The Last Petal

Chapter 2

"Come sit down," the man said, his words stiff and plain. Slowly I closed the door and sat down by my mom on the couch.

"Now," the man said, "Are you Alexandria Fontaine?"

"Yes" I replied without emotion.

No, I'm the Queen of England, get out of my palace, I snarked in my head.

"Ok then, unless I am incorrect ten years ago your Aunt Sydney Fontaine committed suicide by jumping off a cliff while the two of you were camping."

"Yes" I said, remembering the look on my aunt's face as she laid there dead and my pleading for her to wake up.

"Well, you see, your Aunt made a Will and most of it was given to other family but a small list of things were to be given to you on your 18th birthday." He then waited for me to respond, but instead of responding I waited for him to continue speaking. He did.

"Well, um, the things she left you were as follows: This antique rose pendant gold necklace," He handed me the pendant, "This letter specifically written for you and only for you," He handed that to me as well and he paused before saying the last thing, "And last but not least, her house in River Water, France."

"France!?" I said, shock radiating in my voice.

 "Yes, Alex, your Aunt lived in France," Her mother sighed, as if that was the reason for her daughter's worry.

"And although the estate is all yours, you are not allowed to move in until you graduate, but only you can reside there. You are the closest thing she has to an heir and she specifically asked for you," The lawyer explained simply. I couldn't believe it. I was going to live in a house in France basically by myself!?

"We wouldn't let her live there until she does. But, um, what about mortgage and payments and such?" My mom asked him, concerned. I couldn't fathom how that was the only worry that she had about this. How long had she known?

We were not rich and they could not afford to pay for another house and I knew it. There was no way I would be able to move there. So, ha.

"Well..." The man drawled, "The house's mortgage has already been paid off but..."

My mom let out a sigh of relief. But before my mom could say anything, the man continued talking.

"Water and electricity bills are as well, but the house doesn't have any bills for that kind of thing. I mean the house has electricity and running water and etc. But there's no bill for them."

"That's not possible, all houses have bills." My mom said

"Well not in this city apparently. I mean, no one in the town has bills. A very wealthy woman pays for all of them, in return, they all work under her her. Well... I ought to go and leave you alone." And, just like that, the man left the house. I stared at my parents, open-mouthed, waiting for their verdict.

"Well, honey, your father and I thought you should move there as soon as school's finished up. Maybe you should start packing soon," My mother said calmly. I stared at them in shock.

"But what about school!?" I blurted, "I mean, I'm only a Junior!"

"You'll get settled there, I already have plans for you to go to an English school there. They'll even teach you French so there won't be so much of a culture-shock," My mom explained with a smile. It seemed like they had already decided to ship my butt off to some foreign country to live by myself.

"You're insane! What ab-"

"Alex, your mother and I agreed that it's what's best for you, now go to your room and start packing," My dad demanded, done with the conversation. So I did.