Michael’s face whipped up. It shouldn’t surprise him that his grandfather knew about the overnight stays at work, but it did. Just because his grandfather handed him temporary control of running the company nearly one year ago, it didn’t mean the older man was suddenly oblivious to everything that happened at work.
"There is…work to be done." Michael knew it was a pathetic excuse since there would always be work to be done. However, he must have been tired since his sharp wit wasn’t firing on all cylinders. He usually could have thought of something more clever to say. Maybe he would go home earlier tonight since his grandfather chased away his employees and mostly everything was done for the day, and he could take a much needed rest.
"No vacations? No significant other?” his grandfather asked in disbelief. “You're a man in your prime, Mikey, and you're literally molding away like an old man. I am old but I refuse to mold.” This time, there was a hint of worry shadowing his eyes.
“You sly devil, you,” Michael said under his breath, knowing exactly where the conversation was leading.
At seventy-five, his grandfather was a picture of health that men several years his junior envied. He lived an active life and refused to allow himself to be classified with words such as old or anything synonymous to it. The fact that he brought the topic up was a true sign of the desperation he wasn’t allowing to filter through his voice. Michael thought he was only mentioning the hated “old” word since he was trying to blackmail his only grandchild into doing something he didn’t want to do.
"I'm on to you, Opa, out with it already. I’m a busy man." Michael was pissed, he made sure to keep his face expressionless. It didn’t help, if anything, his grandfather's smile widened until he resembled a Cheshire cat. Michael had seen the look many times, and it brought dread to the pit of his stomach. "What have you done this time?"
"I made dinner reservations..." the older man replied.
Michael was not a fool — this wasn’t just a dinner. His grandfather’s easy-going demeanor meant trouble; trouble for him specifically.
"I am a busy man," he repeated, but it was useless. He knew there wasn’t any way to get out of it.
Michael Senior continued as if he’d never said a word, "With a business associate who is also a close friend—"
"I have enough to do without you adding hours of schmoozing to my schedule.” Michael ripped off his tie. It was way too hot in the room, and the frustration that was welling up in him didn’t help.
"And his granddaughter...." His grandfather’s voice trailed off at the sight of Michael’s scowl. The silence that followed was enough that distinct voices could be heard in the distance.
"No." The single word would have sent most people running from their fool’s mission, but his grandfather was not most people.
His grandfather looked unimpressed.
Michael winced as he got to his feet, ignoring the files that scattered in front of him. He glared at his grandfather again, hoping to convey his absolute distaste for this matchmaking scheme. His grandfather continued to look unimpressed.
Intimidation is fair game for most people, and can in fact work on most people. Using a trick against the man who trained him how to do it, was an absolute joke. There was no way his grandfather was going to budge on this one.
Years of hard work, dedication, and determination to learn the famous Harper glare fell flat in the presence of his grandfather.
Michael Senior used the same trick on his grandson — pretending to be supremely bored, looking down on him with a patient but exasperated air that suggested Michael was acting childish.
"I can find my own woman. I don't need your help to find me a wife, Opa."
"And you're getting married, when?"
Never. “When I am good and ready.”
"I wasn't born last night, Michael. Sometimes I blame the stubbornness on the Harper genes but I know you got another dose from that damned woman.”
"Opa," he warned the older man before he could continue.
His grandfather turned away from him and stared out the window, as if unaware of the conversation meandering down dangerous territory.
"Take what is left of the evening off and have dinner with us. I am sure you’ll bring your laptop home and work from there."
Michael could not deny the fact that he would do as his grandfather mentioned, or the fact that he was about to give in and accompany him to dinner since he was curious about the woman. He would not, however, give his grandfather the satisfaction of giving in to his demands too quickly.
"You will stop all attempts at matchmaking."
It was not a question though his grandfather treated it as such. "Only if you actually try tonight. I want you to experience the joys of marriage and family. I am getting old and would like to at the very least hold my first great grandchild."
Still playing dirty, old man.
His grandfather continued speaking. “I went to my lawyers today to discuss the future of the business and who should inherit.”
