"THE success of Henson is all over the news, congrats! Papa," Celeste greeted her father in law, Vladimir, that morning. She kissed the don on the cheek in greeting as usual.
The Henson men, who are Vladimir's sons Vincent, Victory and Vlast, greet the old Henson too.
"Thank you, Celeste, you know the skill of my grandchildrens when it comes to business is truly unmatched," Don Vladimir Henson proudly said.
"I totally agreed with that, Papa," Celeste replied with a smile. Obviously she and her father in law are close when it comes to business matters because Celeste Gandiola-Henson also has her own business that she inherited from her parents.
"Ehem, I raised and molded Blue, it's only natural that his skill in handling business will be inherited from me," Victory interjected in the conversation. He's referring to the CEO of Henson Corp. which is Blue.
Zen couldn't help but feel angry at what his arrogant husband Victory said.
Yes, Victory raised Blue Henson. The latter's parents, who was the eldest child outside of Don Vladimir Henson, died early. But no one asked about that so Victory should have been kept quiet.
"Fifty two branches and all of them are grand opening, that was a huge success, Papa. Considering that it was only done for one month," said Don Vladimir's eldest son, Vincent.
"You said, Vincent!" Don Vladimir replied happily.
"And why, I knew whose performance is like this. Whose style." Vincent glanced at the people facing the table one by one.
"What do you mean by that, Vince?"
"Vlast, you know what Vince is saying," Don Vladimir uttered.
"I have trained the children longer than you Vic. And just like the other businessmen, my nephews also have their own style in running a business," Vincent voice out.
The don grinned at the conversation between his children. They are both high and mighty like him so it's no wonder they don't get along.
"Good morning, oldies!" Blue they were talking about arrived from jogging. Blue immediately waved at his grandfather and kissed the cheeks of his two aunts.
"I would like to congratulate you, Blue Henson. You nailed it again!"
"Er, I guess there's a little mistake here. Grandpops, didn't you tell Uncle Victory?"
The don just shrugged his shoulders. "Do I need to?" Don Vladimir said sarcastically. His eyes landed on his son, Victory.
RED heard that argument. He just hid in the kitchen area and didn't show up to the Henson elders.
These are the reasons why he came to Jax— his family.
Well, he really doesn't want to think about the things that are over and the only thing that matters to him is right now. He returned to the Henson mansion because of Euna. Because of what they have. He needs to talk to his grandfather about him and Euna's relationship. A relationship that he thinks he has really prepared for this time.
"They're arguing there, they're never bored," complained his cousin Grey who had just entered the kitchen area where Red was.
"What else is new? That's why I've lost the desire to go with them," Haya spoke, her only female cousin who is the daughter of her Uncle Vlast and Auntie Celeste.
"You guys are complaining like you are Red," Blue interjected, referring to the aforementioned complaints of Grey and Haya.
The faces of the two continued to crumple. When it's Blue who sneezes, they can't complain. They grew up as cousins with Blue as their superior just like his position at Henson Corp—CEO.
"And you, Red, I expected you to come out earlier."
He laughed softly. "I won't be here long Blue, even if I go back to work."
Haya took a deep breath. "Whutt?! You gotta be kidding us, R!"
"Hmn, not really. The purpose of what I'm here for now is to talk to Grandpops and make our conversation clear. After that, you know I'm going to court Euna again."
Euna, to be honest, he doesn't know what to do. He called her several times last night since she came home from the mall but she did not answer even one of his calls or texts.
He was going to let his girlfriend go for a while, and he didn't go to her house to see her after she found out about his personality because when they returned to the newly opened Hen's Donuts store in that mall, they were surprised that their grandfather was there. It's not his job to go to his grandchildren's businesses.
And yeah, he couldn't leave after that to visit Euna at least for a while.
"But you can make her fall in love with you again while you're here with us," Haya said artfully.
"H, until now you haven't changed your speech," said Red.
"Ack, you're diverting the conversation!"
Red just laughed at his cousin. "I just need to talk to Granpops, that's all. Please call me when he's at the library," he instructed his cousins.
He had no intention of leaving the kitchen just to see and face his own father. Just to get stress. His mom will again force him to be with her even though he is the one who doesn't want to be with him. To think that he is still his son, he doesn't even hear the slightest bit of pride from him regarding him.
Oh, he had no bad bread with Blue. He is also free to accept that he is second best to Blue, that is often diverted because of Victory Henson.
They, who are cousins, are fine with each other. If they have a problem, they fix it right away even if they don't talk about it. They are so flexible with each other.
"Alright, I will text you."
"Yeah, thanks, Blue." In that simple conversation between him and Blue, they knew, no one can stop them from being glued in life, together.
"HELLO, my stubborn grandson."
"You know that that's not true," Red replied firmly to his grandfather.
Red sat in one of the four chairs lined up in front of Don Vladimir's table for a reason he didn't know. Well, because he's not a lawyer to begin with, for those four seats. Another thing is that room is a library office. If someone visits their grandfather there, surely, only one person will be able to enter there by the don's strictness.
Ah, what does he care about those chairs that even if he asks him, his grandfather will definitely not answer sensibly either.
"That's true, my grandson. You inherited that stubbornness from Victory."
He raised his eyebrows at Don Vladimir's words. "That's not true. He couldn't do what I can and could do for your company."
The don laughed loudly. "I just knew that's what you're going to answer me."
"Let's stop including Victory's name here. Grandpops, you're too happy right now and I know that's because you brought me back here thinking you're absolved of your arrears to me."
Don Vladimir let out another loud laugh. He's truly happy when talking to his grandson Red. Red is so stubborn that the only thing he follows is himself.
Well, Don Vladimir would have given Red that attitude if only he would not be ruined by his decisions in life.
"Well, I'm glad that you are back, first and foremost, Red Henson."
"Thank you," Red replied formally to his grandfather.
"About our agreement, I'm glad you didn't disappoint me again."
"Don Vlad, apart from not being able to disappoint you because you will lose your temper and disinherit me, you do not accept disappointment."
The don laughed again. It was obvious comfort to the grandson who had longed to see him again in his mansion for a long time.
"Oh, Red, stop talking that you think you will beg when I disinherit you. You still inherited something from your grandmother."
In truth, Don Vladimir was happy with the courage Red showed him when he ran away and lived as an ordinary person far from the luxury he was used to. But of course, all his actions are monitored by him. That's why he also knew that this day would come.
"Hmn, maybe. So, let's go to the agreement, I'm getting impatient, Granpops," Red said, obviously bored.
"I don't have anything else to say about that agreement, grandson, otherwise, congratulations."
"Congrats and? Looks like something is missing, Grandpops..."
The don grinned. "Yeah, what I did to Aira will never happen again. Go ahead, grandson, and multiply."