The Will

It was exactly a year since the funeral of lord Marcus. The only thought in Treasure's mind was that her dad had died when she was eleven. She wanted to forget all about the previous year and just move on.She was twelve years old now, but she had refused to celebrate her birthday. Treasure had grown quiet and had begun to develop a really difficult personality. Mrs Daisy didn't even have enough time for her, she was always at the office. She forgot so quickly that Treasure needed a parent's attention more than anything else. Treasure on her own had gotten used to being alone. At school, she spoke less, and only mingled with Jake, Vanessa, Lexi and Romane when she was forced to. Today, she was feeling a lot of pain in her back after she had foolishly tried to practice one of the hardest moves of ballet dancing the previous day. After sleeping for hours, she got up dazed and walked to her library. She sat down and quickly glanced through her notebooks. Her homework was complete, so she placed the book back into her backpack and waited for her maidservants to prepare her bathroom for her. She didn't want them to bathe her anymore, she could only permit them to prepare the water and any other necessary thing for her as well as assist her in putting on her clothes.

       Thirty minutes later, she was all dressed in her uniform, ready for school. She went down the stairs to have breakfast alone as usual since the beginning of that year, but surprisingly, she met her mom in a casual dress waiting for her at the dinning table. Treasure stopped few steps away from her, trying to figure out the reason behind her mother's sudden change of attitude.

"Treasure dear, come on, come sit and have breakfast with mom" Mrs Daisy spoke. Treasure sluggishly sat at the table and dug into her food.

"I'm sorry Tresh, I know you're upset with me, but my schedules..."

"yeah, your schedules...your schedules that you don't have time for me even on a Saturday," Treasure blurted out

"...your schedules, that you couldn't make it to your daughter's career day even when you knew you could always excuse yourself as the CEO of your company... Just let it be mom, I'm already used to not having you around... Mrs Daisy held her tears in

"baby, I know I was wrong," she begged

"I didn't realize I was leaving a vacuum in your heart until now, I'm really sorry" she cried.

"why do you work so hard mom?" Treasure asked wiping her mother's tears with her palms.

"Are you worried I might become miserable if daddy doesn't leave me any of his properties?" Mrs Daisy sobbed even more.

"Tresh," she said holding Treasure's hand.

"you are still too young, you do not understand the rules of this world you are living in. sometimes you need to loose something to gain something."

"listen, I'm doing all these for your own good. l don't want you to experience a tough life. I want you to be independent of men, I want you to be self made. I want everyone to recognise you as the heiress of your own empire, that way, you won't be looked down on. I want you to be a strong woman. Even without your father's wealth, my company is yours to inherit no matter what, but I keep encouraging you to be serious with your dance classes, because balle can never be yours, unless you work hard for it... you have no one in this world aside me, and you only need my help to achieve your goals and I'm ready to give you my full support."Mrs Daisy drew her daughter into a hug.

"I hope you understand someday, I hope you can forgive me then" she cried.

     At school, Treasure ears kept burning red from so many questions. 

"Is it true Treasure?? Your father's will...it's today right?...is it just a rumour??" Everyone kept asking as she walked the hallway and even into the locker rooms.

"I wonder who puts this on the news"... Vanessa said walking behind Treasure... "Yeah! so disgusting...and annoying" Jake added, but after a pause he asked

"but is it true Treasure? Will your father's will be read today?" Lexi almost punched his face.

"it's okay Lexi," Treasure said stopping her just in time.

"you can't blame him for his curiosity." Lexi withdrew her hand and Jake grinned at her.

"Yes, my father's will, will be read today, and no need asking, I'm not excited, about it..." She said walking away while the others stood transfixed.

"Why are you not excited?!!!" Jake yelled running after her but the others chased after him, trying to stop him from upsetting Treasure with his questions.

       After what felt like decades, the school rung its dismissal bell and Treasure happily packed her backpack. After bidding her friends goodbye, she went out to her RollsRoyce and was driven home.

Exactly ten minutes to six pm, Eden, one of her maidservants, dressed Treasure in a blue dress and a glass slipper. It was the long awaited day of the Marcuses, the day the Will of late Lord Marcus was to be read. Eden wanted to change the neck chain on Treasure's neck, but she had refused, caressing the neck chain with much love even when she knew it didn't fit her

outfit. Eden didn't push further but when she was done, Treasure looked gorgeous.

     Down the stairs, Treasure met her mom dressed in a similar gown but a different colour. Mrs Daisy smiled when she saw her daughter and after assessing her to know if she was well dressed, she took her by the arm and made for the living room, without noticing the neck chain. They sat for a while before Mr Lockhart announced Barrister Malcolm's arrival. He walked in with a broad smile and exchanged pleasantries with Mrs Daisy and Treasure. They sat for only two minutes when Miss Cherry and Elizabeth arrived almost at the same time, then Mrs Susan and Valentina arrived a bit later, they with their children and for the first time, Mrs Daisy marveled at Mrs Susan's first son, Elmer. He was tall and huge with a sturdy body, he looked exactly like his mom and from his looks, you could tell he was full of himself. He was the oldest of the children with a mature age of twenty eight and he was already working as a clerk in a law firm, his step dad wasn't very wealthy, so he wasn't able to secure a very good job. Like his mom, he had been banking on his late father's property to make him the rich man he had been dreamt of. He did not even attend his  father's funeral and didn't care to call him even when he was alive.

"Welcome Mr Elmer Marcus, good to see you..." Barrister Malcolm spoke Stretching his hand for a handshake, but Elmer ignored him. He sat down, crossed his legs and with a rude tone, he spoke...

"can we just get on with this?" Barrister Malcolm felt very embarrassed but saif nothing. Gently, he opened up the envelope which contained the will. "Good evening everyone."he began,..."

"...before we proceed to reading late lord Marcus' will, let us observe a minute silence please"... Everyone kept quiet for a while and Barrister Malcolm continued...

"Marcus was a good man, a worthy client, and above all a friend. Before his death, when he was writing this will, he asked me to give you this little piece of advice,..." He paused and when no one spoke, he continued...

"Whatever is written in here, whether it's in your favour or not, should not in anyway cause a rift between any of you"... There was an uproar of  laughter from Cherry, her children, Elmer, Mrs Susan and Elizabeth. Mrs Daisy and Valentina stared taken aback.

"Sorry, but if you haven't noticed, we are already in a big rift right now, so anymore of it won't be a surprise"... Charles said and they all burst out laughing again.

"please, calm down... Barrister Malcolm said trying to get their attention.

"I read...I knew sooner or later I'd die leaving this note to be read to you all. I must say, I'm glad you made out time to attend my funeral but I'm equally sad most of you sitted here are only concerned about my properties. Most of you never loved me but my wealth, you denied me the only chance to feel loved but you are here waiting to be given the part you own in my property. I will give it all of course, because I wasn't able to take it to where I am now, but you should bear this in mind that whatever is given to you equals your love for me. All that I have worked for must surely go to my family but in the measure I want it to...Barrister Malcolm stopped for a while and observed their faces before he continued...

To my first lady, my first love, but my first heartbreak, Susan Marcus and our son, Elmer Marcus, I give my Brewing Factory in Bristol, and the sum of one million pound..." Barrister Malcolm handed the cheque to Elmer and continued,..

"To my macho darling, whose character and determination forced me to move on from my melancholic life, Cherry Warren, I appreciate you for letting our relationship last so long to heal the wound inflicted in my heart by Susan, but to be honest, you never really understood me and allowed your lack of trust in me to paint you a picture of a character I never really possessed.

To you and our sons, Charles and Curtis, I leave my clubs in Bath and my casino in Juarez, Mexico..." Mrs Cherry exchanged excited looks but kept calm, while Mrs Susan and Elmer both winced...

"To my Mexican princess, Valentina Montilla, you made my stay in Juarez a memorable one with that sweet body of yours...

At the mention of this, Mrs Susan, Mrs Daisy and Cherry all scoffed simultaneously, but Valentina blushed.

... "I'm sorry, but you must know that apart from the fact that I fell lustfully for you, I feel really sorry for not being a good father to my daughter, Trinidad. I believe I owed you that responsibility, but I failed, and for that, I hope my Supermarket in Ecatepec de Morelos and my hotel in Jalisco, compensates you and my lovely daughter.

To my one in a million adviser, Elizabeth Gregory, for your understanding nature and selfless attitude which made me fall for you, I give you and our son, Ryan Marcus, my library in Swansea, and the studio house in Leeds. Ryan, I heard you are a study freak, so I know you'd value that library well, there are so many hidden passages I bet you'd be able to find from your studies, so kudos to you...Barrister Malcolm paused and Mrs Daisy thinking he was done reading, almost got on her feet when Barrister Malcolm continued...

"To the woman I fell head over heels for, even after my heart had been sealed from my first heartbreak, the one I prayed with sincerity to spend the rest of my life with, but for my own mistake of keeping unnecessary secrets from her. The one whose daughter made me feel like a real father, the girl who was able to break through my schedules and love me unconditionally not minding the rift between us. A young but understanding girl with the heart of gold, pure as a dove and as charming as an Angel, who tried to mend the relationship between her parents, something no other child, I know has ever done. Daisy, Treasure, I apologise for every ill thing I must have done to you both. I hope you forgive me even as I have gone to meet my creator. Daisy Adama Marcus, I believe nothing I give you will equal the love you gave me, but I'm giving the only material thing that holds the memory of you in my heart to Treasure, and that's my mansion in Bristol, the house I married you into. Treasure, take absolute care of that house, because just like your name, it is a treasure in which other Treasures lay..." Barrister Malcolm paused for breath and continued...

"I know you all are still waiting to know who I have given my chains of companies, my oil rigs, my ranch in Mexico, my Restaurant in Paris, my dance school in Bristol, my private plane, my flower shop in Texas, my fashion houses in Denmark, Spain and Paris, my car shops in Australia, and the entire cash in all of my accounts apart from the one million pounds for the bank debts I'm to offset. you don't need to worry, I have given all that to one amongst you kids, the one I know is most likely to handle them wisely. You know yourself. I am putting all my trust in you and I know you won't fail me. Remember, you will give me a detailed account of it all when you finally come over here, the after life, where I will have more than enough time to spend with you than I ever had when I was alive. Barrister Malcolm, I leave you my jewelry shop in Kansas, and the responsibility of supporting and taking absolute care of my true heir. You and my PA, Mr Donald, must make sure everything concerning the company and it's branches is well understood by my heir once the time is right. I know you won't fail me. Once my heir is known, alert all the branches of the company and conduct a proper handover, not minding the gender of the heir. I will miss you all, though I didn't spend much time with you, but bye till we meet again, your husband and your dad, Johnson Gale Marcus...Signed "...Barrister Malcolm ended and raised his head to look at the family members who all sat still, trying to digest the will.

        Elmer spoke first...

"is this a joke? What the hell does he mean by that? I'm his first son! I should have the company and all those properties! How dare he divide my inheritance with these bunch of nuisance!"... He yelled but Cherry lashed at him

"You are the nonentity here...I mean what kinda child fails to attend his own father's funeral? You should count yourself as lucky, since you were included in the will, because only my sons and I should have owned everything..."

"Oh shut the hell up!"...Mrs Susan and Valentina yelled simultaneously,  but charles spoke...

"Don't you yell at my mom like that! You are a whore and you will always be one...perhaps you should introduce Trinidad to it, you'd make a lot of money.."

"Excuse me?? How dare you talk to my mom like that?" Trinidad yelled getting up on her feet...

"your mother is a slut! and you are a bigger one!"...she said. Charles was stood to his feet, but Valentina spoke first

"exactly darling! They are all big buffoons!"...

"you are the big buffoon!" Mrs Susan yelled and Valentina scoffed at her...

"please can you be quiet?" Barrister Malcolm pleaded, but Valentina faced Mrs Daisy...

"you must be feeling giddy because Marcus spoke lengthy of you, but surprisingly, you got nothing to your name, only a cheap mansion was given to that malnourished daughter of yours, what a special way of saying thank you" Mrs Daisy hung her head in dissappointment, but unlike the other children, Treasure didn't yell abuses at Valentina, which sort of calmed the whole house. Everyone watched Mrs Daisy for a reply but she spoke nothing. But just then, Treasure spoke for the first time;

"I was taught that the worth, quality and size of a particular property given to you, whether landed or not, should not be bragged about, instead you should be in a sober mood, that the reason to which you got those properties, was a sad one, especially when the life of the deceased was taken by force, and we all know that daddy was murdered even though we haven't caught the culprit yet..."

There was a deafening silence, but Treasure continued.

"...Miss Valentina, I don't know about you, but I will always appreciate the faintest thank you said from a grateful heart more, than being padded with pearls and diamonds but with an insult still plastered to my face. The biggest gift daddy gave was a humble acknowledgement to my mom that compared to her, all that he ever owned is worth nothing. That means you all can be likened to material things except my mom. For the house, I'm more than glad to have it, because having the memory of a family together is better than owning the world. Daddy also gave me something priceless, something he knew none of you will cherish because of its cheap value....Treasure said deeping her hand into her dress and drawing out the neck chain Marcus had given her on her eleventh birthday. She raised it for them to see and continued... "I'm showing you this so that when you are asked about my inheritance, you can say a mansion in Bristol and a neck chain..."

Elmer laughed mockingly.

"what is a cheap neck chain compared to an oil rig?" he asked.

"I can buy thousands of your neck chain if I want to lil' sis..."

The others burst out laughing, but Treasure replied.

"you can of course, but it will never be the same one hanging on my neck right now".

Elmer stared skeptically at Treasure.

"There's something about this child" he muttered to himself.

"how is it that she's so smart? smarter than people who are way older than she is?" he pondered.

Mr Lockhart!!! Mrs Daisy spoke getting Elmer out of his thoughts.

"please see to their departure, you all have a good night... She said as she lead Treasure up the stairs to her room.

no

       Mrs Daisy sat on her cozy bed thinking about all that her daughter had said to Valentina and Elmer. She was so proud of Treasure that she didn't even remember she had just been insulted.

"Treasure" she called out

"Yes mom, one minute...."Treasure replied

"how long have you been wearing that?" Mrs Daisy asked pointing at the chain.

"...did you say it was your father who gave it to you? when? how?" she asked breathlessly.

"I know I didn't tell you about it, its been a year now, daddy gave it to me as my eleventh birthday present..." Treasure replied,

"I'm sorry for not telling you" Treasure said but Mrs Daisy stared without a word.

"why did Marcus gift Treasure something so cheap?" she thought to herself.

"its unlike him..."

"could you take this off for a moment?" she asked, but Treasure said in reply.

"he told me not to take it off or trade it for anything else."

Mrs Daisy stared at her Treasure in awe.

"I don't know the reason behind this neck chain, but I pretty much know that, you now have a mansion of your own, and I suggest you go to Bristol for your Tertiary education, you'd get to stay in a big mansion, just like you've always wanted, though Marcus isn't there anymore..." Mrs Daisy paused and wiped a tear from her face.

"I'm really sorry for keeping you away from him" she said

"I allowed my anger get the best of me, and I regret it now, but it's too late .. Forgive me Treasure." she cried, and Treasure embraced her.