5 Chapter 4

She woke up to an unfamiliar scent. She opened her eyes but was blinded by the rays of sunlight beaming from the open floor to ceiling window. She closed her eyes again waiting for it to adjust to the blinding light. The scent sent waves rushing through her senses. It was a man's scent which means she may be in danger so no matter how sleepy she still was, she sprung violently from the bed, and studied her surroundings. Just as she realized where she is, the man emerged from the walk in closet wearing a clean white shirt and tattered jeans.

"Good morning, Pumpkin," he said while smiling sarcastically.

"Don't call me that," she whispered. It was what his grandfather called him when she was still young and he may have heard it then.

He frowned then teased some more, "So should I call you sweetheart instead?"

It was her turn to frown. "Jiana. Just call me Jiana."

"Nah. As long as you live in my house I will call you as I please. So get used to it, Sweetheart!"

Just as she was about to refute, his phone rang. He picked it up from the side table, looked at the number before giving her a quick look and walked away.

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"I have matters to take care of so cancel all my meetings for now. Reschedule them in 3 to 4 weeks from now. Email me for anything urgent."

After making sure that the other person heard him and understood, he hung up and dialed a number.

"It's me. Yes. I will. No worries." Those were the only words he could say as if afraid that somebody might hear him.

His heart sank last night when she collapsed due to exhaustion. He immediately carried her into the house but because he just arrived a week ago and the renovations are still ongoing, the only room available was the master's bedroom he is currently using.

She is beautiful. Her porcelain white skin glowed and her beauty emanates even in her sleep. She was his first love but he is the love he is afraid to have. He is a poor boy and he could only glance from afar as he is afraid the old man might misunderstood. He was very kind to him and took him in when his father died. He couldn't bear to see him getting hurt because of him. The old man told him before that he wants to give all the best for his Pumpkin. He didn't know how the old man discovered he has feelings for her but he told him suddenly one day that he will not let any man take advantage of her granddaughter and he already chose someone for her. He then asked him to go abroad, to another country far from his granddaughter, thus separating him from the love of his life.

While away, he did all his best to earn a business degree and later bought a piece of property with the money he saved from working and from the allowances the old man gave him every month. Because of his growing connections abroad, he was able to gather investors to build a hotel which now grew to be one of the largest hotel chains in the country. He was contented with his life until he got a call last month. The old man's lawyer called him as it was time to execute his will. He clenched his teeth as he thought about the old man's sly deal.