Just the three of us...

Chapter 22 Alice

Mel came back with the manila folder which contained the legal documents pertaining to my inheritance and we sat together at the dining table to read through them. Tag banged around the kitchen throwing together something for breakfast.

"What I don't understand is how your ex-girlfriend ended up with this shit." Tag slams another cupboard door.

"I told you I was getting someone to look it over."

"How did you  end up with these papers? I've never even seen them before!" I turn my gaze to Mel, who squirms. "And how long have you had them!?"

"Your Mrs Holmes bought them to the hotel a couple weeks ago. Before we spoke to you we thought.." Tag clears his throat. "Alright, I thought we should know all the details first." Mel leans over and puts her hand on mine. "If there was any chance it was bullshit I didn't want to get your hopes up, or risk you loosing everything."

I sit back, sighing deeply. Looking at the paperwork, what Rosie had said all seemed to be true, even for a lay-person reading the legal documents. 

"I think I need to speak to Rosie and figure out what to do about the company shares, and how to access the bank account Nana had set up for me." Mel nods, shooting me a smile and a small hand squeeze.

"I'll phone her..." Tag coughs again and Mel rolls her eyes. "After breakfast of course." I giggle.

"Damn straight after breakfast." Tag mumbles. 

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After spending three hours with Rosie and her boss, Greg, going through the documents again and proving who I was with my birth certificate, which Mrs Holmes had thoughtfully slipped in to the folder, I am now the proud owner of a bank account containing one million dollars. Yes, that's right, I didn't stutter. One freaking million dollars. Greg had also set up a board meeting with the other share holders of my fathers company so I could discuss with them what I wanted to do going forward. 

Tag had spent most of the morning trying to convince me to go to the police and report Caine, but I didn't want to think back to last night. Mel had stayed suspiciously quiet on the subject, so I was surprised when I checked my phone on the way out of my meeting to find a text from her asking to meet for a coffee at the cafe next door.

I smooth down the black pencil skirt I'd borrowed off her, and run my hands over my hair trying to get rid of any fly away bits, standing self consciously in the doorway of the small coffee house until I spot Mel sat at the back on a faded brown sofa, two drinks on the table in front of her. 

"Hey there princess." She smiles warmly at me, and getting up and giving me a big hug. "So how does it feel to finally be free of your dad?"

I shrug, flopping down next to her on the soft couch. She goes silent, running her tongue piercing back and forth between her teeth like she does when she's deep in thought.

"What's up, Mel?" I take a mouthful of the hot chocolate she's bought me. She frowns, and swallows deeply.

"I think Tag is right. You need to go to the police about that raping sack of shit. Now. Before any more trace of him disappears from your body." She says quickly, her words getting a little jumbled.

My face must have shown how keen I was to the idea, because she grips my hands tightly, pulling me round to face her.

"We'll be with you every step of the way. But I know he's done this to other chicks. I told you I'd seen him lots of times with girls at the bar only ever buying them one drink. I bet there is video evidence back at the hotel that could help convict him. Tag kept the dress too."