CHAPTER 2 "TESTAMENT"
Government buildings are usually crowded full of people lining up, some to get married, paying debts, others looking for or making birth certificates in the government notary but did you know that in that same notary's office there is the Notarial Annex where a person in charge keeps the acts of last will for future death, such as holographic wills where the testator expresses his will through a manuscript written by him. The children who are aware of the will of their parents in the eyes of the notary is because they are close relatives and emotional ties but currently the children are aware not because of family love but because of the distribution of material parts, self-interest, that's how selfish families can be; and Dio Sherley knew his children too well so he made a holographic will because he wanted to convey his thoughts and wishes so that his children would not treat Maria her mother badly the moment he left. The five children of Dio and Maria Sherley longed for Dio's last will more than ever, except Mía, she was still mourning her death affected him more than anyone else; But obtaining the certificate of last will is not so easy, first fifteen days must elapse from the death, secondly, attending the notary's office where the will was made, thirdly having the testator's death papers.
Mia's uncles were impatient, waiting fifteen days for them it was an eternity for them, her mother kept the papers informing them that Mia, They and herself had to be present for the reading of the will.
-But Mother, we understand why your presence is required but Mine?" Margot's voice was filled with bitterness.
-Your father requested Mia's presence during the reading, respect his will- Maria raised her voice in a sign of authority, the fragmented Sherley family of five children with mother and granddaughter were sitting outside the notarial office, occupying uncomfortable white benches of The waiting rooms. The children spread out with Margot, Ariana and Marleen facing each other, Daniel and Mark facing them along with their mother, Mia was the only one in a single chair placed on the left side of the entrance to the office.
-Mother we understand our father's last will is just that Mia might not be quite well, dad's death affected her a lot- Daniel pointed to his niece who was staring at the photographs placed in the hall, the young woman's eyes seemed dead .
Maria glanced at her eldest son and looked back at everyone in general.
-She was affected as it should have affected everyone but let me tell you this, if she is not present there is no will- the woman finished getting up from her seat, knocked on the office door, a voice was heard giving access to the room, the mother got lost in the office.
Those present moved uncomfortably sinking into a deep silence, Ariana looked at Mia expressing displeasure, waiting for the requested days was not enough for her mother apart from her they had to carry Marleen's brat, why? It was believed, they are the children they had all the right to the possessions of her father, but apparently they could not access the goods if Mia was not present, a granddaughter as if she were heir; Ariana Sherly looked at her sister next to her suspiciously.
Mark the youngest moved uncomfortable with the family situation, one part of the group just wanted to receive their money and leave, another to stay because their mother, the woman who gave birth to them, needed them the loyalty of Daniel and Marleen was impressive but Mark did not included in the loyalty group he never considered himself attached to his family, he did not even care about Mia's presence during the reading.
-I think that get angry is useless- the minor commented, Margot looked at him growling
-Shut up Mark! -
-You're the last one who should speak!- Ariana yelled next to Marlene, Daniel looked at them with a frown, hating the selfish and selfish attitudes of his brothers.Daniel Sherley the fourth son hated his family, not his father or his mother, but the rest caused him nausea, all hypocrites, every time he visited he found a brother crying crocodile tears, kept looking only for money but behind their back they despised their own father, he never understood why they pleased their whims in their eyes they must abandon them all financially, Marleen is the only one of her sisters who generates a conflict because she lived with her parents but helps in everything she can Either economically or psychologically, although Daniel understands his reasons, he always wondered if his sister does not want to get ahead on her own, especially because of the current situation, rather than everyone would do now that his main source of money died, his father died. The older Sherley is deeply concerned about her youngest sister in that she had more hope that she would do something in her life now that she was eighteen years old, she hopes that she does not want her father Dio to leave money for her despite being his granddaughter and not his daughter, Daniel looked at Mia, the youngest did not look at them, she just looked down the hall.
Daniel sighed -Listen all of you, control your tone of voice if you remember, we are all in a public place- The eldest son pointed to the surroundings although the corridors are quiet because it is eight in the morning people begin to arrive in the surroundings.
-Daniel is still too early do not get angry, it does not matter if some gossipers hear us- Margot commented, the second daughter sitting in the middle of Mark and Ariana.
-Aren't you cold Margot? -Marleen asked her sister dressed her with a gray formal skirt, black heels with long stockings and only a white short-sleeved blouse without any type of coat all her clothes apparently bran expensive.
The woman looked at her sister with blank eyes.
-Of course not, dear my fashion sense protects me from all climates- the drama of Margot's response was overlooked, she always tried to attract attention regardless of the consequences.
-Repeat that when the weather turns cool.- The mockery in Marleen's voice was not missed by Margot, the woman sticking her tongue out in response.
-They're not just little girls!- Daniel reprimanded his sisters.
-As always the correct brother - Margot crossed her arms across her chest.
The oldest gritted his teeth -Margot really you ... -
Marleen diverted her attention from her siblings' fight, she decided better to look at Mia, Mia, her daughter who never took over as a mother, now sadly looks at her half a meter away from her with her short hair that falls from her Shoulders dark as coal, he could not see her eyes due to the distance but seeing her being born reminds them of a golden color bright like gold so bright that they were lost in the sun, Marleen always thought that if Mia had been born a man it would be equal to his curious grandfather of the five children that Dio and Maria had all inherited the hair and eyes of the mother only minimal features of the father but Mia is the image of Dio Sherley thinks that perhaps that is why his father loved his granddaughter more than his own children and that makes her uncles hate her, she represents everything they can have and will never get; Marleen Sherley saw her daughter at a distance she would never close.
-Excuse me ... - everyone's eyes followed the calm voice that spoke to him, Mia Sherley looked at them with an expressionless face -Maybe you should read the sign on the wall- the young woman pointed to a small poster in the middle of the hall; the brothers could not see it so the older rose slightly on the seat noticing the letters "Please, be quiet" Daniel blushed in shame.
-What does Daniel say? -
-She says we must keep quiet- Marleen next to her lowered her head in shame she looked at her brothers who decided to look away from her in response, none of them admitted it but they were also ashamed of the situation.
-How long did you see the poster? - Annoyed Ariana asked
-More importantly because you didn't say anything?- Margot growled, glaring at her niece.
The young woman looked at them -not so much she looked at the photographs in the corridor- none of those present noticed that in the corridors there were artistic photographs each with their titles and distributed throughout the walls, most of the photographs are of landscapes and forests, all very beautiful.
-Of course... -In the answer Mía she heard the snort of her uncles, sighing she looked away from her back to the empty corridor. Actually the young woman heard all the comments from her uncles but chose not to comment until she got fed up with hearing them complain all the time but she could not get her attention due to her age, she would be scolde for speaking . Mia Sherley sighed tiredly, she lost her grandfather, her father, she did not know what to do she feels lost, empty, alone although there is her grandmother that she loves and her useless family but now how she will continue to carry on how to fulfill the promise with her grandfather and choose a career college as well as a place to stay from now on like moving on if she felt so dead; the young woman she stabbed her eyes still burned from crying, she did not cry during her funeral but in the solitude of her room she broke into tears as she could not before her body; Now Mia tried to focus only on the requirement of the will, her presence is necessary for reading strange because her grandfather always hated to involve her with family matters, now it is necessary here which made her suspicious, Maybe her grandfather had something planned here, Dio loved the Plans and tricks always amused him, it seemed that he planned a final prank for his children but now in this situation Mia did not think it was right, he did not want his grandfather's death to become a joke, although his uncles deserved a special lesson because of what idiots that they are; Mia sighed wishing her grandfather wasn't too harsh because if I involved her in everything in the end she would be the one who would have to bear her complaints from now on.
Silence reigned in the corridor, no brother spoke to each other and the only niece present avoided his gaze, a squeak broke the silence of those present the door of the notary's office finally opened its doors, everyone's questions would be finally answered; The notary in a black suit came out the door, observing each of those present. His eyes fell on Mia for a second longer than the rest.
-I see that the requirement of the presence of Mia Sherley was fulfilled- the man nodded in the direction of the young woman -Daughter, you can pass your grandmother is inside, I'm going to talk to the others- the notary stood aside allowing the young woman will enter the room.
Mia just stared at the notary who is quite tall since she was one meter seventy but barely reached the shoulder of the subject aside for being a middle-aged man he is well preserved his hair did not have any gray is in his natural light brown color his His face barely had wrinkles, Mia wondered if this notary is involved in his grandfather's tricks, he loved to leave instructions and see how others suffered trying to solve them so this man in front of her could be an instruction or just a guide, the younger Sherley would have to observe his behavior to find out if he was lying.
The brothers looked at the notary in deathly silence.
Upon entering the office, the ravenette saw her grandmother in a corner of the office with her eyes closed and arms crossed, the young woman observed the room, the place is spacious with two shelves full of books and perhaps documents related to work, the desk In front of her, I notice that the documents of the will were open, it puzzled her, they are not supposed to be opened when the family is present, Mia glanced at her grandmother sitting calmly, perhaps the will was read to her grandmother at all the waiting time but there were chairs that did not correspond to those in the office, they were different from the one her grandmother is sitting on, which was made of wood, the others are made of metal, understanding that the office is not suitable to seat more than three people although it has space for at least ten people he concluded that government offices are strange.
-Grandma.... - Mia spoke softly.
Maria opened her eyes smiling softly when she noticed her granddaughter in the room, her hearing did not work as well as before so she did not hear her granddaughter enter.
-Daughter come sit with me- the older woman pointed to the chair next to her.
-Grandmother, you know why my presence is necessary? -
Maria sighed-she just watches and talks if you think it's necessary, all your doubts will be resolved in the end- as the woman spoke, she took the youngest's hand, giving light squeezes
-And also relax, you are not in trouble - Maria noticed as Mia under the men a sign of calm.
-How did you know? -
-Like your grandfather You start talking formal when you get nervous-
Mia smiled -Family habits-
.
In the hallway, the notary stared at each of the five children of the marriage. He had instructions to follow regarding them.
-Listen carefully enter the office but I do not want any scandal or problem, I have instructions for the first problem, the cause (s) of them will be taken out of the room- the serious voice of the worried man to the brothers
-I don't know why so much formality is just a reading of the will- Margot scoffed at the seriousness of the middle-aged man.
-It could be but her father left exact instructions as I mentioned before so if they want to know his last will they must comply with them, if they do not agree they can go to retire- the notary stared at the second daughter in response to her mocking comment is twisted the face at the comment.
-No problem will be caused- said Daniel before the notary
The man nodded.
-Good now come in- the man stood to the side looking in detail at each son entering the room, as the brothers entered they noticed that their mother and niece were sitting on one side of the room, both with their eyes closed, Marleen wondered Because the distance with how big the office is, it feels like there is a barrier between them and them. It is assumed that the seven of them came to listen to the reading equally, but the distance was like an abyss.
The notary pointed to the metal chairs in the middle of the office.
-Take a seat, ladies and gentlemen-
The adults taking a seat, nodding slowly, Daniel watched as his mother and sister quickly opened their eyes, her calm mother looking at the notary but Mia, like them, had a questioning look, apparently she did not know what was happening either.
-I would like you to approach the desk- walking towards both women the man offered his hand to the older woman, they both nodded, Maria took her bag accepting the notary's hand, Mia carried both chairs towards the desk, first accommodating Maria's like this The grandmother would not get tired more on this stressful day but when Maria sat down she sent a cold look at the government man, Mia recognized that look means that patience is running out and just as she thought the grandmother knew the will she is also aware of the Grandpa's plans or just did the reading for her first, Mia denied the main question remained unchanged. How involved is Maria with Grandpa's plan?
-Let me formally introduce myself, I am Henry Serkan notary of Dio Sherley who, as you know, left a will for those present but left conditions to be read, the first that Mia Sherley is present, the second that the children must respect the first request and remain silent throughout the entire reading, the third all children must stay a period of two weeks in the family home at the end of the will- Henry raised each finger pointing to the number of conditions.
Mark raised his hand - That last condition-
-It will be explained at the end of the reading - Henry cut the youngest son
MIa frowned they told him the condition of the reading that his presence was required I never imagine that it was only the first of many, the little idea that everything is just a cruel joke term, this is a manipulation plan of Dio is using them like toys even in his death but because if he is no longer alive to see the despair of all, why is he doing this?
-God our father was always a king of drama- expressed the first daughter seemed to pull her hair in despair.
-In fact, Excuse me Mr. Notary but you could hurry I have to get to eat with my wife- Daniel looked with pity at the youngest of his brothers, Mark no longer knew life without schedules or without being beaten by his own wife he had a life regrettable.
-Notify in advance that they should request time for reading-
-Mark, is right you should hurry- Ariana growled her nails scrape the metal chair drawing Mia's attention, she gritted her teeth they did not listen to the instructions they were told not to speak but they never seem to pay attention to others.
-! They must respect they did not listen to the instructions! - her voice was a deep growl, gaining the attention of everyone in the office, even the notary looked at her.
-Young Mia is right, they were given an indication so I will proceed to ask them to leave- Henry got up from his chair closing the folder where her will seemed to be.
- Brat! -
-Excuse me but...-
The brothers began to speak, none raised their voices too much except Ariana for her disgust, Mia twisted her face, her stress levels rose every second she only wanted everything to end.
"Listen, guys, calm down and if you're in such a hurry, you should ask the notary Henry to specify the important parts of the will." She breathed, trying to calm down. She looked at the brunette who had orders to get them out of the office.
Margot clicked her tongue -Well, something sives-
-! Shut up! - the intermediate brothers growled Marleen's patience and Daniel began to run out
-I will follow Mia Sherley's request but they must remain silent -
-I promise we will.- Daniel put a hand to his chest as an oath, the corners of Henry's lips barely lifting.
-Of course ..- the folder on his desk reopened-I have to tell you that the will is divided into parts-
The brothers paid more attention, especially they looked with ambition for their father's money papers. Maria kept her eyes on her children, she did not understand what they coveted, she knew that there was money but none of them had knowledge of it, the only thing they could claim would be the house and the goods within it.
The woman was saddened when her children became monsters full of greed.
-How is it divided by each child? - Asked the oldest
-The last rule is a requirement to collect? -Mark smiled it would not be so difficult if it is necessary to get the money from him.
Henry smiled at them
-I remember saying they shouldn't have an opinion until the end.- His cold smile froze everyone present.
Mia observed the notary her suspicions grew about the man at first she believed that he would only be a character who gives instructions and here he disappears, she would not see him again but she thinks that this will be someone who will see again, she should be cautious and pay close attention to the words Maybe that way he would quickly discover the answers to the plan and get out faster from all the tricks that his grandfather prepares for them, man always produces the most difficult and a bit macabre plans that is why he never liked to participate fully in them.
-Process the first part is for Mrs. Maria Sherley, the house of her room together with the goods inside her belong to her by name and deed-
Mia glanced at her uncles, some calm like Daniel and Marleen who sighed in relief at the notary's words but the others had annoyed and crooked expressions.
-In the house, Marleen Sherley will be allowed to live until her mother dies, when the mother dies, the goods and the house will be sold dividing the money equally among the children- The man watched as the brothers glare at his her own sister, apparently for them it was a rather disgusting condition.
Ariana grunted - Shouldn't we have an opinion until the end? -
Henry nodded in response
"Good," she looked back at his younger sister.
-The next part mentions that the support for Mrs. Margot Sherley is cut and also a record was drawn up in the bank so that Mrs. Ariana and Mr. Mark Sherley deposit monthly part of the debt towards the late Dio Sherley for the loans that are carried out in life, clearly the same consequences were also added if they do not pay, such as going to prison and being seized at home / room, in addition, a civic document was added so that each child deposits his mother at least a three-digit weekly amount -
By the examples from before Henry was prepared to hear screams full of outbursts of anger but remained calm even though those present clearly had the Anger reflected on their faces, their teeth so clenched that it seems they are going to break. The youngest of her placed a hand over her mouth to hold her laughter with all her strength the expressions of anger and discontent of her uncles should not make her so happy but she enjoyed the show, the money was cut and now they had to pay.
-And last but most importantly- I look at the young woman with closed eyes that contained her laughter -Mia, your grandfather left you an inheritance-
The bewildered faces of the children passed to the girl in the room, the Anger began.
-Of course it has conditions and instructions to follow before being able to make an inheritance claim- two letters came out of the folder that are extended to the ravenette, he proceeded to observe them in detail one of them is old, this yellow even smells like an old book and is brittle and wrinkled, the other one is newer it is white like any letter it only contained a few small wrinkles but it was assumed that they were produced when being transported or taken by the notary; The young woman noticed that both letters are sealed are wax but each one with a different symbol on the seal's shield, the old yellow envelope had a phoenix, the new one a man with a beard; She ran her fingers gently over the man's seal, recognizing him but not knowing why.
-The letters should not be seen by anyone but you, open them when you are alone if you have doubts, ask your grandmother but without saying the content of them- Henry looked briefly at the older woman, Maria nodded softly at the words
-Now after doing what was indicated you must return to this office-
The notary extends a paper to the ravenette - That is my number, you have two weeks to do what is requested in the letters when that happens you can call it does not matter if it is day or night, you understand-
Mia nodded slowly silently still digesting the information provided
-Well, as we cut the facts of the reading by request, I proceed to close this will, they can withdraw- The middle-aged notary stood up closing the folder with files at once; he observed how the children present looked at him with anger so I hope so the sounds of complaint and disgust for the children who did not get what they wanted these must be so loud that the neighboring offices could understand the angry screams of the whole family, the no I hope someone came to detain them in those offices to hear screams and complaints from dissatisfied relatives is the most common thing in the world I look askance at Mia, the young woman kept her gaze on the stamps of the letters ignoring the screams of her relatives, Henry sighed I would like to ask her So many things but he could no longer wish, not now that Dio died, he only has to wait for Mia to solve the riddle and he can make a wish again.