The Marriage Clause

Andrew I didn't cry at my father's funeral. But I nearly shattered a whiskey glass when the will was read. Like what the heck...? I listened carefully as the will was read out by the family's long-time lawyer. “The Will of late Chairman Jonathan James: ’I, Jonathan James will all my shares in the company and power of attorney for the position of the Chairman of J&J Empire to Mr Frederick Matthew." My whole body stiffened immediately. Who would have thought. I mean, what exactly was just read? My father built an empire from steel and sweat - then left it to Mr Frederick the butler! Not even a poetic betrayal. Just... insulting. The gigantic breakfast room, which has always serve as the mansion's meeting room immediately felt cramped. I could feel all eyes on me; my Mom, Butler Frederick, his wife, my Grandma, my cousin Caleb, his sister Peculiar, Butler Frederick's children Julian and... Julia. Of course Julia. The one person I can't look at right now. “This is absurd! My husband would never will his shares and power of attorney to Mr Frederick, not when he have his capable son Andrew." My Mom interjected. “Madam Virginia Jonathan, the Will haven't been read completely. Please calm down." Lawyer Philip said. “Do not tell me to calm down. It my son's right we are talking about here!" From my seat at the center head of the table, I could see the lawyer release a sigh from his seat at the opposite side of the table. “Mom, please, let hear them out." I instructed. Lawyer Philip continued. “The above inheritance Will have two conditions to it. First, if Andrew accept my Will as my last intentions, then the second condition will be revealed, but if he doesn't accept, then he should immediately leave my house taking nothing of mine with him.. " At that my Mom banged the table and jumped on her feet. Her reaction was exactly what I would had done, had I not be too shocked to even move. “What is this?!" She yelled. She spontaneously turned to Butler Frederick. “What is this stunt you have pulled? This is unacceptable!" “Andrew is the one to make that final decision." Lawyer Philip said and turned to me. “Andrew James, do you accept what is in his will or are you against it?" I could feel all eyes on me again, just as much as I could feel my blood boiling within me. Accept the will and become a underling or be against it and lose everything? “ Can I think about it?" I asked. “Sure. According to the will, you have three days to make a decision. The next Will reading would be in three days time. That would be all for today." *** Shortly afterwards, my Mom pulled my grandma and I to her room. “I can't believe this. I can't believe my husband would do this to us.How could he?" She lamented. “Calm down, Virginia. Would you?" My Grandma, fondly known as Grandma Ann said to her. “I am calm, Mom." Mom replied and sat down. She tries to stable her uneven breathing. I so understand her reaction. Mom has always been the wealthy wife of a business tycoon, who had always live a luxurious life since the day she married my Dad. No one would want to go back to poverty, after twenty -eight years of luxury. No one except someone who have been humiliated like I have. “Since things has taken this turn, let look for the way forward." Mom began. “Which of the options would you take, Andrew?" I stared at them. How do I tell them what I have in mind? “Andrew?" Mom pressed further, peeping into my eyes. “Mom. I would leave everything to them. Dad didn't trust me enough to entrust his company to me, so why bother staying?" “Andrew!" My Mom and Grandma called in chorus. “Grandma. Mom. Listen to me. I have been thinking. I have money in my own name. We can buy our own house, leave this place. Travel out of the country, if possible. Set up a business and start afresh." I explained. They just have to see that we can't continue with this humiliation. This is complete insult. Andrew James couldn't inherit his father's company? That disastrous and uncalled for. A total insult to my reputation. What on earth was Dad thinking. I just hope Butler Frederick doesn't have a hand in this. All the while, my Mom and Grandma stared at me. I could see disapproval on their faces. Grandma was the one who spoke up for them. “Andrew. Don't let us do that." She said calmly. Easy for her to say. She is well advanced in age and have never been involved in the company. She is not the one who labored, only to have everything handed to a total stranger on a silver platter. “Grams...." Mom interrupted me. “ Andrew. I am also against us leaving. We can't possibly leave behind everything we all worked hard for to people, who knows nothing about it. I get that you said that out of anger, but J&J Empire belongs to the James. We are the James! We can't leave. Never!" “ We are the James, yes! But did Dad acknowledge us as such?! Did he hand over his company and power of attorney to us? No! So, you want to stay and become Butler Frederick's underlings?" I fired, gazing at both of them one after the other. They have to understand why we cannot stay. Why I can not stay. Stay here to do what? As what? “Aren't you curious about what is in the other part of the will? I am confident your father wouldn't leave you completely without help. You are not going to be anyone's underling. You are only staying close, so you can eventually claim back what is rightfully yours, Son." “You wish to stay, Mom? Fine. So be it,but count me out! I am leaving!" I snapped and walked out as the room suddenly feels stuffy. *** As I rushed through the main living room to my suite, I noticed a familiar figure standing by the kitchen. I didn't need to see the face of the person to know who it is. Julia. My ragged breathing calmed down. There's something about her that calms and sooths me. She also seemed to noticed my presence, because she turned to face me. I came face to face with those deep alluring eyes, which seems to say ; ’I understand your pain. I see you.' She cleared her throat, as she came closer to me. “Andrew. I don't know what to say or where to start. I..." “ You don't have to say anything. It's not your fault. You have nothing to do with any of this. It's my Dad who didn't find me competent enough to take over his company. It's my fault,as much it's his. But what can I say? Such is life, right?" I said as a joke, but it came out sounding sarcastic. “ Please, don't say that about yourself. You are completely competent and I am certain the late Chairman knew that too. There most also be an important reason for his decision. I am positive." “ How do you have answer to everything? Wish I can be optimistic about everything just like you." She smiled. “You are you and I am who I am. Besides, not everyone can be like the almighty Andrew James, but nobody wants to be Julia Matthew." She said. I knew she only meant it as a joke,but something about her statement didn't sit well with me. She is downgrading herself again. “ Julia..." At that moment, my phone chirped. I checked the message. This can't be happening. At least, not this fast. “You have got to be kidding me." I said aloud. “What is it?". Julia asked. “A Board meeting has been announced, to restructure the board members."