5~

A little girl nearly stumbled as she tried to keep up with the woman infront of her.

"Kitty!!" She squealed as she noticed her polishing a ceramic piece.

The woman laughed and crouched down so they were eye level.

"Stay away from this kitty Alex." The lady cooed. "It's too important."

She made no fuss as the lady picked her up, staring back at the little white kitty for no other reason.... than it was beautiful.

***

"...and sold to the gentleman in his private room." The auctioneer called.

"Tch." Thalia scoffed. "Show-off."

"Couldn't you have gone a little higher." Colin asked.

"No." Alexis mused. "He would've topped it. When someone calls out a topping price, they're usually willing to drop at least three times that price."

"Yeah classic bidding 101." Thalia gestured with her drink, before taking a swig.

"Huh...well we've done our duty so if you want, we could leave." Colin stated.

"Yes, I'm not the best at American lingo but I believe we should blow this popsicle stand." Thalia offered, just slightly buzzed.

Alexis chuckled halfheartedly.

She cast a look towards the tinted glass behind the high chairs.

That voice sounded vaguely familiar.

Her mind must be playing tricks on her now.

They discreetly left the auction hall and headed towards the exit.

She nearly yelped as both her hands were engulfed by Thalia and Colin.

Colin had his other hand occupied with someone on the phone and Thalia was trying to drink her way from light buzz to fully blown drunk.

She was sure neither knew the sentimental value attached to that item, but apparently it didn't matter. For the first time in a while she had wanted something materialistic and she lost it.

That was enough for them.

She was sure they looked corny holding hands like a bunch of grade schoolers.

It wasn't so bad, she thought, being tended too like this.

"You both have sweaty palms." She mocked.

"Deal with it." They barked

It made her smile.

"Let's go to a pub and get drunk and then go out tomorrow with dark sun glasses and make fun of mimes." Thalia offered as they waited for their limo.

Colin put his phone back in his coat pocket. "Your idea of fun continues to elude me Thalia."

"I try."

Alexis' back pocket buzzed

"That's yours Alex." Colin decided to state the obvious.

She slanted her eyes at him before disentangling their hands.

An unknown number.

"Hello?"

"Alexandra constantine?"

"This is she."

"I'm Stephen, your Grandfather's personal attorney."

Alexis froze.

"I'm just calling to inform you that he's dead. He passed away last night and per his last will and testament I was to inform all his family immediately and arrange a family meeting."

Alexandra could barely hear what the man said next, her mind still trying to comprehend the news.

"Lets catch the earliest flight back tomorrow." Alexandra said, the minute she dropped the call.

"Why?" Colin asked slightly scared he might've missed something in her schedule.

Now Alexandra smiled.

"I want to go see my grandma."

***

The Grande constantine mansion was as gloomy as to be expected, Alexandra thought.

All the relatives of Roberto Alexis constantine gathered here for his wake.

There were fake tears and mournful silences.

She spotted her mother with her older brother Xavier. She looked dashing in her sleek black suit and rigid posture.

She was one of the closest relatives to Roberto because she was born in wedlock. It was no wonder so many people were trying to rub shoulders with her.

Because the one thing on everyone's mind wasn't the well deserved death of their Patriarch.

It was what he left behind.

His will.

Most people here wanted a piece of the cake, including her.

She stayed glued to a corner quietly sipping her coffee.

She wasn't here for the money, though, she was here for something of far much value to her.

The tiger piece her Grandfather had refused to give her when he was still alive.

He had one of the only two pieces left.

He specifically told her to come get it when he's dead.

He was a heartless bastard but she decided to take a gamble and see if he had the dignity to leave it to her.

Of course she had a backup plan just incase he might will it to someone else in the family.

She'd just play it cool and downplay the price and try to get them to sell as quickly as possible.

Guests were already being seen out and the lawyer had already moved to the lounge with mother.

He looked strict, she obeserved.

Ha!

This was going to be fun she thought,

Watching relatives fight over property like a classic mafia movie.

She straightened up and headed towards the lounge.

Better to get a secluded spot and watch the drama unfold.

She nearly bumped into her half sisters, Jasmine, Leticia and Salome as they struggled to cross the door together.

They gave her a snide look before passing just as they've always done.

Weren't family a delight.

Alex thanked her stars for the slightly darkened room as it allowed to slink passed most without drawing much attention.

It's not like it would count for much.

She was the black sheep of the family.

She knew the looks she got and she couldn't care less.

"Before I get on with the bequeathments, Roberto wrote a few words that he asked be relayed tonight." Stephen began now that everyone was seated and ready.

"Xavier, my first Grandson. We've always hated each other because you had more than I could ever give you and I wanted you to know that I didn't only hate you, I also respected you."

Alex watched as her brother's expression transformed from bored to somehow extremely bored.

"My children, Fiona and Rodan..."

She listened to the lawyer relay Roberto pointless personal anecdotes and messages to certain relatives and was fairly close to stabbing her ears with a fork.

"...and last of all to my granddaughter Alexandra."

All eyes were on her now.

"I'm sure you've been waiting a while for this to happen and I'm sure if I didn't have that piece you wanted you wouldn't even be here. I just wanted you to know, that your career is what it is because of me..."

Bile rose up in her throat.

"...I trained you and rid you of unnecessary distractions, so remember that every single time you paint...and for that piece you wanted..."

She froze.

"...in a fit of rage I broke it about 10 years ago. I know it meant a lot to you and I hope your bequeathment makes up for it and shows you what I couldn't while I was alive."

That senile son of a bitch...