Before I can even process, I was hanging on a bright Saturday morning. How did Saturday come this soon? Where was I yesterday... ah, in my home with a cappuccino watching frozen. I smiled to myself for the childish fantasy I crave. Fabian was still sleeping and I remember him saying that, on this day, he tends to get his beauty sleep and I let him be. I picked up my jogging boots and walked out. I preferred the morning sun on my face and nape rather than sleep.

Sleep has always sucked the energy from me, glamorizing my inner thighs and abdomen, or so as a nutritionist said. And yes, the more I slept and having my portioned anything meal, I felt like a heavy fat thing. Even though it was hard, I quit sleeping late and started to go for a walk.

The street was deserted as it was Saturday, a day most of the joggers take off from running and I was happy to see it all for myself, no funny stares, and no irritating flirts. I could see some scattered here and there and some smiled at me. Those friendlier ones I wished to see often and Mrs. Grainer, one among them was walking her dog. 

I occasionally skid myself to pamper the beauty, her white fluffy fur made it even cuddlier, I loved this thing. Mrs. Gainer was a gorgeous one even in her late fifties and a living thing that made me feel I am honored and amazing. She often invites me to have tea and coffee. She was a loner, left behind by her twelve sons and four daughters. That was very much considering the time now, but, she said, she held them all to her heart with

"Have breakfast with me, angel." And she is my family; she is the only other one apart from Fabian who calls me Angel.

"Oh, well... why not." I texted Fabio to not wait up and went with her to the beautiful little cottage just around the end of our street. It had a few acres of land with it, beautifully groomed and well attended. Sheep, cow, duck, pig, cat, and dogs grazed like they owned the land. I loved coming here.

"So, how are you, my dear?"

"I am good, tell me about your granny."       

"I am not feeling good angel, you know, I am a little bit worried and the words keep popping into my mind that I am not going to last soon, my time's up and I can see Gerald smiling and wait by a gate. I am worried, about this place; I don't want it to go away from my family. I don't want the community to take our land dear. I fear for this place, this is what he and I have curdled blood to etch our existence. This is..."

"Shush....oh dear, I never knew, you never say anything. Have you tried to contact them?"

"Kids... how can they do this to me? How can they do this to us? This is our place, they only have to come and look inside to see me holding the family photo of all my gems..."

"Now, there...there...see, Fluffy is scared, look at her." She sniffed and looked at the scrunched up nose and the slow whining with titled head, making her adorable and granny laughed a sad laugh making the Fluffy jump from her lap and looking at her with an amused look. By then Fluffy was ok with the change in atmosphere and barked an excited cry, wagging her tail beautifully. This controlled granny and now she was hugging the dog and silently talking to her

"Granny... I better get going." 

"No-no...stay, I have my best pancake and chocolate pie; you should eat."

"There goes my jogging and diet down the drain."

"Oh, accept your body honey, you are a little fat, I agree... but, you are not those who are short of breath after doing a simple work. You are who you are, accept It." it opened my eyes and I was glad to hear those words.

"I am scared, what will happen, angel?" I was no legal person and not a person with much land, but yes, my parents were rich to get myself out of danger as long as I lived with minimal luxury and I was happy with it. So, I knew how to manage money from the bank.

"Angel, will you listen if I ask you a favor?"

"Of course, I will do anything for your granny." I bit into my pancake glistening with maple syrup and it tasted heavenly. Waffles with sausages were another treat and I mentally calculated that I can never gorge that awesome pie. And, I was distracted by what granny was talking about.

"I am sorry, granny, your food distracted me. What were you saying?"

"I was saying that you are of legal age and you are just like a daughter I never had and a better one to be precise if you were mine." There was sadness in her tone and I remembered mom's words... 'Always be good to everyone, even if the world is treating you badly, put your birthday suit meaning innocence and be as good as that baby. Then no harm will reach you.' being as good as my mom taught me, might be the reason to receive this amount of generosity from a civilized individual. I was about to cry when she chimed in.

"No, don't cry and I was being truthful, you are like a girl I never had and I wished to have met your parents who raised an amazing girl. So, I was thinking that you are in your legal age and you are not a minor, so I am writing my estate and house to your name. Don't interrupt me, where are the manners I was talking about. One condition that I am going to set is: if none of my children ever come to you after my death claiming their rights for five consecutive years, Gerald Green is yours. If anyone of them returned claiming, then that person should bring all of my children, of course, the one who is alive, and divide among them equally. Of course, I am leaving you a share and you get to choose first, which place you want. You see, I have quite a piece of land and I am not going to choke you with my family. So, I can rest in peace. Tell me you agree."

"I need some time..."

"Of course, you sure do. I am going to contact my legal advisor and Gerald's best friend's son, Mr. Eric Chandler."

"Oh..."

"You finish your plate and get ready for my tea. I will be right back"

This gave me time to think. I had five years until her clan comes to rip my throat. Gerald Green is big, enormous to be precise and I being the sole heir feel intimidating. Surely, the place is going to lose its charm once it gets to me. And, I am sure; I will get angry if they come after her death, to claim the land and I surely will hate those people. But, it is not my business and I should hand over their land. I don't want even a piece of it, I am sure of that. But, what if they won't come back? What if they... what happened to all sixteen of them, no, ten of them as six have said their final goodbye in different stages of her life. What happened to all ten of them?

Granny broke my chain of thoughts with exciting news as to her, because of the legal advisor, Mr. Eric Chandler accepted her wish and was ready to work with her.

"Eric is an absolute stupid sometimes. Not legal based, on his personal side. He divorced his wife and was heartbroken because of it. Then she died out of cancer at a very young age shortly after the divorce and he was once again heartbroken. His sons left him and that's when he knew he was a complete idiot. He tried to get his sons, but they plainly refused. And rumor has it, that the cause of divorce is another woman. I am not aware of it, so that's that. But, if he wants to... he is a complete gentleman. Sure do people make mistakes and I am not keen on his sons ditching him. And, Alexander, his youngest will come just after ten to meet me. I want you to be with me and meet him. He is a very good person, just like you."

By the time she finished the short story, I managed to eat two small pancakes with an extra crispy medium sized waffle with sausages and orange juice, and I don't have space for that scrumptious looking pie. It was about time for Alexander to come in and I was getting nervous for no reason. Granny was more than happy to pack me some waffles and that pie to take back home. There was no word as acceptance of refusal in her and I was defeated. I have to take them with me.

Just as I was clearing our cups, a familiar jovial voice called out for granny. She squealed with delight and hugged him and there were laughter and enjoyment in the air. Drying my hands, I head out to the living room to see my brown danger handling my granny lovingly, which made my heart swell.

So he was Alexander.

Chuckling to myself, I walked out with a heavy stomach and pleasing smile on my face. I always walk out refreshed from her, but today, I was troubled thinking about being her heir to the place they build for their children. It was sad.

By the time I reached my room, Fabian was having breakfast of a simple peanut butter sandwich.

"Good morning sunshine."

"Jogging...on a Saturday morning? Girl, you are insane.

"No, it is always my job to run around to the last of the street and meet that darling granny. She gave me some waffles and pie; I have sausages...want some?"

"Oh yeah, I want some homemade waffles. And are you talking about that Mrs. Grainer?"

"Yes, you know here?"

"Yes, I used to hear mom mentioning about her, but never met her."

"Oh, she just told me that she wished to see them earlier. She is my diary you know, I tell her everything."

"Ooh this is gorgeous, they taste divine."

"Yes, I have had to my stomach's content. Fabian..." I used to call him seriously if I have something important to say and I always capture his attention easily. "I have to say something."

"Are you pregnant?"

"Argh, you..." we had a hearty laugh and he always had the knack of lighting my tensed attitude. I told him about her offer. He listened carefully and turned to me after I let out a forced sigh.

"Hmm... angel, you are now filthy rich."

"Only for five years and God knows when they will return back."

"They are not going to come back angel, none of them."

"Huh?" I was beyond shocked and he gulped down a chunk of waffles that remained in his mouth and looked at me.

"Angel, I remember mom saying that her kids were scattered across the country and years back, on their parent's anniversary, I don't know which, they decided to come together as a surprise... but, they never reached home. In fact, they were met with an accident and every single one of them was found dead."

I was shattered and broken.

'I have to tell her before it's too late, or she might leave me hating her children.'

I slowly walked backed to the cottage contemplating how will I ever convey the dreadful news.

______________________________