Chapter 131 Childhood memories
They talked for a long time and the conversation flowed naturally between them even as the wine bottle had been emptied.
They had been eating appetizers and were already almost full.
Jonathan began to heat some of the food as he wanted her to taste the signature dish of the chef.
“Hey, you have not yet answered who it was that asked about me,” Liliana asked as she remembered that they had left that thread of conversation behind.
“Oh yeah. It was Jeremy Winston. He is a family friend, and one of the major shareholders,” Jonathan shrugged.
“I think I remember him. Does he have green eyes, light green quite similar to that of a cat? And golden hair. Tall and broad.” Liliana said as she tried to recall her childhood memories.
“Yeah, that would be him,” Jonathan confirmed, “He said he used to see you when your grandfather was still alive.”
“Yeah, he was friends with my grandpa as far as I can recall. He used to quiz me whenever he used to visit on birthdays and occasions. We used to have fun when we stayed at the Petrova Mansion. Lester was not allowed to go there. Grandpa Winston’s son had wooed my mother if I am not wrong. He used to say that I could have been his granddaughter if not for his ill fate.” Liliana laughed as she said.
“What do you remember about your grandparents?” Jonathan was curious about Leon Petrova.
“He was very funny. Everyone tells me that he was a great person, a business prodigy, shrewd, intuitive, compassionate, and so on. But I only remember he was funny, not like ‘he fell in a ditch, hahaha’ funny but smart and sarcastic funny.”
Liliana thought for a while and added, “I also remember he was very helpful and treated everyone as equals. He would help everyone in need be it in their education, or help them in their everyday lives or business. And he did not do it in a way that made the other person indebted, it was more like friends helping each other out. At least that’s what he tried to do. And he was good with everyone. I assisted Terry and others by following his footsteps only.”
She sipped a drink and continued, “Grandpa used to love Grandma so much. Even when they were that old, I remember seeing them stealing kisses and always being glued to each other. His eyes would light up on seeing Grandma and she was the same. I did not understand it at that time, but it always stuck to me because their equation was very different from that between my mother and father.”
She had a faraway look on her face as she remembered her grandparents.
She shook her head and added, “And one time I remember someone had tried to steal from his company or something. He already knew it but played along and exposed him when there was no turning back. A lot was going on at that time, I did not understand it. But I very clearly remember he had told me that it was during the time of distress that a person’s character comes shining out. People can sometimes make small mistakes but as long as they correct them, they should be forgiven and given a chance.”
Jonathan listened raptly and held her hand as she remembered the family that she had loved and lost.
“He sounds like someone we would all have loved to get to know and learn from or even just have fun,” He added.
She nodded, “Yes. He was great. He used to teach me things practically. I never even realized I was being taught things. When I grew up and used those lessons, I realized he had been grooming me the entire time.”
She held his hand and turned to him as she added, “That’s also why I treat the kids as adults and explain things to them properly. They are going to have to shoulder all my responsibilities and yours too as they grow up, so I would rather they not be some spoiled brats and be sensible and calm no matter what. Most of all I want them to grow up to be decent human beings – good and compassionate individuals.”
Jonathan kissed her nose and said, “You did well. I will follow in your footsteps. They are too smart to be treated as kids anyway. I am glad you have groomed them well.”Material © NôvelDrama.Org.
Liliana leaned into him and confessed, “They are our children, Nathan. I want us to be on the same page regarding everything about them.”
Jonathan held her tightly, “We are on the same page now. We will keep at it.”