CHAPTER 9

He made his way back to his place to take a shower, he made a quick sandwich and got out a fresh pair of clothes to wear. He took a look at his sorry excuse for an apartment with hope knowing in a few minutes he could afford a better one, he stepped out and made his way to Esmeralda’s place.

He reached her place in about 30 minutes, she opened the door for him and once again he was greeted by her huge corridors. He loved her art collection, medieval but so beautiful. He followed her to the living room and sighted a man in a suit and briefcase who stood up to greet him.

“Good afternoon sir, pleasure to meet you, I’m barrister Lawrence” he took Atlas hand not waiting for him to offer it and shook him, atlas noticed how excited he was

“it’s nice to meet you too”

“he’s the Lawyer in charge of the Will” Esmeralda chipped in offering some clarity for Atlas.

Atlas nodded. Everything still felt like a dream to him, like he'd died and gone to heaven.  How a miracle like this could come his way in his worst moments still felt unreal to him but he wasn't about to jinx it.

They both sat down, the barrister drew closer towards Atlas and gave him a rundown of the Will to make sure he understood. He laid the documents in front of him and handed him a pen.

“Just sign on these dotted lines," The Lawyer pointed.

"I'd like to go over the Will first, if you don't mind." Atlas said.

"Of course, go on." The lawyer gestured.

Atlas took a final look at the Will and its contents, the will was better than he thought. He had total control of his father's property which he thought was completely insane. How could his father possibly trust that he would be able to handle it? He thought to himself as he continued to read the content of the Will.

"If there's anything you need explained, do not hesitate to ask." Esmeralda quipped, watching him skim through his father's will.

Atlas nodded, he quite understood what was being said on the will. It wasn't hard to understand, just hard to believe that with just his signature he would become the owner of a chain of businesses he'd not worked for , a multimillionaire.

He was having a hard time letting everything sink in, a little scared even. What if he couldn't handle it?

It was all so surreal.

"If you require more time, I can leave the documents with you."

The lawyer said, interrupting Atlas's thoughts.

"No, I'm ready," Atlas said, even though he felt anything but ready.

He began to sign the Will and once he was done, he looked up at Esmeralda who nodded with a smile.

“Thank you for your time sir, I’ll go hand copies over to the bank and your company board, you’ll be credited by the bank later this evening, I’ll be taking my leave now”

“wait, could you draft out a contract between me and Esmeralda, I’d like her to be the face of my company for the time being, while I get used to running things”

“Of course sir, if she agrees to it,that is” The lawyer said.

Esmeralda was shocked by his statement, it was clear on her face tht she wasn't expecting this and that alone made Atlas feel like he'd made the right call.

“wouldn’t it be better for you to be known now though?” she enquired.

“I have no idea how to run a huge business such as this. Plus, if I come out as the new owner it may cause business partners to be skeptical to do business with us. Think of it from their perspective, their boss had never mentioned he had a son, nor who will take over his company now all of a sudden I come from nowhere, with no concrete knowledge on running a huge scale business and expect them to listen to me or do business with us….. I don’t think so. Just for a while, let me learn and be brought up to speed first”

Esmeralda smiled at his statements.

“You’re doing just fine by my books, you’ve already started taking responsibility and thinking for the good of the company, but I understand your point, so yes for now I agree to it “

“Great, I’ll have the contract ready by tomorrow sir, I’ll be taking my leave now” the barrister made his way out the house, leaving Esmeralda and Atlas behind.

Atlas checked his time just then and realized it was getting late. He had to go see his mom since visiting hours were almost open.

“I’ll also have to take my leave but we’ll be seeing each other more often." He said to Esmeralda.

“yes we will, let me see you out then”

She led him to the elevator

“You remind me so much of your dad, and for what it’s worth, I think you’ll make an awesome boss”

Atlas couldn’t help but smile at her. He was still mad at his dad for leaving him all those years but he couldn't deny the fact that his father knew how to pick his workers. Something in him told him he was going to get along with Esmeralda.

“Thank you," Atlas grinned and bid Esmeralda good day, on his way to his mother.

Atlas got to the hospital later that evening and found that her mother's pastor had come to visit. He was sitting in the waiting room, probably waiting to be let in.

He sauntered up to him with the intention to say hello.

"Hello pastor Mark, it's been a while."

The man looked up at him and his eyes widened after a second of him trying to figure out who he was.

"Atlas?" The greying man exclaimed.

"On the flesh." Atlas replied, shaking the man's hands.

"I can't believe it's you."