Chapter 5
1472 Words
Ethan's POV
We reached a set of imposing double doors, which Oliver pushed open with a flourish. "After you," he said, ushering me into what had to be the fanciest meeting room I'd ever seen.
The room was dominated by a massive oak table that could have seated a small army. At the far end, floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking night view of the city, making me feel like I was floating high above the world. The twinkling lights of skyscrapers and streets stretched before me, creating a dazzling tapestry of urban life. I half expected to see Superman fly by, cape billowing in the wind.
"Please, have a seat," Oliver said, gesturing to one of the plush leather chairs. I sat gingerly, half afraid I'd break something just by existing in this space.
Oliver sat across from me, folding his hands on the table. "I'm sure you have questions."
I laughed, slightly hysterical. "Questions? Oh, just a few. Why is there suddenly ten million dollars in my bank account? Who are you? What's going on? And most importantly, does this chair recline? Because it feels like it should, I want to try it out."
"I'm afraid the chairs don't recline, but I can answer your other questions."
"Well, there go my dreams of a reclining chair empire. But ten million dollars is a decent consolation prize."
"Indeed. Now, about that inheritance. It comes from your grandfather."
I blinked, my brain struggling to process this information. "My... grandfather? I'm sorry, but I think you've got the wrong guy. I never knew my grandfather. I've been in the foster system since I was ten."
Oliver nodded. "I'm aware of your background. Your grandfather... well, he had his reasons for staying out of your life. But he always kept an eye on you from afar."
"Kept an eye on me?" I echoed, feeling a mix of confusion and indignation. "What, was he some kind of secret agent? Couldn't he have, I don't know, sent a birthday card or something?"
"It's... complicated," Oliver said, and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Complicated. Of course, it was. "But he wanted to ensure you were taken care of, which brings us to the inheritance."
I leaned forward, curiosity overriding my frustration. "Okay, hit me. What's the catch? Do I have to swim with sharks? Climb Everest? Learn to juggle flaming chainsaws?"
"Nothing quite so dramatic, I'm afraid. Though I must admit, the image of you juggling flaming chainsaws is... intriguing."
"Well, you know, I like to keep my options open. Never know when circus skills might come in handy."
"Indeed," Oliver said, eyes twinkling. "But no, the tasks your grandfather set out are a bit more... conventional."
"Conventional?" I echoed. "Like what? Mow the lawn every Sunday? Remember to floss?"
Oliver shook his head, still smiling. "Not quite. You see, your grandfather was a shrewd businessman. He wanted to ensure that his heir - that's you - would be capable of handling the full extent of his fortune."
I blinked. "Wait, full extent? You mean there's more than the ten million?"
"Oh, yes," Oliver said casually as if we were discussing the weather and not life-changing sums of money. "The ten million is just a... shall we say, a starter pack?"
"What's the main course, then? The GDP of a small country?"
Oliver's lips twitched. "Something like that. But to access the rest, you need to complete two main tasks."
I leaned forward, suddenly all ears. "I'm listening."
Oliver cleared his throat and launched into what sounded like a well-rehearsed speech. "Right, so here's the deal. That ten million in your account? It's just the appetizer. Your grandfather left you a lot more but couldn't hand it over without some strings attached. He cooked up two main tasks for you."
"First, you've got to prove your business acumen by completing a series of tasks to enhance your wealth and status. Second, this might be the kicker: you must get married before turning 27. Simple as that."
I stared at him, mouth agape. For a moment, I wondered if I'd accidentally wandered onto the set of some bizarre reality TV show. "I'm sorry, what? Get married? Before 27? Is this some kind of joke?"
Oliver's face remained impassive. "I assure you, Mr. Williams, this is no joke. Your grandfather was quite... particular about his wishes."
"Particular?" I echoed, my voice rising an octave. "That's one way to put it. Another way would be 'completely bonkers.' I mean, who does this? It's like something out of a bad rom-com!"
"Your grandfather had his reasons, I'm sure," Oliver said, though he didn't sound entirely convinced.
I ran a hand through my hair, trying to process this information. "Okay, let's back up a second. What exactly do I need to complete this 'series of tasks?"
"I can't reveal the specifics of the tasks just yet. They'll be disclosed one at a time as you progress. Each completed task will come with its own reward and monetary compensation. Complete them all in time, and you'll receive the full inheritance."
I blinked at Oliver, trying to process his words. "So, what you're saying is... this is basically a real-life video game? Complete the tasks, level up, get rewards?"
"That's... an interesting way to put it, Mr. Williams."
"So, about this marriage thing... who am I supposed to marry? Is there a list of pre-approved candidates? A secret princess locked away in a tower? Or do I grab the first person I see on the street and hope for the best?"
Oliver's lips twitched. "The choice of spouse is entirely up to you. Your grandfather simply specified that you must be married before your 27th birthday."
"Right, because that's totally normal," I muttered. "And how exactly am I supposed to find this mystery spouse? Put out an ad? 'Wanted: One wife, must be okay with bizarre inheritance schemes and possible family curses.'"
"I'm sure you'll figure something out," Oliver said, looking far too amused for my liking.
I sighed. This was insane. Completely, utterly insane. And yet... "Alright, I'm in."
Oliver raised an eyebrow. "Just like that?"
I shrugged. "Well, it's not like I have much to lose, right? In the worst-case scenario, I ended up right back where I had started. Best case... well, I guess I become disgustingly rich and maybe find true love. Sounds like a win-win to me."
"Very well," Oliver nodded, looking pleased. "Now, there's something else you should know about your family."
I tensed. "What about them?"
"Your father left your grandfather because he didn't approve of your parents' marriage. It was a love match, and your grandfather was old-fashioned. He regretted his actions deeply later but by then..."
"By then, what?" I asked, a knot forming in my stomach.
"Your parents died in an accident when you were ten. That's why you ended up in the foster system."
I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. "I... I always wondered what happened to them. The social workers never had many details."
"Your grandfather wanted to take you in but feared you'd reject him if you knew the truth. So he watched you from afar, ensuring you were cared for as best he could without revealing himself."
I sat there, trying to process this information. My whole life, I'd wondered about my family and imagined countless scenarios. But this? This was beyond anything I could have dreamed up.
It felt like someone had taken my life, tossed it in a blender, and hit puree.
"So, let me get this straight," I said, rubbing my temples. "My grandfather, who I've never met, watched me from afar, and now he's set up this whole inheritance scavenger hunt s***h dating game?"
"That's... a colorful way of putting it, but essentially correct."
"Well, at least my life isn't boring anymore," I muttered. "So, what's next? Do I have to solve a series of riddles?"
"Actually," Oliver said, leaning forward, "you'll meet your grandfather tomorrow evening."
I blinked, sure I'd misheard. "I'm sorry, what? My grandfather? But isn't he... you know..." I made a vague gesture that was supposed to convey 'pushing up daisies.'
"Dead? Oh, no, Mr. Williams. Your grandfather is very much alive."
"Alive?" I echoed, my voice embarrassingly high-pitched. "But I thought... I mean, with the inheritance and all..."
"Ah, I see the confusion. No, your grandfather isn't dead. He's just... retiring, in a manner of speaking."
"Right, of course. Silly me for assuming inheritance meant someone had actually, you know, passed on. My bad."
Oliver chuckled. "I understand it's a lot to take in. But before you meet your very much alive grandfather tomorrow, there's one more thing we need to address."
I sighed, bracing myself for the next bombshell. "Alright, hit me. What is it?"
- Writer
