"Make up your mind that no matter what comes your way, no matter how difficult, no matter how unfair, you will do more than simply survive. You will thrive in spite of it."–Joel Osteen
********
"let's get married" Alex said with a smirk making Emma's eyes widen in shock
"married!? Are you crazy?... Sorry you're not but are you crazy?" Emma exclaimed looking confused, flustered as well as overwhelmed...
Alex said nothing but a smirk played on his perfect lips he leaned back on the headrest and closed his heart eyes
"you're joking right," Emma asked with a slightly open mouth
"one thing you should know emerald is that... I never joke" Alex smirked
"Okay, what now...."
"you heard me, Emma... I. Don't. joke" Alex stressed
"you just popped out of nowhere after 6 days and you suddenly asked me to marry you?? Haa this is unbelievable " Emma scoffed
After a few seconds... Emma could no longer bear the silent treatment
"ok, can you tell me the reason you suddenly wish to marry me at least I deserve to know since it's about my life and that doesn't mean that I agree to this marriage" Emma exclaimed hoping to get a reply from him this time just as she hoped he dipped his hand into his pocket and brought out his phone...
He opened it and clicked on a picture then he handed the phone over to him and his actions made Emma more dazed she took a glance at the picture and looked back at Alex
"Why are you suddenly showing me this picture and what does it have to do with the explanation I asked for" Emma asked without taking her eyes away from Alex
"take another look at the picture and try to recognise the person in it," Alex said and Emma reluctantly took another look at the picture
"for some reason, this man looks familiar" Emma muttered to herself which Alex heard
And suddenly the memories of that fateful day came flooding in
******
A few days ago
"I haven't eaten a hot pot in a long time," the old man standing at Emma's back said with a sigh that brat won't let me eat out
Emma heard the man and smiled he looked quite elderly and there was still a long cue before he would be served
In the next minute, two men came and instead of standing in the cue like everyone else they pushed the old man aside like it was a normal thing to do
When Emma saw this scene anger flowed through her
She turned towards them with rage-filled eyes
"Now I will give you 30 seconds to apologize to my grandpa or else," Emma said in a calm voice despite the anger she felt
The men looked at each other and then looked at the petite-looking girl in front of them and they suddenly burst out laughing
"or else what... Princess" the first man said in a loud voice making everyone in the open restaurant gather expecting to watch a good show some brought out their phones and began to record the scene
"hey you all the princess wants to fight " the second man mocked roaring in laughter while pointing at the girl who looked expressionless apart from her eyes which looked like a fiery pit
"I don't like to repeat myself. You had your chance but you chose to ignore it now guess what, 30 seconds just passed" Emma said and before the men knew it a strong kick landed on the face of the man who pushed the elderly man aside
The second man's eyes widened in shock at the impact of the kick he rushed to her in an attempt to punch her and she held his hand before the punch could get to her ... She twisted his hand and bent over throwing him over her back
the first man stood up and was about to fight but she ran to him instead and kicked his stomach he fell to the floor with a thud... The men remained on the floor for some seconds and as if they planned it they rushed towards Emma intending to attack her together Emma who noticed what they as about to happen moved back and the men bumped their heads into each other and fell on their butts
Emma dusted her hands and looked around scanning her environment
"I would appreciate it if you all delete the video," Emma said to the people who were recording
They immediately brought down their phones in embarrassment
She hated being the centre of attention she craved hot pot today and came here to eat her food in peace and go back home to her mother but she couldn't stand by and watch the old man get bullied by those mannerless folks her conscience wouldn't let her
She went back to the old man who looked at her with gratitude in his eyes.... He could have easily created the men because he was a retired general in the military but the girl didn't know that so he was grateful to her for risking herself for him
"Are you ok grandpa?" Emma said with a worried look on her face
"yes child...thank you so much" the man said...." It's nothingGrandpaa"
"You've got superb fighting skills where did you learn them " the old man asked as they walked back to the cue
"my mom enrolled me into a boxing and taekwondo class so I trained hard and obtained a black belt " Emma said
"That's great she did well in bringing you up... What's your name kid "
"It's emerald sir" Emma replied
"emerald..... That's a beautiful name...you're a good kid Emmy " The man smiled
"Thanks for the compliment sir," Emma said
"child you just fought those men for me and you told them that I was your grandpa so why are you back to calling me ' sir' you should call me Grandpa Smith" The man complained making Emma smile and displaying her white set of teeth
"Grandpa Smith..." Emma called
"yes that's a good kid," the man said laughing heartily
"Grandpa you should stay in my position it's still a long cue ahead," Emma said
The old man looked at the youth in front of him and offered a charming smile which dazed Emma
'he must have been so handsome in his days and yet he still retains his charms his wife must have been a hell of a lucky woman' Emma mused
"thank you, Emmy, " the man said without refusing her offer