A kin is someone we call blood, someone who thinks as we do, someone we feel for and understand, someone we can fight for and even die for If need be. Someone we can say we love but, I on the other hand feel nothing. I am the outcast of the family, the thief, but again, I would hold no grudge if the feeling was mutual.
Here I am in the gates of the mansion, I have done a few jobs here and there over the years in this location but I've never entered this mansion. It's more like a hotel, it has a large field and a garden too. There must be a lot of rooms in this house, enough to house all the bastards two times over.
It appears I am late, there are many cars parked in the parking lot, as I walked past I could smell the born of fuel from many of the cars. some have come from a long distance, I could tell these things for I've been riding cars and trucks since I was seventeen. I walked past the front door and I was directed to the hall by one of the maids, the interior of the mansion is fascinating. It was like the very light is gold. The entrance to the hall has a big double door, and heavy too. I pushed it open, to my surprise it was a full house. The family happens to be bigger than I expected.
All eyes were on me, but I expected that, it was the perfect time to observe the reactions of my new family. Some of them were surprised, while others have the face of, oh another bastard. From what I could see some consider my presence as something reassuring, even I will feel that way if I think I have no say, but one thing was clear, no one was happy upon my arrival.
Sir Desmond was at the front of the family while the first row was the legitimate family and some of the relatives of, I don't know if it was from the man or the woman but I know they are family and they for sure want something otherwise they have nothing to do here.
You can seat down now young man, I think you've delayed this meeting long enough, said Sir Desmond.
Sorry, I will take my seat but I believe am not late. This meeting was supposed to start at noon or am I wrong?
No, you are not, please seat down. said sir Desmond.
I sat down on the back row. To my right was a girl even older than me, she must be a bastard like almost everyone present here. To my far left separated by the middle walkway was another girl, this one is about my age. All the sons were at the front of the line. They must have been the first to arrive.
Here we are present today to read the weal of late chief Wasiu Osimhen. As some of you know there is a weal written by your father some years ago but sadly, that weal is no longer void because he wrote a new one before he died.
That's a lie and you know it Sir Desmond, said Simon.
I am many things Simon but a liar is not one of them. I would like to read without the intervention of anyone, you are allowed to ask questions at the end as it is your right.
5% of all my wealth will be owned by my dear wife Judith.
What? said, Judith. I don't think you are correct, there must be a mistake somewhere.
The photocopied file will be passed to everyone at the end so I repeat, please we should all stay calm.
This is going to be longer than I thought.
What do you expect? You should not be worried it's going to take long. You should be worried if all of us will come out of this alive or if they even get to finish the reading said the woman close to me.
I am James by the way.
Oh, you are the last bastard son who appeared from nowhere. No offence.
None taken, I think I rather like the way you say it.
Bastards we all are, by the way, my name is Grace.
I hope your name shines on you this day, Grace.
You know we are here for scraps right? she asked.
If what I hear is true, then I wouldn't say so.
And what might that be?
They say our father is as con as a fox. He just gave his long time wife only 5% of the property which by right should be a lot more.
How much more are we talking about?
30% should be fair enough.
Wow, are you sure you are new to this family?
Did I say something wrong?
No, on the contrary, you've said too many right things.
I guess I am after all an Osimhen.
Indeed you are. We should listen to the next bomb, things are beginning to settle down.
That being said. To my son Simon, I give 15% of my company and the house deed. And to my son Dennison, I give 6% of my company and the mansion in Lagos. To my son Thomas, I give 5% of my company and nothing more.
I curse you father, where ever you might be, shouted Thomas.
The entire crowd started to laugh.
Settled down please, there is a note. It's for my son Mr Thomas.
I read, I believe you must have said and called me names of all sort by now, but do take this under advisement, change from your lies and false storytelling of you being better than everyone else. I hope this will act as a lesson for you, believes me, things can get worse if you think they can't.
This is the end of the note.
why did you read that in a public place like this? asked Mrs Judith.
This note must be read amongst family, that is part of the weal. This is family is it not?
You and my husband are traitors to this family.
Make no mistake madam. I work for this family and I believe this is in the best interest of everyone. So please, I would like for you to show me some respect. please.
If I may continue. To Mike my firstborn bastard son, 2% of my company and nothing more.
What rubbish shouted Mike. I am the firstborn son of this family and I deserve more...
You shut up and seat down, who do you think you are? Are you not a bastard? how dare you raise your voice in my house? If you must know you are nothing in this family so hold your tongue and think the next time before you say any more rubbish from your mouth shouted Mrs Judith.
To my son Peter, I give 2% of many companies and nothing more.
That is expected, said Grace.
He continued. To my son Trust, I give 5% of my company and my mansion in Benin, also my house in Jos. To my son Ejiro, I give 8% of my company and all my luxurious cars. To my Stanley, I give 8% of my company and my Hotel here in Asaba.
I thought the hotel was part of the company? asked Simon.
It was until a month ago, your father separated most of his private businesses from the main company, he believes this act will bring peace amongst his children when the time arrives. The separation will be discussed after this meeting. Some of the properties will be given to his children as I will read from this document. Here with me, I have the separation documents signed by your father before his passing.
He passes the document to Mrs Judith. As I was saying.
To my son Andrew, I give 5% of my company and the house he presently lives in.
While to my legitimate daughter Josephine, I give 8% of my company and 50% of the fashion line.
There is a must-read note for one miss Josephine and I read.
I do not consider the fashion line as a part of my company for it has always been yours from the start, your dream, your idea, and most of the clothes are your designs, it ends here. I must continue with the weal before I get back to the note.
To my daughter Mary, I give 8% of my company, 50% of the fashion line and my estate in Benin. The note continues.
Please do not hold on to grudges in your heart for you are to share this with your sister Mary. I do believe you need each other for whatever is coming. She has the head for business and also the contacts you need. I can only hope you be the best versions of yourselves, I love you two very much. End of note.
We can take a break now, we begin in an hour.
That was tough. Who would have thought?
The family didn't take the news well I suppose. I said.
It doesn't matter, they have no say over this, even if they took the case to court they will lose.
And what makes you so sure? I asked.
Father must have gone to extreme length to be able to write a weal as crazy as this, do you think he will just let it be disbanded by anyone? no, not even the lawyer can do that. Father was well connected. it is impossible and they know it.
I am hungry, and I really want to check out this mansion, after all this will be the last time I come here.
Yes, that's right. Come on let me show you around.