49 Meet My Dad
Meanwhile, Amelia climbed the stairs and entered a private wing of the villa. She reached a large wooden door and, with a soft knock, entered the room.
The atmosphere here was different—quieter, more sombre. The room was spacious yet cozy, with large windows offering a view of the gardens outside.
Her grandfather sat propped up in a bed near the window, his body frail and aged, his once-strong features now softened by the passage of time. But despite his weakened state, there was a noble air about him, a kind of quiet dignity that hadn’t faded.
“Good afternoon, Grandpa,” Amelia greeted warmly, her voice tender as she approached him. Her face softened with affection, but there was a hint of sorrow in her eyes as she saw him looking so weak.
Her grandfather, an old but heroic-looking man, turned his head toward her and gave a faint, warm smile. “Amelia,” he said softly, his voice weak but filled with warmth. She bent down to kiss his cheek and took a seat beside him, gently holding his hand.
“I hope you’re doing well today,” she said, trying to keep her tone light despite the tightness in her chest. “Is there anything you need? Anything I can get for you?” Amelia added, her voice filled with the tenderness and concern that only a devoted granddaughter could show.
Her grandfather shook his head weakly, his eyes twinkling with pride as he looked at her. “No, my dear. I’m just glad to see you.”
Amelia smiled, though her heart ached. She could feel the weight of his condition more acutely every time she visited.
“Dad, Mom, Noah’s here,” she said, standing and looking toward her parents who were seated nearby.
Her father, Adam, looked up. He had already heard about Noah from Amelia—the young man who had saved her. There was a mix of admiration and curiosity in his expression as he stood up, preparing to meet the boy who had single-handedly taken on multiple abductors to rescue his daughter. Amelia’s mother, Carmilla, followed suit, her graceful features softening as she exchanged a glance with her husband.
Adam placed a hand on his father’s shoulder. “We’ll be back soon, Dad. I need to thank Noah properly first. After that, I’ll see if I can get in touch with some people about your situation,” he said, his voice calm but firm. His father nodded, giving a small smile, though he was clearly weary.
Before leaving, Adam called over Maxine, the house attendant, and instructed her to stay with his father while he went downstairs.
After instructing Maxine, Adam descended the grand staircase, along with Carmilla, to meet the mysterious saviour of his daughter.
As they neared the bottom, Adam caught sight of the boy for the first time. Up close, Noah appeared even younger than he had imagined. His skin was smooth and clear, his posture calm but alert.
He didn’t look like someone who had taken on armed abductors while handcuffed. Adam was used to seeing men who had lived through violence, but there was something striking about Noah’s youth and composure.
Carmilla, walking beside her husband, shared his surprise. Her eyes swept over Noah, not with judgment, but with a growing respect for the young man who had risked his life to save their daughter.
As they reached the bottom of the stairs, Noah, noticing their approach, stood up. Adam offered him a friendly smile, and with a quiet, but sincere tone, he said, “You must be Noah.”
Noah nodded, unsure of what to say in response, but as he looked at Amelia’s parents, he felt their sense of gratitude settle over him. There was warmth, especially in the way Adam extended his hand in gratitude.
“Thank you,” Adam said simply, but with great depth. “For saving my daughter, I am in your debt.”
Noah stood there, his posture still respectful, but there was a sense of ease about him. He nodded to Adam, keeping his tone steady as he said, “It was my duty. I appreciate your invitation to dinner, but there really was no need for that.”
Adam, towering over him with a presence that made most men shrink in his shadow, gave a small, amused smile. His eyes, sharp yet warm, fixed on Noah with an intensity that could make men with a weak will uncomfortable. But Noah remained calm, standing firm as he always had, even in the face of danger.
“He is the real deal.” thought Adam, as he stared into Noah’s eyes that maintained contact with his.
“How could it be,” Adam said, his deep voice commanding attention. “That is the least I could do for the saviour of my daughter.” His words were sincere, but there was also a touch of pride in his voice. This was a man who did not take gratitude lightly.
Just as Noah was about to respond, his stomach betrayed him. A low, rumbling sound echoed in the large hall, unmistakable in the quietness that had followed Adam’s statement. It was the sound of hunger, and it couldn’t have chosen a more inconvenient time.
Noah felt his face heat up slightly, though he wasn’t one to be easily embarrassed. He glanced up at Adam and his wife Carmilla, who were looking at him with raised eyebrows, trying to stifle their reactions.
“Don’t mind that,” Noah said quickly, a small, sheepish grin creeping onto his face.
“It’s just my stomach’s way of saying, ‘Hey, thanks for the invitation, but where’s the food?’ ” He chuckled lightly, attempting to brush it off, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he flashed a grin that made his otherwise serious demeanour soften.
Adam blinked for a second before a deep, hearty laugh rumbled from him. It was unexpected, even to Noah, who could see how intimidating Amelia’s father was. He had expected a polite chuckle at best, but the man was genuinely amused. His laughter echoed through the hall, filling the space, and Carmilla, who stood beside him, let out a soft, graceful laugh as well, her lips curling into a smile.
Noah, noticing the aura from the man in front of him, relaxed even more. He realized now that this wasn’t the typical cold, wealthy family he had imagined. They were human— warm, grateful, and perhaps, a bit surprised by him.
Behind her parents, Amelia stood, watching this entire exchange unfold. She had been quiet, letting her father and Noah speak, but she couldn’t help but smile at the scene before her.
It wasn’t the usual stiff, polite conversation that visitors often had with her father. Most people were too intimidated to even crack a joke in Adam’s presence, let alone make him laugh. But Noah, without even trying too hard, had brought out a side of her father that even she rarely saw. frёeωebɳovel.com
Amelia’s smile grew wider, something rare for her, but it seemed to come naturally when Noah was around. “He’s different,” she muttered under her breath, her voice soft as if she was speaking only to herself.
She had seen him in action before, in a far more serious situation—saving her from the men who had abducted her. That was bravery, something rare. But this? This was something else. Noah was standing confidently in front of a man who even soldiers feared, and not only was he standing firm, but he was making her father laugh. It was something she hadn’t expected.
As Adam’s laughter subsided, he shook his head, still smiling. “I like you,” he said, his eyes twinkling with genuine amusement. “It’s not often someone stands in front of me and manages to keep a sense of humour.”
Noah grinned back, grateful that the awkward moment had passed so smoothly. “Well, I’ve learned the hard way that if you can’t laugh at yourself, life’s gonna be a long ride.” His words were lighthearted, but they broke the ice even further, allowing the atmosphere to shift into something more relaxed, and more comfortable.
Adam chuckled again, this time softer but just as genuine. He nodded toward Noah, gesturing to the dining room beyond the living room. “So, what do you say we eat first? Seems like your stomach might start an uprising if we don’t feed it soon.”
Noah laughed along, appreciating Adam’s easy-going nature. “To be honest, we would be thankful,” Noah admitted, rubbing the back of his neck slightly. Adam smiled again, while Carmilla gave an amused chuckle.
Amelia, standing behind them, shook her head in wonder, still watching the scene unfold. Her father, the man who held an aura of authority so strong that people quaked in his presence, was laughing like he was chatting with an old friend. And Noah? He was going around the entire situation with such confidence and ease that even she was taken aback.
Noah was different, and now more than ever, she was starting to see just how different he was from the people she was used to. There was something refreshing about him, something honest and real.
As Adam led Noah toward the dining room, the warm, inviting scent of food began to fill the air. Noah could already tell from the smell that this was going to be some delicious food. But as he followed them, he couldn’t help but glance back at Amelia, who was walking slightly behind them, her eyes meeting his.
Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!
Creation is hard, cheer me up!
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