Warm Welcome

Crystal's arrival at the West family's house was warmly welcomed by Roman West who was still sitting in his wheelchair. The old man with completely white hair looked at Crystal from head to toe, using his vulnerable eyes which were not very clear. Roman West tried to read the figure of his granddaughter-in-law who was currently standing so tensely.

Eight hours ago while in transit in Doha for an hour and thirty minutes Jarvis called James and told him about Reagan's sudden marriage to Crystal in Melbourne. Although at first he did not believe the news that Jarvis said, but James still conveyed the news to Roman West. That's why at this time Roman West decided to welcome Crystal's arrival in person even though his personal doctor forbade it.

"Come here," said Roman West with authority, even though he was old but Roman West's tone still shook anyone's soul. Including Crystal who is currently so scared and anxious, Crystal is worried that her lie will be exposed.

"I'm not going to bite you, sweetie. So you don't have to be afraid," added Roman West half-jokingly trying to melt the tension that was clearly showing on Crystal's face.

Crystal swallowed, through the corner of her eye Crystal could see a small nod from Reagan who had been standing silently beside Jarvis.

With such heavy steps Crystal walked towards Roman West who was still smiling, Crystal's chest felt so tight. Her guilt immediately overtook her, Crystal felt that she had become the ugliest human being for deceiving an old man like Roman West who was helpless. But on the other hand she could not do anything because she was bound by an agreement with Reagan.

"So you're my naughty grandson's wife?" asked Roman West quietly, his smile growing as he spoke. "Look down, I want to touch your face."

Feeling it would be rude to just look down, Crystal decided to throw herself on the floor, kneeling right in front of Roman West's chair.

"What are you doing?" shrieked Roman West in surprise, his voice rising two octaves higher involuntarily.

Roman West never expected to see Crystal kneeling before him like this. Likewise with Reagan who opened his eyes wide, Reagan did not think Crystal would go that far.

"Don't you want to touch my face," Crystal asked politely.

"Yeah but you don't have to kneel like this, you just need to look down and..."

Roman West stopped talking because of Crystal's tiny fingers that landed on the back of his left hand.

"And you won't be able to touch my face if I don't kneel like this Mr West," Crystal said politely as she raised and brought Roman West's left hand to her face with a racing heart. Crystal doesn't care if Reagan will be angry with what she is doing right now, all Crystal is thinking about right now is just wanting to show her kindness to Roman West whom Reagan called the incarnation of a cold and heartless Hitler.

And it all just happened, surprisingly Roman West laughed. The old man, who rarely laughed, suddenly burst out laughing just because of a few words that came out of Crystal's lips.

"Good girl," said Roman West happily. "I'm sorry if I have to meet you like this, I should have prepared a more decent welcome for you."

"No sir, I don't need such a welcome," Crystal said frantically. "I am neither an artist nor an important celebrity who deserves a welcome."

Once again Roman West burst out laughing because of Crystal's words, even though he only heard a few words from Crystal but Roman West knew that Crystal was a good girl. Too many encounters with two-faced people allowed Roman West to immediately assess the young girl who was currently still staring at him in bewilderment, a look he had never received from Reagan's ex-girlfriends before.

"Call me grandpa." Roman West spoke again after laughing enough. "You are Reagan's wife and as his wife you should address me by that title, not 'Sir'."

"Eh?"

Roman West pursed his lips, the old man slowly pulled his hand away from Crystal's face. "Welcome to the West family and I'm sorry I didn't make a grand wedding for you."

And it wasn't just Crystal who was so surprised to hear Roman West's words, Reagan and Jarvis, who had only been spectators since then, also looked shocked. Their charade worked? Was Roman West unsuspecting?

"I should have given a beautiful wedding party for a girl as good as you Crystal," said Roman West regretfully again, the man slowly turned his gaze to Reagan as if he wanted to talk to his only granddaughter. "And forgive grandpa for having to make you spend your life with this brat."

Roman West was indeed talking to Crystal, but his eyes were on Reagan. The man seemed to be cursing Reagan's actions of marrying Crystal in a simple way without any proper parties.

"I'm okay sir, I just…"

"Sir?" Roman West immediately turned to Crystal quickly, his old eyes staring at Crystal without blinking showing his displeasure at Crystal's words earlier.

"G-Grandpa, I mean Grandpa," Crystal stammered, correcting her mistake with a deathly pale face. "I'm still not used to it, I'm sorry."

"Get used to it then." Roman West answered Crystal's words immediately. "And James will send a special teacher to help you study."

"Help study, what do you mean grandpa?" asked Reagan, interrupting Roman West's words with great curiosity.

Instead of answering Reagan's question, Roman West asked Crystal, who was still on her knees, to get up. As soon as Crystal stood up, suddenly Roman West grabbed Crystal's hand and held it tightly. And Crystal, who didn't expect this to happen, was only shocked when the owner of the house grabbed her hand.

"Crystal has officially become Mrs. West and as Mrs. West who will take care of this house, Crystal has a lot to learn. Not only learning to take care of house matters, Crystal also has to learn to deal with many people in public," replied Roman West quietly. "As your wife, Crystal will definitely be hunted by the news-crazy paparazzi, not to mention the socialites all over the country who will surely be curious about her figure. That's why she must be prepared for it."

"But grandpa..."

"And grandpa who will directly oversee all Crystal learning processes," said Roman West firmly cutting Reagan's words. "Grandpa will make grandfather's granddaughter-in-law into a graceful woman who is respected by everyone."

Continued