Yeah, you can start over you can run free
You can find other fish in the sea
You can pretend it's meant to be
But you can't stay away from me
I can still hear you making that sound
Taking me down rolling on the ground
You can pretend that it was me
...
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𝑪hapter One ౨ৎ 🍓｡˚🍰♡ ˚₊‧ ︎
At the end of the long, dark wooden conference table sat India. Her petite figure sank into the cushions of the golden-brown leather chair as she peered at the lawyer's limp wrist. A gold and white IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar watch rested against his blotchy, pale skin, likely from sun exposure. He was a friend of her father's and did all his legal affairs before he passed away.
In the lawyer's hands, he held a thick, printed sheet of paper that had come directly from her father. It was his will, a document that often tears families apart and reveals hidden conflicts. When lawyers read the will, it seemed to cast an ominous shadow over the family, as if it possessed an evil power that could divide them. She felt the weight of her siblings' disapproval. They shot her mean side-eyes and made snide comments about her presence in the same conference room as them. Self-hate Auntie Tammy always said, mirroring their problems with the youngest sibling because they know they can. What can she do? Father isn't here anymore to protect her.
India's eyes scanned over her family sitting in open office chairs, their eyes fixed on him as if he held the key to their dreams. This was their chance to escape the hardships of South Carolina and achieve the American dream they had long yearned for. Father was an engineer, earned approximately twenty-one dollars an hour, and was a meticulous saver, keeping his money in three separate bank accounts. They wouldn't have been in this room without his financial prudence.
"The home is passed down to the eldest and..." As the lawyer meticulously read the list of items bequeathed to each person, India's heart raced with anticipation. Auntie Tammy inherited his brand-new Acura Integra, while her siblings received his house. Smaller items, such as jewelry, were also distributed. However, their lack of enthusiasm was palpable, as they had hoped for a monetary inheritance rather than those material possessions they held little regard for. "What about his money?" The second eldest, Jennifer, interrupted.
Jennifer was married to Greg Davidson, owner of Jets construction vehicles. She met him last spring in Virginia. His front teeth were missing, and he smelled like onions. She said it was from all the onions he eats, but India believes he skips baths. Everything was good until she learned he was trying to flirt with India at the Christmas party. Of course, India took the blame, but Jennifer knew he wanted nothing to do with her anymore. She stopped talking to India. She even went as far as badmouthing her to the family. Everyone knew the truth, but they still fell into her trap anyway.
Letting out a deep sigh of annoyance, the lawyer looked up from his papers at India. He closed his eyes and shook his head slightly, struggling to maintain his composure and prevent himself from losing his temper. " I have to talk with that person privately. Your father asked me to do it one-on-one. Any other questions?" Finally, he spoke, the corner of his dry lips slightly twitching. He scanned the room, his eyes darting over everyone's twisted faces. "I don't see why. The man is no longer-"
"Kim! I would not allow you to speak about my brother and your father like that. Have respect." Aunt Tammy spoke sternly. Despite being sixty years old, she was a spitfire.
Disappointment settled within India; she sank back into her chair. The once-loud voices of her siblings had fallen silent as if she had pressed the mute button on a remote control. Their mouths moved slowly, their faces twitching as they spoke to the lawyer. 'It's a 50/50 chance. Calm down, India. Don't be disappointed yet.' A voice in her mind reminded her that her father was always a planner. If she didn't have the money, he would have provided her with something else.
After a few minutes, India reconnected with her surroundings, only to find multiple sets of eyes staring at her as if she had a balloon head or was wearing clown makeup. Their angry expressions left her wondering what she had done. It wasn't until the lawyer said her name that she understood. "India, we need to have a meeting. When are you free?" India nervously scanned the room before taking a deep breath.
"Friday."
─ Four weeks later: Benny
─
Sitting by his red bowl, Benny gazed intently at the tiny crumbs. His dark, liquid eyes were fixed on the bowl until a pale hand appeared in his field of vision. The hand held a handful of kibble, the familiar brown triangle-shaped food that always made Benny's blond tail wag. He eagerly buried his face in the red bowl, enthusiastically chewing the crunchy kibble and nudging it around.
He felt a large hand gently place itself on his back, sliding down towards his butt. The hand repeated this motion until Benny turned around and decided to attack the human with kisses. His long tongue stroked against the human cheeks, tasting their salty skin. The human's face scrunched up as Benny continued to lick. His bottom moved from side to side as his tail wagged uncontrollably. Benny felt a sense of excitement as he kissed the saddened soul.
After a while, he started nudging the human cheeks with his snout, hoping they would continue petting him like before. But it didn't work. Instead, they lifted themselves from the floor and scooped Benny's body up with them. His small size, perhaps due to his puppyhood, allowed him to fit comfortably in their hands. Benny didn't mind; he enjoyed being picked up and treated like a baby, especially by his owner, India. She smelled like cherries and always made him dog-friendly desserts. The human walked through the house with Benny, doing various tasks such as stealing cans from the pantry, feeding the animals, and even watching over India as she slept.
Once everything was finished, the human carefully placed Benny on his four paws and raised their arms toward the ceiling. Their fingertips lightly tapped what appeared to be a door, causing a small flight of stairs to gently descend to the floor. Benny noticed a white string at the end of one of the stairs and immediately went after it, tugging at it with his sharp teeth. However, a few seconds later, the human pulled it away from his mouth.
With a huff, Benny watched the human slowly ascend the stairs before yanking the string toward them. The steps detached from the ground and rose to the ceiling. Once closed, the staircase seamlessly blended in, leaving the small golden retriever bewildered in the darkness.
Authors note 📝: Isn't Benny cutee? I wonder if India is going to catch whoever is roaming through her house. Anyway, I hope y'all like the chapter. It's a little boring, but it'll get better soon.
