The human mind love gifts, something easy, something passed on from one kin to another. Something built to last. We call gifts like this inheritance. I've always wondered why the riches of the wise ends up in the hands of the stupid, and many who claim to be wise is as poor as the stupid. Getting rich is all about taking stupid risks which one in ten turns out to be a success. The wise are not that stupid enough to take that risk which is why very wise people are extremely poor, but yet they ask, why do the stupid turns out to be rich?
I guess we are all stupid if we look at it in a way. If being wise makes me poor, I'll rather be stupid and rich for being broke is just the start to ruin. It makes you take all the wrong decisions and puts you in a situation where you have to dance to its tune.
Here I am seating in this bar with someone who could teach me how to navigate the sea of riches only if I ask the right questions. As usual, the expression on his face is unreasonable. But I could tell he was relaxed, which means we are safe, he must have known his life is in danger, but I don't know for sure if he had any idea who is coming after him. He also knows something about me, but what?
How many children are we in this new family of mine?
The legitimate wife has three sons and two daughters, you have eight bastard brothers, the daughters he had outside are many, I myself don't know all of them but they will all be coming to the meeting.
I thought you said you didn't know them?
Yes, I do not but your father was trying to unit all his children before he passed but he could not. He had already sent out messages to all of them before he died. That's how I know many of them will be coming.
How many of them have you met like this?
None.
And why? I mean why me? I asked.
You have 30% of the properties owned by your father.
Why did he do that? he must be a mad fellow putting a target on my back.
Is that all you could think about? You are more alike than I even thought, although I still don't understand why he did it but am just the lawyer.
You don't understand means he told you why, didn't he?
Yes indeed, he said he wanted someone from the gutters to place the puzzles together and push the legacy to the next level, that's exactly his words.
Then why didn't he come and explained why he left us all these years.
You are angry, it's justified but no offence, that's a question only the dead can answers.
One thing I did know was that your father never knew of your existence until about a month ago. He told me to find you. You are very hard to locate, I'll give you that. You also know how to observe, well-spoken and mannered when you want to be, the only problem you will have with the rest of your siblings is, you are not educated, at least not to their level. You will do just fine.
Tell me about the legitimate sons of my father.
One of them is presently the acting CEO of your fathers' company. His name is Simon, the eldest, he is as con as they come. Never trust his words, you'll see when you get to know him.
I believe you must have figured I don't trust anyone. I even distrust my own shadow.
Sadly, I know. Another one is Dennison, this one is seen by the entire family as the clown but your father knew better, he is the devil in disguise. I will tell you only what you need to know for now. Be wary of him, he is the most dangerous of them all. The last son is Thomas, this one is barely seen in the country, he claims to own a company abroad, but he does not, all that is just a facade, he is a failure who doesn't want to admit it to the rest of the family, he is here in Nigeria and he has no intention of going back. He believes his part of the inheritance will be enough for him to get on his feet financially.
Will it?
For a guy who has lived his entire life being rich, it will not, not unless he learns to manage what he has.
While coming to the bastards of your father, we have Mike, he has his own business, which is not doing fine, in fact, he is in dept so he needs the inheritance very badly. He is the eldest among all your fathers' sons.
Wait, the eldest is a bastard?
Yes.
Wow, please go on, I poured the wine the waitress just brought and sipped as I paid close attention to his narrating of our family tree.
Another one is Peter, that one is a gambler, he is about your age. And that reminds me, when were you born and where?
1996, January 12, at the General Hospital of Worri.
That makes you the fifth son. All the legitimate sons are older than you. He paused for some time and asked, Should I go on?
Please do, I answered almost immediately, I like to know what am walking into.
Trust is also the same age as you and Peter, He is the quiet type but he too has some of your fathers' personalities, which makes him a potential threat. It is advised you keep that one close. We have Ejiro, he is younger with a difference of one year. He is currently working in the family company, he's close with Simon, at least that's what he thinks, he won't see what's coming.
There is Stanley, who is about to graduate from the University of Benin. Your Father is fond of that boy, he said he has one of the best minds among all his children but he is too naive, maybe he's still too young but it doesn't matter now.
The last on the list is Andrew, he's the youngest in the family, about twelve if am not mistaken. He is still in secondary school but your father insists on everyone should be there at the meeting.
What of the daughters? Will they be getting anything?
Your dad is a just man but make no mistake. Being fair and being just is not the same as people like to think. Everyone will get something at the end, but some will be happy at the end while others will be searching for blood, your blood.
Let them try.
Oh, try they will.
Do you always know everything about the family, and all its associates?
I was trained to do just that. And so many things more.
Then I can only assume you know everything about me.
A lot but, not enough. You are a twisted one just like your father. I do know you have more than six million in your account in just seven days and you don't have a running business. You do have a business account but you have no business, at least none that I know off.
Almost all the money was deposited by you, which simply means you were paid in cash for whatever shady business you are involved in.
Is that all you could dig up about me?
For now, yes.
Then I gave you too much credit. I did no such digging but, from your appearance, your movement and the way you speak, I could tell a lot of things about you.
I would very much like to hear what you think you know about me. You know your father and I also love to play this game of observation. Please, do tell.
You shift too much when seating, that simply means you are carrying something you should not, something not safe. You are with a pistol but a very small one.
You hesitate immediately after telling a lie or half-truth. You check your time on your wrist when you are uncomfortable. This place is a very comfortable place don't you think? If you are not comfortable that means you are in danger but not from the government obviously, but who? You like to think you are in control of everything, in my experience, that happens to people who know too much, perhaps they know something they should never know in the first place. I believe that's why you don't feel safe.
Should I go on?
It seems we know things about each other before today even if we pretend we don't. it's in our best interests to work together, it will do no good if we are enemies don't you think?
Alright then, I would like you to stay off my back and I will stay off yours. They say birds of the same feather flock with each other.
True, that's what they say, but you and I know we can work together until we don't.
I've been wondering, what do you tend to gain after all this?
I already have everything I ever wanted James, am just acting on the last wish of a dear friend. I noticed something about you just now.
And what might that be?
You get defensive when threatened, this family is full of people with empty threats, do well to remember that before you play your last card. This family of yours James is all a game of chess. I think you already know the location of the meeting. I will see you tomorrow then.
Tomorrow it is then.
Oh, I forgot to tell you about your sisters, never mind, I believe you can handle it when the time comes.
He has already got up from his seat and I could tell from his movement he must have drunk too many drinks.
.