Chapter Seven: He is coming for you

A flush of pink crept into Lisa's cheeks.

Before Jason could say anything, Lisa cut in.

"Just wanted to say goodnight," She muttered and ran away, leaving Jason confused.

The next morning, Lisa had already left.

Jason headed for the park to practice some boxing.

He bumped into Eloise and Lloyd at the entrance. They were there to invite some important people to the wedding

“Look who it is!” Eloise said. “It’s our favorite homeless beggar!”

Lloyd laughed. “ I can't believe you have been reduced to this!” He exclaimed.

Ignoring them, Jason walked past them.

Eloise pretended to be shocked. “Oh, come on! Don’t be so sensitive! I mean, you must have a great taste to have picked such a nice place to beg!”

Still, Jason ignored them.

He put on his gloves and started shadowboxing.

“Don’t worry, Jason! We’ll definitely mention you in our vows!” Eloise yelled. “Something like, ‘May our love be as strong as Jason’s begging skills!’ ”

Gabriella who had strolled alongside her grandfather, Robert, observed the scene. 

She quickened her pace to catch up with Eloise and Lloyd.

“Hey, can you tell me what you know about him?” Gabriella asked, pointing towards Jason.

Eloise sighed.

“He used to be my husband, but we just got divorced. I couldn't bear to stay with a jobless man like him,” she replied.

“Listen, Miss, don’t let him charm you. He’s not what he seems,” Lloyd warned, his voice low and serious.

Gabriella felt a chill run down her spine as their words sank in, solidifying her thoughts about Jason. 

If Eloise had left him, and Lloyd was wary of him, that means he was bad news, and shouldn't be trusted.

Gabriella pulled out her phone and dialed her father, Robin Richmond's number. 

“Dad, you need to come back,” she urged the moment he picked up. “I’m worried about Grandpa,” she added.

She explained the whole situation to her father before hanging up. She couldn't let Jason deceive her grandfather any longer.

In the evening, Lisa returned home.

“Good news,” she said “I’ve invited a French chef to cook for us tonight!"

When dinner was ready, they were about to sit when the doorbell rang. 

Robert was at the door.

He had a cigar in his left hand and a glass of deep red wine in his right. 

 “I just wanted to say, practicing your technique twice a day has been incredible. It's more effective than the new medicine my team put together for me.”

“What kind of medicine did they give you?" Jason asked.

Robert chuckled. “I'm not sure. I didn’t even take it. They delivered it two days ago, but I tossed it in the shoe rack without even opening the package.”

“Why don’t you join us for dinner?” He suggested.

"I'll be honored,” Robert agreed.

“Red for everyone?” Lisa asked as she poured glasses for the group.

Robert lifted his glass in appreciation. “Thank you.” He took a long sip and then pulled out a slim box from his pocket. “Jason, how about trying a cigar? Perfect after a good meal.”

Jason smiled. “I’ll take you up on that.”

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Gabriella stormed in, her eyes immediately locked on Robert, who was casually sipping red wine and holding a cigar. 

She was shocked.

“Grandpa, what the hell?!” She turned to Jason, her tone sharp. “You let him drink and smoke? You know he’s sick!”

 “Gabriella, I’m not ‘letting’ him do anything. Robert’s a grown man. And if he sticks to the training program I gave him, he can enjoy a drink or a cigar every now and then without making things worse,” Jason said.

“That’s ridiculous! You’re just making his condition worse. You don’t care about his health—you’re just playing with his life!” Gabriella yelled.

“That’s enough, Gabriella!” Robert scolded.

He shook his head in frustration, putting out his cigar. 

“You’re out of line, and you’re embarrassing me. This is Jason’s house, and you will show him respect,” He added.

Gabriella’s face flushed, but she didn’t back down. “Grandpa, he’s...”

“No!” Robert cut her off. “Jason has been helping me, and you’re making a scene, so apologize.”

Gabriella’s mouth tightened, but she didn’t say a word.

Robert turned to Jason. “I’m sorry about this, Jason. We’ll take our leave.”

Jason nodded.

Gabriella shot Jason a final glare, her voice low and threatening. “I’m warning you, Jason. Stay away from my Grandpa. And also,” she added, turning her attention to Lisa, “don’t let him fool you.”

Gabriella stormed out with Robert close behind, leaving an awkward silence in the room.

***

When they got home, Gabriella wasted no time. She immediately called the medical team

When they arrived, they carried out the usual test 

Robert, returned to his room when they were done.

Later on, the doctor approached Gabriella, his expression a mix of surprise and caution. " Well, your grandfather’s health has improved. Quite miraculously, actually,” he said, flipping through the notes on his clipboard. “We haven’t seen this kind of progress in a while.”

Gabriella frowned. “Improved? How is that possible?"

The doctor nodded, “It’s unexpected, but the results are clear. That said, he must continue to take his medication as prescribed.”

Gabriella's frown deepened. Jason was just fooling her grandfather. It was the medications at work and not Jason's treatment.

Once the doctor left, Gabriella grabbed her phone and called her father. 

“Dad, we have a problem,” she said, her voice low and urgent. “Jason’s been convincing Grandpa to smoke and drink—like it’s some part of his ‘treatment plan.’ Can you believe that?”

“What?!” Robin exclaimed. His voice was filled with disbelief. 

“Yes! I saw it with my own eyes. He’s acting like it’s no big deal, saying Grandpa’s improving with his methods. But the doctors are saying something different. I know Jason’s up to something.”

Robin’s voice hardened. “I’ll be back tomorrow.”

Gabriella nodded, feeling a small sense of relief. “Thanks, Dad. We can’t let this go on any longer,”

“I understand,” Robin replied, his tone sharp. “I’ll handle it.”