A Sense Of Responsibility

CHAPTER 8

Bianca Graham looked cautiously at Alika before realizing that she was actually being honest. She sighed in her head- a bit disappointed. This woman could have been a perfect daughter-in-law for the Grahams. What a shame!

She looked over at Giovanna who seemed to be absentminded and tapped on the table before speaking. "Miss Langston. Do you think you can be a daughter-in-law of the Grahams?" This question dropped and Giovanna locked eyes with Bianca confidently. "I can Missus Graham."

Her statement did not only sound confident but equally made everyone else think that she was very proud.

Dante Graham who's attention had been on no one else but Alika admiring her calm and reserved demeanor turned to look at Giovanna. He observed the stack contrast between the two young women; one was very calculative with her words showing that she was very intelligent whereas, the other one was only a bit cunning but not very clever. He was sure that Alika could be even more cunning than Giovanna if she wanted to- she's very smart.

He eventually began thinking of ways to convince Alika into marrying his grandson but this young woman seemed to be so defiant and confident just telling from her words.

Maurice Langston noticed the Old Master's expression but didn't have the audacity to question him at all.

"Master Graham, have this. It will suit your taste." Alika who had observed the slight change in the old man's mood offered him a glass of orange juice.

This act only made him feel warmth in his heart. For a moment, he thought he had seen his wife but quickly returned to his usual stern expression.

Alika was sometimes a beady-eyed person so she was able to get a glimpse of his tenderness which seemed to have disappeared in a jiffy. She thought that this old man was obviously hiding his vulnerability in the presence of others and was surprisingly sorry for him.

Bianca watched as Alika helped the Old Master with the drink and thought that she was indeed perfect.

On the other hand, Fiona Langston was extremely pissed off at this but could not say anything in front of these people. She was sure that later she was going to scold Alika for being two-faced.

"What do you say, Dad?" Bianca needed to be certain that the patriarch of the family was in approval of the second choice she had made.

"Very well, then...the youngest Miss Langston will be a daughter-in-law of the Grahams." He dropped his words leaving Maurice and Fiona very satisfied with his decision. But Maurice Langston wasn't one to conclude a business without a complete information. "If I may ask, Master Graham, which one of your grandsons is Giovanna about to marry?" He asked not exactly worried about the results because no matter which one it was, they would still take good care of his precious daughter.

"My second grandson... Leonardo Graham."

They were all stunned at this revelation.

Bianca perceived the truth to their reaction- it was because the media had portrayed her son as a monster and a disabled. Now, it was really difficult to find him a bride. Had he listened to her and just presented himself in public, nobody would dare question his ability as a man. She wouldn't blame them either especially Giovanna if she eventually declined. She would only blame her son and his grandfather for the stupid decision they made. Bianca was a very sensible person so she knew how to distinguish between the right and the wrong no matter who or what was involved.

She glanced at each of the Langstons one by one- "Is there a problem?"

Before Giovanna could respond, Maurice said, "No, Missus Graham. Giovanna will be your daughter-in-law." He who had always been self-serving trusted that Leonardo Graham, no matter his health issues, would be good to them. Therefore, Giovanna needed not to be worried about anything at all and so do every other member of the Langstons.

***

They all got home that evening together except Alika who had declined because she had to meet up with Noor and Keeya and definitely did not want to be around her toxic family.

"I won't marry Leonardo Graham, Dad." Giovanna declared immediately they reached home.

"What is this Giovanna?! Don't you dare test my patience!" His creased eyebrows indicated his annoyance while also pointing a finger in her face. "How will I tell the Grahams that my daughter changed her mind all of a sudden? Do you want to bring shame upon our family?!" His tone became stern. Giovanna flinched.

"Maurice. Don't you think that Giovanna is too young to get married? She's only twenty-one." Fiona hoped that the man would eventually change his mind, she continued- "Why not let your eldest daughter marry him? You can tell that the patriarch of the Grahams favoured her over Giovanna. What if Giovanna gets treated badly because of this?" These remarks made Maurice Langston reassess his decision.

"I will talk to Alika." He finally announced after a long thought. Maurice dotted on both his daughters. But if the other was not ready, the one who was should get married. He made up his mind to speak with Alika.

Giovanna gave a wicked smirk after this and went into her room satisfied with the turn of events.

***

Meanwhile, Alika wasn't aware of this. She was in a private room with Keeya and Noor deciding on what designs to submit to Stefan on Monday.

Ring... Ring....

Noor's picked up the phone. "Get to the top floor. My friends want to meet you." Stefan's voice could be heard on the other end making Keeya raise an eyebrow in question.

"Let's go over. We'll take care of this later." Noor stated making Keeya and Alika look at each other in confusion.

"We're working on this. Can't you decline?" Keeya asked but only got a shrug in reply. Alika sighed knowing that Noor would only insist further.

***

In the private room, Leonardo relaxed on a sleek, teak wood sectional sofa in the solarium. A soundproof glass separating it from the inside and only half his face in view. It was dark outside so nobody could actually see his face clearly. Though, they could tell how extraordinarily his body and facial features were built. The man emitted a cold aura and was scary to even peek at.

Every other person in the VIP room turned to look at the woman who was still standing with a domineering aura. She easily captured everyone's eye but was not easy to approach. The men found her amusing whereas, the other young women looked at her with scorn.

Seeing that Alika was yet to sit, Stefan instinctively spoke up, "Please, have a seat...?"

"Alika." She intentionallly introduced herself as Alika because she never wanted anyone to know about her hidden identity as 'Belle'. And since Stefan had not seen her face, she felt relieved. She sat but was a bit absentminded staring at the silhouette of the man. His features were outstanding; putting him in the crowd of other elite handsome men would make him a demigod. His fingers which held onto a cigarette were perfectly slender and long. She intuitively wanted to draw him that instant.

Noor noticed the line of her eyes and quickly followed it. "Who's that?" She asked Alika who only shrugged- implying that she also didn't know.

"That's my best friend. He doesn't really like the crowd." Stefan said immediately, sure that his sister would have gone over to disturb him.

Other young socialites as well didn't dare cross that balcony- that man seemed so cold that everyone else shivered just by looking at him. But even at that, the women couldn't help but ogle at him because of his godly physique.

The while, Leonardo kept thinking about the woman from the party. He had wanted to investigate her identity but disregarded it. She was the only woman he had ever lain with and it made him lose his mind; she wasn't just stubborn but very defiant and mysterious as well. Coincidentally, he had equally found out that 'Belle' had checked into the hotel that night and was just a room away.

This woman was really bad luck. He decided not to look for her anymore though he still felt a sense of responsibility towards her.