“... I would prefer a will...”

"Was that what you wanted?" There was that look of hope on her face.

Her statement caused me to cackle rudely, "A father to take me on an expensive trip?" There was also an underlined resentful scoff, "No way."

"He gave you a present you know." She scratched the back of her neck, indicating how the room temperature has just risen to awkward degree celsius.

Squirming in my comfortable seating position, "He did?"

"Yes." It was the first time since we started having this conversation that she didn't look at me when speaking, "Do you want it?"

In fact, the door suddenly seems important. I always wondered whether she was thinking of multiple ways to flee.

"No," I said almost immediately. Was I supposed to think about it?

"It's a book." She prodded further, finally looking at me. "Caroline Wright's book."

"I don't know who that is, and I don't care." Caroline Wright. Pfft. I don't care if Einstein wrote the book.

Much to my surprise, my mother sounded suggestive. "He has never given you a present before. I think it's important."

"Mum..." I trailed off in a hoarse voice, "I don't want it."

"Just accept the gift. Ignore the man that brought it."

I wonder why she was trying to convince me, when she didn't seem too pleased either. With the way she gritted her teeth, and furrowed her brows.

"After 12 years mum. Twelve!!" Not bothering to do the maths with my fingers, I allowed the fury to slip through my voice, "He brings a gift. A petite book."

Despite the serious mood, she found it hard to stifle her laughter, "Petite?"

"French is sexy." Grinning from cheek to cheek. Perhaps, my grins are just as important as hers.

"Haha. You make me laugh." Not stifling her laughter or grin, she allowed her shoulders to shake with the somewhat melodic chortle her throat produced.

Giving myself a literal pat on the back, "That's why I'm your favorite."

Yes yes, I know parents shouldn't have favorites. But...deep down, in the depth of her soul, I am the favorite child. I'm sure of it.

Rolling her eyes at my correct assumptions, "Andre swears that he is, and Aurum will gladly do all the chores to keep that position."

"They're trying too hard. All they have to do is to be weird."

"Not weird Makena. Happy and different."

"Happerent?" My lips puckered in thoughts.

As her eyes danced with happiness, "That should be a word!!!" It also widened in realization. My mother is simply a vibe.

"I'm smart too." I shrugged indifferently, waving it off despite my smirk.

"Accept the book Makena."

She just had to ruin the cherry mood.

I crossed my arms defensively, not quite happy with her tone."Are you forcing me to?"

She's being way too lenient. Left to me, we can just burn the book and deliver the ashes to his doorsteps. Hmmph.

"If I do, you'll buy multiple copies and send them to his address??" It was more of a statement than a question, but the humor in her tone caused me to giggle nevertheless.

She knew that I knew. How?? "How did you know?" I coughed out, due to the sudden dryness of my throat. Shock could do that yunno.

"That you know his house address?" Mum had that knowing look on her face, "I know you, darling. Everything about you"

Yes, I hired a private investigator to track down my father. Not so I could see him, but because of times like this. When I want to ensure he gets a daily copy of some random book.

"You know everything about me but you don't want to know everything I do?" Crossing my hands in disapproval, "It's pathetic. Really."

"I'm a pathetic mother." Her countenance changed into a demure one.

"No, you're not. You're the best there is."

"Which is why I know that you'll have regrets if you reject his present." Ah, she spun this one on me, "He has never tried to reach out to any of us since he left."

Not being able to resist sarcasm, "And twelve years later he sends a book." Lacing each word with disgust, "He better have placed his will there or something."

"Do you want his property?" Her lips parted with surprise and uncertainty.

"It wouldn't be bad. Is there a will in there?" He might as well be worth the while. Even though I doubt he is.

She scrunched her nose, "I don't know. I didn't open it."

"Great. It would be easier to return."

"Makena." One word, that look. It was finalized. The way she said my name with authority, and somehow with a plea. Also, the way each feature of her face mirrored compassion, but the thin line of her mouth gave no room for refutation.

Not by my will, "Fine. I'll take the book."

"Read it! " She added much to my dismay.

"I don't even like reading!!!"

"Makena!"

"Fine," Also not by my will, "I'll read it too."

"Thank you for being...You."

As she pulled me into a warm embrace, I settled into her hold. I knew what it meant. Andre or Aurum wouldn't give our sperm donor any room in our lives. But I would, for reasons best known to me.

"Thank you, mum. For liking me the way I am." I meant it and my contented sigh portrayed that.

Ending our hug by pulling me away, "Happerent?" She searched my face for a response.

I nodded frantically, "Yes."

"I am a proud mother of a happerent daughter, and two other normal children. A perfect life."

"You're so lucky."

"I know. Trust me, I know."

A few minutes later, the book was graciously placed on my dresser. Mum acknowledged me with a little nod, before leaving me with my wonderful present {notice the sarcasm in my voice.}

Corianne wasn't going to come any time soon, so I thought to keep myself busy with its company.

"Brute", that was its title. Brute, as in to shape by grinding things against each other {especially diamonds.}

It was the coming of age story of the main character Jotham Wright even as he struggled to find his place in the family business and show biz. Which eventually turned out to be partially fictional. No better actor could have played the role better than Jotham himself.

The same way I fell in love with his character, I fell in love with him, I fell in love with the words.

I saw the words as soon as I opened the first page. A note.

`Dear Makena,

I don't know what you'll find in this book, but I hope you'll find something.

~ Love, your father.

"It could have been a will," I told myself, even as I began to read the pages.

Those are the events of seven years ago, that controls me till date.