His grandfather frowned. “Don’t start sounding like your grandmother. She’s always on me about slowing down.”
When Roberto was younger, he would have let the subject drop, but now that he was older, his grandfather was still stubborn and quite set in his ways but not nearly as intimidating. “Maybe she has a point.”
His grandfather’s mouth pressed in a firm line as he glared at Roberto as though he were some sort of traitor. When Roberto refused to back down, his grandfather sighed.
“It’s not like you care. You left.”
“I left the company because you didn’t give me a choice.” Before his grandfather could vocalize his protest, Roberto continued. “But let’s leave it in the past.”
“You had a choice.” His grandfather liked to have the last word. Roberto braced himself for an argument, but then his grandfather said, “I suppose there’s no point in rehashing it.”
For a moment, Roberto wasn’t sure he’d heard his grandfather correctly. Considering his grandfather’s congenial mood, Roberto decided to extend an olive branch. He knew it was risky because his grandfather’s responses were so unpredictable. But then he thought of his grandmother and knew he had to try to help.
“You know, I have some time during the cruise and I’m not much of a sightseer. If you have some work to throw my way, it’d give me an excuse to get out of some of the planned excursions.”
His grandfather frowned. “If this is some sort of charity—”
“It’s not.” Roberto shook his head in frustration. He should have known his grandfather wouldn’t change. “Never mind—”
“Wait.” His grandfather stared at him as though trying to decide if this was the right decision. “If you’re serious, I could use another set of eyes. But this has to remain confidential. I don’t want your grandmother to worry.”
It was a little late for that, but Roberto decided to play along. It must be bad if his grandfather was willing to give in that easily.
This was the first time his grandfather had ever asked for his input. “Sure.”
His grandfather gave him a brief idea of the large project taking place on the outskirts of Athens. And then using his smartphone, his grandfather forwarded Roberto the pertinent files. The fact that his grandfather used a smartphone impressed him. Not everyone his grandfather’s age kept up with technology. But then again, not everyone his grandfather’s age was still running a multimillion-dollar corporation. Roberto promised to get back to his grandfather by the end of the cruise.
“Now that we have that out of the way, tell me how serious this relationship is with...what’s her name?” his grandfather asked.
“Stasia. Did Yaya tell you that we’re involved?”
His grandfather was a tall man with a full head of gray hair. The lines of time that marked his face only made him look more distinguished and wiser. He arched a brow as he stared at his only grandson. “Wasn’t she supposed to tell me? Seems like the rest of the family is getting to know her.”
Roberto resisted the urge to shrug his shoulders. It was one of those gestures that got on his grandfather’s nerves. He thought that it was lazy and ill-mannered. When Roberto was a child, his grandfather would always correct him and insist Roberto use his words.
Roberto cleared his throat. “I’m just surprised is all. The relationship is new. And Yaya didn’t appear pleased about it.”
“She doesn’t think you’re serious about this woman. She thinks you’re avoiding the opportunity to meet some nice young ladies.” His grandfather’s pointed stare met his. “Is she right?”
“Why does it have to be serious?”
His grandfather narrowed his gaze on him. “What you’re saying is that this isn’t going to be anything permanent either. I have to wonder if you’re even involved with Stasia.”
Heated words rushed to the back of Roberto’s throat. Why did his grandfather always look at him like he was a failure because he refused to do things the way his family thought they should be done? At least he was still here, unlike his parents, who were married but lived separate lives in separate parts of the world—separate from him.