Get You Back [Completed]

Chapter 5

Katerina was sitting by her window, looking out the garden view that was turned into a makeshift receiving area for guests. Her mother and stepfather were just buried this morning in an exclusive cemetery for the Denaro-Sokolov clan.

She doesn't even know most of the people who attended. It was just mostly relatives of her stepfather who also died from the ambush attack.  She still hasn't fully comprehended the nature of her stepfather's job and the businesses that he ran. But one thing's for sure, she wanted to know more and see... more.

She couldn't just accept the fact that her mother was lost... because she was a casualty in a shoot out that wasn't meant for her. Her maids heard of rumors from the guards who heard rumors from their bosses that the shoot out was from an opposing, powerful clan.

But she couldn't quite understand why terrible people would do that to an innocent woman like her mother.

She had to know.

"Katerina," called out a baritone voice behind her.

She turned around knowing full well it was Pavel. He has been supervising the whole wake since last week and up until today. They never had a chance to talk mainly because he would usually evade the subject.

"You haven't touched your dinner," he noticed, looking at the food on her table.

"I am not hungry," she briefly answered.

"My father's counsel is here. Join us in the study."

"What for? I have no interest on business matters," she said, trying to be polite. Lately, she just doesn't feel like engaging or socializing with people.

"He specifically instructed me to bring you there."

She noticed the slight annoyance in his voice. So she stood up and sighed. "Fine, I'll go. But after this, I can rest, can I?"

"Definitely."

It was a quiet walk to the study. It was Alfonso's office when he was alive. The room was big with shelves holding tons of books to assist him in his work. He was a lawyer, a big-time lawyer of a  big-time business. That's what she knew.

Upon entering, she could still smell her stepfather's tobacco... as if he was still there, while her mother would usually serve him coffee in the later afternoon.

"Pavel, Kate," greeted a balding man around fifty, wearing a tailored suit probably from Armani.

"Hello, Attorney," greeted Pavel back, offering the counsel his hand while the old man shook it. Pavel, then, guided her down to the couch beside him. "As requested, my stepsister is present for my father's Last Will and Testament reading."

"This will be quick. I see no need to prolong this meeting as the Last Will is also brief," assured the old man as he sat down again facing the two of them.

Katerina was so disinterested with the whole conversation that she couldn't help but sigh. And suddenly, she felt Pavel's hand reaching out to caress her shoulders. She looked up at him automatically but he was busy looking at the old man before them, drawing out papers from his black briefcase.

"The Will was changed recently. Two months ago," the counsel said, matter-of-factly.

"Go on, attorney," Pavel coaxed.

"Well, to put things easily. I won't be reading the entire thing as not to bore you. But the gist is Alfonso is leaving half of his wealth, money, investments, businesses and other real estate properties to you, Pavel, as his legal son."

"Half?" Pavel inquired.

Katerina heard the anger in his voice, though he tried his best to conceal it.