The Marriage Clause

Chapter 5

Andrew

I left my suite at exactly eight 'o clock. I wondered if Julia had gone to work. If she hasn't, maybe I can give her a ride. My appointment with Lawyer Henry is my priority for today.

I walked down the stairs to the sitting room. The sight I met there, made me stop amidst stride. Julia, Caleb, Peculiar and Esther were all in the living room.

“What is going on? Is there an occasion that I need to know about?" I asked, rhetorically.

“Good morning to you too, Sunshine." My cousin Peculiar teased.

“Breakfast is ready." Julia announced.

“You are not going to work today?" I asked her.

“ I have the afternoon shift and my Mom isn't feeling too well, so I have to take over." She replied.

“Hi Andrew. Good to see you." Esther said to me.

“Same here, but what brings you here so early? " I asked.

She took my arm.

“Let's go to the dining room. I am starving.

We all, except Julia who is serving settled down to eat. Mom and Grandma Ann came in. We exchanged the usual pleasantries. I noticed Mom wasn't surprise to see Esther.

So, they planned it.

“Your breakfast is late today." Esther commented.

“I am sorry. I had to take my Mom's post at the last minute." Julia apologized.

Why on earth is she apologizing?

“Oh! I heard she is not feeling well. How is she now?" My Grandma asked.

“She was recovering when I left."

I stared at her. She looks gloomy, unlike her usual self. She suddenly turned to me. Our stare locked.

Okay. This is suspicious. I hope Madam Eunice's illness doesn't have anything to do with me? Why on earth is Julia staring at me, at the mention of her mother?

Caleb cleared his throat loudly, causing Julia to look at him.

“ I am grateful I get to eat one of Julia's delicacies after many years. Believe me, when I say your good cooking skills have further increase." He complimented her.

What the heck...!

I didn't know when a scoff came out of my mouth. I frowned at him. He is back with his good for nothing flirting scheme.

Julia gasped.

“What can I say? Thank you." Julia replied dryly.

Good girl.

Esther chuckled, while Grandma Ann and Peculiar grinned at the exchange between Caleb and Julia.

“You two are still at it. I vividly remember you two having an huge crush on each other, before he left." Esther said. She turned to Caleb.

“You won't believe how much Julia cried when you left for the States." She continued.

Caleb was grinning his face out, obviously enjoying the discussion. Grandma Ann, who sat next to me, elbowed my side gently.

“You are hurting your sandwich." She called me on gently, alerting me to the sandwich in my tight grasp.

I didn't realize I had been holding my sandwich tightly. I glanced at Julia, but she wouldn't meet my gaze.

Damn you Caleb.

My Mom went on her feet, with her glass of champagne in hand.

“Okay. Listen up everyone! Today is a special day. Andrew and Esther are getting engaged today. The preparation start..."

“Enough Mom! " I shot to my feet.

I can't believe we are still on this after what I told her yesterday.

“Mom! I thought I made myself clear regarding this matter yesterday. We had this conversation already."

“Yes, we did. But obviously, one of us wasn't listening. How many times do I have to point out the benefits of marrying Esther? She is an insurance you need badly, especially now!"

I scoffed. “Insurance?"

Mom stood up, to press her point.

“The lawyers would be here tomorrow morning to read the final part of the Will. You have to make up your mind."

“My mind is already made up. I am leaving. I don't need my inheritance nor my position as the CEO, not especially now that it looks like I need an insurance to stay."

“What? You are leaving everything behind?"

“Yes." I snapped,grabbed my car keys and barged out.

Mom is totally unbelievable. Why would she do that? What on earth is wrong with she and Esther? Why does she keep coming back?

I was delighted when I got to Lawyer Henry's office and realized that Lawyer Henry was actually a friend from college, who I had lost contact with.

“ I am surprised, man. I had my suspicions when I saw the name, but I never thought, you could turn out to be a lawyer. Weren't you studying Theatre Arts? " I asked.

Henry chuckled. “Yeah! Changed course. It's a long story, man. But, I knew you immediately I saw your name. You are still as famous as ever, bro."

I smiled.

“My condolences regarding your Dad."

“Thanks man "

“How is our beautiful brave queen? Still in touch with her?" He asked. I knew who he was referring to.

’Brave queen' was the nickname given to Julia back in school.

“That's surprising. You still remember her nickname?"

“Why wouldn't I? She isn't a character that easy to forget. How is she? Still in touch?"

I winced. How on earth did a nosy person like Henry become a lawyer?

“Yeah. Let get to business now. I need your help."

Henry sighed. “ In an inheritance issue, such as yours, there is hardly anything you can do to get your inheritance back. It's legit. But, you can fight to retain your position as the CEO though."

“Really? How?"

“Yes. You can sue Butler Frederick to court and pick it up from there."

“A lawsuit?"

“I would explain how it works to you, if you are up for it. The paperwork would also be done, so we can proceed immediately. So, do you want to proceed?" He asked.

Julia had pleaded with me to forgive her father. How on earth can I sue him after I promised her that I had forgiven him. I can't.

“But then, while digging into the inheritance transfer, I noticed something odd." Henry announced.

“ What is it?"

It was past nine pm, when I returned to the Mansion, but I still couldn't bring myself to go into my room, so I sat at the front of the mansion's magnificent entrance,by the water fountain, staring absentmindedly at the waterfall.

What Henry had revealed to me earlier in the day kept weighing on my mind.

I have come to a conclusion. When the lawyers come tomorrow, I know the reply to give them.

I sighted Julia as she walked towards the water fountain. She didn't see me. I went to her and took her arm. She jumped startled, about to scream.

“Don't scream." I cautioned.

I could sense her relax as soon as she recognized it was me. The rotating street light turned and illuminated on us.

“Did you just returned back home?" She asked. She must have noticed I was still in the outfit I had on, when I left the house this morning.

“Yes. Why did you call me this afternoon, only to give the phone to Esther?" I asked .

She had called me at past two pm, when I was in a football field, shortly after I left Henry's office. I had snubbed both Esther and my Mom's calls. But, had picked her call, knowing she doesn't call me without a genuine reason. I had answered her call to hear her voice, only for her to give the phone to Esther, without even speaking to me.

I need to know why she did that.

“That because she wanted to speak to you and you weren't picking her calls."

“Sure. Come with me." I took her by the hand and led her to the bench on the carpet grass field meant for picnic.

We sat in silence for a long while, until she broke it.

“Are you worried about the inheritance? Still confused about what choice to make?" She asked.

“I have been thinking about it and I have finally made a decision."

“What have you decided on?"

“I am leaving. Forget inheritance or CEO position. I am going to start my own business. I have been hoping to see you. I need a favor from you."

“You don't usually ask me for favors? What is it? I hope you won't ask me for money, because I don't have your kind of money." She joked.

I laughed slightly. She can still make jokes in this situation. That's one of her many appealing qualities.

I exhaled deeply to brace myself for what I am about to ask her. I took her hands in mine.

“Would you come with me?" I asked, gazing deep into her eyes, so she would know I am dead serious.

“Please come with me." I pleaded.