LUST LOVE: Slave To The Billionaire CEO
Chapter 44

"Come here pretty one, grandma has a lot to show you" Grandma Shiley pulls her away heading to a corner. Smiles turns to Keane and he nods.

"I know this isn't the right place and time but it was the only thing we could do to make that brat tag you along," Grandma Shiley said in a sad tone. Smiles felt sorry for her understanding her pain. But wait, have they been waiting to see her? She thought with slightly twisted brows.

"It's fine Grandma, I don't mind at all"

She flashes a sweet smile, following her behind.

Grandma Shiley led her into a room. It was big and everything was decorated with blue. Lots of pictures of a cute little boy on the wall, and so on.

"Where did you two meet?" Came Grandma's sudden question. Smiles didn't know if to answer honestly or lie but thinking about it, there was just no need to lie.

"His company...in an interview" she explained. It's not like that was the first place they met but at least, it's the most decent.

"Keane has never been a fan of ladies' reasons unknown to us but when we heard she moved a lady into his mansion, we were so happy" Grandma Shiley paused before continuing.

"It's always been my dream to see his child, my great-grandchild...not like that's all I wished for but...he just didn't have the life he wished for, and that left a broken part in his heart that hasn't healed up till now" grandma was getting emotional, she quickly wipes on her tears.

"Pardon me" she chuckles and Smiles chuckles too, replaceing her funny. Well, she knows women are emotional but it's just so strange seeing an older woman crying.

"I don't know what happened in his past and I wish to ask what left him broken...he's got you and grandpa and his mom and dad," Smiles said then suddenly recalled she hadn't seen or heard anything about his mom or dad. Wait! Are they dead? She thought to herself but was quick to shake off her thoughts.

Grandma walks to the cupboard and torches on a picture of a beautiful lady with light brown hair. With just a glance, Smiles could tell it was Keane's mother. The only thing that differs is the difference in their eye color. "She's beautiful" Smiles compliment with gaze not leaving the portrait.

"She's Keane's mom" Grandma Shiley informs. Well, she had already figured it out on her own.

"She died when Keane was just 12 years old... the worst thing that can ever happen to anyone is to watch your mother dying and you can't do anything to save her" Tears roll down Grandma Shirley's cheeks remembering how bitter Keane cried.

"He watched her leave this earth...crying and begging her to stay" She wiped her nostrils and turned to smile with mixed emotions on her face.

"For that, he hates his father...Austin, my son blames him for his mother's death...he isn't wrong though...if only he had stayed and didn't go, maybe she wouldn't have died in the first place...I know he's my son but I must be frank, he messed up.. big time" Grandma Shiley grinds on her teeth, taking a seat on the bed.

Smiles quietly take hers, wiping away the tears she didn't know were there.

"He was just a boy, desiring to experience the best in the family but Austin was far from giving him that..." Grandma Shiley paused and turned to her.

"Do you love my son?" She asked to take Smiles by surprise. Smiles opens her mouth only to close it again, how can she admit her feelings for him? She was confused and didn't know what to say.

"You know, the essence of every relationship is love...without love, the relationship is nothing but a forcible one," Grandma Shiley said, turning her gaze to the picture of little Keane on the wall.

"Austin never loved Lily, Keane's mom and because of lack of love, she had to suffer for it" Grandma Shiley finished. The room was immersed in complete silence.

"If he didn't love her then why did he marry her? Marriage is all about love and understanding, to be willing to be committed" Smiles asked curious to know why.

"Exactly child...but that was far from being the reason...you know, Austin was never in love with her, but Fiona since childhood...frankly, we all thought they would end up together but it proved us wrong when Fiona suddenly got married to another man...he was hurt, very hurt and thinking he could get over it with marriage, he decided to marry Lily who has been silently loving him but it wasn't the same for him...he never loved her even till her death...that's how Keane ended up hating him" Grandma Shiley explains.

"No one but Austin is at fault. Fiona followed her heart, but he was so persistent to give up to the extent he destroyed both their lives in the process" Grandma Shiley was trying so hard not to cry. She can clearly remember the tears on Fiona's face when she came begging for Austin to tell the truth but he didn't.

Smiles were already crying now, she could imagine.

"So I ask you again, pretty one...do you love my grandson?" Grandma Shiley asked. Smiles quickly nod, crying.

"Yes...yes, Grandma...so much that it hurts" She bursts out in tears, crying out loud. Grandma Shiley comforts her. It's the first time she's been comforted by someone and the feeling was just so magical, exceptionally.

"I saw it the second I laid my eyes on you..." Grandma Shiley pulls her at arm's length,

"Then fight for him...I don't know what obstacles you are facing but I need you to fight for him, make him desire you like life itself...make him love you and want you like there's no tomorrow "Grandma encourages. She cried even more, letting it out.

"How? I don't know how, grandma...and it's pains" she cries, talking in-between her sobs.

"Just let it flow, your love will guide you," Grandma Shiley said. Rubbing on her back.

The room went dead-silent, Smiles wiped on her face feeling much better than she'd ever been.

"Thanks, Grandma" Smiles was grateful and happy to know someone like Grandma Shiley, only God knows how weak she was, about to give up.