Two burly bodyguards and one old man were hiding behind a cloth rack. In a glancing showdown, the two burly men kept pushing the other to speak to their boss. It was only after the younger one caved in the pressure, that the two stopped their silent exchange.

His hands fidgeting, the younger bodyguard shuffled closer to his boss. He opened his mouth briefly before closing it immediately. With trembling eyes he glanced back to his collegue, whom just motioned him to keep going. Taking a deep breath, he resolved himself.

“Sir…” Vittorio Modigliani shot a glare to the bodyguard, making him swallow his next words “Shut it. Do you want to get caught?” the bodyguard that was silenced made an aggrieved expression. But sir, the gala will start soon…

The other bodyguard comforted his buddy in his heart. As expected their boss was too stubborn, when he starts focusing on one thing, he would do everything to see it through the end. And unfortunately, they had no way to stop him. A sigh escaped his lips, as he resigned himself to his superior’s scolding that would befall him and his collegue later on for not bringing their boss back in time.

However Mr. Modigliani had other thoughts passing through his head in this moment. In his eyes there was only an aged lady going through a wide selection of hats. The more he looked, the more he was convinced that the lady was the same one he knew from long ago.

The chairman looked at his bodyguards, his face as severe as when he’s dealing with his children “No matter what happens, do not get involved. Am I clear?”

The two burly men nodded seriously. Well, it should be fine as long as they stay near. If something unexpected happens, they would be able to intervene promptly.

After making sure that the two would not interfere, he went back to observing. As he watched the lady trying a bowler hat, he was charmed by her constant changing expression. His heart fluttered as he remembered that time when he saw the young Ariel Seaver arranging flowers in his mansion with the same frowning expression.

At that time he was still a willful child who liked to cause trouble all over the place. If the girl hadn’t helped him hide away after one of his pranks, he might had to suffer the punishment.

He smiled at the thought. The two of them soon became friends, though it was mostly thanks to his insistence. Even though she always showed that annoyed expression whenever she was dragged around by him, at the end of the day the two of them would always laugh together.

Vittorio took a deep breath. It was alright. There was nothing to be nervous about. He just had to go and say hi.

Making sure that his outfit was all clean and in order, the chairman approached the lady. Appearing as if he was simply browsing the clothes, he eventually made his way to her.

When he was at arm’s reach he suddenly became nervous. What if she didn’t remember him? What if it wasn’t her at all?

As he was panicking, the lady turned around. Her green eyes looked on with doubt as he blushed for being caught staring. She shrugged it off and kept on looking at the hats on display.

After fidgeting for a bit, Vittorio gathered enough courage to approach her again. Picking up a black carwheel hat decorated with a black rose, he put it on the old lady’s head.

The lady frowned at the sudden weight. Turning around, she was ready to have a go at whoever was trying to pick a fight, however Ariel’s eyes fell upon the family symbol engraved upon the man’s collar, her eyes widening.

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Seeing her veiled profile, partially covered by the hat, his heart raced wildly and his mind blanked out. So, in a fit of panic he simply did the first thing that came to mind.

“Wait. You’re… Viktor!?” the chairmain gave her his most charming smile and made a heart with his hands “In the flesh!” as a finishing touch, he seductively fluttered his eyes with a provocating gaze.

Ariel watched the old man in shock. Wasn’t he ashamed of behaving like that in public!?

Feeling the stares from the few people around piercing her back, she grabbed the guy from the collar and dragged him away. “R-riri… wait a second” the bodyguards watched as their boss’ face became red “I can’t breathe…” if they were going to receive only a scolding, they would consider themselves lucky.

Grandma Ariel let him go as soon as they reached a secluded place. The Modigliani chairman coughed a bit, his face gradually regaining its original color. He then looked at the woman and gave her a thumb up “Your grip is as solid as ever”

Ariel sighed as she massaged her head. She felt an headache incoming. “Young mast… no, chairmain Modigliani. How could I be of help?” she then looked at the old man, but he was already in the verge of crying. Her stoic face was on the verge of cracking “How cold! You’re gonna greet your old friend like that?”

“We haven’t seen each other in years. Isn’t it normal for the greetings to be a bit cold?” Vittorio looked at her like an abbandoned puppy “Riri…” It was difficult for Ariel to keep her heart steady. This was a decision she had took long ago. If she were to give up now, it would be a waste of all of her efforts up until now. “I stopped being in service of the Modigliani family years ago. Mr. Chairman, I’m sure there are many more capable people under you willing to listen to your problems”

“But none have ever come close to your level” the old chairman reached out to her, but granny Ariel took a step back. Vittorio froze with the arm halfway, an akward expression on his face. Was she angry with him, or was it because he took too long to find her? “Ariel, I...”

Without letting him finish, Ariel closed her eyes and turned around “I’m already old and senile. There would be little I could help with”

Vittorio clenched his fists. He wasn’t going to regret anymore…

At this moment he was ready to throw away even his last shred of pride.

With one grand motion, he threw himself on the ground, grabbing her ankles firmly like an octopus. Grandma Ariel surprised, took a step back. But Vittorio was quick to grab the other ankle. She tried to shake him off, but his grip was firm.

“Viktor…!?” With Vittorio grabbing at her ankles it was difficult for her to move away without injuring him “I’ve missed you so much! Those old farts forced me to deal with their messes while they went out to have fun with the family’s money. All of my wives were horrible and those stupid children of mine keep pestering me on the matter of the inheritance. I can’t take it anymore!” Tears flowed out nonstop as he kept his grip on her, as if she was his last lifeline.

“Haaa… Here” Ariel took out an handerkerchief and gave it to her old friend. She had to give in to his shamelessness. She patted his back, waiting for him to calm down.

After a while he stopped sobbing. Granny Ariel held her hand out, asking for the handerkerchief back. Vittorio, however, folded it and put it in his jacket’s inner pocket, even giving it a couple of pats with a satisfied expression.

The granny blinked a few times, then just gave up and put her arm down.

“Just keep it, I don’t care anymore” she sighed and Viktor gave a little laugh “Not calling me Mr. Chairman anymore?” “With that crying face? Jeez, I’m the one feeling embarassed to call you that after that scene you made” “Hehehe”

Vittorio then looked at Ariel straight in the eyes with a placid smile “I’m glad to have met you again”

The granny heart skipped a beat, then in a longing tone she whispered her true thoughts “Me too”