Falling in Love : I love you, Today and Forever

Jonathan tapped his fingers on the table as he waited for Oliver to arrive. Although he had made up his mind to reveal all that he had hidden over the years, all his courage vanished as seconds ticked by and the appointed time of meeting with Oliver gradually approached. He glanced at the old butler behind him, who was sitting behind him calmly.

"Is something the matter, Old Master?" The old man straightened on meeting his master's eyes and queried gently, his wise eyes filled with gentleness towards the man he had served his entire life.

"I'm just worried. What if Oliver does not believe me and..."

"Old Master, Mr. West is a wise man. I'm sure he will understand and discern the situation you were going through in the past. He will not judge you and hold you accountable for all that happened."

Although the old butler assured him, his words fell on deaf ears for the old Carter was too anxious to calm himself down. He glanced at his watch again and let out a frustrated sigh.

"Why is the time moving this slowly today? Why can't it just jump to six already?" He grumbled and the butler shook his head, his lips arching up in a helpless smile.

There was still half an hour left for their meeting with Oliver and they could do nothing but wait as the old Carter drowned himself with cup after cup of tea to ease his nervousness. And the old butler did not stop him too for he knew that the old man would not listen to him whatsoever.

There were still five minutes left when they heard the door to the private room opening and the man they were waiting for being led inside by the waitress.

Jonathan Carter stiffened on seeing the man who he had once presumed to be dead. Even though he had long known about Oliver being safe and alive, it was still astonishing to see him stand before him in all his stature with an incomprehensible smile on his face. Except for him being more alert and shrewd, Oliver was still the same as he remembered him to be, and unknowingly, Jonathan teared up immediately.

"I appreciate that you fixed this meeting in a public place. At least, I know I'm safe and will be ending up dead where no one can ever find my body. To what do I owe this pleasure of meeting you, Mr. Carter?" Oliver removed his coat and took his chair opposite Jonathan, his eyes widening in surprise for a moment on seeing tears in the old man's eyes.

'Tears in Jonathan's eyes....that's unexpected.' He mused and narrowed his eyes in contemplation. 'What am I missing? Why is the old Carter behaving differently than I expected him to?'

"You must be wondering about me." Jonathan's voice broke him out of his thoughts and he let out a chuckle.

"Is there any reason for me to not think about it, Mr. Carter?" Oliver did not hold back and leaned forward as he folded his arms. Even though he was younger, his imposing stance shook Jonathan's confidence for a moment and he was at a loss for words.

"You have changed, Oliver." He commented after a long time and Oliver smiled in return.

"I had to change, Mr. Carter. When you have been sent to the depths of hell and on the verge of death, it is a blessing to come back alive and face the people who were responsible for my misery." Oliver smirked in ridicule and Jonathan lowered his eyes immediately as he let out a defeated sigh.

"I know you must be holding me responsible for your past, Oliver."

"Let me make a correction here, Mr. Carter." Oliver stopped him before he could continue. "I do hold you responsible but you are not the only one. You are not working alone in this and I know that."

"That is where you are wrong, Oliver. That is where you are wrong." Jonathan shook his head and Oliver just stared at him, his expression calm yet undecipherable.

"I was not at all involved in this matter in the first place let alone be responsible for what you went through." Jonathan raised his eyes and looked at Oliver right in the eye.

"What do you mean, Mr. Carter?" Oliver narrowed his eyes as he observed the old man. Although he could not perceive what the man was saying, he more or less had an inkling that the man was speaking the truth and his heart started to beat wildly in fear.

"You are gravely mistaken, Oliver. I was never involved with Jared or his people, let alone this Mission Code X. I was just a victim to their deceit and I promise I pulled away the moment I found out about it." Jonathan explained, trying as hard as he could to convince Oliver even though he knew it was a hard feat.

"I know you do not believe me and I know my words alone are not sufficient enough to make you believe me. I have pieces of evidence with me and I am certain that after looking at them you will be able to make your judgment."

Jonathan held out his hand and the old butler retrieved an envelope from beside him. "I hope this will answer all your questions and you will find the truth which I had once tried hard to hide."

Oliver sat frozen in his spot, not knowing how to console the crying man. It was the first time ever he was seeing the old and mighty Jonathan Carter crying and he did not know what to do to make him stop.

"I hope you will open it when you reach home." Jonathan continued as he wiped his tears. "This place is not safe and I do not want this truth to come out in the open, not yet."

Oliver frowned in confusion. But he did not say a word about it and nodded lightly.

"Is that all, Mr. Carter?" Oliver cleared his throat and picked up his coat, composing himself and forcing away his puzzlement for the time being. "I'll get going if there is nothing else."

"Umm..." Jonathan hesitated. "I have a request and I hope you will grant it to me."

"What is it, Mr. Carter?" Unlike previously, Oliver did not show his impatience and ridicule and waited for the old man to speak.

"Irrespective of what your judgment is, please do not separate Noah and Aria." Jonathan stood up and held Oliver's hands. "The kids love each other and I do not want my mistakes to influence their lives and separate them."

Oliver smiled faintly and stared at the old man in all his seriousness. "You do not have to worry about it, Mr. Carter. I do not decide my daughters' lives. They are more than capable of making their decisions and they know what they want. Moreover,"

His lips curved deeper as he buttoned his suit jacket. "I do not judge anyone based on their family and their deeds. You are you and Noah is Noah and it will always be like that."