"Hello," Jonathan's strong voice reverberated on the phone. "You brat, have you forgotten me once you got a girlfriend? Why haven't you come to meet me these past few weeks?" He jested, and Ronnie stifled a smile. Whenever his Boss and his Old Master met, it would be amusing to the onlookers. They behaved like small kids, pulling each other's legs.
Noah rolled his eyes hearing his grandfather's mockery. He did not care much about the old man who loved to tease him. However, the one who was stunned the most was Mia. Since the phone was on speaker, she could hear every exchange between the two men. 'Girl-girlfriend? Did I just hear that Noah has a girlfriend?' She clasped her fingers tightly and her gaze changed, which Noah did not notice. But Ronnie did not miss it, and his eyes rose subtly, observing her closely.
"Grandpa," Noah tried to focus on the matter at hand. However, Jonathan interrupted him, not allowing him to speak further.
"Tell me, quick. How far are you in making babies with that girl? What's her name by the way? Ahh, Aria, is it? Tell me, tell me." Jonathan's excited voice sounded from the phone and every word of his was a hard strike to Mia's heart. Her face paled and tears formed in her eyes.
"Grandpa," Noah sighed lightly, unable to believe his old man who was hellbent on ordering him to make babies with Aria. It was not like he could make her pregnant without doing anything. 'I have not gone beyond the first base, let alone infuse my sperm in her body.
"Don't tell me that you are still crawling when it comes to matters like these?" Jonathan roared on the phone and Noah rubbed his forehead, his head starting to ache slowly. "Have you done the deed with that girl or not?" His shameless words made Ronnie chuckle lightly and at once, Noah sent a warning glare to him. Seeing Noah's angry gaze, he made an action of zipping his mouth and tried as hard as possible to stifle his laughter.
"Grandpa, I have some important matters to discuss with you." Noah tried to bring up the actual topic. However, the old man was having none of it.
"What could be more important than giving me great-grandkids? Don't try to deviate from the topic. I need answers and I need them now. When will I play with your child?"
"Grandpa, we are on speaker and everybody around me is listening to our conversation," Noah stated and took a look at the girl in front of him. Her complexion had gone pale and she seemed to be trying hard to control herself from breaking down. Noah knew why she was in this state, yet he did not do anything to console her. 'It is best she stops whatever she has for me before it becomes too late. She must know the truth today so that she can move ahead in life.'
There was a moment of silence from the other side and Noah took a breath of relief, only to hear his grandfather chide him. "So what? Let them hear. They too must know how unfilial of a grandson you are and let them give you a good hearing on my behalf. I am getting old and my wish is to see great-grandkids soon. Being my grandson, it is your duty to fulfill my wish."
"Grandpa, I am not the only grandkid you have." Noah reminded the old man and Jonathan chuckled lightly, making him wonder what had happened.
"I know. I am not worried about Rachel. She is still young. It is you I am worried about, you unfilial brat."
"Grandpa, I will talk about this matter later. I have something important to ask." Noah stopped him once again. But as usual, Jonathan was having none of it.
"What? Don't tell me you want to ask me how to make babies?" This time, Ronnie could not control himself any longer and he started laughing out loud like a maniac. Even a glare from his Boss could not stop him. "Listen you, unfilial brat. If you want more information on this matter, watch some videos. There are a lot of them on the internet. Use any method you wish, but I want results. And I want them soon. Do you underst..."
"Do you know Mia Stevenson?" Noah threw his question before his old man could embarrass himself more and Jonathan stopped speaking at once.
"Who?" Jonathan's voice lowered significantly and Noah shook his head in disbelief.
"Mia Stevenson. Have you heard about her?" Noah repeated and this time, Jonathan took a long time to respond. By now, Noah and Ronnie had guessed what might the answer be. But they still waited for the old man to contradict their guesses.
"I know her. Why do you ask?" Jonathan answered and immediately, the two men glanced at Mia, who seemed absent minded. She was lost in thoughts to notice the weird expressions on the men around her.
"Grandfather, were you the one who helped her enter the company?" Noah threw his next question and his worst fears came true when he heard his grandfather speak.
"Yes, I helped her enter the company." His stoic reply stunned Noah and he was speechless for a long time.
"But, why grandpa? Are you hiding something from me?" He queried, his cool demeanor cracking in disbelief. 'Why did grandpa help Mia? Is he related her or even worse, to Jared? Why did he not inform me about it?' For the first time in his life, Noah was doubting his grandfather and the feeling left a bitter taste in his heart.
"Noah, come home. I'll tell everything you want to know." Jonathan said, his tone turning serious all of a sudden and Noah's confidence fell even more. Jonathan realized that his words were sure misleading when he did not hear any word of protest from his grandson. So, he did not forget to add, "But I assure my son, I have not done anything for you to lower your head or feel ashamed of me. I have not done anything wrong. So, you do not have to worry."
That was all it took for the glint to return to Noah's eyes. And his sorrow and confusion vanished in a moment. 'If grandpa says so, then I am certain he must have had his reasons.'