ABBY

These past few days were so exhausting and full of pain and anguish. I can't believe that I'm still breathing--barely breathing. I've been through a lot throughout my life, but losing someone you love is different than being held captive and tortured. Although I'm also affected mentally, I'm not heartbroken, unlike mom's death.

Nothing in this world can ever replace my mother, I don't even care about the Will, but it's mom's legacy. Her Last Will only reminds me that my mother is truly gone and never comes back. I just need to be strong for dad--the only family I have left.

Dad reminded me last night before going to sleep that today is the day of the reading of Mom's Will. I saw the pain in Dad's eyes no matter how he tried to hide. He just lost someone who we dearly loved and who has been his life partner for almost three decades. It sucks that I can't do anything to help him lessen the pain and what he has been going through right now.

Dad's office reminds me of a lot of things--from my childhood until today. I still remember coming to this office even when I was still in grade school. I love reading books in this place especially when Dad's around, but today it reminds me of loss.

I run my fingers through Dad's book collections alphabetically arranged according to Author's last name. I guess it's in the blood of being a bookworm. His huge mahogany desk is still the same for as long as I can remember. On the left side are few of his liquor collections although, Dad doesn't drink much. He has his own cellar here in our home.

Mom's lawyer is already sitting in front of Dad. I feel nervous all of a sudden, but whatever written was mom's wishes. She could just donate all of her money or sell her property to auctions and donate them to those in needs but I hope I can have some of her jewelry as her memorabilia. Some are family heirloom already that passed through generations of Hirlington.

I know mom's lawyer. I've met him a couple of times. He's in his late sixties, graying thin layer of hair with thick-rimmed glasses just on the tip of his nose, but he's well known for his practice. Atty. After extending my hand for him, I sit comfortably.

I take a deep breath. I don't pay much attention when he starts mentioning Mom's name address, spouse, etc., all I can hear are money, bank accounts, properties and assets, and liabilities. When my name is mentioned, I listen intently, and something catches my attention about three conditions. Three conditions? Wait, what?

I must have shouted the word what because their attentions are on me right now.

"Let him continue, sweetheart," Dad says.

"Well, I don't care about Mom's money. She is gone, and it won't change a thing. She can donate them, and I won't say anything. You don't have to continue Atty. Sanders," I say as I look at the lawyer and tighten my lips to frown.

"I know it's hard for you, Abbygail, but let me continue. It's your Mom's. Honor her wishes, will you?" Atty. Sanders says.

I nod. "Please, continue. I apologize for the interruption." I narrow my eyes as I listen carefully, and my hands start sweating.

"The three conditions," as the lawyer continues.

I listen half-interested, and then I hear in between words and sentences.

"All will be transferred to my daughter Mackenzie Abbygail Catherine a.k.a Abbygail Catherine within three years, otherwise all will be transferred to my representative permanently."

My eyebrows furrow. What? And who's her representative?

"One. Ties of matrimony to Mr. Sebastian Christopher W. Hughes III within a month of my death. No divorce shall be filed within three years, otherwise all conditions will be forfeited." My hands cover mouth, and I freeze in my seat, and I just stare with eyes wide.

"Two. A trust fund, including educational fund, housing allowance, foods, bills, etc. will be fully paid by my representative within three years, and as monthly allowance according to her status of living."

I remove my hands in my mouth, and my gut starts to twist.

"Three. My representative, Mr. Sebastian Hughes III will take all the rights and ownership of all my properties after three years when any of my conditions are not met."

I shake my head in disbelief. I can't believe this. I motion him to stop.

"Sebastian Christopher Hughes III?" I shriek, and I observe both of them.

Nobody talk.

"Sebastian as in the Seb? The playboy, bad boy, man-whore?" I squint my eyes at Dad and Atty. Sanders and they just look at me as if I am not furious.

" Unbelievable! Un-fucking-believable! Does he know anything about the will?"

Still, I get nothing from the two of them.

"Of course, he knew. How could Mom let me marry this man for goddamn three awful years of my life!" I look at seemingly calm Dad.

"You knew about this, do you, Dad? Why didn't you stop her? I'm still in college, and the last thing on my mind is getting married. I thought you both want me to enjoy life, have friends, travel all over the world, and finish my MBA. I didn't even go out on a proper date or yet even kiss someone. I didn't even experience a teenage life, and now everything is ruined because I'm getting married. What do you want me to do? Just pop out kids, stay at home, and make myself crazy waiting for my man-whore of a husband to come home, and spread my legs? Tell me, Dad! Does he even want to marry someone like me who is totally beyond damaged, an inexperienced, naive, and has full of baggage? I don't even know how to cook or boil water, what more changing diapers? I'm sure he'll be disgusted when he finds out about this. Oh, I read on the internet about him. He probably has STD because he slept most of the women in this fucking State." Both of them just stare at me in shock, and that's all I get.

I shake my head in disappointment. "I don't want this goddamn money or anything belongs to Mom. And I'm leaving tonight."

Before I can move from where I'm standing, Dad catches my hand. "Sweetheart, your mom was an intelligent woman. She knew what she was doing and writing her will. You have to know that. Respect whatever is written in there. You can't change anything. It is already done." Dad's voice is composed

"She must be drugged or confused while writing them." I look at the lawyer, and I continue, "Or maybe you misheard or misspoke or overlooked. Please, check it again? Because this wasn't sound like my mom. This can't be happening. There must be a mistake. I'm sure he won't agree with this. He seems to enjoy his life well, and he won't just agree to marry me. This is so ridiculous. I'm going to destroy his life by marrying him, or forcing him into marriage is entirely insane. He will laugh his ass off at me. He thinks Mom was out of her mind. He can have them." My hands still on my hips, and I sigh in dismay.

"Sweetheart, pumpkin, I'll talk to him. Don't worry about anything, and I'll arrange everything. Everything will be okay. We have a month to prepare everything. That is your mom's assets pumpkin. Your mom worked hard to earn everything that she had, and you deserve to have every penny of them."

I throw my head back and laugh. "I can't believe you're actually considering this insane conditions." I shake my head. " I don't think I deserve every penny, Dad, because if I do, she didn't have to let me go through all of these. I think she wanted me to suffer. She didn't trust me enough. She thought that I might just throw all her assets to a pothole. She still thought that I'm still irresponsible, and she was still blaming me for what happened to me three years ago."

My lips start to tremble when I realize this is going to be my life now. I can't escape from this, and my life before I came is finally over.

Dad holds my arms, and he looks at me directly in the eye. "Pumpkin, she knew you well. She wanted you to concentrate on your studies and follow your dreams. She knew if she would let me handle your trust fund, I would pamper you, and she wanted you to grow up into a responsible woman. You would be busy managing your money, then how could you concentrate on your last year in college? What about your MBA? You will thank her later, sweetheart. Trust me. I can still spoil you though, without touching your money and your assets, you know that. I'm already managing your shares in our company. Think of it that you're investing your money from your mom at Hughes Industries."

I flinch. "Investing myself too by selling my soul to the devil. Oh, my god, I feel like a whore. We have our own company, Dad, and I think we're far from bankruptcy. Why Mom has to leave everything to him? What's with Sebastian that Mom trusted him so much? What did she saw in him?" I take a deep breath and blink back my tears.

"Stop saying like that Abbygail, and watch your language, young woman. You've been swearing too much, and stop looking little of yourself. You're far from broken. You're a strong young woman who has huge dreams. You're a survivor. Don't forget that. I'm so proud of you. Your mom and I love you so much. Don't ever doubt that." Dad looks annoyed, and I sniff and wipe my tears as I stare at him.

"I need some air, Dad. I need to get out of here. I need to process all of these." I face the lawyer who stays silent after he read the will thoroughly. I ask for a copy and walk out of Dad's office without looking back.

I dial Drew and take a deep breath.

"Abby, how did it go?"

"Very bad. I think I'm gonna be sick. Where are you, by the way?"

"I'm out. Your dad asks me to come to his main office. What do you mean by very bad? How bad the very bad you're saying?"

"I have three conditions to meet before I'm going to have Mom's assets, and that is after three years. I guess she wanted me to finish my MBA, but it's not all. The worst part is, I have to marry someone within one month after her death. I mean, I have no choice otherwise, I would lose everything. I can't let that happen."

"Wow! So you're getting married, huh? She knew that you would do everything for her. That is not bad, Abby. You can have a marriage of convenience."

"Marriage? You are not serious right now, Drew. Mom could just keep the money in the bank until it reaches three years if she didn't want me to touch them. Why she had to let me marry him of all the people?"

"Wait a sec. Did I miss something? You mean that man is the representative, too?"

"Yeah. Everything would be transferred to him after our marriage."

"Wow! Who's he, Abby?"

I blow an exasperated sigh. "Sebastian Asshole Christopher Hughes III, himself," I say, gritting my teeth.

"Whoa! Really?" He laughs. Drew just laughs while my blood is boiling with rage. What's so funny about getting married to a manwhore? I'm so annoyed.

"Really? You're laughing when I'm here wanting to pull my hair out? You're not seriously considering me marrying someone like him. You're an ass too, Andrew."

"I'm sorry, sweetie, but your mom had a taste in choosing a man for you. I've no doubt."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, first, He's well educated, a family friend, a good looking young man, extremely rich, confident, and he may be a playboy, but he is smart and protective. A man like him can keep you safe, and I'm sure he won't harm you. You won't have a problem filing for divorce after three years."

"And why not?" I'm more confused.

"Because a man like him doesn't do relationship. It means he won't ever fall for you. He would just screw around, though."

I cringe, and I feel sad. Well, it'll be easy if he will agree. At least, we're both not into a relationship, but many things can happen within three years. We can--ugh! It's hopeless.

"Can't I at least have a choice for once? At least a man. Do I have a bad taste in men? Well, I don't know, yet. Does everything has to be a business transaction even the choice of my own husband? They always have to control me and tell me what to do. I love my parents, but this? This is too much. I'm an adult for God's sake. Yet, they treated me like I'm eight years old."

"Abby, you have to understand that if something bad will happen to you again, your dad will be miserable. You're the only one he has right now. If something will happen to him, what about you? You will be alone? How about the company? What will happen then? Do you think you can trust all the people here working under your father's wing? Do you think you can manage it by yourself and just listen to their advice? I don't think so. You might be smart and brilliant, but it's differently dealing with a real business or running a billion-dollar company. You still have lots of things to learn and experience, Abby. You need someone like Seb."

I feel relieved. "You can't at least cheer me up by saying he's not good for you, or yeah, he's an ass, and you shouldn't marry him. I can't believe you."

"Hey. I'm your best friend for a reason. I am where I know what's best for you."

"Come home when you're done. I need a movie marathon and some ice cream."

"Be home soon, Abby. Love you."

"Waiting. Love you too. Bye." I look at the copy one last time. Now I have the copy, I know what to do next. To face the devil himself.