FREDRIC’S POV

Seven months earlier – February 27, 2017

Young, handsome, and rich. Who wouldn’t want to be in a position like mine?

I’m Fredric Liam Smith, a 26-year-old man. The sentence above pretty much sums up my life, doesn’t it?

Are women all around me? Of course!

I’m not some foolish, useless man who wastes his life at home. Why wouldn’t I enjoy my grandmother’s endless fortune? Besides, I’m also a director in her diamond company.

Just for today, I’m going to meet Paula. Who doesn’t know her? The famous model — beautiful face, perfect body. Ah, I can’t wait for her to be mine.

Knock, knock…

I heard a knock on the door and shouted, “Come in.”

“Well, what a lovely day. Look at my handsome grandson, still lazing in bed.”

“Grandma?”

I panicked and immediately sat up. I respect my grandmother deeply; she’s the only family I have left since my mother died ten years ago.

“Why are you jumping up like you’re being interrogated by the police? Am I really that terrifying? Do I look like an old witch ready to devour your soul?”

Her face looked slightly annoyed — honestly, I love it when she gets mad at me like that.

“Oh, come on, beautiful Rosa could never be scary. Since when did the world’s top diamond boss look terrifying? Even compared to Gigi Hadid, Rosa is still stunning! It’s 2017, Grandma, don’t be mad at me.”

I hugged her tightly. I could feel that warm, motherly love radiating from her. She really is the only person who fills that space in my heart.

“You’re just like your father. He used to tease me exactly like this whenever things didn’t go his way.”

I instantly released her. I stared at her, and my ears burned at those words.

“You know I hate it when you compare me to that bastard! I’m not the kind of man who abandons his family. Do you still remember him? Even after he hasn’t come to see you in twenty-six years? He’s never once shown his face to me since I was born! Those words of yours are a disgrace, Grandma. They hurt.”

I turned away and sat on the sofa beside the bed. My emotions are easy to ignite whenever my grandmother mentions my father. I’ve never met him, never even heard his voice. There’s no reason good enough for why he left us. The wealth, the power — none of it mattered to him.

Before he left, everything was fine. I tried to find him… but he vanished.

“I’m sorry, Fredric. I didn’t mean to make you sad…”

“I’m not sad. I’m angry — furious. Don’t ever compare me to that man! I swear, if I ever find him, I’ll punch him until my rage is gone. Only then will I forgive him.”

Grandma hugged me from behind. Her breathing was heavy; I knew she must miss her only son.

My anger faded a little, and I stood up to hug her back. I hated raising my voice at her — she didn’t deserve my temper.

“It’s okay, Grandma. Forgive me for snapping at you. Let’s forget that topic. So, what brings you here? You wouldn’t come into my room without a reason, right?”

Her smile returned, those little wrinkles near her eyes not dimming her beauty at all.

“I want you to come with me for lunch with Goyle and his family. Today’s their wedding anniversary.”

What a boring invitation. But I could only nod. I never refuse her, even when I don’t want to go.

“Alright. What time are we leaving?”

“In an hour. Get ready.”

She patted my arm and left the room. Once she was gone, I flopped back onto the bed.

‘I’ll visit you later this afternoon or evening. I have to accompany Grandma first.’

I texted Paula. I was supposed to spend the weekend with her, but what could I do? Instead, I’d be seeing a dull woman — Goyle’s daughter, Mathilda.

How unattractive could Mathilda possibly be?

Well, I’d find out soon enough.

**

At exactly 11:15 a.m., we arrived at a five-star restaurant our family often used for lunch meetings.

“You invited them to eat here? What kind of boss is as loyal as you?” I teased.

Grandma just smiled and pressed her finger to her rose-red lips.

It wasn’t surprising that she treated the Goyle family with such generosity. They’d been loyal to her for twenty years. Goyle was a kind man and an excellent driver. But sometimes, I admit, their closeness made me uneasy.

I don’t know — maybe I was just jealous. His daughter, Mathilda, really got on my nerves sometimes. She had both parents’ love, while I grew up alone, drowning in wealth but starving for affection.

It’s strange. But that’s my reality — a young man raised in luxury but haunted by envy toward families who still had love.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Rosa, Mr. Fredric. It’s an honor to celebrate our wedding anniversary with you,” Goyle greeted us warmly as soon as we arrived. He looked more professional than the restaurant staff, with his serious, composed demeanor.

“You don’t have to thank us, Goyle. Fredric and I are your guests. Come, sit,” Grandma said kindly.

As usual, I stayed quiet. I rarely interacted — truthfully, I’d never bothered talking much with Goyle or his family.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Rosa. I’m so happy and honored that you’ve given us such a beautiful gift,” said Goyle’s wife.

“Mathilda sends her greetings to Mrs. Rosa and Mr. Fredric!”

I turned toward the so-called unattractive girl. The timid, fragile Mathilda bowed her head slightly as she nodded. I tried to figure out what she was doing. Her curly red hair and thick glasses made her look clumsy. Her fashion sense — terrible.

“You look lovely, Mathilda. Your hair tied up like that makes you look like a Barbie doll. You’d be perfect standing next to Fredric.”

I almost choked. Instinctively, I frowned and smirked. The words slipped from my mouth before I could stop them.

“Maybe she should change her look to something more like Gigi Hadid or Kendall Jenner.”

Silence fell immediately. Mathilda’s head lowered even more, and both Goyle and his wife looked uncomfortable.

“Fredric,” Grandma intervened quickly, forcing a smile. “Mathilda, dear, I think he meant you’d look even lovelier with your hair down. You know how young men can be — their tastes are a bit… extreme. Let’s forget it and order lunch, shall we?”

After saying that, Grandma turned to me with one raised eyebrow.

Yeah, she was angry.

But honestly? I didn’t care.

Because that’s exactly what I wanted.

If Mathilda were ever to stand by my side, she’d need about ten plastic surgeries first.