IRIS LOU POV
"Son, say goodbye to your grandpa after we leave," I said to my son when we were all in the living room and our things were already in the car. Elias suddenly left my side and went to his grandfather and stood next to him.
"Grandpa, would you mind if we left you here alone?" He asked Dad cutely. Papa ruffled his hair before he smiled and spoke.
"Of course, grandson, grandfather will be fine here. I guess you forgot that despite my age, I'm the strongest man in the world. ", Dad joked to Elias, who looked at him sniffling.
"Grandpa, I'm going to miss you, but don't worry, I'll be back here to be with you soon," Elias said to Dad, hugging him before giving Dad a kiss on both cheeks.
"You're so sweet and adorable my grandson, we'll still have a video call so don't be unhappy." Said dad to him.
"You better hurry up and go, I know your father Cleopard is happy to see you in Italy," Dad continued before standing up, holding Elias' hand and they walked together to the main entrance, so I stood up and followed them.
When we got outside, the bodyguards who'd accompanied us were already lined up to take us to the airport. I turned my gaze to Elias, who was still being held by his father.
"Son, get in the car first, I'm just going to talk to your grandfather for a minute." I smiled at Elias. So he let go of his grandfather's hand and hugged him before getting into our car.
When Elias had left, I turned my gaze to my father, who was sadly watching Elias leave. I tapped him on the shoulder, but he kept silent and just looked into our car, which wasn't far from where I saw Elias sitting neatly in the car.
"Dad, don't be sad, we'll be back too. So don't be sad now," I told him and he turned and looked at me.
"Promise me, Iris Lou, that you'll be back here at the palace as soon as you finish your business in the Philippines." He told me and I laughed.
"Of course Dad, I'll still come back here because this is where I was born and raised." I told him.
"We're leaving now until we meet again." I said before hugging him and he hugged me back. Then I let go of him, kissed his cheek and turned around waving to him with my right hand as I turned my back to him to signal that I wanted to say goodbye.
As I got into the car, I saw three black cars following me with the other bodyguards inside. As the car was loaded, I turned to Elias, who was standing next to me, frowning again.
"What kind of expression is that, son?" I asked him.
"Mom, I'm worried about Lolo being alone in the royal residence and it's my fault. I don't know whether to go to Lolo or to Dad. " He's confused by the harvest.
"Then while you still have time, consider staying at the palace or going to see your dad. But if you insist o staying at the palace, I'll just invite your papa to visit. What do you think of that? Isn't that a fantastic idea? ", I told him and he turned his gaze to me.
"Okay mom, I'll stay with grandpa." He said and I ruffled his hair before turning to the driver.
"(Gemátoi tha epistrépsoume sto paláti) We're done and we're going back to the palace," I told the driver. So he came back. We haven't gone far from the palace yet, so we can easily go back. When we arrived at the palace, I opened the car door for my son to go through.
"Take care son, I'll call you when I'm ready to visit." I told him before kissing him on the forehead. He hugged me first before he got out and closed the car door as well. I can see him walking through the main entrance of the palace. So I turned my gaze to the driver and signaled him to go to the airport because it looked like I was going to the Philippines.
While loading the car, I took my cell phone out of my shoulder bag to call Cleopard.
~~ Dialing ~~
"Have you ever boarded a plane? What about Elias, is he there?" He opened to me and I could feel the joy in his voice.
"I'm sorry to say this, but Elias would rather stay with Dad than see you in Italy. But Elias asked me if I could ask you to visit him at the palace. ", I told him. Suddenly the other line went silent, but he also spoke.
"What about you?" he asked suddenly and I sighed before answering.
"I'm going to the Philippines because I've a problem with my business there." I told him.
"In that case, be careful, I'll go to the palace first to stay there so I can be with Elias for a while and also with your father." He said and I smiled. This man never ceased to amaze me.
"Please take care of Elias and Father while I'm gone." I instructed him on the other line.
"It's my job to take care of my future wife's family." He said jokingly on the other line. So I was stunned. I don't know if he's still depending on me because I'm the one being asked. I don't feel like I love him more than just a friend.
Not once did my heart beat for him, unlike the love I felt for my son Elias father.
"Hey, are you still there?" I was in a trance again when I heard what he said.
"I'm hanging up now, we've already arrived at the airport. I'll just call you again when I'm already in the Philippines." I said and ended the call without letting him answer. When we arrived at the airport, I immediately went inside with my luggage.