Behind His Smile

"What do you mean that I can't love him? What's the problem?" Aurora asked with a confused look. 

Her eyebrows were furrowed with confusion, and a deep frown was written all over her face. 

"You can't love him, Aurora. This guy might end up hurting you. I know how you are."

"How am I? "Aurora asked. Why do you think a guy we don't know would hurt me when my Grampa is sure he will take good care of me even in his absence?"

Her hands were akimbo as she glared down at Lisa, who stood firm by her words.

She had done the necessary research, thinking he would partner with the company on a particular project, but she never imagined it would be for marriage.

"Of all men in this world, why would you want to settle for Liam Stone?" Lisa asked.

"That's because he is my grandfather's choice. He insists that I get married to him as sick as he is, and it sounded absurd at first, but."

Her eyes trailed down and landed on the picture of Liam she had been staring at. 

"I love him already, his gentle looks, smile, handsomeness; just imagine this kind of guy; who wouldn't fall for him?"

"Aurora, you are fragile, and once you love, you love with all your heart and every fiber inside of you. This guy might look gentle in the picture. This name follows him everywhere."

"Though he isn't a player, and I don't know if he has another woman in his life, there's a rumor he has a childhood sweetheart that he is still waiting for. I don't know how true it is."

"But then Liam is icy; Stone suits him perfectly well. I have seen him once, and he is very arrogant. I don't think you would want that kind of man for yourself," Lisa said.

Aurora rolled her eyes dramatically as if she had just heard boring music, which sounded boring to her.

"The thing is that I don't care if he has a lover or not; it has been decided."

"My grandfather wants me to get married to him, and he is damn serious about this request of his, and guess what? I am in love with him already." She said, giggling.

"Do you know Liam Stone is related to Andrew?" Lisa asked.

Her eyes widen in ecstasy as she squeals, putting her hand forward like a kid. Her smile spreads from ear to ear, like she has just heard the best news of her life.

"Really?"

"Yes, they are related."

"That means we are meant to be best friends forever. I can't believe this!"

"Andrew is your boyfriend, and I'm getting married to his cousin, which means nothing can come between us anymore."

"That's where you are getting it wrong, Aurora. I have heard a lot about Liam from Andrew; they are not on good terms.

The smile on her face fell immediately, every ounce of excitement gone. 

"Well, as women in their lives, we can try to change them and make them get along pretty well; we can do that, right?

"I don't know, Aurora, but are you sure you want to do this?" Lisa asked.

"It's what my grandfather wants, and I must honor his request. We both know he is on his deathbed, and I'm sure he knows better than I do."

"I have to do this, and I will do whatever it takes to change Liam," she said with determination.

"I hope you can do that. I can't believe you are getting married," Lisa hugged her tightly.

"What's going on in the mansion?" Andrew asked over the phone.

He was seated in his car, parked near the roadside, when he received the call from a spy he had planted in Mr. Thomas's mansion.

"Sir, an event is coming up soon." The lady said from the other end.

"An event?" He asked.

When he visited last night, he knew something was wrong, but he couldn't pinpoint it because everyone was quiet about it.

Asking questions would make him look suspicious, so he had to keep his curiosity to himself.

"Yes, sir, you overheard them talking about Liam's marriage; from the looks of it, it's an arranged marriage."

"Liam isn't in support, but the old man's words are final, and I think it will happen soon," she said almost in a whisper.

"Thanks for the information.

Let me know if you have other information to pass on," Andrew said, ending the call.

"The old man has gone another step ahead of us, but Liam isn't even worth that. I should have been in his position," he said to himself.

"Sir!" Mr Thomas raised his head as he stared at his assistant.

"Speak." He ordered.

"She did some research about Liam, and I think we should expect her to reply soon," he said. 

"That's good. If it takes too long for her to reply, proceed with my plan."

"But sir, don't you think doing that would be dangerous and life-threatening?"

"I can't wait for her to think forever. She needs to be aware that she is in danger. If not, she will not come up with an answer when I need one soon. I'm not getting any younger," Thomas said calmly.

"I suggest we inform them about your plans rather than taking all of this to a whole new level. We should also let your family know the family she comes from so she will be fully accepted into the family."

"No, I want her to be accepted for who she is. Nothing comes easy in life."

"She has lived in comfort for too long, and it's time for her to embrace the reality of life; nothing comes easy."

"With the death of her grandfather, she would learn to sit upright and proceed with everything the way I planned it. I don't need any more of your suggestions," he said.

"I will do just that, sir," he said with a bow.

"I also need you to watch Liam; he has accepted to do my will, but I can't wait for Aurora forever"…