The Guardian & His Ward: An AlanGaipa Story

Inheritance and Responsibility

Gaipa sat in the ornate lawyer's office, feeling a mix of sadness, confusion, and uncertainty. The recent passing of his mother had left a void in his heart, one that seemed impossible to fill. He had always known that this day would come, but he was still unprepared for the overwhelming grief and the daunting responsibilities that accompanied her death.

He had been acutely aware of the presence of an extremely good-looking but stoic man's all through the funeral but he had been a quiet and steady presence. He was there but never imposing nor intruding into Gaipa's grieving. The weeks that followed after the funeral hadn't been easy. The days were a blur of tears and missing his mom, who had been his best friend. Leng, Prew, Liming, Heart, Uncle Jim, and even his new boyfriend, Wen were there all the time making sure he was fed and taking care of himself. Behind all that, he could hear his name mentioned in the background and his instincts told him he was always there.

Shaking himself off his reverie, he looked around. The room was filled with the scent of polished wood and leather, and the walls were lined with shelves of legal books, each one a silent witness to the countless lives that had passed through this office. Gaipa's mind wandered as he took in his surroundings, trying to find solace in the familiarity of the place. It was here, after all, that his mother had spent many afternoons discussing her financial affairs with Alan.

Across from Gaipa sat Alan, the serious and meticulously dressed bank manager. Alan had been his mother's financial advisor for years, and she had trusted him implicitly. Gaipa remembered the countless times his mother had spoken highly of Alan, praising his professionalism, dedication, and integrity.

"Your mother has left you a substantial inheritance," Alan began, his voice steady and authoritative. He adjusted his glasses and glanced at the stack of papers in front of him. "However, she stipulated that I am to oversee it until you turn 30 or get married, whichever comes first."

Gaipa nodded, trying to process the weight of the information. "Thank you, Alan. I know she trusted you. I'll try not to be a burden."

Truthfully he couldn't believe his mom burdened Alan with him when he was an adult himself.

Alan's lips tightened into a thin line. "It's not a burden, Gaipa. I take this responsibility very seriously."

The lawyer, Mr. Thompson, cleared his throat, drawing their attention back to the matter at hand. He was an older man, with a kind face and eyes that seemed to have seen it all. "Your mother was very specific in her wishes, Gaipa. She wanted to ensure that you were taken care of, but also that you had someone to guide you through this period of your life."

Gaipa nodded again, feeling a mix of gratitude and apprehension. He knew that his mother had his best interests at heart, but the idea of having someone else control his finances was a bitter pill to swallow. He had always been independent despite his soft personality and childlike demeanor. The thought of losing that autonomy, even temporarily, was daunting.

Mr. Thompson continued, "Alan will have full control over the inheritance until you reach one of the stipulated conditions. This includes managing investments, expenses, and any financial decisions. However, your mother also wanted you to be involved in the process, to learn and understand the responsibilities that come with such wealth."

Alan looked at Gaipa, his expression softening slightly. "We'll work together, Gaipa. I'll make sure you're informed about every decision, and I'll teach you everything you need to know about managing your finances."

Gaipa felt a surge of relief at Alan's words. "I appreciate that, Alan. I want to learn. I want to make sure I honor my mother's legacy."

As the meeting continued, they discussed the details of the inheritance, the investments his mother had made, and the various properties she had owned. Gaipa listened intently, trying to absorb as much information as possible. He felt a sense of responsibility, a desire to live up to his mother's expectations.