Laid to Rest

"We are gathered here today to celebrate the life of the late Austin Jacobs, a man who was a father to us all. He was there for all of us in our time of need and in one way or the other, he has done great things in each of our lives and we owe him this last act of respect..."

Lilly Goldberg was seated on the couch in the living room, listening to the man on the TV that talked about the late Austin Jacob.

Though she wasn't really paying any attention to what the man was saying, her eyes were fixed on the flamboyant decorations in the background.

Everything that her eyes fell on was made of gold and diamond and she was sure it was all authentic.

The people she could see in the video as well were all richly dressed. She just couldn't believe how wealthy the Jacobs family were.

Mr Robertson walked up to her and sat down next to her. "My darling, why are you so interested in the burial of an old man?"

"It's not just an old man babe, look, his name is Austin Jacobs. He was the one in charge of the entire Jacobs family wealth and they are the richest people in the entire Seattle! Don't you know them? They are known all around the world!" She emphasized as she explained to him.

"Ohh! The Jacobs family. I know them. So the man is being laid to rest today after a while?"

"Yes. Remember that they said he would be buried when the heir is found, then they must have found him. I wonder who he is though." Lilly curiously said.

Her mother came hurrying down the stairs. "Have you seen the news? Austin Jacobs is finally being laid to rest!"

"Yes mother, we are watching it right now. Look at all of that gold!" Lilly said as her eyes widened.

"Babe, don't be so intrigued by something like this, you do know that it is the burial of a man?" Mr Daniel Robertson said.

"Of course I do but the man lived a pretty awesome life in wealth and good health! If it wasn't for his decree to remain without being laid to rest until his heir was found, he would have been enjoying in the afterlife by now. Can you see what he is dressed in? That suit was auctioned at the price of fifty million dollars!" Lilly explained.

"That is a lot. But it's nothing for you to worry about." He placed a kiss on her forehead then stood up and walked out of the living room.

Mrs Kelly Goldberg came to sit down next to her daughter. She was fascinated by the amount of treasures Mr Austin Jacobs was dressed in and she couldn't even believe her own eyes. "Lilly, how do you think life would have been for us if we were to get you married to the new heir?"

"Mom, I have Daniel now, I'm going to be a Robertson which is enough for me." Lilly responded with a gentle smile.

"But having such an heir as a son in law would be more than enough. Being a part of the Jacobs family would place us on the tip of the world. You should have listened to me when I told you to be patient, maybe now you would have had a chance with the heir of the Jacobs family."

Kelly was obviously displeased that she had to settle for less but her daughter didn't respond to her anymore.

***

Ryan was still feeling confused just like the time he had walked into the apartment. Just like that, his life had taken a drastically huge turn and nobody in the room was as surprised as him.

In fact, they were all acting normal like nothing out of the ordinary had just happened.

Or maybe it was because it seemed to be something out of the ordinary for him alone!

For as long as he could remember, life had been teaching him nothing but hell without the mercy of a break. He could never believe that he would become someone important in his life.

Ryan and the other grandchildren of the Jacobs' descendants were all seated away from the camera while they observed their grandfather's ceremonial service.

Earlier, they had dressed him nicely and neatly in an expensive suit and had his hair styled properly as well so he could fit in amongst his cousins.

The girl amongst his cousins was seated on his left and the one who frowned at him was seated on his right.

The girl gently tapped him, "hi, I'm Maxine. I am so glad that you're not dead." She said casually like it was a normal statement.

Ryan nodded his head with a smile, feeling awkward. "Thanks?"

"No need for that. Feel free to come over whenever you want to, we don't live in the mansion here. My dad bought a house so we live there but it's not too far from here. Wanna go when this is all over?"

"Uh--"

"I'm afraid he doesn't have such free time on his hands." The guy on his right said, cutting Ryan off. "He has too much to learn. I'm Timothee by the way."

"Oh, nice to meet you Timothy." Ryan responded.

"No, it's Timothee."

"I know, that's what I said." Ryan confusedly said.

"No it's in the pronunciation-- never mind. I'll be the one to tell you everything you need to know, you're only older than me by a little so don't expect me to treat you like my older brother."

"Oh..." Ryan didn't know how to respond to that but thankfully, he was saved by Logan's presence.

"Young master, you are taking the place of a very prominent man whom the entire public respects so much. That is why we have dressed you up so nicely today to appease any eye that sees you. It is time that we reveal your identity to the world."

Ryan swallowed hard.