I Have Accepted Him

Oriana reached the Verner residence, the worry about the old man palpable on her face. As usual, Philip was sitting in the garden, soaking in the sunlight.

"Grandpa," Oriana called cheerfully and approached him.

The old man smiled at her, pleased to see her cheerful face.

She knelt in front of him and held his hand. "What are you thinking about, Grandpa?"

"Will you be angry if I answered honestly?"

"I won't."

"I was thinking that I would like to be buried here in this mansion," he replied. "Will you fulfill my wish?"

Oriana felt sad to hear it, but both were aware of the reality. "Yes, Grandpa. I will do as you wish."

"My Ori has truly grown up," he patted her head. "You seem more cheerful than usual. What happened to make my Ori change like this?"

"Is it?" she asked. "I think I'm always like this."

"Go and look at yourself in the mirror," the old man suggested with a chuckle.