Chapter 21 #2
Desiree nodded. “I can see how you would think that. It had been around the time of Aunt Margot’s birthday.
The first one that I had to face after she was killed was hard on me.
As I said, my first choice had been to come home, but when you didn’t return my call, I figured you preferred that I didn’t. ”
“As I said, I had no idea you’d tried to reach me, and I will speak with Eloise when I get back into the office on Monday. You’re the second person this has happened to ─ where she did not pass messages on to me. But it won’t happen again, I promise you that.”
“Thanks for telling me that, Granddad. Because for years, I thought you didn’t care for me.
That’s why I left here and went to Paris after college.
I had to do some soul-searching. I believed you thought I was irresponsible—a party girl and no different from Mom.
I went there wanting to prove you right… but couldn’t.”
She took a deep breath. “I ended up discovering a lot about myself in Paris. I learned that I’m not like my parents, but more like you—focused, disciplined, and ambitious. I was making something of my life.”
“Would you share with me what you were doing?” he asked.
She held his gaze. “I decided I wanted my MBA, so I went back to college and got it from Harvard.”
He stared at her, speechless. “You were here in the States?” he asked, shocked.
“Not the entire time.” She told him about the Harvard Extension School that she attended in Paris, and the required classroom hours she had satisfied by traveling back to Massachusetts.”
“I am very proud of you.”
“Thanks. That means a lot.” Then, she added, “There’s something else you need to know.”
“What?”
“I did my internship at Sharpe Corporation’s Paris office. I didn’t tell anyone I was your granddaughter, and I went by the name of Desiree Sharpe and not Allison Sharpe.”
He couldn’t stop the smile that touched his lips. “Is there anything else you’ve been keeping from me?”
She nodded. “When I was at Rhodes College, I was the president of the chess team. If you recall, I used to ask you to teach me, but you never had the time.”
“It wasn’t that, Allison.”
“Then what was it?”
“I couldn’t handle the memories.”
She tilted her head, confused. “Memories?”
“Yes. Your grandmother and I would play chess all the time. In fact, that’s how we met.
We were members of the Harvard Chess Club.
Chess is a game that requires full concentration, and I knew I couldn’t sit across from you and not think about her.
You might have inherited your mother’s eyes, but you have your grandmother’s smile. You favor her a lot.”
Desiree gave him a cheeky grin. “She was beautiful, so I’ll take that as a compliment.” She paused for a moment. “I know you loved Gramma a lot. Do you ever think you will find it in your heart to fall in love again?”
“Funny you should ask.”
He then told her about Lolita, that he hadn’t been on a business trip for those five weeks, but had gone to visit her. And how anxious he was for Allison to meet her.
***
Now Desiree knew what was so different about her grandfather, and why he appeared so much more relaxed. “I’m really happy for you. I can’t wait to meet her.”
“She is looking forward to meeting you as well. She’ll be back in the States in two weeks.”
All this time, she’d believed her grandfather hadn’t loved her. Now she knew he did, and the world suddenly seemed like a brighter place. “I’m so glad we had this talk, Granddad,” she said.
“So am I, Allison. And I hope it’s not the last time. You are my granddaughter, and I love you. I always have, and I always will.”
He opened his arms, and she walked into them for the embrace she’d been waiting for her whole life.
***
“Checkmate,” Cobra said, grinning broadly. “You’re getting rusty, Richard. I won the last time we played, too. Right before you left town.”
“I have a lot on my mind tonight.”
“Obviously,” Cobra said, leaning back in his chair. “You want to talk about it?”
Richard released a deep breath and then said. “Allison and I finally talked. You were right—it explained a lot.”
“Good. I’m glad,” Cobra said.
“We know it’s going to be a process, but I feel so good about rebuilding our relationship. I am so proud of her.”
Cobra nodded. “Rebuilding the relationship will be good for both of you. You’ve both been missing out on knowing each other. And you’re not all that different. Now I need to ask your permission about something.”
Richard lifted a brow. “What is it?”
“To marry your granddaughter.”
Richard stared at him as if shocked. “Marry her? The two of you don’t even get along.”
Cobra smiled. “We get along just fine. In fact, we’re doing some relationship-building of our own. I just wanted to make sure you are okay with it. I love her and intend to marry her.”
Richard eyed him. “Marriage is a big step. I’ll think about it.”
Cobra chuckled. “Yes, you do that.”
“Damn, Cobra. I can barely stand you as my wealth asset manager. I’m not sure if I could handle having you as a grandson-in-law.”
“I’m giving you time to get used to the idea.”
At that moment, they heard the door open, and Desiree came in, all smiles. Cobra was convinced each time he saw her that she was even more beautiful, and her smile would light up any room. “My two favorite guys. Who won?” she asked.
“I did,” Cobra said, grinning, walking over to brush a kiss across her lips.
Desiree glanced over at her grandfather. “You let him beat you again?”
Richard shrugged. “I wasn’t focused.”
“Granddad, you have to uphold the Sharpe name.”
“You think you can do better?” Cobra asked, grinning. “I beat one Sharpe tonight. I shouldn’t have any trouble making it two.”
“We’ll see about that,” Desiree said haughtily, placing her purse aside to sit in the chair her grandfather had just vacated.
Richard laughed. He had a feeling there would never be a dull moment with these two. And he wholeheartedly looked forward to seeing the fireworks.