Eli...

I was sitting at my father's desk, staring at the blank piece of paper. Did they really expect me to do this after all that happened this week?

It's been the absolute worst.

I didn't know I could feel this much sadness and anger at the same time.

Things went at warp speed once I got off the phone with Angela while at Kendra's place. My father wasn't dead, but he was damn close. I had to go home.

I apologized to Kendra immensely, but she understood. Even though I didn't tell Kendra who my father was, I did tell her he was sick, and she understood that I needed to be there. Even if it meant that our plans to tell Kyle about us had to be put on hold and I couldn't give her the kiss goodbye that I wanted.

By the next night, I was in Virginia, sitting at my father's bedside with my mother and sister. He spoke with us, trying to be in good spirits, but we could see the life leaving his body.

Two days later, I watched him take his last breath.

Now, a few days before the funeral, I was sitting at his desk, in his home office, trying to find the perfect words for the eulogy.

My father wasn't a bad man, he was the best honestly. But I didn't realize how hard it was to find the right words. Kendra would know exactly what to say.

Kendra.

I thought of her a lot this week. I thought about the feelings for her, our relationship, and how this new development might change things.

The expectation of taking up the mantle from my dad was always there, and I have always tried to fight it. But the sicker my father got, the closer the time came to make a decision. Now it was here and I was torn. Especially after my father's dying words to me.

"Protect my legacy."

I wanted to make my father proud, I wanted to make sure that all his hard work didn't go to waste. But I didn't want to give up my life as I knew it. I couldn't bear thinking about giving up my dreams. With my father's company meeting coming up soon, I'd have to make a decision. Quick.

One thing was for sure though. It didn't matter what decision I made, I would have to tell Kendra who I really was. As a journalist, news about my decision, whatever it was, would get to her soon enough. She would be angry with me, for sure, but I'm hoping that once she realizes that I'm not like her ex, we would be fine.

I was pulled from my thoughts when I heard whispers coming from behind the door, in the hallway. I couldn't tell who they were from and decided to go investigate.

"I had a lot of fond memories of dad in here," said the voice.

"It's a shame that I couldn't have the same," said the other.

"Don't worry son. In a few days, it will be ours again."

"Not these fools," I whispered to myself.

The voices on the other side were of my uncle Charles and his son David, the family members that were trying to take the family fortune from me.

Uncle Charles and his son looked nothing alike. My uncle had blond hair with patches of gray, a narrow face, and that odd witch-looking nose. His son had a head full of black hair, and a much wider face and nose. David towered over his father, and much more well built. The only thing that stopped you from questioning the paternity was those green eyes that they shared, a trait that was always used to spot the "Grant boys" back in the day. I could imagine the whispers when people back then saw my grandfather's black son with those same eyes. They might have completely lost it if they saw mine.

They had some nerve showing up here. Hell, it was probably all for show.

Instead of continuing to snoop, I decided to open the door and let myself be known.

"Uncle Charles, David," I said after opening the door.

The sight of me in the doorway to the office seemed to stun them into silence. I was enjoying it immensely.

"Elijah," David answered coldly.

"Our condolences Elijah," my uncle said, "Your father, my brother, was a good man."

His act wasn't fooling me. I knew exactly why he was here.

"Thank you," I answered.

"What are you doing in there?" David asked, peeking over my shoulder into the room.

"Just getting myself acquainted with the room again," I simply said.

It wasn't a direct answer to whether I was accepting the position or not, but it was enough to see them try to hide the anger in their faces.

I casually looked down at my watch.

"I should get going. I have a meeting with the board," I said, rubbing salt in their wound, "See you two later at the memorial?"

"Sure," my uncle said, the fake smile now obvious.

"Good," I nodded and exited the room.

I turned and locked the door behind me. It was a power move, and I was probably pushing it a bit. But, oh was I enjoying it. I walked off confidently, leaving them to talk their smack after I was gone.

As good as I felt in that moment, rubbing it all in their face, I hoped that I could at least survive whatever tactic they may have up their sleeves these next few days.

**********

I stretched my fingers, releasing the tension in the muscles. I've lost count of how many hands I had shaken that night. The words "accept my condolences" and "I'm sorry for your loss" were starting to get super annoying. I was ready for a break.

My father's memorial gathering had started about an hour ago, and I had been talking to well-wishers since the door opened up to let guests in. My mother seemed to be doing good, though I wanted her to take a minute to herself. I didn't want her getting too overwhelmed and shutting down as she did for a few days after dad died. Dad was everything to her, they had been friends since they were kids. Losing someone who had been a part of your life for so long had to be tough.

Angela seemed to be the only one thriving in this environment. She had a gracious smile on her face and conversed with everyone who had approached her talking about my dad. I have no idea how she could be that calm when she had emerged from her room for the first time a few hours ago since dad died. All the more reason she was the one that should be in charge and not me.

"How are you holding up son?" I heard behind me.

I turned and was pleasantly surprised by the presence of Uncle bernard.

"You made it," I said, walking up to him for a hug.

"Of course I did. I couldn't miss showing up to say goodbye to my brother and support his family," he said, hugging me back.

The two of them really were like brothers. A lot like Alex and I are. Speaking of the guy...

"Where's Alex?" I asked.

"He couldn't make it today, something with Iris came up. But he said he'll be here for the funeral," he answered.

I was a bit disappointed, but he was now a married man. I would have to get used to him putting his wife before me.

"Like I asked before, how are you holding up?" he asked again.

"I'm good, for now at least," I answered.

"What about your mother and sister?"

"Angela is fine, or maybe she's putting up a good front. But mom, I'm afraid she'll break again," I said glancing at my mother. Her smile was getting more forced by the minute.

"Well, you know I'm here if you guys need anything," he said and I simply nodded.

Uncle Bernard was about to say something when my actual uncle approached us with a gentleman by his side.

"Bernard," my uncle greeted.

"Charles," uncle Bernard coldly said back.

These two hated each other. Even though it was obvious that the hate had something to do with my dad, Alex and I always suspected that there was more to it. We never had the guts to ask what it was.

My uncle then turned to me.

"Elijah, this is my good friend and business partner, Raymond Castille."

The man he presented was shorter than the average man. His jet black hair was slicked down, and his suit was a tad bit oversized. He had a creepy thin mustache and his smile was strange. Everything about this man caused suspicion. Makes sense why my uncle was business partners with him.

"Mr. Castille," I greeted, reaching out to shake the millionth hand of the night.

"It's great to finally meet you, Mr. Grant," he said, "And I'm so very sorry for your loss."

"Thank you," I said with a nod.

"Well, we'll leave you two to get back to your talking," my uncle said before the two of them walked off.

Before I could make a comment, Angela appeared beside me.

"What did he want?" she asked.

"He was just introducing his friend," I answered.

"No, I meant Mr. Castille," she clarified.

"You know him?"

"Do I ever," she said with disgust, "This man has been trying to invest in the company for years."

"Is that a bad thing?" I asked and my sister looked at me like I had grown an extra head.

"Yes, it is," Uncle Bernard said, apparently sharing the same sentiments with my sister.

"Am I missing something?"

"You don't know who Raymond Castille is?" she asked.

"Ang, I haven't been apart of high society in a while, you're gonna have to catch me up on all the gossip," I said, which made her roll her eyes.

"Mr. Castille has been known to have some very shady businesses. And by shady, I mean illegal," my sister explained. His creepiness made sense now.

"He was one of the names Iris dropped in her expose on Mr. Hawthorne," Uncle bernard explained.

"He goes around investing his dirty money into companies. Some people don't care where the money comes from and accept it. But most of them who accept it, pay the price when it all starts to backfire. I've seen empires crumble because of this man," my sister said. "Dad didn't want our company being involved with his illegal activities so he always declined his offers."

I instantly felt the pressure on my shoulders. It was no surprise that my uncle was friends with someone like that. And it's possible that my uncle was the reason he was pushing so hard to invest in our company. There was no doubt that if my uncle gets to be in charge of the company, this Mr. Castille would also be involved. His involvement may destroy the reputation my father built, or worse yet, bring the whole company to the ground.

I couldn't let this happen.

I won't.

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Sad to say, this story is coming to an end soon. Less than 10 chapters left! Hopefully I can get some time to get things done. 

Until next chapter.