Finally Met Grandpa (2)

Mel told him everything.

Grandpa, who heard Mel's story, instantly suffocated. He almost fainted. Fortunately, his assistant was in the room to help him quickly by giving him first aid. He looks ready, well-trained, and does that often.

After a while, Mel and Grandpa's sadness faded away, and they began to eat and chat.

Mel just found out that while she was out of the country, Grandpa tried to find them but failed. And Grandma never revealed their place to anyone, including Grandpa.

"Your mom hires hackers to erase your tracks?" asked Grandpa curiously. For almost ten years, he has searched but failed. Even though he has hired the most reliable detective, they still failed.

Mel felt her heart warm to hear grandpa's efforts. "Sorry, Grandpa. I've changed my name," she said softly.

"WHAT?" for a moment, his face turns dark. Mel panicked, afraid that he would faint again.

"Sorry, Grandpa, please listen to my explanation first, and don't be angry, okay?..." Mel hastily explained.

"W-why did you do that?" he sounded angry.

Mel is gulping a big air before she answers that.

"When I woke up from the coma, I was told my mother had died. My world was collapsed. I felt I had lost everything, dad doesn't want me anymore; mom left me forever. I was so devastated." Mel looked down, unable to look Grandpa in the eye.

She continued... "And, when I found out that my mother divorced because my father had an affair with another woman. At that time, I really hated him, despised him so badly, to the point that I don't want to use his name anymore. So... I changed my name to Mel Tan."

"Y-you, you..!!" Grandpa seemingly in shock and nearly was speechless.

A moment later, grandpa calms down after he realized how his granddaughter has suffered all this time. He slowly sipped his tea in silence. His eyes were still looking at her with a somber look.

After a long pause, he then said...

"You know what... although I was upset to you for changing your name, but I'm glad you're back. My Lovely Mel... you must know, even though your father divorced your mother or you change your last name, YOU are still a Tanner, and you will always be a Tanner. You still have me on your side. You should know you are not alone in this world."

She nodded while wiping up her tears.

"And, as a Tanner, you still have your rightful shares in Tanner Group."

Mel looked at Grandpa with a surprised look.

Shares? Tanner Group?

I have shares in the Tanner group?

H-how come?

"Grandpa... What do you mean by that?" she asks while trying to say it as calmly as she possibly could.

"You are Tanner's first granddaughter. You have the right to own the shares. Later, when I retired, I will give you all of my shares to make up for my mistake. Because all this time, I have unwittingly abandoned you."

Mel blinked several times. Her mouth was wide open. She couldn't believe what she has just heard.

"G-grandpa... I don't need Tanner Group shares. I swear... I'm fine." She looked into Grandpa's eyes with a sincere look. She added, "I'm sure through your Network, you already know my background, right?"

Grandpa Nodded.

Mel smiled at him. "Grandpa, my life is better now. And, I don't want to get into Tanner's family conflict. I don't want to deal with your son and your grandson. Especially with your new daughter-in-law. Please don't involve me." Mel, seriously hoping Grandpa would withdraw his offer.

Grandpa put his cup on the table, then looked at her. "My lovely Mel... I know, now you are happier, and you have a successful business. But I will still give you your rights as a Tanner. You don't need to know anything. You don't need to do anything. Don't worry, I will take care of everything."

Mel was silent. Not knowing what to say, she just nods slightly.

"Do you remember? My birthday is the next month. I really hope you come to my birthday party. Can you at least do that?" Their eyes met. Mel can see from the glint in his eyes, he pleaded.

Her heart wavered.

Should she come?

Was she ready to meet them?

What about her promise to mom?

She took a deep breath.

"G-grandpa, I'm not ready to meet them, especially your son and your daughter-in-law!" She looked down to hide her teary eyes, she continues... "I once promised my mother I would never go back to that house again."

"My lovely Girl... how hurt your heart is? You don't even call him father?" Grandpa's eyes look sad.

"S-sorry grandpa, I..." Mel's voice trembled.

"I understand. I know... it must be very hurtful for you to see your father. But... I really hope you can come to my birthday. If you can, I will feel joyful. Besides, you have to repay me for what you did before.." he glares jokingly at Mel.

Repay? Repay what?

Realizing Mel was confused, he adds, "for throwing my name away! You have to remember, Tanner, is my ancestor's name, not just your father's name."

Mel stunned. She knows she's wrong. At that time, she was too selfish, not thinking about it.

She sighed silently, can't say anything.

"You can come with Alex," Grandpa added.

Mel immediately raised her head to see him. Instantly she felt she waver because now grandpa's face looked very sad and his eyes slightly red. She could only say... "Okay, Grandpa, I'll think about it."

"My Lovely Mel, I'll be waiting for you. You have to come!"

Grandpa came back first. While Mel, still in the VIP room. She sent a message to Alex.

[MT] Brother, will you accompany me attending Grandpa Tanner's birthday?

Not long after, her cell phone vibrated, she immediately picks up...

"Brother"

"hmm... what are you doing?"

"Just eat. Did you read my message?"

"Yes, that's why I called."

"Can you?"

Actually, he didn't intend to come. Because, since Tanner's ill-treatment towards Mel and her mother, he never wanted to attend any of Tanner's events anymore. But, today, his grandfather forces him to come, and he must bring Mel to the party. And now this little sister has asked him to go to the party? It is such a coincidence, right? "If you come, then I'll come!" he said.

"Really?" Her eyes blink several times. She was so happy.

"Hmm...!"

"Okay, I'll come," Mel said.

"Are you sure? Are you ready to meet them?" Alex worried about her condition.

"If I were alone, I might not ready. But, if I come with you, I think I'm ready," Mel replied softly.

"Okay, we will talk about that later, then... Bye." He then hangs up the phone.

While in the car, heading to the Tanner Mansion.

Grandpa sat in silence, remembering all the stories his granddaughter has told him. He was in shock and despair, knowing his granddaughter had to suffer so much when she was still a weak child.

Accident, coma, living alone in another country? Just thinking about it made his heartache.

"Master, how do you feel after meeting young Miss?"

He didn't immediately answer Jim, his personal assistant. He glanced out of the car.

Not long after, he said, "The child's life has been miserable. She has endured tremendous suffering alone. Thank God she survived and became successful as she is now." He looked at Jim. "From now on, I wish you to protect her even from afar. You must remember that no one can hurt her anymore. This is my one last important assignment to you."

"Yes, Master, your wish is my command."