AllFreeNovel
Share Us
They all very noticeably stop what they’re doing and watch me walking in.
I bet they’re waiting for their money.
Everyone always wants something from me.
“In here, please.” Garland stands before a small office with a glass door embellished with a silhouetted couple vertically doing the sixty-nine.
Lovely.
Everything about this place is cringey.
“Let’s hurry this along.” It makes my skin crawl thinking about how many bodily fluids have likely been spewed around my father’s space.
“Yes. Well, I needed you here today so that you can sign these paychecks and to meet the staff.” Garland drops his briefcase on the huge oak desk and snaps it open.
“But, first, the will.” With a flourish, he hands me the papers.
Reading in silence, I freeze when I hit the third page.
“Can you please tell me that this doesn’t say what I think it does?” My smooth, glossy nails tap against the rigid page as I hold it up.
“I’m afraid you read it correctly. You cannot sell this establishment for ten years.” He pushes his glasses up his wide nose and blinks rapidly.
“And, this part? I can’t even give it away?” Why is my voice starting to sound more like a screeching hawk?
This can’t be real.
He clears his throat and tugs on the sleeve of his jacket. It’s like he doesn’t want to answer me.
“That’s correct. His stipulation was in the hopes that you would keep this business running.” His eyes look gigantic through his lens as he watches me.
“No. Not going to happen. I’m not runningthis place.” My stomach twists and I can feel the blood drain out of my face.
Little stars pop within my vision.
“I need a moment.” Dropping my forehead to my arm, I wave him out with a limp wrist.
This is too much.
I pull out my phone and find the contact named “BFF” near the top.
“Well. Is it sold?” Rochelle’s croaky voice soothes the turmoil in my head.
“It’s worse than I thought. Let me read you my favorite part.” I fast forward through all of the legalese in the beginning and fill her in on my crisis.
“Can’t you speak to Carl?” She finally says after a long pause.
“Why in the hell would I call my ex-husband?” Although, there are worse ideas.
“Because he’s a lawyer. He can help you get this shit sold and get the money.” Her exasperated tone shifts. “Girl, you have a fashion show coming up withyourname as the header! Just think of how far that extra cash will skyrocket your brand!”
I roll the corner of the will between my fingers. My business is doing well on its own, but having the extra capital will really give it a significant bump.
“You heard what’s in this thing. My father screwed me over. I can’t sell this damn place. Not for another ten years.”
She pauses. I can hear her take a deep breath before she talks again. “Maybe you should see about hiring a manager to run the place? It might bring in some extra cash.”
I love how her brain works, always looking for another angle.
