The Misses

The End

The sun shone bright on a day that Lana wished did not come. She dreamed of dying in hopes she wouldn't have to say goodbye to him. Lana got up from the pile of Levi's clothes and attempted to pull herself together. This was the first time she realized that she was alone. She didn't have any living relatives, her whole world revolved around Levi. She didn't even bother making friends. Her days were filled with work and Levi. She didn't need anything else. She thought she had forever. She woke up almost 2 hours before the services. She knew she had to focus on getting dressed and making herself look presentable. She put on a fitted midi-length black dress. The arms and the bodice were a complex lace pattern with only the breast sections perfectly concealed. She would wear a hat with matching lace to veil her face from onlookers. She put on Levi's favorite diamond earrings and matching necklace. Once the necklace was clipped in place, Lana trembled at the thought of putting on her 'forever' ring. Levi would be wearing his. She slowly slid it on as she tried to contain the flood gates.

She was ready. Not ready, but ready. The drive to the wake, felt too short. She walked in and took her place closest to Levi's casket along side Tommy. Levi had a fairly large family. This was one of the reasons he did not want to have a family, he claimed. "Preposterous!" She thought to herself. She was more angry than she thought she would be. Off in a corner Lana saw a face she had never seen before, a woman accompanied by a young lady with dark black hair.

"Must be another cousin," Lana thought.

Levi had one brother and 8 sisters. Only 1 of those sisters was from the same mother. The others were half sisters from affairs his father had around the country. The room was sprinkled with an assortment of nationalities. Once all was said and done, they would move forward with the will reading.

The 3 hours spent looking at the crowd, shaking hands and accepting people's condolences was heart wrenching. She wasn't sure she would be able to be strong for much longer. There were several women that came by and gave Lana a nasty look. In Lagos, Levi belonged to everyone. At least that was what the women of Lagos believed, especially since he chose not to marry.

"I know I wasn't the first to love Levi but I was the last'', Lana whispered to herself.

Tommy held her arm, supported her. The number of women that were not related but had proven relationships with Levi were plentiful. More than 30 ex-girlfriends showed up to see Levi off. He was a lot like his father. The women ranged from African to Japanese; no ethnicity went untouched. It was almost like he just wanted a taste of the world.

Tommy, Levi, and Lana had spent a lot of time together. Tommy normally found his way onto their adventures or ate dinner with them. When he wasn't on a date or being stalked, he loved hanging around with his brother. Tommy was 1 year younger than Lana. Levi practically raised him while their dad was going on business trips and making babies. They only had each other. They weren't introduced to their sisters until their mom divorced their dad when Tommy was 16. He took their divorce pretty hard. Levi was there to provide a shoulder, to coach him back into the game. To help him build his portfolio and his fortune. It was only natural that Tommy and Lana looked to each other for support.

"Tommy! Don't avoid your father!" Tommy turned to respond to his father, Tomas.

"Father, I did not see you. Please forgive me", Tommy quickly apologized. The old man was shorter than he used to be. He was scrunched over a cane and he carried plenty of animosity towards all women.

Tomas threw a glare towards Lana.

"I am glad he listened to me and did not marry you. You would have half of his company already." Tomas chuckled.

Tears swelled up in Lana's eyes. She could not believe Levi did not marry her because of the old man.

"I don't believe it. Levi wouldn't have listened to you!" Lana snapped back.

"He listened to me the first time he made the mistake of marrying. Why wouldn't he now?"

"The first time..." Lana said, still in shock by his words.

"You knew him so well, yet you don't know the answer to your question." Tomas prodded Lana with her ignorance.

"Father, that's enough!" Tommy stepped in.

"Protecting your prize, are we!? Your brother has not been gone for 48 hrs yet and look...at....you." His father hissed. His snake-like tendencies were showing themselves in his old age.

"You know that isn't true. If that is all?" Tommy confirmed with his father. Lana was still trying to comprehend Tomas' words. She could barely keep her footing.

Lana and Tommy walked together to the main building to hear the reading of Levi's will. Lana was terrified. She knew everything that Levi owned outright and how much he was worth. She believed with all her heart that Levi loved her just as much as she loved him. Lana and Tommy were prepared to sit in on all of the distribution meetings. The first was for small things, mementos from friend to friend. The next were larger items for family members. The 4 elder sisters received houses. They were well off enough to pay the yearly taxes or they understood the weight of selling the homes. This move made sense. Evelyn, sister number 5, was gifted his surfboard collection and 2 cars. Lana listened as most of Levi's estate and vehicles left her possession. Every announcement left her holding her breath. The twins, Eve and Steve, were given matching cars and money. The youngest of the ladies, Mitsy, was given a small starter beach house, which resided near her college.

With 3 items left, the woman that Lana saw in the corner walked in with the young lady. The young lady shared a striking resemblance to Levi. Almost identical. The woman's name was Marcy Lionel. Lana almost lost consciousness when the attorney stated her relationship with the deceased. Tommy's mouth fell open. One could cut the tension in the room with a butter knife. The attorney continued,"Reeza Lionel, only child of the deceased, daughter of Marcy Lionel."