Chapter 71 - Diffuse The Situation (1/2)
Olivia narrowed her eyes at her grandmother as her mind went into a wormhole of confusion. ”But Grandma, isn't that Aesop's Fable? It should be a donkey, not a carabao, right?”
A hearty laugh filled the room, sending good vibrations that reached to the hallway outside, making the servants in waiting smile.
Back inside the bedroom, Matriarch Lin looked at Maxen and urged for back-up, ”Oh, was it a donkey?”
Not well-versed in poetry and literature, Maxen scratched the skin on top of his eyebrows. He didn't want to look stupid, but he really didn't know the answer.
Seeing Maxen's plight, Matriarch Lin came to his aide and said, ”Well, we don't have a donkey in Nisia. We only have carabaos, that's why Grandma has to improvise.”
Patting the back of Olivia's hand, Matriarch Lin urged the former to answer her rhetorical question. ”So what's the moral of the story? Come on now.”
Olivia looked around the room. She could feel every pair of eyes that were staring at her pierce through her skin. It made her feel as if she was in a recital or something.
Her mind went blank. No matter how hard she tried to come up with an answer, she was left with more questions, like how heavy was the carabao for the father and son to carry?
So she just shrugged, clueless of the meaning behind the story. One reason could be it was a children's story that nobody read to her growing up, so she said, ”I don't know, Grandma. How about you tell me?”
Matriarch Lin squeezed Olivia's hand. Her granddaughter might be good in numbers, but Olivia sure needed some help in her interpersonal skills.
”Livi, it means that you have to take reins in your life. Choose what makes you happy.”
”Grandmaaa,” Olivia choked on her emotions. She rarely heard her grandma dole out words of wisdom and of all the topics the old woman would choose, she picked happiness–that one thing that Olivia deprived herself of not because she didn't want it, but she really had no idea what true happiness was.
And Matriarch Lin knew that too, but her hands were tied that time when Olivia was born.
Henry Lin could barely manage Lin Corporation, a comatose wife, and two children at the same time.
She felt that it was her duty to make sure that the Lin legacy would continue, so she chose to stay and hone Oliver instead.
Through the years she felt guilty of leaving Olivia in that cold and gloomy country and her conscience ate her up knowing that the skyrocketing glory of Lin Corporation was at the expense of Olivia growing up alone.
Matriarch Lin fought back her tears and uttered, ”This is my birthday gift to you, Livi darling. Grandma is old and withering,”
”Ssshhh, no, don't say that, Grandma.” Olivia trembled in her seat.
”It's true and it's okay. I've been alive for a very long time and my only wish is to see a genuine smile on your face.”
”You don't have to worry about me, okay?” Olivia sniffed. She stood up and wrapped her grandma in her cocoon. ”My pity party was over, Grandma. And I assure you, I won't get easily persuaded by those two grumpy men but that was a beautiful story. I'll always remember that.”
Olivia kissed Matriarch Lin's temple and rested her head on the old woman's shoulder.
”How about we jet set to Vegas so you can get married secretly?” Auntie Martha suggested. She could feel it in her bones. Maxen and Olivia were the real deal.
The moment she saw Maxen and Olivia from the corner, everything slowed down in liquid motion. And she was there when King Alistair and Queen Isla met in their youth and she felt the same way about them too.
”Wait a minute. Are you guys serious? Auntie, nobody's getting married. We just met two days ago. Max, please ignore them.” Olivia protested, but her Auntie shushed her.