A promise from the Past
1341 Words
The Hale Mansion was unusually quiet that evening.
Adrian had just finished reviewing a pile of documents in his study when a knock came on the door.
"Young Master," the butler said politely, "Master Harrison would like to see you."
Adrian closed the file in front of him.
"I'll be there."
A few minutes later, he walked into his grandfather's study.
Harrison Hale sat comfortably on a wooden chair, a cup of tea resting on the table beside him. Even at his age, there was still an air of dignity around him.
"You wanted to see me, Grandpa?"
Harrison smiled and pointed to the chair opposite him.
"Sit down."
Adrian quietly obeyed.
The old man remained silent for a while, as if trying to find the right words.
Finally, he spoke.
"Do you know about my time in the army?"
Adrian nodded.
"You've told me a few stories before."
Harrison smiled faintly.
"The best friend I made during those years was Samuel Carter."
"I've heard his name."
"He wasn't just my friend. He was like a brother to me. We trusted each other with our lives."
The smile on Harrison's face slowly disappeared.
"Many years ago, before either of us had grandchildren, we made a promise."
Adrian listened quietly.
"We agreed that if one of us had a grandson and the other had a granddaughter, they would one day get married and become one family."
The room fell silent.
Harrison looked at his grandson.
"Samuel is no longer here."
"I know."
"I've carried that promise in my heart all these years. I think it's finally time to fulfill it."
Adrian already understood what his grandfather meant.
"You want me to marry his granddaughter."
"Yes."
Adrian lowered his eyes for a brief moment.
The truth was...
He had never planned on getting married.
His life had always been filled with work, meetings, and responsibilities. Romance had never interested him.
To him, whether he chose a wife himself or his grandfather chose one for him made little difference.
Marriage had never been part of his plans anyway.
So there was nothing to object to.
He looked back at Harrison.
"If this is the promise you want to keep, then I'll respect your decision."
Harrison blinked in surprise.
"You don't have any objections?"
Adrian simply shook his head.
"No."
A warm smile appeared on Harrison's face.
"Thank you."
"I just hope she's willing too."
"So do I," Adrian replied calmly.
Neither of them knew what the future would bring.
---
Across Aurora City...
The Carter family's small eatery had just closed for the day.
Soraya was helping her mother clean the tables while her father counted the day's earnings.
Just then, the sound of several expensive cars stopping outside caught everyone's attention.
Soraya frowned.
"Who could that be?"
Her father walked toward the entrance and looked outside.
His eyes widened.
Three black luxury cars were parked neatly in front of the eatery.
Several men in black suits stepped out before opening the back door of the middle car.
An elderly man slowly came out, dressed in a perfectly tailored dark suit, with a walking cane in one hand.
Behind him, the bodyguards stood respectfully.
Soraya stared in surprise.
"...Grandpa Harrison?"
A gentle smile appeared on the old man's face.
"Hello, Soraya."
She walked outside, still confused.
"You... why are you dressed like this today?"
Before Harrison could answer, her grandmother had already walked out of the house.
Unlike everyone else, she wasn't surprised.
Instead, she smiled knowingly.
"You finally decided to come as yourself."
Harrison chuckled.
"I suppose I couldn't keep hiding forever."
Soraya looked from one elderly person to the other.
"Hiding?"
Her father and mother exchanged confused glances.
"What is going on?"
Harrison slowly looked at everyone before speaking.
"I owe all of you an apology."
"For many years, I never told you my full identity."
He paused briefly.
"My name is Harrison Hale."
"The Hale family... is my family."
Silence.
Soraya blinked.
Her father froze.
Her mother's eyes widened.
"The... Hale family?" her father asked in disbelief.
"The richest family in Aurora City?"
Harrison nodded calmly.
"Yes."
"I never told you because Samuel and I agreed that our friendship should never be affected by wealth or status."
"I wanted every visit here to feel like I was simply an old friend visiting his brother's family."
Soraya slowly looked at her grandmother.
"You knew?"
Her grandmother nodded gently.
"I've known for years."
"I only kept it secret because I promised both your grandfather and Grandpa Harrison."
Soraya couldn't believe what she was hearing.
The kind old man who had visited them since she was a little girl...
The man who always laughed with them and asked about her studies...
Was actually the head of the richest family in Aurora City.
Harrison took a slow breath before continuing.
"I didn't come here today as Grandpa Harrison."
"I came as Harrison Hale."
"And I'm here to fulfill the promise your grandfather and I made many years ago."
The room suddenly became quiet.
The room suddenly became quiet.
No one spoke for several seconds.
Finally, Soraya's father broke the silence.
"Mr... Mr. Hale... why have you come today?"
Harrison looked at the family with gentle eyes.
"I came because there is a promise that has been waiting to be fulfilled for over twenty years."
He slowly took his seat while everyone else sat down.
"I believe all of you know that Samuel and I served together in the army."
Everyone nodded.
"He wasn't only my friend. He was my brother."
A faint smile appeared on Harrison's face as he remembered those days.
"One night, after returning safely from a difficult mission, we made a promise."
"If one of us had a grandson and the other had a granddaughter, they would become husband and wife."
Soraya slowly lowered her eyes.
"So that promise..."
"...was between me and your grandson?"
"Yes," Harrison answered gently.
"I have a grandson Adrian and he's been I informed about the promise and he has no objection"
"I came here today because I believe the time has come to fulfill the promise Samuel and I made."
The room fell silent once again.
Soraya's mother looked at her daughter with concern.
"This is... a lot to take in."
"I know," Harrison replied.
"That's why I don't expect an answer today."
He turned to Soraya.
"My child, I watched you grow up. I know you're a kind and sensible young woman."
"If you don't want this marriage, I won't force you."
"I gave Samuel my word, but I will never force his granddaughter to live a life she doesn't want."
Soraya looked at him quietly.
She had always respected Grandpa Harrison.
But marriage...
Marriage wasn't something she had ever imagined deciding like this.
After a long silence, she finally spoke.
"Grandpa Harrison..."
"I... I need some time."
"I've never even thought about getting married."
"And this is such a big decision."
Harrison smiled kindly.
"I understand."
"Take as much time as you need."
"There is no rush."
"I only ask that you think carefully before making your decision."
Soraya nodded softly.
"I will."
Harrison slowly stood up.
"As for Adrian..."
"He has agreed to honor my decision."
Soraya looked slightly surprised.
She hadn't expected that.
After saying a few more words to the family, Harrison left with his bodyguards.
The expensive cars slowly disappeared down the road, leaving the Carter family standing silently outside the eatery.
That night, Soraya couldn't sleep.
She sat beside her bedroom window, staring at the stars.
Her grandfather's smiling face appeared in her mind again and again.
She remembered all the stories he had told her about the friend he trusted more than anyone.
She remembered how much he valued keeping his promises.
Would he really have wanted this?
Or would he have wanted her to choose her own happiness?
The questions stayed in her mind until dawn.
She knew one thing for certain.
The decision she was about to make would change the rest of her life forever.
- Writer
