5 CHAPTER FOUR

Mrs. Pauline walked into the sitting room after dropping the large platter she was carrying on the dining room; on which covered plate sited on. She arrived in the sitting room looking surprised.

"Our visitor didn't wait to have lunch?"

"He was in a hurry," the young lady said persuasively and relaxed her gaze on the older woman. "He extends his greetings; he just wanted to check on me."

She strode over to the dining room ignoring the worried woman who followed her feebly. At the dining room, she placed her hands on the table; and faced the food squarely. She inhaled deeply and Mrs. Pauline grinned; nothing gave her joy than seeing her master's daughter happy.

"I am certain that the food's going to be pleasant this time," She beamed at the latter who sat beside her.

Mrs. Pauline wondered how Carly's cheery and joyful character could still not have changed after losing her father and possibly the only relative she had in this whole world. Maybe people's ways of handling things are different. She glared at the young lady who was busy tearing off lumps of chicken, her tendency to know who Carly was screaming at came back, and now, she couldn't control it. She went down to the bar and picked up a chilled red wine and ascended the dining room once more. She tore off the lid of the wine bottle and poured it into the glass that she placed in front of Carly.

"Who was the man that caused you so much trouble?" Mrs. Pauline urged the young Carly.

"Daddy's friend"

"Which?"

"Charlie Benedict."

The old woman bellowed out in anticipation and Carly looked up, trying to know what was amiss.

"What?"

"Nothing."

She picked up her spoon and began to munch on her food. She ate for a while and then began again.

"I don't like that man; he is bad natured. Ever since he made your father his close friend, since then, I have been suspecting him."

Carly gazed at the woman who was saying what her brain was also thinking, she knew that the woman was not afraid of Benedict; she was saying all that because she was afraid if he was up to something bad. The older woman feeling relaxed, spoke out again reminding Carly of the encounter she had with her father's close friend.

"What did the fellow say-?"

"-you have three months and lest I forget, your father didn't tell you how he became rich? It was based in agreement..."

Carly glared at the woman as Charlie Benedict's word flooded her thoughts. She knew that the woman was awaiting an answer, but she could not even know how she will react if she happens to know what the man had said. Carly gazed away making the woman more acquainted that the whole thing was not alright. Those words were too filthy to hear, she trusts her father in all things, and there is no how he would have signed an agreement that will render his legacy useless without telling her. She knew that Ben Antonio, her late father would not involve himself in what will make his family regret; even if what was said happens to be true, she can't let her father's property slip off her finger in that manner. She can't! But now, the old woman is requesting to know what was on ground. She can't disclose such thing to her, not that she does not trust her; but because she will react so violently, and besides, she wants to deal with the thing her own way.

"I told you already ma," She smiled warmly at the woman; playing with the food before her. "Charlie just came to check on me-"

"-when has Charlie become a close friend to you also?" the woman said, still not contented with what she was hearing.

"Ma, he just came to check on me about dad's death." Carly spoke with determination visible on her brow.

"Okay, if you say so," Mrs Pauline said playfully, stroking her chin.

Carly laughed out loud as the woman stroked her chin. She adjusted herself upright and pushed the plate in front of her farther away from her.

"I will be in my room," she stood and walked out of the dining room. Reaching towards the stairs that lead to the second roof she paused and stared at the woman with smile hidden under her lips. "Thanks for the meal ma, it was mouth-watering..."

The old woman observed her as she ascended the stairs; she could see that her mode was still not bright. As she could imagine, there is still something wrong somewhere. Mrs. Pauline wondered what was going on within her master's daughter, as an old woman, she had gathered wisdom to know when Carly is sad because of hatred and when she is sad because of love; and for this one, it is hatred, perhaps.

She resumed eating as Carly disappeared into the walkway upstairs.

∆∆∆

Charlie walked into the senate building of the law chamber, where lawyers attend to visitors. He walked past the numerous securities, the place was for high class men; and because Charlie was rich, he was not stopped by any security.

He walked past many doors in the walkway; he was looking for a particular one, the one that has a golden name tag on the door frame; which was in fact the chamber of the senior lawyer.

Charlie walked a little bit farther in the walk way, he could see the end of the walk way and the door in front of him, probably the last. He approached the door and stood before it knocking mildly against it. For a little while the door creaked open and a little young fair face appeared between the door frame, it was a young lady; obviously the lawyer's secretary. She directed Charlie in after greeting him, and shot the door closed.

From where Charlie stood, he could see the name tag on the door post, boldly written in golden colour. He ignored the secretary and walked towards the door, he knew that she would not stop him; of course she knew that he's the richest man in the state, and no one stops his move.

He didn't border to knock on the door; the meeting had been scheduled and the lawyer should be ready to meet him now. He eased the door open and beheld the famous lawyer, Franklin Dexter. As he could see, the lawyer was not old or bloated as high ranked people normally look; rather he was a young man probably at his late thirties.

Charlie slammed the door behind him and walked gracefully towards the lawyer who was just looking at him in a grand ecstasy. Charlie sat before the man and smiled, the latter extended his hand and Charlie shook it.

"How has the work been, my friend?" Charlie spoke out looking straight into the lawyer's eyes.

Charlie could feel the gladness in the young man's face. He knew that the man will not let him down or act in a foolish way. The young man though not saying a thing kept on smiling.

"Is the document ready?" Charlie spoke out again glaring at the massive file that lay on the lawyers table. The young man stood up and moved over to a large shelve that stood towards the entrance, bent down and began to explore the heavy shelve. After a while, the young man came back to his seat and sat comfortably once more, now mean as a soldier.

"The document is too important to be sought for on the desk," Franklin fixed at the older man. "Here," he stretched his hand towards Charlie revealing a thick brown envelope.

Charlie took the envelope from him and held it tightly.

"Your reward my friend, will be instant." Charlie gazed away and brought out a white slim paper from his breast pocket and tossed it over to Franklin. The latter took the slim paper and observed it, from the paper; Franklin looked up towards the man who has his lips curved out for a deep smile.

"A check of ten million...?"

"Yes my dear," Charlie interrupted him.

"I don't need it in check, sir," Franklin said and Charlie wondered what the young man was talking about. Franklin glared at him for a little while and smiled

"I need a transfer, sir-"

"-So be it," Charlie extends his hand and took the check away from Franklin who was observing him briefly. Charlie stood up and held his hand out to Franklin and he shook it, with that Charlie walked out.

∆∆∆

Mrs. Pauline opened the door to her master's daughter room and peered in, the young lady was fast asleep. She stepped in and noticed that her blanket was half way over her, the woman sat close to the young lady dragging the blanket over her. She admired the lady and pitied her as well; she seems dull and angry even as she sleeps. Mrs. Pauline ran her hand over her pale face and embraced her as she lay on the bed; putting her face gently over her face. She stood up and walked towards the door, she had to let her sleep in peace, and she too must have a good night rest. With that she switched the light off and walked out closing the door gently behind her.