Falling in Love : I love you, Today and Forever

Jonathan re-read the message he had received on his phone and his frown deepened. The day he so badly wanted to avoid had arrived and he could do nothing about it. Oliver had appeared in public even before he could take any precautions and now, he could only take countermeasures. He was yet to find the evidence Oliver had against him before he released it to the world.

"Oliver..." He let out a sigh, too exhausted to do anything else. 'My one mistake in the past is haunting me now and I do not know what to do. How do I stop Noah from suspecting me?' He wondered, even though he knew that it was futile.

After their last meeting with his grandson, Jonathan perceived that Noah had more or less connected the dots between him and Jared, and Mission Code X and it would not be long before his grandson came to him, demanding an explanation.

For the first time in years, he felt defeated and lost and Jonathan looked at Oliver's picture again on his phone. "Looks like it's time for you and me to meet, Oliver. I hope you will cooperate with me."

Taking a deep breath, he dialed the number he had obtained from his sources and waited for the man to pick up.

"Hello, this is Oliver West speaking."

"Hello, Oliver." Jonathan heard the ruffling of sheets on the other sides before a few seconds of silence ensued.

"May I know who this is?" Although his question sounded polite, to Jonathan, it seemed as though the question was filled with ridicule and he had no idea why.

"I am Jonathan Carter. I would like to have a word with you in person." Jonathan stated his intentions behind the call before Oliver could ask him, enabling another moment of silence.

"Well, I am surprised that the great Carter has asked me to meet him when somehow or the other he was responsible for my miseries in the past." Oliver sassed as he dropped the files in his hand on the table loudly, making sure that the man on the other side heard him.

"I know Oliver, you might resent me for things I did in the past. I want to meet you regarding the same and clarify the matter." Jonathan explained, something which he had not done in a long time.

"Will this clarification involve me getting successfully killed this time?"

"I promise you will face no harm. I just want to meet you." Jonathan continued, almost pleading with Oliver to agree to his wishes.

"Why should I believe you? What if you are tricking me, Mr. Carter?" Oliver was still not convinced and he shot back.

"Oliver, I do not know how to explain to you," Jonathan muttered helplessly. "How about this? You may inform Noah about our meeting. If something were to happen to you, then I'll be the one at fault for sure and my grandson will hold me responsible."

This got Oliver thinking and eventually, he agreed to meet the man.

"Thank you so much, Oliver. You have no idea how much of a favor you have done to me by agreeing to meet me."

Jonathan's words perplexed Oliver greatly but before he could enquire more about it, the call had disconnected.

Jonathan leaned back on his chair and looked at the ceiling, his eyes filled with disappointment and heartbreak. He was disappointed with himself and even more so whenever he thought about his grandson.

Without another thought, he called the man right away and fortunately for him, Noah picked up the phone instead of ignoring him like he thought he would.

"Yes, Grandpa." Noah answered monotonously and this was enough to show that the damage had been done. His grandson was now suspecting him and Jonathan felt his heart crushing in agony.

"Noah, I have something important to tell you." He started, sweat trickling down his forehead.

"Yes, Grandpa. I'm listening." Again, the reaction was dull and uncaring.

"I'll be meeting Oliver this evening to discuss some matters. I just wanted to inform you about it."

Silence ensued between the men and nobody spoke for a long time. It was only when Jonathan could not tolerate the torture anymore that he broke the quietness.

"Noah, speak something." He begged and heard his grandson sigh.

"Why are you informing me about this?"

"In case you suspect me for matters I am not responsible for. I just want to be careful."

"And may I ask why?" Noah probed.

"I know you know a thing or two about me and Jared and I just want to clear the matter once and for all. I promise nobody you and I love will be hurt. You have my word."

"Will you tell me what this Mission Code X is and how it is even related to you?" Noah finally relented and his tone softened much to Jonathan's relief and his lips bloomed into a contented smile. The pain in his heart eased a little and he let out a sigh.

"I will answer all your questions, I promise. I really do. Just give me a day." Jonathan could not stop smiling and his voice rose a pitch. "Let me clear my matters with Oliver and I will answer any question you want."

"Fine, I will wait for you. I just hope you will remain the grandfather I always thought you to be. I admire you the most, Grandpa. Please, do not break my trust." Noah stated all of a sudden and Jonathan's eyes teared up immediately. This was his grandson, the young man he had trained and loved and brought up to be who had become right now.

"Never, Noah. Never." Jonathan shook his head fervently. "I'll never do anything that might sabotage our relationship. I promise."

"Okay, Grandpa. Take care. I'll visit you tonight. Let's have dinner together." Noah suggested and Jonathan let out a laugh amidst his cries. "We haven't eaten together for a long time."

"Sure, Noah. I'll wait for you. Thank you so much for trusting me. I promise I'll not break it. I swear."

"Take care, Grandpa. I'll see your later."

Jonathan finally felt the burden on his shoulders reducing and he could not control his joy whatsoever. "I still have time to rectify my mistakes. There is still time for me, I can still get out of the trouble I created myself. Noah, I will make things alright. I will. Thank you so much. Thank you."