Chapter 8 THE WILL


    ABBY


    These past few days of my life were so exhausting and full of pain and anguish. I can’t believe that I’m


    still breathing, barely. Barely breathing. I’ve been through a lot for my eighteen years of life but losing


    someone you love is different than being held captive and torture. Although I’m also affected mentally


    I’m not heartbroken, unlike mom’s death.


    Nothing in this world can ever rece my mother, I don’t even care about the Will, but it’s mom’s


    legacy. Herst will and testament will only remind me that my mother is truly gone and nevere


    back. I just need to be strong, for dad, my only family left.


    Dad reminded mest night before going to sleep that today is the day of reading of mom’s will. I saw


    the pain in dad’s eyes no matter how he tried to hide. He just lost someone who we dearly love and


    who has been his life partner for almost three decades. It sucks! I know.


    Dad’s office reminds me of a lot of things, from my childhood until today. I still remembering to this


    office when I’m still in grade school, I love reading books in this ce even I have my own mini library


    and study room especially when dad’s around, but today it reminds me of Lost.


    I run my hand through dad’s book collections alphabetically arranged ording to Author’sst name, I


    guess it’s in the blood of being a bookworm. His huge mahogany desk still the same for as long as I


    can remember. On the left side are few of his liquor collections although dad doesn’t drink much. He


    has his own cer here in our home.


    Mom’swyer is already sitting in front of dad. I feel nervous but what ever written was mom’s wishes.


    She could just donate all of her money or sell her property to an auction and donate them to those in


    needs but I hope I can have some of her jewelry as her memories. Some are heirloom already that


    passes through generations of Hirlington.


    I knew mom’swyer. I’ve met him a couple of times. His on histe 60’s, graying thinyer of hair with


    thick rimmed sses just on the tip of his nose but he is well known for his practice. Atty. Timothy


    Sanders started since histe 20’s. After extending my hand for him I sitfortably.


    I take a deep breath. I didn’t pay much attention when he started mentioning mom’s name address,


    spouse etc., all I heard are money, bank ounts, properties and assets, and liabilities. When my


    name is mention I listen intently and something catches my attentions about three conditions. Three


    conditions??? Wait! What?


    I must have shouted the word “what?!” dad and Atty. Sanders’s attention is on me.


    “Let him continue sweetheart,” Dad says


    “Well I really don’t care about mom’s money, she is gone and it will not change a thing. She can donate


    them and I will not say a thing. You don’t have to continue Atty. Sanders.” I say and look at the Lawyer.


    I tighten my lips then frown.


    “I know it’s hard for you Abbygail but let me continue. It’s your mom’s will. Honor her wishes, will you?”


    Atty. Sanders says. I nod.


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    “Okay, please continue. I apologize for the interruption.” I narrow my eyes to listen carefully, my hands


    start sweating.


    “three conditions” as thewyer continues.


    I listen half interested. I hear in between words and sentences.


    “All will be transferred to my daughter Mackenzie Abbygail Catherine a.k.a Abbygail Catherine within


    three years otherwise all will be transferred to my representative permanently.”


    My eyebrows furrow.


    “1. A ties of matrimony to Mr. Sebastian Christopher W. Hughes III within a month of my death, no


    divorce within three years otherwise all conditions will be forfeit.” my hands cover mouth, I freeze and


    just stare with eyes wide open.


    “2. A Trust fund including educational fund, housing allowance, foods, bills etc. will be fully paid by my


    representative within three years, as monthly allowance ording to her status of living.”


    I remove my hands in my mouth, My gut twisted


    “3. My representative, Mr. Sebastian Hughes III will take all the rights and ownership of all my


    properties after three years when any of my conditions are not met.”


    I shake my head. I can’t believe this. I motion him to stop.


    “Sebastian Christopher Hughes III?!?” I shriek, I observe both of them. Nobody talk.


    “Sebastian? as in the Seb? the yboy, Badboy, man-whore?” I squint my eyes.


    “ Unbelievable!!! Un-fucking-believable! Does he know about all of it?” No one answers


    “Of course he knew. How could mom let me marry this man for God three awful years of my life.” I look


    at dad who’s seemingly calm.


    “You knew about this, do you, dad? Why didn’t you stop her? I’m only eighteen and thest thing on my


    mind is getting married. I thought you both want me to enjoy life, have friends, travel all over the world


    and finish my MBA. I didn’t even go out on a proper date or yet even kiss. I didn’t even experience a


    teenage life and now everything is ruin because I’m getting married. What do you want me to do? Just


    pop out kids? And stay at home and make myself crazy waiting for my man-whore of a husband to


    come home and spread my legs? Tell me! Does he even want to marry someone like me who is totally


    beyond damaged? An inexperienced, naive, full of baggage? I don’t even know how to cook or boil


    water, what more changing diapers? I’m sure he’ll be disgusted when he found out about this. Oh, I


    read on the inte about him. He probably has STD because he slept most of the women in this


    fucking state.” Both of them just stare at me in shock.


    “I don’t want this God damn money or anything belongs to mom. And I’m leaving tonight.”


    Before I can move from where I’m standing dad catches my hand.


    “Sweetheart, your mom was an intelligent woman, she knew what she is doing writing her will. You


    have to know that. Respect what ever is written there. You can’t change anything. It is already done.”


    Dad’s voice isposed


    “She must be drugged or confused writing them.” I look at thewyer and I continue


    “Or maybe you misheard or misspoke or overlooked. Please, this can’t be happening. There must be a


    mistake. I’m sure he’ll not agree with this. He seems to enjoy his life well and he’ll not just agree to


    marry me. This is so ridiculous. I’m going to destroy his life, marrying him or forcing him into marriage is


    entirely insane. He’llugh his ass off at me. He’ll think mom was out of her mind. He can have them.”


    My hands still on my hips, I sigh


    “Sweetheart, pumpkin, I’ll talk to him don’t worry and I’ll arrange everything. It’ll be okay. We have a


    month to do it. That is your mom’s assets pumpkin. Your mom works hard to earn everything that she


    had and you deserve to have every penny of them.” I throw my head back andugh


    “I don’t think I deserve every penny dad because if I do she doesn’t have to let me go through all of


    these. I think she wants me to suffer, she doesn’t trust me enough. She thinks I might just throw all her


    assets to a pothole. She still thinks I’m irresponsible, she’s still ming me for what happened to me


    three years ago.” I shake my head, my lips start to tremble.


    Dad grabs my arms, he looks at me directly in my eyes “Pumpkin, she knew you well. She wants you to


    concentrate on your studies and follow your dreams. She knew if she’ll let me handle your trust fund I


    will pamper you and she wants you to grow up well into a responsible woman. You’ll be busy managing


    your money, how will you concentrate at school? What about your MBA? You will thank her soon


    sweetheart trusts me. I can still spoil you through without touching your money and your assets, you


    know that. I’m already managing your shares in ourpany. Think of it that you’re investing your


    money from your mom in Hughes.”


    I flinch “Yeah, investing myself too by selling my soul to the devil. Oh my god I’m like a whore. We have


    our ownpany dad and I think we’re far from bankruptcy. Why mom leave everything with him?


    What’s with Sebastian that mom trusted him so much? What did she saw in him? Mom trusted him


    over me.” I take a deep breath and blink back my tears.


    “Stop saying like that Abbygail and watch yournguage young woman, you’ve been swearing too


    much, and stop looking little of yourself, you’re far from broken. You’re a strong young woman who has


    huge dreams. You’re a survivor. Don’t forget that. I’m so proud of you. I and your mom love you so


    much, don’t ever doubt that.” Dad looks annoyed. I sniff and wipe my tears dry.


    “I need some air dad, I need to get out from here. I need to process all of this.” I face thewyer who


    stayed silent after he read the will thoroughly. I ask for the copy. I walk out from dad’s office without


    looking back.


    I dial Drew and take a deep breath.


    “Abby, how did the will go?”


    “Very bad, I think I’m gonna sick, where are you by the way?”


    “I’m out, Your dad asks me toe to his main office. What do you mean by very bad? how bad the


    very bad you’re saying?”


    “I have three conditions to meet before I’ll have all mom’s assets and that is even after three years. I


    guess she wants me to finish my MBA but it’s not all that, the worst part is I have to marry someone


    within one month after her death. I mean I really have no choice, otherwise, I’ll lose everything of


    mom’s.”


    “Wow, so you’re getting married, huh? She knew that you’ll do everything for her. That is not bad Abby,


    You can have a marriage of convenience.”


    “Marriage? seriously? Mom can just keep the money in the bank until it reaches three years if doesn’t


    want me to touch them. Why she has to let me marry him of all the people?”


    “Wait, did I miss something? You mean that man is the representative too?”


    “Yeah, he is and not mom’swyer. Everything will be transferred to him after our marriage.”


    “Wow! Who is he, Abby?” I blow an exasperated sigh


    “Sebastian Asshole Christopher Hughes III, himself.” I say gritting my teeth


    “Whoa! really?” Heughs.


    Why is heughing? What’s so funny? I’m so annoyed


    “Really, you’reughing when I’m here wanting to pull my hair out? seriously? you’re an ass too


    Andrew.”


    “I’m sorry sweetie but your mom really has taste in choosing a man for you. I’ve no doubt.”


    “What do you mean?”


    “Well, first He’s well educated, a family friend, good looking young man, extremely rich, confident, he


    maybe a yboy but he is smart and protective. A man like him can keep you safe, and I’m sure he’ll


    not harm you, you’ll not have problem filing for divorce after three years.”


    “And why not?” I’m confused


    “Because a man like him doesn’t do rtionship, it means he’ll not fall for you. He’ll just screw around.”


    I feel sad at what Drew said. Well, It’ll be easy if he’ll agree at least we’re both not into a rtionship,


    but many things happen within three years. We could...Ugh! It’s hopeless


    “Can’t I at least choose once? at least a man, do I really have a bad taste in men, well I don’t know, yet.


    But they always controlled me, tell me what to do. I love them both but this? this is too much. I’m


    already adult for God sake, yet they treated me like I’m eight years old.”


    “Sweetie, I know, you have to understand that if something will happen to you again, your dad will be


    miserable, you’re only he has right now. If something will happen to him, how about you? you’ll be


    alone? How about thepany? What will happen? do you think you can trust all the people here


    working under your dad’s wing? Do you think you can manage by yourself and just listen to their


    advice? I don’t think so. You might be smart and brilliant but it’s differently dealing with real business or


    running a billion dorpany with lesser experience. You still have lots of things to learn and


    experience. You need someone like Seb.” I feel relieved


    “You can’t at least cheer me up by saying “he is not good for you or yeah he’s an ass, you shouldn’t


    marry him” I can’t believe you.”


    “Hey, I’m your best friend for a reason. I’m where I know what’s best for you.”


    “Come home when you’re done. I need movie marathon and some ice cream.”


    “Be home soon Sweetie. love you.”


    “Waiting, love you too. Bye” I look at the copy onest time.


    Now I have the copy, I know what to do next. I take a deep breath


    To face the devil himself.


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