Chapter 3
1133 Words
After a long time of discussion with Essie who told her what to do and what not to do, Stelli was ready to meet Xilox.
“Ma'am. Good morning.” Flora, the housekeeper, was cleaning when she reached the main living room. “The second living room is where you'll meet Mr. Xilox.”
“Oh.”
She didn't think there were many living rooms. But now that she thought of it, it was only right for a house this big to own more than one. “Show me where this living room is.” She ordered Flora who led the way.
Minutes later, she stood at the entrance of a smaller living room. This one was decorated - as if it were a date. It was her first date, after all. There's good lighting, flowers, a nice fragrance, and everything looked pleasant - she hates to admit it.
Now where is he?
“Good morning, Stelli.”
There he was.
Blue jeans, a white shirt. His hair was well combed, and his teeth were white when he smiled. “Good morning.” Stelli greeted, walking into the space. “It's nice to meet you.” She was wrong. Nothing was nice about this whole arrangement. What annoyed her more was the fact that this man was sitting in a wheelchair. Barrister Reynolds did not mention this part. “You're in a wheelchair.”
“I'm surprised you don't know.”
“I'm surprised I wasn't told.” She plunged into a couch. “What happened to you?”
“I was in an accident. Three years ago.”
“I'm sorry.”
Xilox cackled. “There's nothing to be sorry about. Can we talk about why we're here?”
“I'm getting married to you.”
“Yes. We're getting married.” He tried to adjust but the wheelchair had only a small portion of space. “I'm sorry you have been dragged into all of these. But we must do what we have to do to keep our properties.”
“Right.”
It was a long conversation. Although it didn't last too long, Stelli wished it would come to an end. Everything was happening so fast and she needed a break from everyone.
Everyone except Essie. Maybe Reynolds.
“Stelli?”
“Yes.” She answered.
“Are you alright?”
“Y—yes, Xilox. I'm sorry. I had a thought. What do you know about The Bethway Shipping HQ? I need someone to put me through.”
“You have nothing to worry about.” Xilox assured her. He sounded confident, like he knew what he was doing. Stelli thought she could trust his words. “Everything you need to know will be taught with time. I have some ideas about infrastructure - in many areas. I could share them now if you want me to.”
“Uh, no. Thanks. Not now.”
What followed was an awkward silence. While Xilox wondered if he'd messed it up by being too forward, Stelli thought about the next batch of questions she would throw at him.
And then, she recalled something.
One glance up, she resumed. “The will says I would have been married to a Vunn Scottson.”
“That's my father.”
“I know.” She replied. “He's not here, that makes two of us. But where is he?”
He hesitated.
Like she'd asked the wrong question.
“I don't know.” Followed. “It's been a long time since we talked. That's all I can say.”
She had more questions regarding Vunn Scottson. But the look of things told her Xilox wouldn't like to talk about his father. He could, but he didn't want to - and she wasn't going to force him to speak.
It didn't stop her from wondering what went wrong - why Father and son wouldn't keep contact for a long while. “How long?” Stelli couldn't help but ask. “How long ago?”
“It's been long. Over three years.”
“I'm sorry.”
“Stop apologizing. It's not your fault.”
“I know. I - I just feel bad for you. What happens if he comes back now? I am betrothed to him instead of you, I take it.”
Xilox pondered. “I never thought of it.”
“I just want to know. The will is complicated. What are the odds?”
“Well, if he comes back before the wedding, you become his, by the will's arrangement. And if he doesn't, you're with me.”
“By the will's arrangement.” Stelli completed. “Thank you for explaining.”
They talked about other things.
The things Stelli considered relevant and the ones she didn't think were relevant. Breakfast was served at some point and while they ate, they continued their discussion.
“It was nice meeting you, Stelli Bethway.”
The moment came to an end after a long time. “It was nice meeting you, too, Xilox Scottson.” Stelli told him as she got up.
He wheeled himself to her side. “Thank you for having me. I'll see you at the wedding.”
When they parted, Stelli caught up with the room she's slept in since her arrival. Essie was there, listening. “So, what? You're getting married next week, huh?”
“Unbelievable, I know.”
“To a paralyzed man.”
“Don't do that—” Stelli cried. “I don't want to think about it. He's an intelligent man. Sounds like one. He could walk again, who knows? It's better than marrying an old man.”
Confused, Essie asked. “Old man?”
“Yes. It'd have been his father. Old man.”
***
That night, she went through the documents in her room. She had checked it out a couple of times since she arrived at the Estate, but as every day passed, Stelli had questions only these documents could answer.
She was done checking, and ready to sleep when something caught her attention.
One of the many documents had something in it. The one that had ‘Bethway Shipping’ written on the front page.
There was an envelope hiding between two pages. Stelli didn't hesitate to pull it out.
Was she being forward?
She didn't know, didn't care.
These things belonged to her, and she had a right to check what was in them. Who knows? One of these documents might have the answer to her questions - she concluded as she tore the envelope open. And there she saw it.
It was a letter.
The most perfect handwriting she's ever seen.
Instead of going through its content, Stelli skipped to the last row.
‘Signed, Dad’. It read.
- Writer
