Bequeathed

Chapter Three: Meet Thy Husband

Claire picks the nail of her third finger with the nail of her thumb while reading through the details of the will. She is in Mr. Simm’s office again. She’s made a decision. It’s time for her to meet her husband. Claire sighs. All that is required is a legally binding contract of marriage. There is no stipulation of how long she needs to remain married, no requirement that they live together. She can live at Aunt Bev’s; this William can live…wherever. After three months…No, six is more believable…they can depart citing irreconcilable differences. Celebrities do it all the time.

Claire examines her hand and the chipped nail. She needs to add a manicure on her list of things to do, place it as an item below sham marriage.

“Where is he?” Claire turns to Mr. Simms. “He should have been here half an hour ago.”

Mr. Simms checks his watch. “We’ll give him another fifteen minutes.”

Claire rolls her eyes. “Some husband Aunt Bev has picked.”

There’s a knock on the door. Mr. Simms stands; Claire remains seated.

“Mr. James?” Mr. Simms asks.

“I’m here about some will.”

“Come in. Have a seat.” Mr. Simms motions to the seat across from Claire’s.

William pulls out the chair and plops in. “Who are you?” William asks Claire while easing back into the chair.

“All will be explained shortly,” Mr. Simms says.

“Your future wife,” Claire says to William. She faces Mr. Simms. “Let’s just cut to the chase.”

“Is she crazy?” William asks. “Is this a prank? Did my brother put you up to this?”

“There is a will-” Mr. Simms begins to say.

“With a lot of money. In order for me to get any of it, I have to marry you.”

William laughs, throwing his head all the way back. “No, really. How much did they pay you?”

Claire rolls her eyes. “Mr. Simms, you can take over any time you wish.”

Mr. Simms hands William a copy of Aunt Bev’s last will in testament. He goes through the details then waits for a reply.

“I’m sorry, you’re cute but you’re not really my type.” William's eyes are fixed on Claire. “If your Aunt Bev had asked, I would have told her that I prefer a woman with a little more meat on her bones.”

“How did you know my Aunt Bev?”

William’s eyes tighten. “I didn’t.”

“So she paired me with a total stranger?”

“Would it make you feel better if she knew me? You don’t…You don’t know me. This…” William stabs the paper with his index finger. “...is crazy.”

“What it is,” Claire says, “is a lot of money.”

“You’re actually considering it?” William asks.

“It’s a lot of money. Why should all of it go to charity?” Claire reads William’s expression. “That’s what will happen. If we don’t marry, it all goes to charity.”

“Sounds like you have a lot to lose,” William says. “What’s in it for me?”

“I’m sure we can come up with some form of arrangement.” Clare purses her lips, considers. “How does a million dollars sound to you? Would that be fair...uhm…compensation for your hand in marriage?”

“You shouldn’t be discussing this in front of me,” Mr. Simms protests. “You are discussing terms that are contrary to what is stipulated in the will.”

“The will doesn’t say anything about the distribution of what my aunt has bequeathed to me. And I am free to give my husband a wedding gift.” Claire collects her clutch. “I think that settles the matter.”

Claire trolls from the conference room to the elevator. She presses the button, but William catches it before it closes.

“Hey, wife.” He smirks. “You’re direct, to the point. I like that. That should make this fake nuptial bearable.”

“I’ll give you five hundred thousand dollars before the wedding and another five hundred thousand dollars when we divorce after six months.”

“Make it two million and you have a deal.”

“One point five.” Claire watches the floors change: three, two, one. “One point five.” Claire steps out onto the first floor.

William trails her. “Sorry, princess. Two million is my final offer.”

“Fine.” Claire opens her sunglasses and shields her eyes despite not having exited the building. “Let me know when you’re available to go to the courthouse. We need to make this thing official.”

“No. No. No, princess.”

“Stop calling me that.”

“We’re going to have a spectacle of a wedding. A great big spectacle of a wedding.” William takes Claire’s hand and kisses the back of it.

“Must you fight me on everything?”

“I bet your lawyer is waiting to spot a breach that he can exploit,” William says. “As you said, Princess. It is a lot of money.”

Claire has been so open about her objection to the terms of her aunt’s will. It hadn’t occurred to keep her true intentions a secret from Mr. Simms. The lawyer has been so patient throughout the entire process. He allowed her to rant about the farce of her arranged marriage. What if he’d merely been collecting information for his own personal gain. The money goes to charity if she doesn’t agree; that’s what Mr. Simms has told her. Claire assures herself, though she responds, “Fine. But we will make it a small wedding.”