Resilient Jewel

CHAPTER 3

“Good morning Damian” Mr Ford's lawyer got up to greet Damian as soon as he walked in.

“Good morning, hope I didn't keep you waiting for too long” Damian responded, stretching out his hand for a handshake. Mr Ford's lawyer took his hand firmly.

“Please” Damian motioned for him to sit. Just then, Damian heard a knock on his office door, and his dad appeared from behind.

“I hope you don't mind, Mr Ford requested his presence today” the lawyer quickly added, averting his gaze from Damians'.

“Dad” Damian said with pressed lips as he bowed slightly, “Damian” his dad responded, already feeling unwelcome.

“What's going on?” Mr Doberman asked, unaware of the series of events that took place last night.

“Grandad fell into a coma last night” Damian blurted out with a heavy sigh, ready to get this conversation over with.

“What?!” Mr Doberman said, sitting up. Mr Ford was the healthiest elderly person he had ever come across. Something didn't feel right.

“I feared that might have happened hence why I requested this meeting” the lawyer said.

“Per Mr. Ford's last wishes, he stated that in the event he passes on or falls ill due to an unknown cause, his will should be read”. The room suddenly fell silent anticipating what was to come.

“Shouldn't the others be here?” Mr Doberman asked, “He requested the presence of just Damian and you, sir” the lawyer responded politely.

Putting on his reading glasses, he cleared his throat and read, “The will and codicil of Mr Florian Ford. To my son-in-law, Tobias Doberman, who has worked diligently by my side and proven himself to be trustworthy and reliable, I will 60% of Ford Automobile…”

Mr Doberman let out a whimper he didn't realize he was holding. Tears pooled at the corners of his eyes. He wasn't expecting anything from Mr Ford.

He spent his entire life working hard to prove his worth to his father-in-law. This was enough confirmation that all his efforts hadn't gone unnoticed.

Damian walked over to his dad, tapping his back encouragingly. His dad deserved this. Mr Doberman gripped Damian's hand tightly and tapped back, smiling.

“To my beloved grandson, Damian Doberman, I will the remainder of my assets…” Damian bowed his head.

This didn't feel right, he had yet to come to terms with the fact that his grandad was close to death's door.

“However, he will only be able to gain access to it once he gets married” Damian froze for a millisecond.

Was it possible he didn't hear right? He let out a humorless laugh.

Biting his lower lip, he ran his hand through his hair. A habit he unconsciously did anytime he felt nervous. “And if I don't?” Damian smiled at the lawyer.

“If Damian doesn't get married a month after my will is read, the remainder of my assets goes to Skye Doberman...” the lawyer answered, looking up from his glasses.

Closing his eyes for a brief second, Damian chuckled. He realized his grandad wasn't going to rest without a fight.

He didn't have anything against Skye. However, for some odd reason, he didn't feel comfortable with her taking over.

“I'll have to excuse myself now, I have a meeting slated for 9am” Mr Doberman adjusted his suit as he made his way out of the office.

“I didn't want to say this in front of your dad but someone has been trying to gain access to your grandad's will for over a month” the lawyer said sitting forward.

“I spoke to him about it and he also brought to my attention that a few staff had reached out to him after someone approached them asking questions about his assets”

“Why didn't he mention any of this to me?”, “He was going to figure it out himself, hence why he added the clause of if he falls ill due to an unknown cause and also the fact that it should be read with just you and your father” the lawyer added.

Who could this person be and why weren't they bold enough to bare their face?

“I don't know what's going on but I'll advise you to hold on to your grandad's asset till he wakes up from that coma” the lawyer said, getting up.

Damian agreed with the lawyer. His grandad was the only person that could tell them the truth.

“Thank you for coming in today” Damian got up too, escorting the lawyer.

As soon as he left, Damian placed a call to Sean, “Hey, could you swing by at lunch today? I need your expertise on an issue”

*****

“Thinking of adding another one to your collection?” Sean Wesley said, standing beside Damian.

Damian was staring intently at the painting. He turned towards Sean, “I got tired of the paintings in my office and house. So I decided to change them”

“All of them?” Sean's right eyebrows lifted slightly. “Yeah” Damian replied nonchalantly. “I'll take this one too” Damian said to the curator.

She bowed slightly, taking notes as she followed closely behind them.

Damian and Sean had met in high school and had been inseparable since then.

When they were done with university, Damian got his grandad to offer Sean a position at his company so they wouldn't be inseparable.

“That'll be all,” Damian turned to the curator. “Okay sir, that brings your bill to $150,000,000” she looked up. “I'll write a check for you. Have them delivered to my office tomorrow” Damian responded

Sean still hadn't gotten used to how Damian spent so much money on random things.

Technically speaking, this was his lifestyle so this shouldn't be anything out of the ordinary.

“If you don't mind waiting in my office, I quickly compile your invoice,” she motioned with her hands, beckoning her assistant to lead them to her office.

“To what do I owe this pleasure…” Sean inquired, his arms folded across his broad chest as they walked to the curator's office.

“Grandad fell into a coma a few days ago” Damian responded, sitting down on a plush couch in the office.

The curator's assistant placed a tray of snacks and tea in front of them as she bowed and closed the door quietly behind her.

Sean spun around, startled by Damian's sudden confession. “What happened?”, “Long story, I'll get into that later”, “Okay…” Sean said, sitting down slowly.

“You know how I've been very particular about not wanting anything serious with a lady. Especially one who knows my background…” Damian spoke slowly, counting his words while avoiding eye contact with Sean.

“Yeah…” Sean responded cautiously. He didn't know what Damian was driving at but he had a feeling he wasn't going to like the sound of it.

Damian sat forward meeting Sean's eye.

“Well, I need you to find me a wife” Damian ran his hand through his hair.