Meeting You Was Fate

Mandy waited for Nathan's response but did not receive any.

At MC Garden

"Mand! Oh, grandpa's baby is here too!" Stanley's grin stretched from ear to ear when he saw Mandy arrived with Adrian.

"Hello, grandpa," Adrian called sweetly.

Madeline was in the middle of stirring the meal she was cooking when the adorable voice of the child reached her ears. She put down the spatula at once and trotted out of the kitchen, a delighted look on her face. "Adrian!"

"Hello, grandma!"

Adrian was no stranger to the elderly couple. Nathan had often taken him for a visit and, from their very first meeting, asked him to call them grandparents.

Nathan, however, did not tell them of the boy's true identity. Not that he was afraid that Madeline and Stanley would fight over the boy, they could dote on their grandchild all they wanted. But, he was concerned that Adrian would remind them of their daughter. After all, when Mandy had left him, she left her parents too.

"Father," Mandy greeted with a slight smile.

"Grandpa, have you been in good health these days?"

him in his arms, he walked towards the table by the French window. The boy's question sent him roaring in laughter

proudly, sitting down with his legs crossed. His back was ramrod straight as he readied himself to battle with his grandfather in a

mention of the word dad, Stanley

work overtime tonight," Mandy piped in, a bit too hastily to pass for unconcerned.

then, Madeline came back from the kitchen, carrying a bowl of fish stew. She stopped mid-stride and deliberately took a detour, stopping in front of Mandy. She scrutinized her daughter's expression, who was lounging on

of chips in front of her in protest. She ripped the packet open and said unhappily, "Mom,

her arms and stared at Mandy for a full three seconds before she conceded, "All right. I know you're very stubborn and will never admit it. Just remember, be gentle to Nathan. Don't mess with him

else by way

you find me annoying?" Madeline snapped, her eyes

saw through Mandy at a glance. Age had done nothing to blunt her mother's perceptiveness, and Mandy could never hide her real thoughts from her.

starving, can we eat now?" Mandy asked huffily and tossed her phone aside in a fit. On top of her mother's inquisition, she did not know which client Nathan had gone

son. He is even more patient than you. Okay, if you are hungry, let's go and eat.

relaxing visit. She had not foreseen that Madeline would

engaged in their game, detached from the women's chatter. Adrian was holding a white pawn and considering his next move carefully. When he heard Mandy call them for dinner, he put the piece down quickly and said, "Grandpa, I'll leave it here.

agreed and reached out

and, with the handsome appearance of a modest son, attracted many female students. But he only took a fancy to the stubborn and moody Madeline.

two had maintained a good relationship. It had been too long since they got caught in a conflict. They had built such sturdy ground that picking a fight

by the time dinner had finished. One after another, lamp posts along the streets lit up, illuminating the night that