, his father had earlier warned him not to interfere.
"Grandpa..." Kendrick dropped his spoon, wiping his lips with a napkin. He cleared his throat and continued. "... I mean no disrespect and I do not have a problem showing Mira around town. But I'm not interested in her, nor do I need help finding myself a wife. I can handle that aspect of my life perfectly well."
"Like you've been handling over the past five years." The initial humour vanished from the old man's eyes as he spoke through gritted teeth, each word edged with fury.
Kendrick's hands balled into a fist as he replied, unafraid of the old man's fury. "That's because I've been searching and I haven't found the woman I want to settle down with."
"Then congratulations. You're search is over." Grandpa Noah's voice was clipped and cold.
"This marriage would happen in the next three months, unless..." He raised his right hand silencing any form of protest from his son and other grandchildren.
"...you bring home a woman you are willing to marry before your time expires."
"I will find a wife before that time and I will marry her.." Kendrick's tone oozed with determination as he accepted his grandfather's challenge.
Mira's shoulders sagged under the invisible weight of Kendrick's harsh words and rejection. But a reassuring pat on the arm by her future mother-in-law brightened her expression.
"In that case, it is settled. I'll have the family lawyer draw up a contract regarding this decision so that you don't go back on your words." The anger in Grandpa Noah's eyes completely melted.
Zara beamed, convinced that her son would end up marrying Mira eventually if the latter played her cards right.
"On a lighter note, I heard you'll be attending the RAD Awards and Gala night over the weekend," Zara said innocently taking a sip of her drink.
Ken could already guess his mom's next request as he replied in a monotonic voice. "Yes."
"Excellent! I hope you wouldn't mind Mira tagging along. I'm sure she could meet and associate with a lot of top business entrepreneurs who would be very key in her business dreams."
"Sure." Ken forced a smile that didn't reach his eyes.