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1635 Words
My sister was devastated by our father's death, and I felt powerless to help her, she was more emotionally attached to his death than I was. It felt like there was an invisible barrier between us, and I could not figure out how to get through it. My sister was always the sensitive one, whereas I was more resilient and independent. I knew that our different reactions to the loss were partly responsible for the distance between us, but I didn't know how to fix it. I have been attempting to mend our relationship, but it does not seem to be working.
Elijah was already waiting in front of my house.
"Good morning, Ms. Jones!" It was refreshing that he was always so happy. I said with a smile.
"Good morning, Elijah. It is wonderful to see you again." During the drive to see my lawyer, we discussed the weather and other mundane topics.
When we arrived at the Chinese restaurant, I noticed that he had pulled up to the front door.
"We've arrived, Ms. Jones," Elijah announced. "Thank you," I replied. "I will be right there," he said, pointing to the park across, before driving away.
How do I find my lawyer? Oh, great, he is gone. I guess I will have to look for my lawyer myself.
I walked towards the Chinese restaurant and noticed a tall, imposing man in a sleek black suit standing outside with a stern expression, his eyes fixed on me with expectancy. "Please follow me, Ms. Jones," he said, his deep voice firm and commanding as he gestured toward the entrance.
Oh, great! This guy I have never seen before knows my name. I followed him through the restaurant. The walls were covered in beautiful paintings of Chinese landscapes, and the floor was a rich, dark mahogany. The air smelled of sweet and savoury spices, with a hint of fresh ginger. Come to think of it, I have never tried Chinese food, but maybe I will today. In the back of the restaurant, the man opened the door to the private dining room.
A black woman wearing a navy pantsuit with a sleek black bob was already seated. She looked in my direction as I walked in.
"Samantha Jones?" She grinned.
"Yes, I apologize for keeping you waiting," I grinned back.
She stood up to shake my hand, and I returned the gesture.
"No, that is fine. I am just glad I was not late. I would not want to upset Mr Williams by delaying his bride."
I am not sure if I should smile or not.
She laughed as we sat.
"I'm Charlotte Jackson, and I will be your attorney. Let us get started." She pulled out her laptop.
"Mr. Williams hired my firm as your outside counsel to assist you in contract negotiations. Have you seen the contract yet?"
"No."
"No? It should have been sent to you."
She quickly typed on her laptop and turned it towards my face. I peered at the document, twenty-five pages? Nah.
"There is no way I will understand this."
I politely said.
"That is why I am here."
She smiled and turned the laptop back to face her.
"Are you aware that the duration of this marriage is one year and six months, after which you will divorce?"
What? Why is he getting married if he plans to divorce after a year and six months? Something seemed off about this.
"No," I replied.
"Now you are aware."
"Can I ask a question?"
"Yes, you are free, Ms Jones."
"Why is he getting married if he plans to divorce after a year and six months? I want to make sure I know what I am getting into."
"Mr Williams comes from an extremely wealthy family and is a complex person that no one can understand, so I am not sure why, but I can assure you that he is not a bad person and that nothing will happen to you. It will be in the contract, and if anything does happen to you, he will face some legal action, so you do not have to worry. I am with you."
How the hell is she so reassuring?
"Ok," I nodded.
"Let us proceed."
She typed on her laptop and turned it to me again.
"It says in Section thirteen-C that if you decide to leave the marriage before the duration is complete, break any contract terms, or have an affair, there is a whole list--- you would pay it all back."
"Pay it all back?" I asked.
"Yes, reading the contract will help you understand better," she said. "And you will receive a six-figure monthly payment."
"Every month?" I repeated, my eyes wide with doubt.
She responded with a nod. "Why is he buying a bride, and why me? He must be awful." Come to think of it, he is wealthy and attractive. Why buy a bride only to divorce after a year and six months? He must be a horrible person.
She shook her head. "No, no, no, I assure you. He is not." Her words were convincing, but I could not shake my doubts.
"What if he wants to end the marriage before the term is up?"
"He will pay a certain amount. it is included, so do not worry."
"It's just...it's just insane and looks too good to be true."
She leaned in.
"I understand, Ms. Jones. Insane is an understatement. I am your attorney, and I know I should not take Mr William's side, but believe me, I have worked with him before, and nothing bad will happen."
"You have helped him deal with situations like this?" I inquired.
She smiled. "No, other issues. You are the first."
I'm the first, okay. That doesn't exactly fill me with confidence.
She chuckled. "I understand your concerns, Ms. Jones. But trust me, Mr. Williams is a man of his word. He will uphold his end of the agreement. And if he doesn't," she paused, "I'll be here to ensure your interests are protected."
I took a deep breath, still trying to wrap my head around the surreal situation. "Okay... I suppose I have no choice but to trust you both."
She smiled reassuringly. "That's all I ask. Now, shall we proceed?"
"Wait, What about my sister?"
"Your sister? It does not say much here," she said, scanning through the document. "It is stated here that Mr. Williams will provide financial assistance to any of your dependents."
"I am fine with the terms, but I have a condition," I said.
"Go ahead."
"My sister must live with me."
"Hmm... It does not say here that you can live with her."
"What? I can't live with her? I can not leave my sister alone."
"She is a young adult, but I will consult with his lawyer. Is that the only condition you have?"
I nodded. "Okay, I will send you a copy of the reviewed contract, and then you sign and send it."
I nodded, and she got up.
"Have a nice day, Ms Jones."
"Thank you."
I left the restaurant with a heavy heart, not even trying any Chinese dishes. I was torn between staying with my sister and leaving my current situation. I was worried about leaving her, but I also knew I could not keep living this way. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place.
"I was ordered to bring you and your sister to the cabin," Elijah informed me as I approached the car.
"Why?" I inquired.
Elijah paused before saying, "I am not authorized to answer that question; I apologize."
Oh Perfect, how am I going to convince Sarah?
****
"You didn't text me you were home."
I shut the door behind me. Sarah kept her eyes fixed on her phone.
"Pack your things, we are going somewhere." I walked past her.
"Not interested."
I stopped and turned to face her.
"What? I am not asking you to, I am telling you to pack your bags, we are going somewhere."
"Where?" She put down her phone.
"It is a long story, just pack a few things."
"Did you finally seduce an old rich man? The guy outside with a nice car, new clothes, and new heels, which look expensive, what a wonderful and brilliant sister I have."
She slowly clapped and approached me.
"What?"
"I am not stupid, and I am not interested in whatever dirty you got yourself into. I will not follow you there..."
I slapped her 'cause I couldn't take what she was saying anymore.
"I'm your older sister! learn to talk to me."
"Yes, yes. Whatever. I am not interested in whatever you got yourself into."
She tidied her hair.
"If only you knew. I do not have time right now, just pack your things or you know what? don't pack anything."
"I'm sure I did not stutter. I said I'm not going with you, just leave like Dad and Mom did," She said, a tear falling from her eyes.
I was so pissed, and seeing her cry breaks my heart.
"I don't want to ever be apart from you, I promise you it's a better life and he is not old. You will understand why I chose this option. Are you proud of your sister stripping?"
I cupped her face in my hands as tears streamed down her cheeks.
"No, I..."
"With this, I will stop it, and you will have a better life."
She hugged me.
"Why must we go through these things? Why did Dad die?"
"Life isn't fair."
I tightened the hug.
"The man outside is waiting, let's go," I said.
She pulled herself out of the hug.
"Okay. Let me get a few important things."
She came out minutes later and we left.
- Writer
