Romance with the Cursed Siren

CHAPTER 16. Grandfather's Complains

“Dad,” Christian called softly as he stepped inside the spacious bedroom.

The room carried an elegant warmth despite its size. A king-sized bed draped in brown and ivory sheets rested at the center, while a luxurious sofa set occupied the opposite side of the room. Beyond the open glass doors of the balcony sat Mr. Teofilo Alonzo, dressed comfortably in silk pajamas and cozy slippers. The white curtains swayed gently as the cool night breeze entered the room.

“Son!” the old man exclaimed in surprise, immediately turning around in his chair. “I thought you had already left the city.”

A wide smile spread across his wrinkled face.

“Good evening, Dad,” Aya greeted warmly as she entered behind her husband.

Teofilo’s eyes softened at the sight of her. “Aya, my dear… it’s been so long, and yet you still look as beautiful as ever.”

Aya smiled shyly and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Thank you, Dad.”

“We’re here with Crystal,” Christian announced as he walked toward his father. “She wanted to see you.”

“I knew it!” Teofilo laughed heartily. “My little girl couldn’t resist visiting her grandfather. Unlike her father.”

Christian sighed quietly while his father smirked teasingly.

“But Dad,” Christian continued more seriously, “I need to ask you something first.”

Teofilo raised a brow. “Hmm?”

“Please don’t mention the marriage arrangement to Crystal.”

The amusement on the old man’s face slowly faded.

“Why not?” he asked calmly. “Everything was settled years ago. The agreement was already made.”

Christian stepped closer, lowering his voice. “She doesn’t know anything about it yet and I don't agree with this contract.”

Teofilo shifted his gaze toward Aya. “And what about you, Aya? Do you agree with this?”

Aya hesitated before speaking. “Dad… I think Christian is right. Crystal isn’t ready for that kind of commitment yet.”

She kept her eyes lowered while nervously twisting her fingers together.

“Dad,” Christian said firmly, “all I’m asking is for you not to tell her. She’s waiting outside the door right now. But if you can’t promise me that, then I can’t let her come in.”

The old man stared at his son for a long moment before letting out a deep sigh.

“My dear son…” he muttered disappointedly. “What exactly are you doing to your daughter?”

Christian remained silent.

“When you told me you bought an island, I thought it was only for leisure. I never imagined you would isolate yourselves there and raise my granddaughter away from the world.” Teofilo’s tone grew heavier. “Look how innocent she is about everything. You didn’t even send her to a proper school.”

Christian’s jaw tightened.

“You of all people should understand the importance of education,” Teofilo continued. “What happened to you?”

“Crystal doesn’t need a normal school,” Christian insisted. “She knows how to read and write. That’s enough.”

“That’s enough?” the old man repeated incredulously.

He looked at Aya again, hoping she would object, but she remained silent.

Teofilo shook his head in frustration.

“You three are all I have left after your mother and sister died,” he said quietly. “And this company… this family legacy… I only wanted Crystal to have a future in it since you refuse to handle everything yourself and this marriage is my only hope.”

Christian lowered his head slightly.

“You are my only heir, Christian. The only one I trust.” The old man’s voice trembled faintly. “I’m getting old. One day, I’ll leave this world too. Yet you won’t even give me a chance to secure this family’s future.”

He stood up from his seat with visible irritation.

“And you can’t keep Austin in that temporary position forever,” he added sharply. “You know I don’t trust that man. If it weren’t for Rachel, I would never have allowed him back into this family.”

He walked past Aya toward the bedroom door.

Christian remained silent, guilt flickering across his face. Yet deep inside, another voice kept reminding him that every decision he made was for the safety of his family.

Before the tension could grow further—

“Grandpa!”

Crystal suddenly rushed inside the room and nearly threw herself into Teofilo’s arms.

The old man’s expression softened instantly.

“Oh, my baby girl,” he murmured warmly as he embraced her tightly. “You’ve grown so much.”

Crystal giggled happily while hugging him back.

“Why didn’t you visit me on your birthday, hmm?” he asked gently.

Crystal glanced nervously toward her parents. Christian subtly shook his head, warning her not to mention the incident with the fishing net underwater.

“Uh…” Crystal awkwardly smiled. “Dad’s yacht broke down that day. He needed to repair it before we could sail.”

“I see,” Teofilo replied, though he clearly sensed something was off.

He guided her toward the bed and gestured for her to sit beside him.

“That yacht is older than you,” he grumbled while shooting Christian a sharp glance. “You should convince your father to replace it with something advanced and safer.”

Crystal chuckled softly.

“Now tell me,” the old man continued while holding her hands affectionately, “aren’t you bored living on that island?”

Crystal shrugged lightly. “I’m already used to it, Grandpa.”

“If only your father allowed me to visit that island,” Teofilo sighed dramatically. “I’d build you a mansion bigger than this one. I’d bring you gadgets, entertainment, anything you wanted.”

Crystal forced a weak smile while listening.

“Dad,” Christian warned from the sofa.

“What?” Teofilo retorted. “I’m only trying to give my granddaughter the life she deserves.”

Aya quietly squeezed Christian’s hand, sensing his growing irritation.

“Oh!” Teofilo suddenly brightened. “Do you still remember that young boy you used to play with? You always followed him around and—”

“Dad,” Christian interrupted again firmly.

Crystal blinked curiously. “What boy?”

“That’s nothing, sweetheart,” Christian answered quickly.

“Your grandfather is just reminiscing.”

Teofilo scoffed. “You are unbelievably ridiculous, Christian.”

Trying to ease the tension, Crystal spoke again.

“By the way, Grandpa, Da didn’t tell you what happened during the typhoon, right?”

Christian immediately stiffened.

“No, sweetie,” he answered before Teofilo could react.

“Your grandfather doesn’t need to worry about everything happening on the island.”

“What happened?” Teofilo asked, instantly concerned. “Was there damage? Were you hurt?”

“Nothing serious,” Christian said firmly, shooting Crystal another warning glance.

Crystal frowned slightly, clearly unhappy about being interrupted again.

Teofilo noticed it immediately and to lighten the atmosphere, he pressed the intercom beside his bed.

“Jack,” he instructed warmly, “prepare dinner on the balcony. And bring the gifts for Crystal.”

Not long after, servants entered carrying elegant boxes wrapped carefully with ribbons.

Crystal’s eyes widened in amazement.

“For me?”

“Of course,” Teofilo chuckled proudly.

Since Christian refused to let Crystal use modern gadgets, the old man had instead prepared beautiful dresses, elegant shoes, jewelry, and even gifts for Aya.

Moments later, Crystal emerged from the dressing room wearing a sparkling red tea-length gown originally intended for her eighteenth birthday celebration.

She twirled slowly in front of the large mirror, her eyes glowing with delight.

“This is so beautiful…” she whispered. “I feel like a princess.”

“Because you truly are one,” Teofilo declared proudly, spreading his arms wide. “And this—” he gestured around the mansion, “—is your kingdom.”

Crystal laughed softly.

The old man then extended his hand toward her.

“May I have this dance, Princess?”

“There’s no music,” Crystal giggled.

“Then we’ll imagine one.”

Without hesitation, she accepted his hand.

The two swayed gracefully across the room, smiling warmly at each other as though a melody existed only in their hearts.

Christian and Aya watched quietly from the sofa, both touched by the deep bond between father and granddaughter despite the distance that had always separated them.

Soon, dinner was served on the balcony beneath the stars.

The long table overflowed with luxurious dishes, their delicious aroma filling the cool night air.

Crystal eagerly tasted everything, her excitement obvious in every bite.

Teofilo laughed warmly while watching her.

“You eat exactly like your father used to.”

“Dad,” Christian muttered tiredly.

“What? It’s true,” the old man replied smugly.

As the laughter slowly faded, Teofilo suddenly spoke more quietly.

“I wish you could all stay here with me… until my last days.”

“Dad!” Christian immediately protested. “Don’t say things like that.”

“Oh, come on,” the old man sighed. “We all know I’m old already. One day your mother and sister will come fetch me.”

“Grandpa…” Crystal whispered sadly.

“This house feels too empty,” he admitted softly while staring into the night sky. “If only all of you lived here with me… maybe I’d want to live even longer.”

Crystal could no longer bear hearing him speak that way.

She stood and wrapped her arms around him tightly.

“I love you, Grandpa,” she whispered. “And don’t say those things anymore. Once we find the cure to my sickness, I’ll stay with you forever.”

Teofilo sighed deeply.

“That sickness…” he murmured. “I still don’t understand it. You look healthier than all of us.”

Then his gaze shifted sharply toward Christian.

“And what cure are you talking about? You could have the best doctors in the world. Why are you hiding yourselves away on an island?”

“Dad, please,” Christian groaned tiredly. “We’ve already discussed this countless times.”

“Right,” Teofilo scoffed bitterly. “Crystal is ‘different.’ That’s always your explanation.”

Aya lowered her gaze uncomfortably.

“I just don’t understand why you keep everything from me,” the old man continued. “I’m your father. We are family.”

Christian remained silent.

The rest of the evening passed with occasional arguments, soft laughter, and bittersweet moments shared together.

Eventually, it was time for the family to leave so Teofilo could rest—and so they could return to the island before Crystal’s transformation began again.