READING ELLIOT'S WILL

"Ehn, well, I just left a few belongings here before you moved back," she stuttered at first. But then, a lie formed in her mind, and her confidence surged. Rose didn't press her further, she turned away, letting the moment slip by.

***

That night, Rose had a troubling dream. In it, she saw her father standing next to a shadowy figure she couldn't clearly see. He called out, "ROSE!", his face lighting up with joy as he ran toward her for an embrace. Just as he got close, a loud sound, like thunder, echoed through the air. Her father stopped in his tracks, tears streaming down his face as he slowly collapsed to the ground. The sound had come from the figure in the distance, which appeared to be a woman. Rose watched in horror as she ran away.

Panicking, Rose rushed to her father, only to find him lying in a pool of blood. He had been shot. She watched as her father struggle to speak, reaching out for her hand, weakly. His eyes searched hers, trying to say something important, but then they closed, never to open again, and he fell silent.

Rose's loud cry pierced the silence, jolting her awake. Tears streamed down her cheeks as memories flooded back--nights when her father would sing her back to sleep after a nightmare. The realization that he would never be there for her again unleashed a torrent of grief.

***

(Breakfast)

Granny walked into the dining room to find Dorris directing the maids.

"Dorris, you don't accept your age; you act like you're still in your youthful age. Jacob could have helped you direct the stewards", Granny complained, her tone sharp.

Dorris, whispering to a housemaid, replied, "I better make good use of my body, while I can, madam".

Just then, Ruby joined the dining table, catching part of their conversation but choosing not to engage.

"Speaking of Ruby, you seem to be aging faster than the rest of us since your health is declining," Granny taunted, laughing mockingly.

Granny often joked, sometimes with a hint of truth, and Ruby had grown accustomed to her barbs, so she ignored her.

"I heard you got sick. Maybe that serves you right for thinking you could handle the business all by yourself," Granny scolded, her eyes shooting daggers.

Just then, Rose entered the room.

"Good morning, Granny," she greeted, kissing granny on the cheek, while ignoring her mother. Ruby glanced at Rose, searching for signs of hurt from the previous night's events.

"Good morning, Rose. How was your night?" Granny asked, her voice softer.

As the maids set the table, Rose avoided looking at Ruby, remaining quiet.

Silence filled the room before they began to eat, until Granny announced, "We'll have a very important guest today."

Concern flashed across Ruby's face. "Who?" she asked briskly.

"You'll find out when he arrives," Granny replied, and they resumed their meal in silence.

***

"Rose, what's wrong? You don't look well this morning," Granny asked, concern etched on her face.

"I'm fine, Granny," Rose replied, her voice shaky.

"Are you sure?"

Before she could respond, her phone rang. It was VINCE❤️ calling.

"Granny, I'll talk to you later," she said, slipping away to her room.

Once inside, she answered the call.

"Hello, sweetheart!," Vince's cheerful voice filled her ears.

"It took you long enough to call.", she replied, trying to mask her distress.

"What do you mean, Rose? We talked yesterday," he pointed out.

"Wait, are you okay? You don't sound good," he noticed her tone. "Let's do a video call."

She switched to video.

"Rose, why do you look so gloomy? Are you alright?". He asked, concern deepening in his eyes.

Trying to hold back tears, she explained the nightmare and the after-effects.

"Rose, that was just a nightmare," he reassured her.

"But it felt so real! What if the woman who hurt him comes after me or mum, even granny?". Her voice trembled as her eyes were heavy with fear.

"Look at me, Rose. You just got back home after a long time. Memories will come flooding back," he said, trying to comfort her. "You don't have to cry. I wish I could be there, but I'm swamped with work. I'll call you later."

She nodded, listening intently.

"I love you. Be strong and have a nice day.", he said affectionately, before ending the call.

***

Mr. Thompson, the family attorney, arrived at the Goldie household, ready to meet the family members in the living room.

He had been a close friend of the late Mr. Elliott since childhood and knew the family well.

Elliott had entrusted him with everything, including his will, before his death.

Thompson was willing to read, when the family was ready. He had waited for two long years, after Elliot's burial, to read out this will. He was pleased at the moment he had been phoned to come read the will.

Dorris informed Ruby of his arrival before alerting Granny Goldie. Realizing he was the important guest Granny mentioned at breakfast. Eager to see him, Ruby hurried to meet him.

"Mr. Attorney!" she called playfully as she entered the living room.

Thompson hadn't noticed her at first but beamed upon seeing her, and they shared a warm hug.

"You look great! You've really grown; I guess Edna is feeding you well," she teased.

He chuckled, "Well, she's been taking me to the gym a lot."

"That's great! But you didn't tell me you'd be visiting today."

"Granny insisted on keeping it a surprise. Aren't you ready to hear Elliott's will?" he asked, looking expectantly at her.

She didn't respond immediately, taking a seat and signaling for him to join her. Finally, she spoke up.