My name being spilled out of Mr.Arnold's mouth made me feel like being punched in the gut. "ME?" I exclaimed. There was no way possible this is happening.Utterly shocking for everyone. Mom's expression changed and Hannah stared at me like I was some criminal on loose. I was clueless about any of it but they seemed to think otherwise.Here is the Testament papers that you could see."I would like to" Mom said extending an arm. She examined the file. I couldn't help but place my hand on my forehead thinking hard why would Granpa choose me? Not that anyone would dislike being a Millionaire but with money comes hatred.Mom spoke again after some calculations she made in her mind. "Mr. Arnold, I have some queries""Sure" he said while picking up the coffee that Rosemary brought in and served in a silver plated tray. "She's a minor, she's a middle child. How is it possible for her to handle million dollar property at just 17 without her knowledge? Is their any chance of forging the Testam
PROLOGUE"Do you hear what I hear?" Astonished Stella looks around, stared into the distance searching for the origin of that uncanny sound."No. It's just the cars across the street" said Hannah."It's not the cars. It's like somebody speaking something nearby... in a way too heavy voice" Stella said unable to figure out what.Stella's heart throbbed when she heard footsteps, they could see no soul around. The sound of footsteps grew louder, as if it's coming nearer."Whoever said you ain't funny is an idiot" Hannah announced to an empty street of Montreal. Stella walked briskly pulling her by the elbow.It wasn't the first time she was hearing something around in the dark but it probably was the last she thought. She never heard anything of that sort ever again until she stepped in an age old Villa.Stella's dad Steven Montez was the only son of an exceptionally successful Architect of Wakefield, Harrison Montez. One of the reconstructors of MONTEZ VILLE.England, that's where it al
5th July, 2009, Montreal.I opened my eyes as the sun glows outside the window. I propped myself up on my elbows and got rid of the blanket that's burdened on me. Even though it's summer, I love cozying up in my blanket but every morning the same thing burdens up on me. I glanced at my clock on the writing table at the corner of my room and suddenly my eyes were wide open "Oh shoot! It's 9 already" I gasped. I jumped out of my bed and stumbled over nothing. After getting freshened up & dressed in gray shirt that says 'Made in 93', given to me by brother Jamie on my 17th birthday. I hurried downstairs. "Good Morning Jay" I greeted Jamie on seeing him sitting on the couch with an empty quarter-plate and left over bread crumbs. "Goof Morfing" He greeted back mouth fully, his hair scattered, almost reaching his green hazel eyes.Here is my younger brother, who just turned fifteen and He is as tall as our entrance door. He has got those majestic golden brown eyes and thick eyebrows, like
Two beautiful little girls were playing in the backyard. One slightly taller, pointed towards the trees and said "Let's go play around the trees." They both started to play hide and seek. Each hid behind a different tree when it was their turn to hide. They kept playing and playing for hours. Little one counted till 20 and said loudly "Here I come" and moved deeper in the woods to find her sister. She got tired calling out to her, she couldn't find her for 3 minutes. She stood in front of wide barked tree. An unexpected "Boo" came a loud sound as her sister came out in view from behind the bark. Little one screamed while the other one laughed. "It's just me Stella" says the elder sister. "Don't panic, IT'S JUST ME STEL..." Hannah yelled in my ear while shaking my arm. I woke up from my deep sleep in the plane jerking my head. "Did I scream?" "Yea a little" Airhostess was standing beside Hannah's seat glaring at us holding with the breakfast trolly. I realized she was waiting fo
It's been three days after the funeral and dad already started preparing to leave. Dad had to leave for Canada. Being a purchasing manager at Cisco, he had urgent company affairs to meet. The rest of us were here for 2 months. Since it is legal to make changes in the Villa before retrieving the Will, Mom's idea of redecorating the place seemed quiet genuine. Dad handed handsome amount of money for it. Within a couple of weeks after dad left, all the ceilings whose paint had been worn off were painted. Chandeliers were changed and kitchen had some major changes. The Sofas arrived after being replaced by new covers with a similar design but darker shade of red by the end of the week. The tuscan style dining room and the stone columns it contained were left untouched. The other rooms have been redecorated approximately to the original wallpaper and paint colors. The two enormous chest of drawers were moved from living room to the library placing it on the right and left of the brick
Hannah was holding me, helping me climb the tree.I sensed something behind us coming closer but before I tilt my head, a really loud barking sound made Me and Hannah jump out our skin. Hannah lost grip and I would've fallen down if I wasn't holding on to that branch. "Jay? You freakin' idiot!" Hannah yelled as loud as she could when Jamie came into the view from behind. She kept hitting on his shoulder ang Jamie kept laughing hysterically."Okayy guys, I'm stuck here" I reminded them.Hannah pushed Jay towards me "Help her now".Jamie dropped the bag he was holding and stood below trying to figure out how to help. Without letting a moment pass by I stepped on his shoulder and got my other foot on the branch and climbed."Ow, why do both of you have problem with my shoulder?" Jamie said. Meanwhile Hannah explored his bag full of juice cans and a large pack of potato chips"Thank goodness, I've been feeling thirsty" She said while opening a can."Pass me one" I said while sitting th
29th July, 2009. Wakefield"May I help?" The counter guy's voice made me come out of my thoughts. "Umm... some extra sauces and tissues" I shifted my gaze at Chris and Hannah. He was listening to her intently as she kept speaking about Grandpa. I was just trying to stay away from that discussion as long as possible."Here" he placed on the tray beside our sandwiches. I held the tray and went back to them. "...but dad never clearly told us why we were away for so many years." I heard her informing it to ChrisHannah always thought dad had non-architectural dreams, since grandpa was quite stern maybe he couldn't see his son doing what he doesn't want him to do, so he allowed dad to fulfill his wishes somewhere else. This is just a theory that doesn't explain why he never wished to see his only son after gran passed away."Your mom must know." Chris said to her quietly. I placed food tray on the on the table. Chris glanced at me. "Took you long enough, my order turned up as well, I'll
The rest of the day I helped Annie cleaning up the mess and dust. Even after being tied up the whole day I wasn't really feeling tired. I stepped out of the room to find Hannah sitting on her bed using Mom's Laptop. "What are you doing?" I peeked in. "Checking facebook" she answered. "What? We have internet here?" "Eh" She nodded and pointed at her wifi dongle.My eyes widened "Where and when did you get that?" "That's the first thing I bought when we came here but it belongs to mom and I'm not gonna lend it to you"."Okay then, let me tell Jay about this." She lifted her head and gave a horrified look. I took few steps towards the hallway pretending to go after Jay. I looked back at her and smirked.She looked dead in my eyes "I'll kill you if you..." I kept moving "Wait! Come back" I pounced on her bed with a wide smile all over my face. Hannah looked irritated but I was still smiling "Stop smiling and listen, I'm not gonna let you use it to watch movies or whatever Glee episod
My name being spilled out of Mr.Arnold's mouth made me feel like being punched in the gut. "ME?" I exclaimed. There was no way possible this is happening.Utterly shocking for everyone. Mom's expression changed and Hannah stared at me like I was some criminal on loose. I was clueless about any of it but they seemed to think otherwise.Here is the Testament papers that you could see."I would like to" Mom said extending an arm. She examined the file. I couldn't help but place my hand on my forehead thinking hard why would Granpa choose me? Not that anyone would dislike being a Millionaire but with money comes hatred.Mom spoke again after some calculations she made in her mind. "Mr. Arnold, I have some queries""Sure" he said while picking up the coffee that Rosemary brought in and served in a silver plated tray. "She's a minor, she's a middle child. How is it possible for her to handle million dollar property at just 17 without her knowledge? Is their any chance of forging the Testam
5th August 2009Things were normal again, as if nothing weird has happened before. Not once did any weird thing happened. It was almost like it has always been my imagination. The murmurs were gone, the dreams were blank. Was it silence before the storm?Chris showed up after 3 days in a baggy cargo shorts and white v-neck, he is undeniably attractive. Within these three days any infatuation I had for him almost fainted away. I was sitting on a porch outside the ville with a glass of orange juice in my hand wearing a beige button down shirt with folded sleeves and white pajamas.He must have better priorities than me. I must have misunderstood the look of care in his eyes when I was leaving for the hospital. He noticed the confusion and agitation all over me."I know, I know" he exclaimed "I should have never disappeared like this. Here come in for a hug" He embraced me. His expensive cologne was quite a comfort for the moment. He backed a little and stood with the support of pillar j
2nd August, 2009 Montez Ville came into view as we reached Richmond lane. The same Ville that mesmerised me now looked like a Ville of doom. Rosemary and Annie greeted me and offered me soup. After informing them that I was completely okay, they let me retire to bed with a bowl of fruits which Annie carried to my room. A pleasant aroma in my room was beyond comforting. I dropped on the bed and slept immediately. Jay was playing his video games on his phone that evening. He was crazy about Playstation, Xbox and PSP, though he left his PSP back in Montreal, he couldn't resist playing on his phone. Mom entered his room, giving him laundry to fold and scolded a bit for always being on that cellphone but he said he'll finish the game in two minutes. She collected the socks and walked towards the old pine closet. She tried to pull the door of the closet, the wood made a queak sound but since it was locked she pushed it back the door made a thud sound. She pulled and pushed it again and
2nd August 2009, Wakefield.At 4:45 am in the morning, I woke up the sound of door creaking. I slowly opened my eyes and saw Nick standing at the door."I'm sorry, I woke you up with the noise." "It's alright I whispered" I glanced at Hannah who was heavily sleeping. I sat upright to drink some water. Nick continued to go outside in an orange hoodie and flip-flops, but stopped. Turning around at me he said "Come, I'll show you something" he held his hand out. I was still in the blue hospital gown.I got caught up in the moment and I moved my hand forward taking his hand. He helped me stand up, I grabbed my shoes and next thing I know I was walking in the corridor and then up the stairs with him. Do I even know this guy? Where is he taking me? Curiosity was growing and I could feel it within my nerves. Maybe Hannah was right all this time. It's fun hanging out with guys you barely know. I wasn't even prepared what will happen next. My brain finally started to process and my feet beg
1st August 2009, Montreal. Steven Montez was holding a coffee cup filled to the brim he walked back to seat where he placed his laptop bag and stuff in his office's cafeteria. He rested his back after a long day. After having few sips of coffee he remembered about the plans he had for the library. 'The portion below could be used for it. The above portion has four rooms and it would be enough for all of us' Taking his phone out of his pocket he dialed at the name of the solicitor but no one answered so he left a voice mail *beep* "Hello, Mr. Arnold. I believe it's time to execute the Will Mr. Harrison Montez left behind for us. Do send me details needed for execution when you receive my message. Talk to you soon" *Beep* After an hour of working on the laptop he shifted back to relax. 'How many days do I have to wind up all the work here and go back to England?' He went through the calender. Pointed on a date 25th August "More 24 days, looks like eternity, wish it could be sooner
Mom's room was unusually dim with the evening sunlight passing through the window. I moved closer to mom. Mom never turned even though I clearly sounded terrified. She doesn't seem to care at all. 'What is so fascinating about the wall' I thought. She sat still and never answered me, exactly the same way that kid who looked like Matt did. I started to feel more terrified as I took a step towards her. Suddenly the bathroom door sprung open and it was mom who came out of it. It startled me. Before my eyes scanned back towards the bed, I could sense the image of my mom sitting on a bed dissappearing quickly. No one was there. A look of shock overtook my face. A figure like mom that I had just seen was gone. Vanished like it wasn't there at all. "Dear, what happened to you? She asked seeing me covered in sweat. "I-I don't know" I said breathlessly unable to figure out what's real. "You are sweating" She quickly came closer handing me her towel "Are you alright?". I kept staring at t
Beth sat on the beautiful peach sofa, resting one hand on the arm of sofa and holding the phone with another. Her exquisite face impatiently waited for the call to be lifted as if it's been ages since she has last spoken to her husband though she heard from him the night before. Normally, it would be dad who calls initially but today he didn't. During the call her only concern was if he had eaten sufficiently or had he eaten anything at all. Her worry enhanced when he honestly replied he didn't. Suddenly the door bell rang and she had to hang up on him after bidding short goodbyes, despite the fact they had to speak something more.Beth opened the doors herself. Aunt Lara showed up. She is my dad's youngest cousin who used to visit grandpa a lot before she moved to London. Mom welcomed Aunt up in her arms. "You look prettier every time I see you" She gave an honest complement to my Mom. "And you look exactly the same gorgeous Lara" Mom said and they smiled at eachother. Aunt Lar
Steven sat on a dining chair, his eyes wandered around everywhere but food in front of him. His mind was filled with so many thoughts.Never before did he thought about the things he'll go through after his papa's death. It is as if he was numb. He didn’t just lose a father, He had lost a part of himself. He thought aloud "I lost the time I had in which I could do everything for him but I didn’t."He tried to hold on but still a tear rolled down and dropped on the dining table right near the plate filled with buttered corns and a sandwich. Never have he ever felt tears after leaving childhood behind. They found their way to his eyes and now they aren't leaving. He was indulged in deep thoughts.“I wish I lived with him forever. My life, my success, my job, nothing was more important than love between me and him. I should’ve been there to take care of him even if he always wanted me away. Even if he wanted all this, I shouldn’t have left Wakefield.” A deep regret crept inside him.He g
The rest of the day I helped Annie cleaning up the mess and dust. Even after being tied up the whole day I wasn't really feeling tired. I stepped out of the room to find Hannah sitting on her bed using Mom's Laptop. "What are you doing?" I peeked in. "Checking facebook" she answered. "What? We have internet here?" "Eh" She nodded and pointed at her wifi dongle.My eyes widened "Where and when did you get that?" "That's the first thing I bought when we came here but it belongs to mom and I'm not gonna lend it to you"."Okay then, let me tell Jay about this." She lifted her head and gave a horrified look. I took few steps towards the hallway pretending to go after Jay. I looked back at her and smirked.She looked dead in my eyes "I'll kill you if you..." I kept moving "Wait! Come back" I pounced on her bed with a wide smile all over my face. Hannah looked irritated but I was still smiling "Stop smiling and listen, I'm not gonna let you use it to watch movies or whatever Glee episod