10 Days to Forever

Part 12

Day 7 (Saturday)

Chimon and Pluem sat quietly as they waited for Lee to prepare the documents that he was fishing out from his briefcase. They were in a small room adjacent to the chapel, probably an office.

"Relax guys. Nothing to worry about," Lee reassured them.

"Pluem, as you already know, your Dad left all of his assets to you. Stocks in the US and here, mutual funds, multiple properties here and in the US, and even 80% percent of his money will be placed under your name in a few days. Don't worry, Tawan has left a sizeable amount of money for mom and I. Not that I need it of course, but you know him. He wanted everyone not to worry about money."

Pluem's face looked blank.

"Don't panic, Pluem. We will talk about this more before I fly back to the US. Your father also did not leave any conditions. He trusts you completely and you're of legal age anyway. But I'm always here for you if you need anything. Besides, I know your mom Helena is a terrific businesswoman. You can also ask assistance from her on how to deal with all of these. Frankly, I told Tawan to just give you maybe a few million pesos for now and then let you have the rest when you're 21 so it won't be too much of a shock. I said you might be too young to be worrying about all of his assets.

"However, he insisted that he can only have peace of mind if he knows everything will be under your name.

"Pluem, I know we didn't really have any relationship before but mom and I will be very happy if we could at least talk every now and then. You're all we have left of Tawan."

"I will try, Uncle Lee. I will definitely visit you and Lola and Dad before the year ends," Pluem replied.

"As for you, Chimon, it's quite simpler, actually. In fact, Tawan only made these changes in his will a few days ago. He told me that if not for you, he wouldn't have reconciled with Pluem. He owes you everything," Lee began to tear up.

"Frankly, just last week, Tawan was so depressed. He was already so tired of all the physical pain brought by the cancer and then he was also exhausted of all the guilt and regret he felt about Pluem. He had nothing to look forward to.

"His only wish was to see Pluem again, even from afar. He said if that happened, he could die peacefully.

"But you gave him so much more than that Chimon. When my brother called me last Tuesday, he was so happy that we cried together over the phone. I have never heard such happiness in his voice. For the past few years, it was almost like his body was alive but his soul was already dead.

"After he was able to talk to Pluem, he said he felt like his life finally made sense again.

"Thanks to you, I know my brother is finally in peace. He must be looking down at us right now, smiling."

Lee, sniffled.

"So anyway, let me say this so we can all go back to the chapel.

"Tawan has left 50 million pesos under your name Chimon-"

Chimon stood up. "No sir. No. I can't accept that. Sir, please," he said with his hands trembling. He looked like he was ready to walk out. This was all too much for him. "I don't deserve any of that Sir. I just did what an ordinary person would do if they were in my shoes. Please, sir. Just transfer it to Pluem."

Lee smiled. "Tawan was right. You are indeed a genuinely good person Chimon. Now I understand why he's so fond of you. Don't worry. He told me you're probably going to react this way."

Chimon looked at Pluem, as if asking for help but Pluem just smiled at him.

Lee continued, "Don't worry. You won't have to worry as much as Pluem. Tawan said you don't like getting things without earning them so you won't be able to get the entire 50 million now. I will transfer the first 5 million pesos to your account soon but the 45 million will be on hold until you graduate from college. That was his only requirement.