*Ch 247: Morbius Mill

"Grandpa!" I chippered to the old man with a slight pot belly, and partly bald head. He was dressed in a gray suit and had his diamond-adorned black cane at his side.

"Victoria, my dear." Morbius Mill, Orlando's grandfather, chimed as his arms opened widely for a loveable bear hug.

Afterward, I sat beside him, and he smiled lovingly. He always made me feel like one of his granddaughters. Morbius treated me no differently than his other grandkids. He was the father to Mr. Mill, Emily, and Orlando's other aunts and uncles. Being the Eldest son, Mr. Mill took over the family's business industries. His other brothers each run a branch after their father, Morbius retired way before I met Orlando, Crystal, and Alejandro. Sadly, before I could meet their grandma, Morbius lost his wife, twelve years ago, but Crystal always talked about her.

"How did your heart surgery go?" I asked, worrying with a thin smile.

Before I left for Egypt, I heard he was scheduled to go under open heart surgery. Unfortunately, with being in jail and the situation with Kai, I never heard any updates about how it went.

As always, the old man chuckled cheerfully, "Oh, it was a simple procedure," he replied, being modest about the severity of it.

"Still, everyone was worried about you," I tenderly smiled.

"I had a smooth sailing recovery," Morbius chuckled.

"I'm glad to hear," I giggled warmly at him.

"Anyways, how are you doing, my dear?" he tenderly asked. "I've heard about the baby."

"Please, Grandpa..."

Morbius cut in, waving his hand, "I'm not going to lecture or tell you to abort your unborn child. I only want you to be happy."

"Grandpa, please, I cannot bear to have this conversation," I said, holding tears, kindly Orlando held my hand in the seat beside me.

"None of us are pushing anything on you," Orlando uttered. "We're only trying to help."

"Your aunt seems to think otherwise," I snapped at him. "She wants me to kill my baby!"

"Aunt Emily is only doing what she feels is right." Orlando defended. "But it doesn't mean I agree with her."

"Neither do I!" Morbius added in frustration. "I've heard all about Kai. Those Collins have been such a problem since long before."

"I raised a brow. "For how long?" I asked since the Collin family is immortal over the Mill family being human.

"Oh, our business rivalry and personal feud with those Collins started ages ago!" Morbius ranted, which had me puzzled as to when and how this feud started. "I'll tell you now, my best lawyers are working on getting you free from that maniac man. Kai is no good for you, my dear." He guaranteed, confidently.

"It isn't possible," I replied, defeated, if only they really knew the truth about the Collin family.

Morbius pats my hand and says. "Nothing is impossible. You forget we have equal power as those Collins. We'll fight to get you free."

I frowned. "Grandpa, I know you mean well, but you don't understand. You may think you have equal power but..." I stopped talking.

If I keep babbling on about this, the more they'll question me. And I can't risk them from knowing the truth that the Collins and nearly everyone working for them are fatal creatures.

"But what, child?" Morbius's sad eyes questioned me.

"Nothing, don't worry about it," I say to end this conversation, relating to Kai.

"Victoria." Emily's voice rang in the room before anyone could speak, she then came over to my seat. "I'm so sorry about that dispute from earlier."

"It's ok," I replied curtly.

There wasn't anything more I could say since I knew how she felt about my pregnancy.

"You know, I am only looking out for your best interests." Emily gently put it.

But I rolled my eyes as Morbius butted in. "Emily, that is enough, my dear. If Victoria wants to keep her baby, she has every right to do so."

"Of course, Father," Emily said respectfully. "I won't persist with it any further."

"Splendid, now let's change the gloomy mood!" Morbius chippered, supportively. "Now, Victoria, do tell us, have you thought of any names for your baby?"

I giggled. "Well, I haven't too much."

Knowing me well, Orlando chuckled, "I'm thinking if it's a boy, you'll probably name him after one of the characters from your favorite vampire movie."

I giggled adoringly and faced Orlando, blushing. "Honestly, I haven't thought of any names, but it's possible. I mean, I'm only..." I pressed my lips tightly together. I nearly spilled the beans with how far along I am! Luckily I remembered, Orlando only thinks I've gotten pregnant last month. None of them have any idea, I am in my second trimester at 14 weeks pregnant. Plus, nobody knows I am having triplets.

"I know, you're only a month pregnant, but I was curious," Orlando smiled, and I blushed shyly at his gaze.

Until Morbius snapped his fingers to a waiter in a white dress shirt as he commanded broadly. "Bring us drinks and appetizers!" Then he asked me. "My dear, would you prefer anything special?"

"Oh, no, I should probably be heading back," I insist, and went to stand, but being persistent, Orlando's tenacious strength held my knee from going anywhere.

"To where?" he asked. "It's a ball, just enjoy yourself."

I sighed as Orlando's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mill joined us. Same with Alejandro and his date. Time must've left my conscience. Before I realized it, I was laughing and talking about the family vacations we took together.

Morbius has such a way of uplifting spirits with anybody. He was truly a heartwarming man. He held the heart of the Mill family. And I was so delighted to be in his presence.

~~~

After our joyful chat, Orlando took me to the ballroom and suggested. "We should dance." This was when the reality of my life smacked me in the face.

"But I need to get back to Kai," I insisted, but Orlando is always more persistent.

"Nonsense, it's a ball," Orlando proclaimed. "You are free to dance with whoever at a ball."

"But I don't know the dances." I tried again as he led me that way.

"Then I'll teach you." He passed me a charming smile that he knew I couldn't refuse.