It Was Him

Ch. 7: Unwelcome

"The fortune is mine!" An old man, dressed in clothes that suggest he really doesn't need any more money, barged into the room.

"Who let him in here?" The lawyer called, trying to see around the unwelcome visitor through the doorway.

"It's no matter," the old man said, waving the air as if waving the question away. "Fredrick Carter is my brother." Fredrick was Gramps' real name. "It's no question that he left the fortune to me. Now, kindly tell me where he's keeping it so that I may retrieve it, thank you."

The lawyer sighed in annoyance. "Actually, sir, it says right here," he pointed at the will, "that he's leaving it to his granddaughters, Anna and Kacey Carter."

Gramps' brother scoffed in bewilderment. "What on earth kind of trickery is that?"

"There's no trickery here, sir. It's what your brother wrote," the lawyer calmly explained.

"Kacey, Anna," I whispered in excitement. "You guys are rich now!"

Anna, who sat in front of me, squealed in excitement. "I know, it's so exciting! I mean, it's going to be a lot harder without Gramps, but who knew he was so generous?"

Kacey sat and stared in surprise at nothing in particular, still unable to absorb what had happened.

"Kace, hey, you okay?" I poked her shoulder. She didn't even twitch. I giggled at how shocked she was.

"This is blasphemy! It's madness!" Gramps' brother cried. "I am Samuel Carter, brother of Fredrick Carter, and he did not leave his forsaken fortune to me? How dare he?"

Samuel kept yelling and screaming and punching the air in futility. He actually had to be escorted out by security guards because he got close to punching a person.

"I apologize for that...man's interruption. Kacey, Anna, your grandfather did, in fact, leave his fortune to you. Congratulations," the lawyer said. "Now, I'll continue with the reading."

I know what you must be thinking. Why wouldn't Fredrick leave his fortune to Rachael's father, his firstborn? Well, as Gramps was writing his will, he knew that his son had already made quite the living, and that his grandaughters would need a headstart in life. He did, however, leave ten beachfront houses to Rachael's father, so it's not like he didn't get anything.

I was shocked to find that Gramps had left me his beloved Dalmatian, Hazel. Right now, she was in the care of Gramps' former butler, who still lived at Gramps' house so that he could get it ready for selling.

That was the one thing Gramps didn't leave anyone, his main house (I say main because Gramps did own like 50 bajillion houses and properties). He explained in the will that no one would want it anyway, what with how old it was. So, he thought that someone looking to buy a house may come along and take a liking to it and might want to fix it up.

"Alright, we are almost to the end here, folks," the lawyer said. He continued reading the last few paragraphs, explaining how Gramps didn't want a funeral, but he wanted his life to be celebrated. He said that he didn't want people to be sad when he was gone.

I think almost everyone in the room started tearing up at that; I mean, it was emotional.

"That was everything, folks," the lawyer said, his voice betraying that even he was holding back tears. "Thank you for coming, and have a good rest of your day."

As everyone got up to leave, I hugged Kacey. Anna joined in. "Gosh, I love you guys," I sighed, trying to hold back my own tears.

"We love you too," Kacey said, smiling.

As we followed our families out of the building, I saw a hand tap on Kacey's shoulder. We turned around, and so did Anna once she saw us.

It was Rachael. Her mascara had trailed a little under her eyes and her face was red and puffy. "Hey," she whispered, her attention on Kacey and Anna.

She looked directly at Kacey. "So...we're cousins," she said, an awkward atmosphere  settling between them. She didn't know Anna as well because she was in the class above us three.

"Yeah, I guess we are," Kacey nodded.

"Right. Well, catch ya later," Rachael said, walking away and joining her father. "Oh, and Kacey?" She called, turning on her heel.

"Yeah?"

"Congratulations on the fortune thing."

"Thanks," Kacey called back before turning to me and Anna. "Well that was weird. She's never nice to me," she whispered.

"I know," I said. "That was the only time I had seen her without her claws out," I laughed.

Kacey and Anna giggled with me until our parents all called us to leave.

"Bye!" I called as I walked to my family's car and waved at Kacey and her sister. As I got in the car, I saw that Zack was already in his spot, staring out the window.

Gramps had left him his favorite golden Ferrari and a *very* nice house in town, as he knew that it would be time for Zack to move out and start his life soon. Let's just say, Gramps was a very kind and generous person. And also a very rich person.

"Hey, Zack," I murmered, nudging him with my elbow as I got in my seat. "You okay?" It wasn't like Zack to be so quiet, even when he was sad.

He turned towards me just as we pulled out of the parking lot. "I mean, I just don't get it. I didn't even know Gramps that well, and yet he's been so generous to me. I guess I almost feel guilty. I don't even deserve what he gave me."

"Zack!" I exclaimed. "Of course you deserve it. You deserve the world. You're an awesome person, an amazing brother, and the best son our parents could ask for. Don't doubt yourself."

Zack's face was flooded with surprise. "S-stells, I, I don't know what to say.." He pulled me into a bear hug just then.

I was crushed, literally. "Zack...can't...I can't..breathe," I wheezed, mostly for dramatic effect. Zack released me from his hold.

"Sorry, sis," he laughed.

"It's okay," I relented, laughing along.

"Aw, you guys are the sweetest," our mother called from the driver's seat, looking at us through the rearview mirror. Our dad looked back and nodded in agreement.

"We couldn't've asked for better kiddos," he said, smiling.

I smiled back. "We couldn't've asked for better parents."

~

Okay, so a more light-hearted chapter, let's go! :D

Anywho, so what did you think of Samuel? Pretty rude, right? (Maybe a little crazy too lol amirite)

And aren't Zack and Stella like the cutest siblings? And, let's be honest here, we probably all wish we had someone as generous as Gramps in our lives, right? Lol just kidding.

So, feel free to leave a comment or two (or more of you'd like) and vote if you enjoyed! Till next chapter,

~R.J.♡