Chapter 5 The Announcement

"Good morning"Valeria finally said with a shy smile, and red cheeks.

"Morning" Noah simply replied and continue munching on his food.

"I...Uhmm, did you have a good jog this morning,Ava informed me you were out jogging" Valeria said facing him, following the direction of his voice.

"Dinning rooms are for eating not having unnecessary conversations Valie" Noah said sternly,not realizing he had referred to her with a pet name.

"Sorry" Valeria smiled at the mention of her name rolling down his tongue, not only did he call her by her name but gave her a pet name.

The two sat in silence and Ava directed Valeria to the plate placed in front of her and the food it was. Surprisingly, Valeria declared she could eat herself and she did.Noah watches as his face darkens with a scowl.

'So she knew her ways with food but not with taking her own bath' he thought while looking at her with a scowl on his face.

Few minutes into the food, Valeria heard someone push open the large door. It was Lucas who walked in with Julia. Julia was holding on to a dog chain which was tied on a Maltese neck. As the Maltese sights Valeria,it barks in excitement as it tried to run towards Valeria but Julia was holding on to it tightly.

Valeria heard Daisy, her dog's barks.Her whole face lit up in a bright smile. She turned her head towards the direction she heard Daisy barked.

Lucas and Julia walks over to where Noah and Valeria sat. Julia greeted Noah which made Valeria aware Julia was right beside her.

"Julia" she calls out to Julia who kept a cool gaze.

"I'm here to drop your remaining things off"Julia said and let go of Daisy's chain.The dog excitedly jump on Valeria who caressed it with her hand while whispering sweet nothings to the dog.

"Mr Owen, I brought over the file you demanded for" Lucas said.

"Okay, let's go to my study" Noah said and gets up from his seat. Valeria heard the scrap of his chair on the carpet as he stood up and excused himself.

"Excuse us ladies" Lucas said with a warm smile only Julia could see.She only nods in response trying to ignore the fact that Lucas just winked at her. Noah and Lucas exit the room leaving alone Julia and Valeria who was still caressing the Maltese seated on her lap.

"Are you...comfortable here" Julia stretched the last words like it was a mistake to say it.Valeria chuckles with Julia's way of caring.Julia had always been a quiet reserved kid since her stepmother had brought her in with her.She was five years of age and Valeria was eight.Valeria hated her father when he remarried just three years after her mother's death and what infuriated her more then was when Julia was brought home.The fact that Julia had been given birth to the exact year her mother died pissed her and she had been rebellious as a kid but her stepmother shaped her into been quiet with a lot of scolding and thrashing.

Valeria had hated Julia for it, he had hated both her and her mother with every fibre of her being until one fateful day when Alice started scolding Valeria as usual,but Julia had intervened and stood up against her mother, and she had been the one that ends up with a thrashing.

"I am...Julia,thank you for caring" Valeria said.Julia scoffs and rolls her eyes.

"I don't care,I'm off"Julia said and turns to leave.

"Bye!"Julia heard Valeria shout at her retreating back and a smile formed on her thin lips.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Western Europe,Paris.

A group of family of about twenty people sat in different angles in the large luxurious living room. Some had their arms crossed while leaning on a sofa while some stood with their eyes on a man in a black suit who adjusted his glasses before talking.

"The late Mrs Miller made a video of her last will and testament, she want there to be no rancor or disagreement after her death, and I will like you all to watch and listen to it yourselves" The family lawyer said while bringing out a flash drive from his suitcase.A maid was instructed to connect the flash drive to the wide screened Television.

Everyone's eyes fell on the grey haired woman who appeared on the screen.

"If you are watching this, it probably means you have finally found a way to get rid of me, don't look so horrified, I am just kidding but it means I am no longer in the land of the living" the old woman said and gave a short laugh. Some people in the room sniffs and wipe their falling tears with an handkerchief. Some reactions were fake while some were real. Jules Miller sat on the long sofa in the middle of the living room including his wife and two children and many other family members.

"I know you all could never get along but try your best not to ruin my hard earned reputation with publicity" the old woman paused and continues "Bernard,do not dare to puff your smoke while listening to my will and Donald,stop picking your nose, it's disgusting." the woman said like she was truly witnessing the scene. Everyone glanced at Bernard who had a cigarette held in his fingers and young Donald who had his finger in his nose.Donald quickly lift his finger down from his nose as he looked abashed.

"So I'm gonna go to the straight point now,I Rose Miller, of sane mind which of course is confirmed by the family doctor, reads my last will and testament, which is not really much, I want Maria's daughter,Valeria as the sole heir to the family company, Mr Douglas will announce the shares, I want you all to assist the young lady in keeping the company afloat and to offer her your support, that's all....Tisha,do not weep over an old woman like me, you should know it wouldn't bring me back and I hope that despite my hard ways, you still find memories of me that brings you joy" the old woman said and the video ended.

Everyone stared at the screen in bewilderment. Jules hands balls into a fist as he gritted his teeth. Mr Douglas started reading the shares as some gasps while some kept a cool gaze.The room turned into chaos as they all begin to argue amongst themselves. Only Jules,Tisha and the little kids in the room stayed silent.Jules concealed his anger as he gave a malicious smile.

"That old ingrate." he muttered to himself, and a plan started to take shape in his head.