Page 15 of Eternal Craving
Turn back before it’s too late.
With my head held high, I entered the law office. The front reception area seemed surprisingly disorganized, papers scattered here and there, and piles of documents stacked precariously. On one of the heaps of files lay a curled-up tabby cat. A candle on the mantle dripped wax. It trickled to the edge and poured over, plopping onto the floor, its red splashes hardening into shiny circles.
This seeming inability to keep up with the clients’ affairs presented me with an advantage.
Señor Teofilo, Roelle’s solicitor, greeted me. He soon appeared eager to rid himself of all dealings with the house of Bastillion. Teofilo had once had his share of disagreements with Roelle, it seemed.
We headed to his private office and settled at an old bay table. I studied his expression for any sign that he suspected I’d presented him with a tampered will. He recited Roelle’s wishes in a monotone voice, his methodical demeanor almost making up for the disarray of his office.
During the reading, I feigned surprise that I’d inherited the estate. Although the property had been destroyed, his fortune, banked with the House of Leon, had been substantial. Certainly more than I’d anticipated. Roelle’s penchant for wearing tatty suits had fooled everyone.
I could only wonder how Felipe would react when he learned of the fortune being handed down to Ricardo’s youngest brother. Grenaldi had been bequeathed everything in the old will but had been removed completely from the new one. With a flick of the fountain pen, I signed the official papers and the name Bastillion changed to Velde on the possessorship. Although no amount of money could ever make up for all that I’d lost, it did offer some comfort that I would never know hunger again.
The cat’s gaze stayed on me as I headed out.
With the large advance, petty cash from the estate, I purchased new clothes for both me and Miguel. I also returned with fresh food purchased from the expensive stores that I’d peered into as a boy, staring eagerly at the delicious assortments I could never taste.
Riding home, I scarfed down thick pieces of bread, closely followed by a large chunk of cheese, then chomped on the largest piece of ham I’d ever seen, followed by several sweet cakes, hardly tasting them. Relief came when my stomachache wore off and I marveled at my ability not to throw up.
When I’d fully recovered from my binge, I galloped the rest of the way home.
I’d pulled it off. The real challenge would be when I told Miguel. I found him in the paddock, exercising a young mare.
“It’s time you took a day off,” I said.
“Where have you been?” he asked.
“In town.”
Miguel pulled on the horse’s reins. “You can’t handle them on your own, and besides I don’t consider this work.”
“We can hire staff.”
He let the mare loose, allowing her to have the run of the paddock and she flicked her long, grey-white mane, cantering free. He climbed over the gate.
“Hungry?” I asked, pointing at the bag I’d tied to the saddle.
His hand disappeared inside. “Where did you get the money?”
“It was left to me by Roelle.”
“That’s where you’ve been? Seeing Roelle’s lawyer?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It was last minute.”
Miguel pulled out a piece of ham and bit into it. “How much?”
“More than enough food to last a week.”
“I meant how much money?”
“Quite a sum.”
His bushy eyebrows rose in surprise.
