Page 14 of Fever

“It’s time for me to reveal the details behind your inheritance. You’re twenty-seven years old and getting no younger. As you know, I’ve been retired for some time now. So, I want you to take over the company. Gemz that is. All the business meetings, charity parties, and events I’ve dragged you to have been preparing you for this very moment. The details include complete ownership of all operations, an immediate inheritance of four million five hundred thousand if you accept and sign on the dotted line today. Once the agreement that Ms. Lean will hand to you is signed, the money will be transferred to your bank account. Arrangements for your takeover will begin and be complete by your 28th birthday. On that day, you will be the sole owner of Gemz and receive another inheritance of fifteen million dollars.”

I could see the wheels turning in Josiah’s head. I’m sure this was the last thing he expected to hear today.

“However,” his father continued to say, “there is a clause before taking full control of the company.”

“And there it is,” I heard Josiah whisper.

Christopher leaned into the television, getting closer to the screen. In habit, it made Josiah lean forward as well.

“Son,” his father spoke with a soft and gentle voice, “you know I want nothing but the best for you. To receive your full inheritance on your 28th, you’ll need to take life seriously. Settle down and find a wife you want to spend your life with. Now I know you’re a ladies’ man, but son, you’ve got to grow up and take some responsibility. It’s time for you to be with one woman and open your heart. You’ll be thirty before you know it, then forty, then in your fifties like your ol’ man. Time waits for no one. Are you man enough to step up to the plate? I guess I’ll find out. I hope so. See you soon.”

Josiah looked completely flabbergasted.

“What type of clause is that?” he questioned, dazed.

Josiah sat back in his chair. The sun rays filled the room as I readjusted the blinds. When I turned back to him, I could tell he was lost in thought. Probably wondering how he could get around the clause. I cleared my throat, bringing him out of his haze. Josiah glanced at me and the manila folder I was now holding. He reached for it, taking it out of my hands to run his eyes over the document. After realizing his father’s terms were listed there, Josiah reached for his tie again, completely removing it from around his neck.

I continued to study his demeanor. He didn’t look too excited about his inheritance at all. If it were me, I would jump at the opportunity if given the chance. Josiah stood suddenly.

“I need some fresh air,” he said.

“Wait.” I held up my hand. “What about the agreement, is it signed?” I looked down at the folder left open on the table.

“Yeah, I um,” his words trailed off.

I felt like I should say something but never liked to interfere in company business unless explicitly told. However, this was an opportunity of a lifetime, and I wanted to knock some sense into Josiah before he made the biggest mistake of his life.

“Listen, Josiah, I know this seems like a big deal, but it’s not. You can run the company. I’ve seen you in the field, and you were born to do this.”

“It’s not running the company that concerns me.”

“I know, you want to build your brand and you still can. Your father isn’t giving you a handout. It’s your rightful inheritance. All your brothers received one at some point, and they all went on to build their brands. Don’t look at it as a handout. Look at your inheritance as sponsorship money for your startup. Even when someone helps you start, it doesn’t seal the deal on the growth of the company. You have to put in the work, and it’s still your baby. So, take my advice, don’t leave here today without signing the contract.”

“You’re right, and I’m acutely aware of everything you just said, but,” he said, “I don’t like being forced into any situation. Who says I want a wife?”

“Don’t you? Everyone wants that one person to call their own at some point.”

“Yeah, I haven’t reached that point yet.”

I sighed. “Well maybe by the time your next birthday rolls around, you will have. You never know. The least you can do is sign the contract and get your first deposit. If you don’t have a change of heart by the time you turn twenty-eight, then you’ve lost nothing. Your father won’t take back the four million five hundred. You just won’t get the full inheritance, and you don’t have it now, so you won’t be missing anything.”

Josiah chuckled. “Has anyone ever told you, you should be a lawyer, Ms. Lean?”

I smiled. “I actually have a law degree, it just wasn’t what I was looking for in the long run.”

He chuckled again. “Of course.”

I watched him think some more on it before lifting his tie from the table.

“Josiah?”

“Give me until the end of the day.”

And with that, he was gone.

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