Bond of Circumstance

“Granny-yyy!” Rose called out as she buttoned up her shirt. She tucked the shirts into her Pants and checked herself in the hallway mirror. Seeing as there was no response from her grandma, she called out again. “Grandma I’m about to leave for wo-oorkkk” she paused and tilted her ears sideways as if trying to get a sound. Hearing nothing, she groaned and threw her hands in the air. She turned round and began to walk towards her grandmother’s room. “Grandma don’t play those tricks on me this morning, I’m gonna be late for wo-“ she stopped mid sentence as she noticed something off in her grandmother’s position. “Grandma?” She called out again, softly this time. Edging closer she peered at her grandmother's face and tapped her gently. “Grandma!” She called out, more firmer this time. Rose began to panic as her grandmother refused to bulge or even stir. She began to frantically shake the old woman of 68, trying to get her to wake up “Grandma please wake up! Oh no what am I going to do?” She said her voice wavering in fear. She has been responsible for her grandmother since their parents died 9 years ago when she was just 17 years old and her brother 9. Although her grandmother (Margaret) used to be a very strong woman, her health had started to deteriorate when she clocked 60; she suffers from diabetes and it had progressed to Type 2. “Oh my goodness what do I do” She shook her roughly twice before proceeding to get cold water in the bathroom which she sprinkled on her grandmother’s face. As soon as the water landed on the old woman’s face, her eyes sprang open. “Wha-“ Margaret called out softly in a daze. Rose sighed in relief as she threw herself on her grandma and cried loudly “Grandma, you scared me!” “What are you talking about Rosie? Scared you how?” “You wouldn’t wake up and.. and I.. I had.. had to” Rose's voice broke as she continued to sob, the last thing she wanted was to lose her grandma and this incident really shook her greatly. “Calm down my Rosie, I am fine now aren’t I?” Her grandmother said as she smiled weakly at her. “Grandma, did you take your medication before going to bed last night? I told you to before I went to bed” Rose said as she eyed her grandma suspiciously. “Oh yes Rosie I did, I took them like you told me to..” “Grandma I know when you’re lying to me, you barely even looked at me as you said that!” “Aw come on, I’m not a kid Rose” “Oh really?” “Look I didn’t take the drugs cause I forgot okay? I’m fine now, so get going or you’d be late for work” Rose refused to believe her grandma, she got up and began to ransack the dressing table to find the medication bottle. Seeing it empty she whirled round to face her grandma, her face red and her voice rising she asked “Granny when did your drugs finish and why the heck didn’t you tell me they had finished!” “Rosie you have a lot on your plate, the rent is due and the landlord is threatening to take us out of the house if we don’t pay in a month’s time. How do I burden you further with such a minor matter as my drugs” “Are you kidding me granny! That’s not a minor matter, it's a major one. You should have told me!” “Oh stop it already” Margaret said with a wave of her hands as she pouted her lips in defiance. “Grandma I’m mad and so disappointed at you, that was really an irrespons-“ she stopped as the ring of her phone cut her short. “Hello!” She snapped. “Whoa sis, what’s with the steam?” The voice at the other end of the phone called out laughingly. “Tim I don’t have time for your shenanigans so you’d better make it quick” “Easy there tiger, won’t take ya precious time” the male voice responded. “What do you want Tim?” “I need some money.. ‘bout a hundred bucks” “I do not have a hundred bucks to spare young man” Rose responded with her hands on her hips and her eyebrows raised slightly. “Ugh c’mon sis! I need this for my project” “Tim, I don't have money to give you, okay? You’re 18, get a job! I have enough on my plate as it is. Rent is due, grandma’s med is finished and I’m low on cash at the moment. The bills keep piling up…. look I really don’t need you breathing down my neck too!” “But I need th-“ “Goodbye Tim, call me when you’ve gotten a job!” Rose said as she disconnected the call. Turning to face her grandmother, she was met with a scowl. “Don’t judge me grumpy, he’s an adult, it’s high time he looked out for himself” “But still that was harsh” Margaret insisted with worry on her face. Ignoring the comment, Rose held up her grandma’s chin and planted a kiss on her cheek. “I love you grandma, see you later” “Love you too….” Margaret replied, her voice trailing off behind her granddaughter as she slammed the door shut. ******************* Liam Wordsworth looked at the faces staring at him across the room, his icy gray eyes surveying their faces one by one. He couldn’t believe the ridiculous things he just heard. “You all are playing jokes aren’t you?” “ On the contrary, we’re quite serious Liam. You need to remarry, it’s been six years already” a member of the board said. “And you’re not getting younger either, you need an heir.” another added. “Mr Liam, this company values you and loved your wife before she died. You know how we all are like family. Therefore we are asking that you take another wife, you need someone by your side- most importantly you need an heir who’ll take over the company too..” the only female amongst them stated. Liam looked at her coldly, anger rising up in his eyes. Snapping his eyes back at the others in the room he responded through gritted teeth “I’ll marry whenever I want, you have no right whatsoever to force me or even bring such a ridiculous suggestion as this to me, so stay away from my affairs!” “Then you leave us no choice, we’ll replace you if you fail to get a wife Liam. You have three weeks to remarry” the oldest among them calmly said. Liam stared back at him in shock “You can’t be serious Duke” Duke had been his father’s right hand man and had been instrumental in growing the company. He is a highly disciplined man and fiercely loyal, hence Liam respected him and took every word he said seriously. Staring at him with eyes unfazed Duke responded “Yes, indeed we are dead serious Liam. Three weeks, that’s all you have. Good day Mr Liam”