Gulf's POV
I am shaking. "What happened to him? Who would dare shot him? He has lots of bodyguards with him. Your dad is there, right? Are you joking?"
"Do you think I will joke about this?" He was driving to the hospital.
I run to the VIP room.
My family was complete there.
"Where have you been?" I can feel that Gab is furious about me being late.
"I was at home. My battery was drained." I explained but it didn't satisfy him.
Mama and Thea were crying in the corner. They are the most affected by this sudden news.
Pops was lying in a hospital bed with machines attached to him.
"He will be okay, right?" I looked at dad.
"Trust him. Your pops is a tough old man." I know dad is concerned with pops too even though I always see them bickering with each other. "Where is your boyfriend by the way?"
I think it's not the right timing to say it yet. I know my dad so much. He will not stay quiet about if he knew.
"I haven't told him yet." He just nodded. I think he bought my excuse.
I just sit down on the couch quietly. Thea hugged me. I just let her sleep on my lap. I know how much she loves pops so much. I am aware that he is grandfather's favorite.
Cirrus messaged me if I want something.
"Just water, Cir."
Few minutes and he entered the room along with his father.
"Ric, why did you let it happen?" Mama faced the head guard, Cirrus' father. Dada held mama because we are not sure how will he react to this. He has been crying nonstop.
"Sorry, sir. I failed to protect." He has a gunshot wound on his shoulder too.
"I never expected this. He is too old for this." Mama cried again.
It was evening when finally pops became conscious.
"Why do you look so ugly?" We both know he was talking to mama.
"Pops."
He was shot in the stomach. He got a heart attack too. His body can't take it anymore.
"I can feel that I really have a short time left. Tharn you take care of my business. Gab, Gulf, and Thea I need you to help your dad."
He looked at me. "Please finish your studies. It will make me happy. I know what's happening with you." I know he is talking about Mew and me. Of course, pops would know everything.
"Sir, this is all my fault. I am so embarrassed to face you." Ric was crying.
"For 35 years of service Ric, imagine this is the first time I experienced being shot even if I receive death threats due to business conflicts every day. This is because of your capability. Just promise me, You'll protect this family too when I'm gone the way you protected me."
"I promise sir. I will assure you that we will protect them with our lives." Both Ric and Cirrus bowed to pops as a sign of respect.
"I can die peacefully then." He laughed weakly.
"Pops! No one is going to die." It was mama again.
Dad is just holding his wife to console him.
I was reminded by Mew again. Why does everything I do, I always think of him?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Three days after and pops' body is not accepting all the medicines anymore. We know how much he tried to fight this battle but he lost. He was announced dead and all the biggest name in business was mourning with us.
During his wake, many businessmen who received help from pops attended. I saw Mew's family too. Of course, they will be here. Pops was like a teacher to his dad.
"I am sorry I don't know. I just heard it last night. How are you?" He asked me.
We were in the corner talking. His family was just a few meters away.
Dad saw us and approached him angrily. "Where have you been? It's almost a week but you just showed your ass tonight. You call yourself a boyfriend? Just back off if you'll be like this."
His family came closer. "What's happening?" Mew's dad asked.
"I am sorry for not visiting right away, sir. I have no idea." Dad grabbed his shirt.
"Asshole," Dad yelled.
I was just thankful that only a few visitors are on this side of the house.
"Stop it now dad. Just let him." I tried pulling him away from Mew. "Please dad, not here."
He still won't let go of Mew.
"Dad. We broke up already. It's been more than two weeks... So please."
Both his family and dad were shocked to hear it.
"What did he do?" Dad scowled. "Tell me, did he hurt you?" Mew's dad is trying to pull his son from dad, too. Mew is just standing still acting like he is ready to be punched.
"Dad, enough. It's my fault."
"Stop protecting him."
"It's my fault. I cheated." Dad freed him from his grip.
"I can't believe you are my son."
I was left standing there with them.
"Why did you say that?" Mew angrily asked. "Why do you need to lie?"
"Just don't show your face on me. Do you think you will be alive if I told him that you're the one who cheated? Think again."
"No one cheated." He yelled.
"This pops' wake. Please respect. "
I bowed to his parents and ruffled Becca's hair.
I will miss bonding with his family.
But right now, I just need to focus on finishing my studies.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pops gave this mansion to me per his will. He knows that I always find peace in this house. This house is still guarded and I am the one who is giving their salary. Pops clearly stated in his will that he put extra money under my name for the servants and guards' welfare.
Dad has been busier more than ever. Mama who stays at home helps dad in the company now.
Thea is now handling 26 mall branches and she was really stressed.
I and Gab are not allowed to be working before we graduated. That's pops order.
I am still friend with Becca. My only condition for her is not to mention his brother to me.
Today is our graduation day and I know for sure that I will be busy after this.
Becca hugged me from behind.
I saw his mom and dad and greeted them. They still congratulated me.
"Congrats." It was Mew.
"Thank you," I answered casually.
My whole family just walk past them. I know they saw Mew but they did not bother throwing him a glance. They really ignored him. Hurt me and my whole family will hate you. I just begged not to do anything to Mew. Dad didn't believe that I cheated and found out the real reason. I know Mew is different from dad, but at least he should try harder to win me back. He just accepted it easily. I have expected this that's why I am afraid to break up with him before.
Only three guests per graduates are allowed but I have 10. Six were all bodyguards. Cirrus is graduating with me too and brought three guests too. Overall we have 10 bodyguards spread in this hall including Cir.
Cirrus approached me. "Go back to your seat. You should be within their sight. They will be having trouble locating you if you keep roaming around. Stay in your seat, sir." He whispered.
Fine.
I just bowed to them once again.
"My water."
He handed me the bottled water I asked him to buy.
"Remember that I am graduating too. Can you stop ordering me around just for today?" He asked.
I kicked him on the back of his knee.
"You're still my guard. If I bought it myself you will still follow too so why not go alone?"
I guess Mew has finally moved on.
It's now time for me to focus on myself. I don't need a boyfriend to be happy. I am contented with the love of my family.