Negotiating with the Estate

             Gemma and Becky held back as the rest of her family left. Only Gemma’s brother and John made it a point to say goodbye to Gemma before they left. Uncle John wasn’t happy that she’d agreed and would waste all the resources and the workman’s time. He warned her it wouldn’t turn out well for her or the estate. Sell it to the city or to a private corporation. The family would benefit from its sale in the long run.

              Mr. Winters took the two women into his private office to continue their meeting. “Now, Gemma. Your inheritance will stay for now at the estate. Currently, the work being done in the house is too great for anyone to stay there. But the servants’ cottage is available to move into. It will need a little further work, but nothing you can’t handle. It’s mostly sorting through years of clutter and keepsakes. We have a historian who specializes in antique on staff. So, to help us find the true treasures, we would like them to see everything first. However, you will have a say on what will stay in the private family collection and what will be available for the public to see and study. You are there to ensure things go well. That the estate’s interests are being met and not being exploited in an unsustainable fashion. Now what are your expectations for this position?”

              “Well, I can’t just abandon everything and everyone I know about this. Also, I’d like to talk to my friend for a moment before I make my needs known.”

              “I can step out for a minute or two. Remember, I’ve basically been told to move heaven and earth in all legal matters to make this happen. The only stipulation I can’t change is that you must live on the property.”

              “Understood. Thank you.”

              Mr. Winters left the office and the two women looked at each other. “Is this really happening? What about my life? Dating will go out the door, and the nightlife is nonexistent. What will you do? I mean, at work and the apartment? Would you want to work at this place with me?”

              “I followed you through school, into a dead-end job. I live I. The same apartment as you. We grew up together. I’m sure we can find a way around this. But refurbishing a mansion with the freak vibes you’re saying it has. Count me in hon. As for the tours and studying scholars. I always had a thing for men with glasses. Let’s do it. Get away from that hell hole of a job and Kevin. Ugh. I won’t miss him.”

              “Fine. Then we agree that you’ll be my ever-handy assistant slash partner in caretaking?”

              “Partners in adventure and crime. Whichever comes first. You know I’d hide a body for you.”

              “And let’s hope that it doesn’t come down to that.” The two women clasped each other’s hand and their foreheads touched in camaraderie.

              “If we’re doing this. We are so going to need a wine collection to take with us and an excellent sound system. Did I hear there was no Wi-Fi? That must be fixed.”

              “Fine. Assistant position, wine cellar, sound system, and Wi-Fi. Can’t miss out on all those books.”

              “Well actual books make me sneeze and get itchy.”

              Gemma sighed. “Well, what do you expect if you don’t dust them?”

              “Fair enough. Oh, he’s back.”

              “You’re ready ladies?” With a nod to him, Mr. Winters returned and sat at his desk. “Now where do we begin?”

              “I’d like my friend here to work as my assistant and live with me on the estate. We would like two things in that cottage. Decent electrical and internet.”

              “That has been planned and should be in place before you get there. As for your friend working for you, fill a position now that we would need to fill later. So, I don’t see a problem going forward. Anything else we need to consider?”

             “It’s more a question. Why doesn’t the estate find a more qualified person for the job?” Gemma was curious about the answer to this.

             “I don’t know truthfully. All I can tell you is that a family member has always filled this position.”

             “And you really don’t know who owns the estate?”

             “All I have is information on past caretakers and a file filled with information on how to administer the estate’s legal matters.”

             “Is that legal?” Becky said to show her interest in the mystery.

             “It’s one of the oldest living trusts I know of. Whoever set it up initially considered the possibility of the laws changing and such. If it wasn’t a private matter, I would offer it as a case study for students.”

             “We’ll, we need to give our landlord and employer notice. How are we going to move our things? Our job needs two weeks' notice as well.” Gemma went on as her mind raced to find any potential problems or complications.

             “Actually, because we’re hourly paid. We don’t owe them two weeks’ notice. Just a days needed. Since we’re paid weekly.”

             “You think they can find our replacements in that time?”

             “I honestly don’t care. Kevin can do some work for once in his life.” Becky would enjoy handing her letter of resignation to the creepy man. “Come on, this has to be better than what we have going on right now.”

             “Fine. We’ll quit on Monday. Then we’ll need to find someone to move our things and a place to store the rest for now until we figure out what we will do with it all.”

              “That won’t be a problem at all. There are plenty of spaces where you can store your belongings on the estate, and my assistant has already researched companies and can arrange for your move. She’ll need your address and a moving date. We’ll get the rest of the information for you. Now I will have the documents of employment written and sent to you. I can pick them up from the estate once you arrive. I think a week to pack up an apartment and get your affairs in order should be a good timeline, no?”

             “I guess it should be fine. We’ve not moved like this before.”

             “Don’t worry about it. I will have my assistant send over a list of things you should over the next week.” Mr. Winters truly bent over backwards to make this happen.

             “Oh, one last thing. We don’t have our own transportation. Is it possible to have a couple of cars added to the requirements?”

             “Oh, definitely. You’ll need them to get around for business. I’ll add that now to the list. You can finalize all this and the finer details when your employment contracts are delivered to you.”

             “Great. Thank you. Is that everything?”

             “Just leave your information with my assistant on your way out and we’ll get everything started right away.”

             The two girls left the lawyer’s office and stopped off at his assistant’s desk. They handed over their identification and personal information. Then they left the office and stepped out onto the sidewalk.

             The two women looked at each other and giggled excitedly. “What just happened? What was that?” Becky said, past the hand, she held over her mouth.

             “I think we just agreed to turn our lives upside down and take on a strange career that I don’t think we’re prepared for. I hope this won’t be a miserable failure.” Gemma may have laughed, but she sobered quickly at the reality of the situation.

             “I guess shopping it out for now. I wanted to get a new hat for summer. Guess it’s online shopping for me. I don’t know. I think we’ll have a team of experts doing the heavy work. We’re finally management.”

             “I hope so. It’ll be interesting to see the old place again. Come on, let’s get back to the hotel and pack. We need to get on the road and figure out a plan of action.”

             All that Gemma could think of was the image in that old mirror and the mysterious locked book. Had she truly seen that cute boy? If he were real, what did he look like now?