Just A Hello Would Do

CHAPTER 2

JUST A HELLO WOULD DO

AIDEN

There must be a school that teaches fake crying that I am not aware of. I do not recognize half of these people but yet they seem more heart broken than me and it's my father who died. I don't feel like crying though I don't see the point and it's not like father died a tragic death. He was eighty five years old for God's sake. The lord was right to take him away.

I watch the debacle from a good distance away so none of the 'mourners' find me and offer empty condolences which unfortunately won't bring back my dead father.

"There you are!" A familiar voice sounds behind me. I turn to find my aunt dressed like she's about to grace a Paris fashion house, "I've been looking all over for you! Come, Richard called. it's time to read your father's will."

I cock an eyebrow, so soon? The man's body is still warm for God's sake and it's already time to read the will? The audacity of these people. "Alright." I respond.

She smiles warmly, "Go wait in the car, the driver is ready for us."

Of course he is.

I don't think there is any point in reading the will. Everyone knows the company belongs to me. My father made sure that everyone who needed to know knew. "Stallion Automobile is a family heirloom," he always said, "only those whose surname is Stone deserve to receive it." Being the only child he bore that means it's mine

Fortunately for both of us, I want this heirloom. Nothing excites me more than turning parts of scrappy metal into a fully functioning car only second to learning irrelevant things. I don't know if this is an interest I developed on my own though or if it's heavily influenced by my father, regardless, cars make me happy. And so will being the CEO of Stallion automobiles.

I hang back as my aunt ushers the guests out. When they ask about me she tells them I am riddled with heart ache and laying in my room. The more dramatic ones burst into tears and my aunt joins them in the soap opera. My God, enough already!

"Mr Aiden sir?" a man dressed in a black suit approaches me, his face sympathetic. I don't know who he is and honestly I don't want to.

I bolt towards the exit before he can get any closer. Making sure to keep my head down so no one else sees me as I leave. Luckily he does not follow after me and one notices my presence. I breathe a sigh of relief as I enter the car. Soon my aunt settles beside me.

"Remember to at least say hello to the lawyer ok?" She says as she fixes up loose strands of hair, "Nothing much just a simple hello will do."

My heart hammers in my chest at the thought. I will not say hello to him. I will not say hello to anyone. He probably doesn't want to hear me speak. All he cares about is reading the will and going back to his family. He has no time for idle chat. He is a very busy man, he-

"Aiden? Did you hear me?" She says, peering into my face. Trying to read my expression. Naturally she cannot.

"Yes." I heard her but I will not do as she said. And deep within her she knows that as well.

The drive to the lawyer's is blissfully quiet. I wonder why the lawyer didn't just come home to read it but I don't ask. Whether it is read at home or in a law firm the outcome will remain the same. I already have the blueprint for the new cars I'll release once the papers are signed. I can't wait.

We stroll inside the firm with our entourage leading the way. Different pairs of eyes follow us curiously as we enter the elevator. I put on my shades and keep my eyes forward ignoring every and any attempt at eye contact. Aunty Clara on the other hand is all smiles.

"Richard has really done some work with the place, don't you think Aiden?" My aunt says once the elevator doors shut, "I didn't think he had it on him."

I don't know what she wants me to say but my best bet is nothing.

The lawyer's secretary leads us into his office while our entourage waits outside. The interior of the office is simple yet spacious. The combination of warm colors exude a homely feel. This office is certainly designed to make his clients comfortable enough to spill all their deepest secrets.

"Clara, it's lovely to see you!" The balding lawyer shakes my aunt's hands placing a kiss on her fingers.

Her cheeks flush, "Oh Richard, always the charmer."

He chuckles as his brown eyes land on me, my neck tie suddenly feels too tight, "Mr Aiden it's such an honor to meet you. I've heard good things."

I look at his outstretched hand in horror. Does he really mean to shake me though? I went to the bathroom recently. Maybe I didn't wash my hands? Maybe I have a communicable disease? May-

My aunt loudly clears her throat "Aiden?"

I touch his hand briefly and quickly let go, hurrying to sit instead.

"I'm so sorry, the death of his father has been so hard on him, the poor child."

"Oh, I understand I'm truly sorry for your loss, Alexander was a great man." He gestures to the seat next to me, "do sit down I will begin shortly."

My aunt and I are my father's only Living relatives. So only we get to hear the reading of the will first hand that way no other person knows the extent of our wealth. If anyone else is mentioned I will give them their share myself. Though I honestly doubt that knowing my father.

The lawyer settles behind his desk taking out his glasses, he begins to read; "I Alexander Stone, aged 80, who worked as an engineer in my life time, here by write my final will. Any wills previously written are hereby revoked under the law…."

Naturally he begins with his smaller properties, cars, some jewelry which he all hands over to my aunt, her many children and grandchild. Surprisingly he gives a car to our driver. I certainly didn't see that coming.

"And finally to my son…"

I sit up straight trying to keep the smile off my lips "I leave my mansion and all the shares at Stallion Automobile but only after he has been wedded. till then my younger, Sister Clara Stone will be in charge of the properties."

I blanch. Did I just hear correctly? Surely this is a joke right? I look towards my aunt for help but she seems every bit as confused as me.

"Did I hear correctly?" She asks, "Aiden needs to be wedded before he claims his inheritance?"

"Yes I'm afraid so." The lawyer confirms.

My head begins to ache, "can I talk to you for a second?" I whisper in her ears.

"Can you excuse us for a moment?" She says, following after me. I led her to a secluded area.

"What is going on aunty? Why would father do this?"

She sighs, "Alex was really worried about you and your…social issues but I didn't think he would take it this far.".

"I don't need to be social to run a company!"

"Actually you do. You can't run from your employees when they try to talk to you, you know?"

"That's why you're here."

She Chuckles, "Aiden sweetie, I have my own life, I can't babysit you forever."

"You should talk to the lawyer. There must be a way to solve this."

"Alright I'll see what I can do."

"There is absolutely nothing we can do." The lawyer says firmly when she asks, "your father was very, very clear in his will. No judge will even bat an eye."

For a moment I feel the ground come up to swallow me. Get married? Me? That's impossible! Who would want to marry me? The contents of my lunch threaten to come back up, black spots dot my vision and my damn tie is suffocating me.

"Aiden? Aiden?" My aunt screams as she rushes to my side. Pulling me towards the open window, "just breathe darling aunty is right here." She rubs circles across my back, "I'll help you I promise."

I take deep breaths trying to let the cool air calm me down. I feel the lawyer's worried gaze on me but it only makes me feel worse, "aunty let's leave please."

"Yes of course," she turns to the lawyer, "Richard I'm afraid we must go, Aiden isn't feeling well."

"Of course," the lawyer stands to escort us but when my aunt sees the panic on my face she politely declines. We go through the back door until I'm seated in the car, my thoughts are so jumbled my head turns hot.

"Aiden honey do calm down," my aunt continues to rub her hands against my back, "all we have to do is organize a party of some sort and invite a bunch of pretty girls just choose anyone you like and boom! Problem solved."

"B-but t-that means that I-I have to talk to her?"

"Well not a lot, maybe just a little, nothing much. A simple hello would do."

I take her dainty hands in mine, peering deeply into her eyes, "aunty Clara do you love me?"

"Of course darling! I love you with all my heart."

"Then for the love of God just kill me."