FOREVER IS A LONG TIME

THE JOURNEY

THE JOURNEY.

Grandpa sat there crying profusely but Raymond look unbothered.

Dear brother, the will states that the first person to get married will become the CEO of the company, own the cars and mansions. So you're expected to vacate this building tomorrow with no cars.

I'm giving you twenty four hours, that is the height of my kindness he said laughing again and left.

I was dumbfounded when I eventually regained myself I looked at grandpa, he has cried a lot and I can't bear seeing him like this.

Grandpa you need to pull yourself together and talk to me, what is Raymond talking about?

How come I'm the only one who doesn't know about the will?

Please talk to me grandpa, I need to know I said pitifully.

Your father realized that Raymond is too cold and heartless, he keeps spending the company's money lavishly not minding if the company goes bankrupt. And besides, he doesn't have the qualities of a good leader.

So he wrote his will based on marriage because he's sure that Raymond hates commitment. He will never get married. That is why I wanted you to get married before him so that you can carry on your father's legacy.

I'm the only one who knows that this and his lawyer. I don't know how he finds out and outsmarted me.

I sighed heavily. This is more serious than I thought.

Now that he's married before me what happens, I know I just asked an obvious question but I just want to know.

That makes him the sole ownership of everything your father owned. Grandpa replied sadly.

My face dropped and my head became blank immediately. I just lost everything I have worked for since our parent died. I have been the one working on proposals, going all the work underground. Raymond is just the face of the company, have been the one managing it all underneath. Now everything is being taken away right in front of me by my cunning brother.

How come Raymond knows about the will I thought and lift up my head

That was when I noticed that Rhea is still on the floor in the corner of my room whimpering. I really pity her because this is really the devil's mansion.

Grandpa is there something we can do, anything at all, I asked hopefully.

I really wish there is, he sighed heavily.

In an instant, my vision became blurry everywhere was cloudy and I blacked out. I wake up to some tubes connected to my hand. I tried to sit up and I hand gently pinned me down. You're not strong yet, please rest well she said.

I couldn't stop crying when he blacked out, I have forgotten my own ordeal totally, I felt really bad for him. How can someone treat his twin brother like this. He looked so peaceful when he's asleep.

The doctor treated him and said he just suffered another attack and someone should stay with him because he will be needing help when he wakes up. Grandpa wanted to stay but the doctor declined, his blood pressure has shoot up already so he needs to take his medications and rest.

He was wheeled out of the room to his car, his driver drove him out of the mansion. I sat there looking at how everything became shattered in a day. I was so tired and I dozed off.

I saw myself in a beautiful garden having a picnic with Richmond, it was such a beautiful sight. He attempted to kiss me that was when someone slapped me from behind. I jerked up and opened my eyes so it's all a dream I thought.

When you're done babysitting, tell one of the maids to bring you to my quarters Raymond said looking at me scornfully, I nodded my head quickly trying hard to avoid his wrath and he took another hateful glance at the sleeping Richmond and exited the room.

I breathe a sigh of relief and sat down gently trying not to wake him up. Few minutes later, he opened his eyes and I'm so happy, he wanted to stand up and I quickly hold him down.

You're too tired to stand now, you need to rest more I said. He looked at me for a long time and I see something like affection flashed through his eyes.

I was in my painting room when one of the maids brought my lunch, he started. I was already famished, I didn't take breakfast because I had a dream about someone very special to me and I was so eager to paint her. So I wasted no time in devouring the meal, I took the juice and that was the last thing I remembered.

I woke up today and realized that I was sedated and my brother has gotten married to my bride. I'm so sorry I couldn't fight for you he cried bitterly holding my hands. I am so vulnerable right now, there's nothing I can do.

I know the maid laced my food with the drug and no one else can do that except Raymond. I don't blame her, Raymond might have threatened the poor maid.

This place will be hell for you, you will be tortured, bruised and broken. Prepare yourself mentally and physically for the worst here but I want you to promise me that you will survive no matter what.

I looked at him dumbfounded, he hold my hands tightly, Rhea you really need to promise me.

You must survive in this hell hole no matter what comes your way, things will be really tough here and sometimes it will get bloody but I'm sure Raymond will never kill you because you're his lifeline.

He sat up and looked at me intently, Rhea promise me that when I come back I will meet you alive.

I wiped my tears and stared back at him, I will be right here waiting for you no matter how long it takes I replied bodly.

He removed the tube fixed on him and kissed my lips deeply as if he was trying to pass a message. The kiss was deep, full of love and pain, we both disengaged to catch our breath.

He touched my hair and kissed my nose. He moved closer to his closet and packed his things into a big box. He moved towards the door holding the box and looked back at me.

Wait for me Rhea, I'm coming back for you.

I nodded quickly with tears on my face, he opened the door and left never looking back.