Sam's POV
"He wants to get married soon, let's hope you're the one he settles down with." He added.
Nicholas winced. I made a mental note to meet him and ask why he acted grumpy whenever Danny was being mentioned!
At the party, Danny walked over to us as he heard of our arrival. He wore a fine suit and maintained a nice smile.
"You made it, Mr Price." He then turned to me and reached for my hand, kissing it gently, "Sam," our eyes lingered for a moment before he let go of my hand. "And you, Mr. Nicholas. I see you made it too."
Nicholas smiled, although it didn't reach his eyes. "I accompanied Sam. We go to most places together."
"That's a little creepy, considering that she's a full grown adult who can take care of herself. Then again, maybe it's nice to see you playing the big brother role." Danny said, smiling as Nicholas gritted his teeth.
I stepped forward to intercept, "please let's all find somewhere to sit. I'm starving." I said, and it worked.
"Of course, right this way." He lead us to a sit, it was in front and appeared like a special guest position. "I'd like to make a toast please." He said after a while.
All attention turned to him and he earned the audiences focus. "Thanks for giving me the opportunity to present myself here with so much pride. I'm nothing without you all, my investors, partners, staff members, my customers. Even without having a family, you all have filled the roles of one for me."
"I am truly enjoying a happy birthday tonight." He said with gratitude in his eyes. I loved how bold he have his speech. Everyone clapped and the band members in the room played a soft happy birthday song. When it died down a bit, Danny continued again.
"But tonight I'm specifically celebrating a very important man in my life. My mentor and parent. Along with his beautiful daughter, Mr Price and miss Sam. Here's a toast to the start of something new."
Everyone raised the toast and cheered together. Someone jumped up, her voice loud gaining everyone's attention with ease. "Miss Sam, is she your lover?"
I wasn't expecting that and clearly, neither were some other people. But soon, it became a loud murmuring in the crowd as they began to mumble about us, I could hear muffled pronunciation of my name!
Someone looked at me and asked again, and I was only able to manege dumb smiles and avoid eye contact. Of course Danny and I weren't dating!
The voice asked again.
"Actually, Danny and I -" I heard my own voice began to say, but Danny did not let me finish.
"I'm in love with miss Sam. And I want to marry her.
What?
I mean, I knew that was somewhat the plan. My grandpa was already too invested in him, and I didn't really think Danny to be a bad match. But one would think he would at least follow a right way to asking me out, and actually getting to know me.
Not just publicly confessing his plan to everyone like this. Was it supposed to be romantic?
The media team in the house took particular interest in this and began to ask more questions. Danny only smiled like he had achieved his goal already. And I was too stunned to speak. Grandpa on the other hand, he was elated! The whole scenario died down when the band members played a fun dancing tune to distract everyone.
I turned and found Nicholas to have disappeared. This again? Why did he acted like he was jealous when he clearly confessed two weeks ago had been a mistake that should be forgotten about!
I got up and behind me, Grandpa called. "Where are you going?" He advanced to meet me. We were in a quiet passage away from all the loud noise and chattering.
I paused, "to the rest room." Why was he asking??
"Is there something between you and Nicholas?" He asked all of a sudden. That man, he was weird like that.
"What? No. You know this already, why would you ask?" I hoped the flustering on my face hadn't betrayed me.
"Okay." He said, but he didn't sound like he believed me. "I don't hate Nicholas. The lad is a really gentle man if you ask me."
I was a bit curious too. "And he's rich too..." I added. He looked at me shocked. "I know what you're doing. You want me to get married to a rich man so I don't suffer. I just don't think this should be two weeks after my heartbreaking marriage ending--" I didn't mean to break down like that but he needed to hear the truth!
"Stop right there." It was calm not actually commanding. I sniffed in and wiped a drop of tear that had managed to escape my eyes.
"Your parent died many many years ago. I've been your only guardian. That's enough suffering and I know what you go through everyday! I wanted you to get married to someone else, it had always been Danny. But you wanted Justin."
"My dear," he leaned forward and held my hand, "Justin never loved you the way you loved him. If it's anything at all, he never respected you. I knew it, and I tried to warn you."
I shook my head to disagree. "He loved me, I just don't think it was enough--"
"--we're still saying the same thing. But I wasn't really too concerned about that. Your marriage would have survived if he was willing to work things out, it still can. But I never supported your love for him because of his family! They didn't like you and were arrogant fools!"
I looked at him and caught him actually show emotions. Grandpa was always so hard but now, this was me seeing someone else in his eyes. My heart melted.
"They don't love or respect you, or me. They're full of pride. Because they're richer than we are. And more influential."
It was starting to make sense now..."Nicholas and I getting together would lead me to the same situation." I sniffed in, feeling more pained than before.