Chapter 5

Virginia Credence was a woman who wanted that the world should revolve round her and according to her it still did. She had not been able to snag the handsome Bolivian international polo player as husband. Neither had she wanted to in her life. She was perfectly happy and contented to just win the pageant of Miss Universe Title which had been held in Rio de Janerio that year causing them both to meet. Of course, she had not meant to get pregnant by him under any circumstances. That was just an unfortunate accident, especially when she was engaged to marry the Cattle Baron of the country, the Lachlans’ oldest son.

But it was easy enough for a woman of her persuasive charms and power to make him understand that the child she was carrying was her husband’s and not anyone else’s. It had certainly nailed the wedding to the targeted home-grown billionaire bridegroom.

Marriage had meant that she had to give up her year as Miss Universe but she had won the title and that was the only thing which had mattered, she had never relinquished it and always lived up to it. Virginia was a women who knew that she turned heads in any and every room that she walked into, no matter who it was. It was no different this morning in her son’s impressive office as well. And she took immense pleasure in that knowledge.

Miss Universe was still strutting her stuff and showing off her gleaming feathers with no encroachment from all the years that had passed since she had won the title. Today she was in a designer ensemble of black and teal with the right touches of indigo blue wherever with the dazzling jewellery adorning her long graceful neck and complimenting her dazzling beauty. Her lips had the dramatic touches of red which she seemed to favour so much now-a-days.

She opened the door to his office with a flourish without bothering to look at Oberon’s PA and then said after closing it behind her,” Isn’t it so nice to be remembered after all these years?”

As always she was totally self-centred in her view of the whole world and every single situation in it. Oberon gritted his teeth and looked up at her sharply and said,” No Mother. It is not. I find it grossly insulting to be remembered at the occasion of his death and that too for granting me some kind of flimsy acknowledgement as if I was waiting for that my whole life. How can you even say that it is nice?”

“Oh!! Don’t be a prude like that Obby. Your stint in England has made you like that. You have to always make the most of everything that you receive and that is freely given to you,” said Virginia.

“You were the one to teach me this mother that nothing in this world comes for free. And I think it was one of the best lessons you taught me. It has not let me down ever,” said Oberon as he kept on reading the letter and his face became even grimmer than before. Virginia glowed with motherly pride at the unexpected compliment from her son but see in the look on his face she said,” What is it dear? You know, I recall Cedric talking about the emerald and ruby mines that they have in Bolivia and also few diamond mines in South America. If you are his only son, then he has probably left you a substantial share of his property!!!”

“Now don’t get excited Mother. There is nothing about property in this letter at all. And trust me, you were not the only woman too bear him a son or an heir apparently. While you were gallivanting with me and showing yourself off in your country he was travelling round the world and sowing oats everywhere. I have three brothers and three sisters as well. Half-brothers and sisters of course. But that is the only connection I have by blood from the end of my father,” said Oberon as there was a slight expression of surprise and disappointment on his mother’s face. But then it brightened up again.

“That means that you all will be the seven shareholders of his property Obby. Can you not see how wonderful this is?” asked Virginia as Oberon threw the letter on the desk and he looked at her with so much fury that Virginia took a step back.

“I know that you wish to see that me getting part of money and property from him in order to take you to even more elevated position mother. But I am sorry to say that he did not want to do anything of the sort. And even if he did I would have thrown it back to his grave. I just want to meet my brothers and sisters and that is it. Nothing more. So now that you know that there is nothing for you to be have had here, I think you should leave Mother,” said Oberon.

“You have to understand that he was an irresistible man, my dear. He was something of an enigma, so I doubt that any woman would have been able to refuse him. And think about it, seven children? Four sons and three daughters? The virility and power of this man still shocks me,” said Virginia with a wistful sigh.

“I am getting more and more disgusted by this conversation Mother. As far as he has written, all his children have made him proud and except two girls who are twins and me, no one even knows that they are his son. I have been told that I will get to know their identities once the estate is settled. I have waited all these years, so a few more months is really not going to make any difference,” said Oberon as he sat down on his chair.

“You should have fought for some kind of recognition when Cedric was still alive Nick, always too independent you have been. And so proud of your identity. I just wish he would have seen you the way I do…’ said Virginia with a hint of regret in her voice.

“Goodbye Mother,” said Oberon as he did not look at her again. And then there was soft click on the door and he sighed.