C8 Eight

The car ride to Grandma Carrington’s house was filled with an uneasy silence. Alexis shifted in her seat, glancing at Cody, who was quietly fiddling with a toy. Kathrine sat up front, occasionally glancing at the rearview mirror.

"We're almost there," Kathrine said, breaking the silence in the car.

"What should I expect... she's intimidating, right?" Alexis asked nervously.

Kathrine chuckled. "You've met Grandma, right?"

"Well, briefly. She was leaving the day I came."

"That's true, but she's only intimidating to people she doesn't exactly like," Kathrine said with a small smile. Alexis couldn’t help but feel a knot form in her stomach as the car rolled to a stop.

"I don’t know if I’m ready for this," Alexis muttered, looking at the imposing building.

"None of us ever are," Kathrine replied, stepping out of the car. She glanced at Cody, who was still playing with his toy. "You good, Cody?"

"Uh-huh," Cody mumbled, not looking up.

They took the elevator up to the penthouse of the building, where they were welcomed by the butler.

"Hi, where's Grandma? Please don't tell me she's at the old people's home," Kathrine asked.

The butler chuckled. "No, she's right upstairs," he responded, taking their coats.

"Okay, thank you so much. Let's go," Kathrine signaled to Alexis and Cody.

They went upstairs, where Grandma Carrington sat waiting, her back straight, her hands resting on a cane that seemed more for intimidation than support. As soon as she saw them, her lips curved into a faint, knowing smile.

"Oh, my baby," she said happily when she saw Kathrine with Alexis, but her eyes were still fixed on the door. Kathrine scoffed, knowing who she was waiting for until Cody walked in.

"And Cody, my dear. Come sit with me."

Cody glanced up, a flicker of recognition crossing his face as he shuffled over to his grandmother’s chair. "Hi, Grandma," he said, his voice soft but clear. He placed his action figure on her lap, smiling shyly.

Alexis watched the exchange, her heart softening. He was different around her, like a part of him came alive.

"How was the drive?" Grandma Carrington asked, shifting her attention back to Kathrine and Alexis.

"Horrible, and long too. I don't know why you decided to live all the way out here in the city," Kathrine said, walking over to plant a kiss on her cheek.

Her grandmother chuckled softly. "And I don't know why you people still decide to stay..."

Her eyes finally locked onto Alexis. "Instead of standing there, why don't you come and have a seat?" she said, her voice almost stern, maintaining eye contact. Alexis took a deep breath and sat down, barely able to look her in the eye.

"Are you scared of me?" Grandma asked.

"No, ma'am. It's just an honor to meet you. I saw the newspapers from before—you seem like such a legend," Alexis replied nervously.

"Honor?" Grandma Carrington raised an eyebrow, glancing at Kathrine, who silently laughed.

"Listen, Grandma, we came here for business. You can get to know your granddaughter-in-law later. Right now, we have more pressing matters," Kathrine said.

"Business, of course. But, as I recall, I'm retired," Grandma said, sipping her tea.

"Grandma, I know that, but you always got involved when Cody called."

"Yes, and last I remember, Cody hasn't been walking for months now."

"He isn’t, but that doesn't mean the company stopped working. It's his company, Grandma. We need to seal the deal with BM Enterprises for the private airline. Now, we're not asking you to handle the deal, just to be at the party tomorrow."

Grandma turned her gaze to Alexis. "What do you think about all this?"

"Me?"

"Yes, you."

"Well, um... I think it's a good deal. From what I've heard, you care about Cody, so I’m sure you care about his reputation too. If this falls through, the company will lose. I know he used to be a workaholic, so if you come, you'd be helping him, and when he gets better, he would be really grateful and proud."

Their grandmother nodded.

"So, what do you think about my grandbaby, then?" She looked at Cody, who was still busy with his toys.

"I’ve been taking care of him for the past couple of weeks now. He’s gentle, and he’s a great listener even when you think he isn't, but..." Alexis recalled their first meeting and how rude he had been. "Annoying, probably one of the meanest people I’ve ever met, and he owes me a new outfit," she started, making references to his character during their first encounter. She got carried away until Kathrine cleared her throat and tapped her leg.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry, ma'am."

Grandma looked at her, seemingly unfazed. Kathrine and Alexis tensed up, but then Grandma started laughing, and they joined in.

"Tell your mother I'll be there on one condition," she said, shifting her gaze back to Kathrine.

"What do you want, Granny?"

"I want Cody to come and live with me. You people have no use for him over there. He’s practically always locked up in his room, and Victoria doesn’t like him. They can stay out of each other’s way, and I miss my grandson."

"You know Mom won't agree to that... there's no point in asking."

"Won't or can't? It's not like Victoria can't afford his check-up, and he'll be perfectly safe here. We both know that."

"But you know Mom won’t give him up. She loves him just as much," Kathrine replied.

"Yes, but you people keep him locked up in that room, even though it’s big. Here, he could actually be happy, and you know it," their grandmother insisted.

"You two are so stubborn."

"If Cody doesn’t come to live with me, then I’m not coming. You insist on keeping him in a house where he was almost killed! I’m worried, and I’m allowed to be."

"And you’re allowed to be," Alexis interjected gently. "But he’s not a child anymore. He’s a grown man, though he’s sick, and he’s my husband now. It’s my job to keep him safe, and I promise you, I’m doing everything I can. But the company is also his legacy, something he’s worked hard for. He’ll pass that on to his children someday, but that won’t happen if it collapses. Please, just come for him. This deal is part of what he’s built, and I know he’d want you to help us make sure it doesn’t fall apart," Alexis said.

Their grandmother studied Alexis for a moment, her sharp eyes softening just a little. "You speak well for him," she said, her tone still firm. "And I can see you care about Cody. But care isn’t enough when it comes to this family, girl. The things that happened here before you arrived... it’s no place for him."

She paused, looking at Cody, who was still engrossed in his toys, oblivious to the conversation. "But maybe you’re right about one thing. He’s not a child anymore. If he’s to carry on this legacy, he’ll need people around him who fight for him, as long as you promise to keep him far away from Victoria."

The room was tense as she sighed, glancing at Kathrine before finally saying, "Alright. I’ll come. But mark my words—if I see one more thing out of place, if I think for a second that boy’s in danger, I’ll take him out of there myself, no matter what your mother says."

"You still know Mom won't let you, right? She only let him come here by chance."

"I suggest you leave and go get ready for your event. BM has always liked it when people try to impress him, so you should be off planning the party of a lifetime."

"You Carrington women are so stubborn. Now we’re done with business talk."

"Grandma," Kathrine said, trying to sound sweet and innocent.

"I’m not buying you another Birkin. Get out of my house, girl."

"I’ll text you the details, Granny."

"Get out," her grandmother said playfully as Kathrine left.

"Come back and have a seat, Alexis," she said sharply as Alexis tried to leave after Kathrine. Alexis slowly sat back down.

"I’m sorry I interrupted your talk, ma'am."

"Ma'am? Did you forget I’m your grandmother too? From what little I had my assistant look into, I could only read you as a gold digger, but recent events have led me to trust you with my grandson's life. Promise me you will look after him. Everything you said about him before is very true, but I hope you can look past that, he's a good person

,You can go now. I’ll bring him out in a minute."

"Okay," Alexis said as she headed toward the door. She stopped, turned, and said, "He’s my husband. I’ll keep him safe, and I’ll look after him. I’ve got nothing else to do, actually," she added with a smile, then left.