Chapter 2 The Will Is Read
1847 Words
And behind those grand walls, she didn’t know... that a silent war had just begun.
That night, as Nayla opened her small suitcase, she found her father’s diary—the one thing she’d managed to save from their old home.
On the last page, it read:
“My Nayla… if one day I’m no longer with you, promise me you will never bow to anyone who claims to be your family. You are strong, even when everyone thinks you’re weak. Always trust yourself and your instincts.”
Nayla closed the book slowly, staring up at the ornate ceiling of a luxurious bedroom that didn’t feel like home.
“Father, does this mean... I shouldn’t trust Uncle Arman too much?”
She sighed in unease. Her father’s words made her feel torn and confused.
If only you were here. But I have to accept that you’re with Mother now. The two of you must be happy, finally together.
A heavy sadness settled over her. She realized just how hard her father had worked. Now she was desperate to understand the inheritance her uncle had mentioned.
****
The next morning, Nayla and her uncle headed to the lawyer’s office. At precisely eight o’clock, they left the grand estate.
The ride was silent. Arman sat beside her, checking his expensive watch now and then. Nayla tried to calm her racing heart. She couldn’t even imagine what was about to happen.
When they arrived at an imposing law office, Nayla almost wanted to turn and flee. But Arman’s hand settled on her shoulder.
“Relax. You have to face this. It’s for your future,” he said, voice deliberately gentle.
They were greeted by an assistant who ushered them into a meeting room with dark mahogany paneling. Inside sat an older man with glasses—Notary Herman, known for being precise and formal.
Herman stood when they entered. “Please, have a seat. Thank you for coming.”
Nayla sat stiffly beside Arman, fingers twisted in her lap. Moments later, another man entered—he was introduced as Mario.
Without much small talk, Notary Herman opened a thick file. He cleared his throat.
“Today, we are reading the will of the late David Arshani.”
The room fell silent. Nayla held her breath.
Herman read slowly but clearly:
“I, David Arshani, being of sound mind, bequeath all my assets—including PT Arshani Corp, bank accounts, properties, vehicles, and other investments—to my only daughter, Nayla Arshani. There is no other heir. If Nayla is underage or unable to manage them, the company will remain under the management of Mario Santoso until such time as she wishes to take over or appoint someone else.”
Silence.
Arman tensed. His expression was hard to read. A thin smile still clung to his lips, but his eyes turned dark. He glanced at Nayla as if making sure she heard every word.
Herman closed the document. “As such, all of the late Mr. Arshani’s assets are now legally Nayla Arshani’s.”
Nayla swallowed hard. She didn’t even know what to say.
Arman let out a small, strained laugh. “Wow… Incredible. My brother was good at keeping secrets. I thought—well, I thought my name might be in there too. But no matter. I’m very happy for you, Nayla.”
Nayla turned to him awkwardly. “Uncle…”
He squeezed her shoulder. “You deserve this, my dear niece.”
Herman then looked at the other man in the room, a slightly greying, neatly dressed figure.
“Nayla,” Herman introduced him. “This is Mario Santoso. He was your father’s trusted associate. He’s been running the company all this time.”
Mario stood and gave her a respectful nod. “Congratulations, Miss Nayla. I had the highest respect for your father. He was a wise and honest man. I owe him a great deal.”
Nayla hurriedly stood to shake his hand, flustered. “Thank you, Mr. Mario… I don’t even know what to say.”
Mario smiled gently. “No need to be nervous. If you still want me, I’m willing to keep working for the company. I know its ins and outs. I’ll be as loyal to you as I was to your father.”
Nayla’s eyes filled with tears. “I… I’m grateful you’re willing to help. I want you to stay on.”
Arman, who had been silent, suddenly cleared his throat loudly. “Hm. Very touching. But Nayla, you can’t just hand everything over to a stranger.”
Mario turned, his brow tightening slightly, but he stayed calm.
Arman fixed his gaze on Nayla. “I suggest… you also appoint me to help manage things. So there’s family oversight. We can’t trust outsiders completely. You don’t even know the company yet. You could be taken advantage of.”
He leaned in. “And you’re still too young to jump into running such a complex business.”
Nayla went quiet. She turned to look at Mario. She saw the tension in the older man’s face.
Mario spoke carefully. “Miss Nayla. Forgive me for saying this. It’s true you don’t know the company yet. But there’s no need to rush to appoint anyone. I suggest you start by visiting the office. Learn bit by bit. I’m ready to teach you anything you want to know.”
Nayla bowed her head. That sounded so reasonable.
Arman’s jaw flexed. He forced a thin smile.
“Good suggestion,” he said flatly. “But consider my offer, too, Nayla. I only want to protect you.”
Nayla nodded slowly, feeling torn. She didn’t want to make a reckless choice.
“Thank you, Uncle. Thank you, Mr. Mario. I think I’d like to learn first. I’m not confident yet.”
Mario’s expression softened with relief. “That’s wise. The office is always open to you, Miss Nayla.”
“I would be delighted to show you around and answer any questions.”
Notary Herman closed the file with a solid thud. “Very well. We can proceed with other administrative matters, but the key points are now official.”
Arman gave a short, forced laugh and slapped Nayla’s shoulder a bit too hard, making her flinch.
“See? You’re rich now!” he said in a half-joking, half-sharp tone. “Your life will change.”
Nayla only lowered her gaze. Yes, her life would change. But would it change for the better—or was she inviting danger?
She didn’t know.
In the corner of the room, Mario watched Nayla with cautious sympathy. He knew this young woman didn’t understand the battlefield she was about to enter.
But he also saw something in her eyes: a spark of quiet strength waiting to grow.
That day, everything officially changed. Nayla Arshani, the orphan girl from the shelter, became the sole heir to a vast company that had secretly made her father rich.
And without realizing it, she also became a target for people who wouldn’t let her hold onto that power easily.
The ride home from the notary’s office felt heavy for Nayla. She sat in the back seat of the car, staring out the window with a troubled mind. Jakarta was as busy as ever, but to her, the world had suddenly become unfamiliar.
She was now the heir to a massive company—something she had never imagined, not even in her wildest dreams.
Arman sat beside her. He looked busy with his phone but occasionally glanced at his niece, lost in thought.
When they arrived at the large colonial-style house, two servants hurried out to greet them and carry Nayla’s bags. But Nayla only walked slowly, staring at the polished marble floor, still unable to believe that all of this was now hers.
After changing into more comfortable clothes, she went down to the living room. There she found her uncle, Arman, waiting for her on the sofa, a steaming cup of coffee in front of him. His smile was reassuring, as if he were truly a caring uncle.
“Nayla, come sit,” he said gently.
Nayla obeyed. She folded her fingers in her lap and lowered her gaze.
“Uncle wants to talk about your father’s company,” Arman began in a friendly voice. “You looked so confused earlier at the notary’s office. That’s normal. You’ve never known anything about business.”
Nayla nodded slowly. “Yes, Uncle. I didn’t even know Father had such a big company.”
Arman’s smile widened. “And you don’t really know the people in it yet. Including that Mario.”
Nayla turned to him. “Mr. Mario said he was Father’s trusted associate. He’s the one who ran the company all this time.”
Arman raised an eyebrow. “Trusted associate? Nayla, he’s an outsider. Not family. You saw how he acted like he knew better than your own uncle in front of the notary. Giving you advice as if he was more qualified than me.”
He leaned back slightly. “Listen, your uncle here is also a businessman. I even have a company overseas, even if it’s not as big as your father’s. My experience is at least equal to Mario’s. Maybe even better.”
Arman boasted deliberately, hoping to impress his niece with his credentials. He intended to keep pushing Nayla until she involved him in the company.
Nayla fell silent. His words made her uneasy. But she also remembered how respectful and patient Mario had been with her.
Arman let out a dramatic sigh. “Listen, dear. Your father was stubborn. He trusted outsiders. But outsiders are only loyal to the company, not to family. You need to understand that. The company is yours now. It makes the most sense for family to protect your father’s legacy. That family is me.”
Nayla swallowed hard. She knew there was some truth in what Uncle Arman was saying. But she also remembered Mario sincerely offering to help teach her.
Arman leaned forward. “You’re still young, Nayla. You need a mentor. I’m not asking for much. Just let me help oversee things. That way the company stays safe. So you won’t be taken advantage of.”
Nayla frowned. “But Mr. Mario said I could learn first. He said he’d teach me about the company.”
Arman’s expression tightened for a split second, but he quickly smiled again.
“Oh really? Mario is good at talking. He wants to make you comfortable so he can keep controlling the company. Do you really think he wants to lose his influence?”
Nayla fell silent, thoughtful. She felt confused. Uncle Arman sounded logical, but why did his tone feel so cutting?
Arman gently patted her hand. “I just want you to be safe. When you’re ready, you can take over everything. For now, let me watch over things. Isn’t it better to trust family than a stranger?”
Nayla bit her lip. Deep down, she knew she didn’t want to make a rash decision.
- Writer
