The Unexpected Heir

Chapter 7: The Day After

❤ Nathalie’s POV ❤

ATTY. Geronimo arrived early in the morning the next day and asked to speak with me. It was just me and him, so I wasn't as nervous and anxious as I was yesterday. He had his assistant with him, but he had her wait outside in the meantime. We talked in the lounge, and Naomi prepared some pastries and drinks for us.

Once we'd taken our seats, Atty. Geronimo looked at me and said, "First of all, I'd like to apologize for what happened yesterday. I'd never met Don Miguel's son before, and I had no idea that he would act like that."

Nathalie: "It's not your fault, attorney. I'm sorry for how I reacted. I just couldn't let him soil Don Miguel's memory. He's an amazing man, and all he's done is help me like a father would help a daughter. I'm his caretaker, but he's the one who took care of me, and I can't believe that he's gone."

I couldn't help it when tears fell down my cheeks. I felt embarrassed, especially when Atty. Geronimo handed me a box of tissues. It took it and said, "I'm sorry, attorney."

Atty. Geronimo: "Don't be sorry. It's not your fault. Miguel told me how your mere presence made the past months easier for him. I know that he doted on you as a father dotes on a daughter. I know that Mr. Escudero's claims are unfounded. Miguel changed the will on his own accord."

I wiped the tears off my face and looked at Atty. Geronimo before asking "Do you have any idea why he left me his fortune?"

Atty. Geronimo: "I don't ask my clients their motives. Nobody knew what was in the will except for Miguel."

Nathalie: "What happens now?"

Atty. Geronimo: "Well, Mr. Escudero said he would be contesting the will, so I am just waiting for word from his lawyer to reach out to me."

Nathalie: "Can I refuse the inheritance or maybe transfer it to Don Miguels' son? I don't really need that much money."

Atty. Geronimo: "I don't really recommend that. It goes against Miguel's wishes, and I think we should wait a while and see what Mr. Escudero would do."

Nathalie: "Uhm, okay."

Atty. Geronimo: "There's a paper you need to sign, and a few things you need to do. As it is, you are the majority owner of Escudero Holdings."

Nathalie: "That sounds scary."

Atty. Geronimo: "It does, doesn't it? But don't worry. The company has been running smoothly without Miguel at the helm. His passing has definitely rattled a few people, but we just need to assure them that nothing would change. Not unless you wanted to take over the company."

Nathalie: "Oh, heavens no."

Atty. Geronimo chuckled before saying "Maybe someday."

Nathalie: "I'm a nursing student, and attorney. I'm not qualified to run a business."

Atty. Geronimo: "Have you always dreamed of becoming a nurse?"

Nathalie: "Actually, my dream is to become a doctor, a pediatrician. I plan on saving up while working as a nurse after I graduate. Once I have enough, I plan to go to medical school."

Atty. Geronimo: "Well, you can go to medical school now after nursing school."

Nathalie: "Maybe. But I don't feel comfortable spending Don Miguel's money. I don't feel like I deserve it. I am now biologically related to him, and despite his son being the rudest person I have ever met, I think he deserves it more."

Atty. Geronimo: "I'm not supposed to say anything, but I think no one deserves it more than you do."

I smiled and was about to say something when the door to the lounge opened, and in came Joemar Escudero in all his arrogant glory.

Joemar: "What's going on here?"

Atty. Geronimo stood up and said "Good morning, Mr. Escudero. We're not supposed to meet today, are we?"

Joemar: "I didn't come here to meet with you. I'm moving in."

Atty. Geronimo: "I'm confused. What do you mean you're moving in?"

Joemar: "Well, this is my father's mansion. As you know, I am contesting the will, and I have the right to claim my father's fortune since I am his only heir."

Atty. Geronimo: "That's not really how it works with a contested will, Mr. Escudero."

Joemar walked closer to Atty. Geronimo. He's much taller than him and I could tell that the lawyer was rattled and was ready for the confrontation.

I stood up and said "That's enough. Let him move in if he wants to, attorney. The mansion is more than big enough."

Atty. Geronimo backed away and looked at me as he nodded. He bid me goodbye and said, "Call me if you need anything."

I simply nodded and was about to walk out of the lounge after him when Joemar pulled me by the arm in front of him. My heart beat fast as I was pressed against Joemar's hard body.

I gasped as I saw him moving his face closer to mine. I turned my head and felt him sniffing my hair. I heard him whisper "You smell good. I bet you taste good too."

I summoned all the power I could and pushed myself away from Joemar. Thankfully, he let me go, and I ran as fast as I could away from him. I ran straight to my room and locked the door.

I tried to distract myself by studying for my midterms, but I couldn't stop thinking about Joemar and what just happened.

I've always thought that Joemar is attractive, but he looks like the kind of guy who sleeps around with different women just because he can. I was annoyed with what he did earlier and it made me feel weird.

I've never been with a man before, and I've never even kissed anyone. I've been so focused on my dream that I always thought of having a boyfriend or even dating as a distraction.

I hope that Joemar staying in the mansion will not pose a problem. It is a big mansion, anyway. Hopefully, we don't even have to see each other. I plan to stay as far away from him as I can.

I decided to just take a nap since I couldn't concentrate on what I was reading anyway.