"It's okay," Charm said encouragingly. "I can handle the truth."
"Before you can claim your inheritance , you must complete the remainder of your school years at a college of Mr. Benjamin's choosing. Everything has already been paid for by your uncle. I will also add that your uncle was also concerned about your welfare as a young heiress. The headmaster of this college will look and care for you until you are considered legal to make your own decisions by a law. Also, I will also do mandatory checks to ensure that you are being treated well not just as a client but as befitting the niece of my dearest friend."
He couldn't help himself even though he tried to be as frank and circumspect when stipulating the conditions of the will he still looked at Charm with concern in his eyes.
As she sat there twirling a thick strand of her dark brunette hair with nervous fingers he wondered if she really understood the significance of what the inheritance entailed.
When she spoke next, he let out the breath he hadn't realized he held for so long.
"Where is this college located?" she asked sharply.
"A small island, around 120 miles west of Costa Rica. I gather it's a very remote place but you shouldn't have any distractions learning. Many students that attend that college have preferential treatment when it comes to selecting the university of their choice. Just do your best and graduate as a wealthy woman with the world at your fingertips."
Every time she thought life could never throw her another curveball, she got blindsided yet again.
What was Uncle Alphonso thinking?
It was incredibly shocking and so hard to believe and accept this as truth.
All she had ever known was life in the suburbs for her sixteen years of existence and now she was expected to pack up and jet off to some forsaken remote island in the middle of nowhere.
"What is the island called?" not that she really wanted to know but Charm felt compelled to ask.
"It's called Isla Serpiente, I don't know much about it, having never been there myself. I heard the college & university is very prestigious and well affiliated with the highest recommendations. Like I said before, you only have to do the college then you can attend a university of your choice if Isla Serpiente is not to your liking. I will do a regular check to ensure that you are treated well and I will always just be a phone call away if you need further assistance. Will you go?" he questioned.
"Of course, I will go. Although I wish it was under better circumstances this may be my only chance to get out of the suburbs and see the world for myself."
"As you wish, young lady. I thought you would not turn down the offer so I have already booked everything in advance from your transportation, to your lodging until you arrive at Isla Serpiente and then Headmaster Peterkin will give you further instructions once you arrive."
As his style he handed her another glossy envelope with her flight information tickets and extra money.
It also had a black debit card which Mr. Beresford explained had a limit that she could never hope to exceed.
He made it sound like once she reached Isla Serpiente she would have no need for the card.
She wasn't much of a spendthrift either way but she did love the idea of having a security blanket just in case things went wrong.
She briefly scanned the dates on the tickets, she had about two days to pack and say her goodbyes, not that she planned on doing that since she was a bit of the loner type herself.
"Don't worry about the house, your parent's left it to you. I will clear off the mortgage and continue to maintain it in your absence. Should you want to rent it out or put it up for sale at a later date just let me know."
Now why did that thought fill her with alarm.
She was just expected by her uncle to leave everything behind.
Her opinion and what she wanted for her own life did not count.
A normal person would have turned the offer down but not Charm.
Mr. Beresford left the same way he came.
Her house felt even emptier now that she was all by herself.
To kill the silence Charm called her best friend to tell her the news.
"What...Hold on… Let me get this straight…Are you out of your mind," her one and only friend Janet exclaimed.
"You know me well Janet. I've been through a lot and my mind has never been clearer."
"You are lucky we are friends or I would reserve a spot for you at the closest loony bin."
"Come now Janet, this isn't a joking matter, this is my life we are talking about. Just like how I always listen when you talk about your dumb boyfriend and help you reason things out. Just once can't you do the same for me?"
"We might not always see eye to eye Charm but it hurts my feelings that you would question our friendship and my unconditional love for you."
"Sorry, didn't mean to snap at you."
Janet really knew how to lay on the guilt thick.
They sort of became friends in a weird sort of way.
At first they hated each other's guts because they were always competing over first place in the classroom and Janet was naturally aggressive and competitive.
Somewhere along the line they just started hanging out because they were pretty much interested in the same things.
Since Janet had gotten herself a boyfriend, Charm had started seeing her friend less and less.
Now that she finally got some news of her own to share.
She thought that Janet would be happy on her behalf but instead it was the opposite.
Janet said adamantly, "How do you know this lawyer dude can be trusted?