Chapter 101- Grandmother (Part 3)

Silence took over the entire place for a good few seconds. It was like Emilia had dropped a bombshell on everyone’s head. Fiona and Melissa stared at the book, their eyes locked on it like predators eyeing a prey.

The jovial atmosphere changed rapidly into a more serious, weirdly solemn one.

"..." Elio looked at the two girls, completely confused. ’Why are they looking like that...? Huh?’ He frowned.

He felt like he wasn’t supposed to be in that room in the first place.

"Miss Emilia..." At that moment, Melissa spoke, her voice serious as ever.

"Hm?"

"How much..." She stared at the old lady as if this were a life-or-death situation before she continued. "How much do you want for that album? I’m ready to buy it. In fact, wait, let me get an empty check for you to write any number you want."

"HUH?! Melissa?!" Elio blurted out. "Why the hell would you want that?!"

"Why? You’re asking me why right now, Elio?! Do you not comprehend the kind of treasure that album is? Do you even understand how important the content of that album is? It is a piece of art!"

"..."

’Why is she speaking about my pictures as a kid as if it is some sort of art piece?!’ Elio didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at the absurdity of the situation.

"Hm, good thing you understand that, Melissa. You are a very smart girl." Emilia. "This album contains the best pictures this world has ever seen. That kid was so adorable, you would want to squeeze him to death."

"Please, Miss Emilia. I need that!!!"

"I’m sorry. This is mine, and it isn’t for sale." She said. "However, I can show you what’s inside if you’re curious."

"..."

"..."

That offer fell on Fiona and Melissa’s heads like a shock. They both froze for a second. Here it came! The opportunity!

"Absolutely! Please, I would love to see!" Melissa was the first to speak.

"Hahaha, of course!"

"Wait, wait, wait, wait! Why are you talking about my pictures as if it’s fine for you to show it around?! I don’t accept this! Here, give it to me!"

"And who are you to say that, brat?" Emilia asked.

"The one whose pictures are being traded like it’s the stock market!"

"Well, these aren’t yours. They’re mine. Just like how you’re my grandson."

"That makes absolutely zero sense! Give me the albu-"

"Ehem, may I also see the pictures?"

Hearing Fiona speak, Elio stopped and looked at her slowly. "F-Fiona?"

’Even you?! Why do you have a curious look on your face?! Oh my god!’ Elio cursed inwardly.

"See? Even your friend wants to see it. So, don’t be such a stingy person and let them take a look. These are adorable pictures."

"..." Elio looked at Melissa, and she had a pleading look on her face. Then, he stared at Fiona, and she was still oddly locked on the album as if it were the only thing present in the room.

"I... You..." He tried to find any argument, but he failed and sighed. "Alright..."

"Yay!"

Fiona smiled faintly.

"Ok, gather around then. I will show you how Elio looked as a child."

The two walked up to her, and Elio stood to the side, peeking at the pictures to make sure no embarrassing one is there to see.

The very first pic was of Elio as a baby, lying on the bed, his eyes wide open as he clenched his fists. The two girls froze in place upon seeing it.

’So... cute...’ They thought in unison.

It was like seeing the cutest creature to ever exist. There were traces of Elio they could recognize even at such a young age.

"Oh my god! He’s so adorable! Look at those wide eyes! So cute!!" Melissa exclaimed.

"He was 2 months old in this picture. I changed his diaper and took the picture. He was happy."

"I want to squeeze his chubby cheeks so much!"

’What’s even cute about that? He looks like a normal baby you see every day!’ Elio rolled his eyes.

"What do you think, Fiona?" Emilia asked, noticing the girl was still staring at the picture in silence.

"Hm? Oh, yes, Elio looks cute here." She said, trying to hide her smile. In her head, she was having the same reaction as Melissa, except she didn’t express it out loud.

"Now, this is a picture of when he smiled."

"Oh my god!!! Look at that beautiful smile! That’s still your smile even now, Elio."

"..."

Then, the pictures kept rolling in, and each one, he would be a bit older than before. Melissa’s reactions were visible and strong, making Elio look away. He would be lying if he said he didn’t like the compliments, but seeing his younger self like that... He just didn’t know how to feel.

Especially when the two people seeing these pictures are two of the most important people in the world. It was mind-blowing!

However, with each new picture, Elio’s embarrassment started fading as he focused on the pictures. His smile faded, and a serious look appeared on his face.

Seeing Elio going from a baby to a toddler, and then from a toddler to a boy. He felt something weird...

He had truly lived through a lot, even though he had barely been alive for 17 years. Yet, he had lived such a rough life... with no parents.

Eventually, Emilia stopped at a particular picture. It was that of Elio, covered in dirt and sand, lying at the front door of the house, completely asleep. He was 12 at the time.

Emilia’s smile faded as she saw it.

"This one... Well, I took this one when Elio came back home after working on a construction site. He carried bags of dirt and sand back and forth for hours... And when he came back, he fell asleep from exhaustion at the front door." She said. "I wanted to capture that moment to remember it forever."

"..."

"My boy had gone through a lot, as a kid, and even now as a young man. I tried to give him the best life I could, and I know it wasn’t the best life. I wish I could’ve given him a better childhood."

"Grandma..."

"I regret it a lot. Every night, I imagined how much you deserved a better life, a better house, better food, better clothes. A kid your age didn’t have to work hard every day, never play, and never enjoy himself... I robbed you of that childhood."

"No, Grandma. That’s not true. You didn’t do anything wrong."

"Do you think I could believe that seeing this picture?" She said, pointing at the album. "I took it as a reminder that I couldn’t give you what you deserved. You’re a good kid, Elio. A very good and kind kid. You never hated me for any of this... You never complained or stopped giving your best, even though you didn’t have to think about all of that."

Emilia’s lips quivered before she looked down, tears welling in her eyes. Quickly, she rubbed them off.

"Your grandmother is a very bad person."