Sangria

Introduction

Bell

I sit down with the teacup in hand slowly taking a sip. I feel the warm liquid travel down my throat. It was soothing, just the right temperature. The room was dark but the moon which usually gives a soft glow was brighter than usual though you could barely see it through the fogged industrial window.

I cross my legs as I hear the sound of a rolling wheelchair coming toward me. I was incredibly nervous but looking from the outside no one would be able to tell. Except maybe him.

The moon aids me in my sight as I see him. There is a small coffee table in front of me and the wheelchair rolls up in front of it. The wheel slightly hitching on the rug. I look into his eyes.

My grandfather, Garret Jefferson sat in front of me. Time had passed and was sure to make itself obvious. Gravity had done a number to the wrinkles that had deepened on his face. He was skinnier than when I saw him a few years ago. It’s crazy what three years can do.

Even in the wheelchair, he seemed confident, he was still intimidating, and I was still unbelievably nervous.

He didn’t say a thing, and I knew that he was waiting on me to say the first words.

“Long time no see grandpa,” I say, my voice cool and collected. He smirks just a little.

“Bell, it’s nice to see you. You’ve grown,” He says. He seemed to be uninterested in his own words.

“I remember you to be a tad taller,” I say. He was unfazed by my words and I expected so.

“Do you know why I called you here?” He asks, ignoring what I had just said. I shake my head as I take another sip of my tea.

“I’m retiring,” He says, and I frown at his words. My mind began to race because though I didn’t know why he called me here I had to admit that I had my own plans.

“Already?” I ask, looking him up and down. There was a small amount of judgment in my voice. He smirks again and then clears his throat.

“Your father has taken over the operations in Tama, everything is set on his end. However, Jefferson's Interest is an international cooperation and I intend to do everything in my power to keep it that way,” He explains and pauses thoughtfully. I take the opportunity to speak.

“What does this have to do with me?” I ask, again he smirks before he continues.

“I want you to have it, Bell. I want to give it to you, but you have to understand that it is not going to be easy for either of us,” He tells me.

My breath hitches when he tells me his plan. My dream had always been to work under him. To be everything that he was. He was now asking me to take his place.

For the past three years, I had gone through rigorous training, not only when it came to fighting but also finances and knowing the business inside and out. I knew all the branches, the names of everyone who was in charge, and our competitors. There was always a pressure to be better, to be smarter, average wasn’t acceptable because I knew that Garret appreciated that.

I had been paying attention ever since I was little. I watched how he talked to my mother. How he appreciated how she was so good at what she did, how she was smart and hard-working. I watched how he talked to my father, how it upset him that my dad didn’t take things nearly as seriously as he or my mother did.

One thing that stuck with me the most was the night that my grandfather and mother were talking.

“I don’t think he’s coming home,” My mother said, looking down into her mug filled with tea.

“He won’t,” My grandfather says. “Like his mother, he will hide until someone finds him,”

“What about the kids?” She asks.

“I’ll find him, Leah, don’t worry about it,” He tells her.

“Remember Leah, I didn’t choose you. That makes you way more valuable to me than you will ever know,” He says, placing his hand on her shoulder.

My grandfather couldn’t care less about a blood relation if you were of no use. In fact, he hated it if you were a part of the family and useless. However, if you were useful and of blood relation, you meant the world to him.

I didn’t seek my grandfather’s validation because he was my grandfather, I wanted it because I knew for a fact that he was the best at what he did. Now I wanted to be the best at what he did.

He began to cough, it was the worst cough that I had heard since Saul’s death. He turned his face away from me, and I sat there completely unfazed as I sip my tea. I wanted to help and I felt tears collect in my eyes as my body didn’t understand why I stayed still.

There is silence as he recovers. He then looks at me. He was sick. I didn’t know with what, he wouldn’t tell anyone, but he was sick.

“Are you ready for this?” He finally asks, his voice completely serious. I place my teacup and saucer onto the coffee table then cross my arms straight out in front of me resting them on my knee.

“I am,” I say, and he nods before putting up his hand. A woman comes up behind his wheelchair and begins to move him.

“We start tomorrow,” He says as he’s wheeled out of the room. I let out the smallest sigh, barely noticeable.

I get up and make my way out of the large industrial building. I pass people as I walk down the halls and make it outside. I look back feeling my high ponytail brush my shoulder.

Jefferson’s Hospital. That is what the building read. I turn back and look at the parking lot then walk to my car. I get in and sit in the driver’s seat.

I then finally allow myself to relax, and I begin to cry. My throat feels as though it closes up as it swells and tears run down my cheeks. I had always seen my grandfather as such a strong man, and to see him so weak somehow hurt me.

He wanted me to take his place now. He wanted me to fill his shoes, and I would be lying if I said I had any hope of doing so.

My phone rings and I look down at the console where my phone sat and picked it up. Jin’s name was on the screen. I stare at the picture for a few seconds before putting it face down and starting the car.

I bow my head leaning it on the steering wheel.

“I have to head out now,” My grandfather says.

“Take me with you, grandpa,” I say as I run up to him. I was around five as I grabbed onto his leg, my head resting on his knee.

“I can’t Bell,” He says as he slides his hand under my armpits and picks me up. “Where I’m going is no place for a child,” He adds.

“But it is a place for a Jefferson,” I tell him and he smiles.

“You’re right Bell,” He says, tapping my cheek with his finger.

“That’s Bell Jefferson to you,” I say, giving him a toothy smile. He chuckles before putting me down.

“Bell Jefferson,” He says. He then gets down on one knee.

“Don’t let anyone tell you you’re anything lesser,” He tells. I eagerly nod at him.

“I’m Bell Jefferson,” I whisper to myself. I sit up and wiping away my tears.