The Heirs

Unexpected Gift

I sit down along with my family members from mom's side in the dining hall at Grandpa's house. Cutleries being handed out by the maids before each one of them leaves.

The awkward silence tore apart as Grandpa lifts his chopsticks and indulge in his spaghetti.

Yes, my Grandpa eats spaghetti with chopsticks.

Well, so do I.

Slowly, everyone starts to enjoy their dinner in silence. Actually, everyone gathered here tonight to celebrate Grandpa's 75th birthday but as always, every birthday celebration is this quiet. I know Grandpa hates that everyone (except us) acting so awkward and treats him as a master or something, I could see it in his eyes. My siblings and I always try to entertain him on normal days like suddenly showing up at night with some really old movie tapes or gardening together during the weekend. We live close to Grandpa and Granny's so we tend to spend more time with them. My cousins also on the other hand live not so far but I guess, they're busy.

"Myra."

I stop crushing down the meatball with my fork when Grandpa called out my name from the end of the table.

"Are you planning on studying anywhere next year?"

My eyes wander to the ceiling for a while before shaking my head. I'm going to be a high schooler next year and seems like I'm just going to the same old plain building. I like that same old plain building though, except for the toilet.

"Karen."

My cousin, who's the same age as me, puts down her glass. "Yes grandpa?"

"Where are you studying?"

"At St. Florence."

I let out a huge sigh
well,
deep down in my heart.

St. Florence is the only private school in this town and of course, it's posh indeed. The school fee is a couple hundreds of thousands and Karen's parents obviously could afford sending her there since they're successful owners of 3 huge water parks. Karen's dad is also a royalty by blood. I guess she will continue studying there for the next two years too.

Grandpa's face is expressionless. The school is an ant-sized deal to him I guess, he could own the school if he wants to. He was never interested in educational institutes for his business except for the time he bought a huge share of this Singaporean private college so that my uncle could go there. I wouldn't blame him using his wealth to enroll his son though since that time Uncle Joe was hospitalized for more than a year so he couldn't take his final exams properly, plus he always gets straight A's in school.

And as I just about to swallow a huge chunk of crushed meatball I just crushed earlier,

"Myra, you're going to Johana."

I almost choked.
Mom dropped her  gravy-covered fork on Aunt Maria's dress.
Pak An, grandpa's assistant opened the dining hall door after hearing Aunt Maria's shriek before slowly closing it back.
Everyone look at me with widen eyes except for Grandpa, who smiles watching my reaction.

I return to my pace after having a glass of water, and so does mom.

"Papa, you don't really have to--"

Grandpa cuts off mom's words, "it's a gift, Hana. I wish I could done more." He says as he looks at mom and suddenly, I feel like two bricks has been put on both sides of my shoulders.

or probably 11 bricks on each side.

Plus why is Grandpa giving me all this when it's his birthday.

Talking 'bout St. Florence is cool and stuffs,

Johana is something different.
It's the alma mater of world-renowned CEO's, Aristocrats, kings and queens.

The annual fee is more than A MILLION EUROS.

EUROS.

and me?

I'm Myra, the girl who goes to public schools her whole life.

I look up at Karen who sits in front of me. She furrowed her eyebrows earlier but gave a gentle smile when she notices that I'm looking at her.

I look at mom. She is still obviously shocked.

Mom and her siblings all grew up in a luxurious life in this mansion. Now, they all have amazing careers that live up to how they were being raised so they could also raise their children that way

except mom.
Well, I wouldn't say mom isn't successful. She's one of the best teachers I have ever encountered, though I don't go to the school she teaches, I could see how hardworking she is at home preparing stuffs for her student. However, mom didn't marry an aristocrat or a wealthy businessman or a multi-million athlete like my other aunts. Nor the head of a private hospital or own two buildings in New York like my uncles. Mom married my dad, who's also a teacher. Yet we still live happily.

Growing up with cousins who live their lives in luxurious ways could be awkward sometimes.
For instance, there was once where it was Grandpa's birthday, we were still kids that time. My cousins be giving my Grandpa designer boots, a riffle that costs a few thousand euros, an antique armchair and more expensive items. While my siblings only made him a huge-messy-filled-with-glitters-and-stickers card (1 and a half meters long and I'm not even kidding) which we put on effort for like idk, 4 days.
But I guess he liked it since he framed and hangs the card in his headquarter's library.

"Myra."

I blink numerous times after realizing I was literally staring at my spaghetti for a minute.

"Myra."

Grandpa called out my name.

"Yea?"

"I hope you would enjoy there, darling."

I return his smile as my heart suddenly races too fast, nervous of the thought of going to Johana next year.

I guess this is gonna be quite a clićhe story but idc, enjoy! :D

AND PLEASE VOTE, COMMENT AND ADD TO YOUR READING LIST OK GUYS ILY SOOOO MUCH THANK YOUUU