The Heiress of Cherith Manor

During the mid day, a winter storm rolled in with freezing rain an a mix of sleet and snow. The old Cherith manor stood off in the distance of the country side of Oakland Main. With the marble stone structure being cracked with mold growing along the walls with vines snaking up the sides with its woodsy stems swirling through the small spaces of the cracks. Charles Cherith glanced up to his wall clock, he stood from his burgundy arm chair and walked over to the stain glass window. With green fallen leaves cascading down while the rain beat down heavily against the glass with pat, pat, pat sounds.

He stood tall with broad shoulders held back and head high with his arm behind his back with the other gripping his personalized cane with a silver deer’s head with his fingers between the long antlers with gold on the ends. He watched as the blacked out stretched limousine pulled through the granite tall spiked gates with his initials in the center. It drove up the long winding gravel driveway circling around the limestone fountain that stood in the middle of a circle patch of grass.

That has a half nude woman standing at the top with with her toga covering half of her hips and legs with a water fall sprouting from the palm of her hand. His trusted butler Subastian, stood waiting on the wide stone porch that has two marble stone pillars that holds up a balcony. Straightened himself and suit jacket when the limousine came to a stop in front of him. Stepping off of the slightly loose stone steps with the umbrella over his head; he opened the door stepping to the side holding the umbrella out as he greeted the short slender brunette as he helped her out of the vehicle.

Shaking his out stretched hand she took a quick moment to look around at her surroundings. Noticing off to her right a huge green maze with white roses scattering the outer wall of it. Further down a pool house stood on a small hill with nice shaped bushes on either side of it. Charles watched her looking around the property that she could see from where she stood. While he also noted that she wore an all black pant suit with the brown leather shoulder bag that she held close to her side. Nodding to himself approvingly that she fallowed his instructions to the letter.

Turning away from the window, he walked through the double doors of his pallor room. Making his way across the wine colored gold trim carpeted foyer into his home office. He turned the glass knob pushing the dark wooded door open. Stepping into warm room that was filled an orange glow from the white marble fire place mantle. Taking a seat behind his desk, the leather arm chair creaked under his weight. With two nocks that sounded at the door, he leaned back in his seat as he said, “Inter.” Subastian opened the door gesturing for the woman to walk in and take a seat.

Just as Subastian bowed his head slightly closing the door behind himself. “Ms. Nelson, did you bring what I asked for?” Charles asked, folding his hands over the other while he watched her carefully. “Y-yes, yes I did sir, but um I’m still a little confused as to why you hired me to be you’re lawyer when you have a family lawyer that can take care of what you’ve asked of me.” Ms. Nelson said, nervously looking down at the bag that lay in her lap. “And have you done what I’ve asked of you?” Charles asked, wondering if she was successful in the task he had tasked her with over a month ago.

“Yes sir, I’ve found her. Her name is Malissa Mortitz, she’s nineteen and doesn’t live far from your residents. Ms. Nelson said, when he motioned for her to give him the paperwork she has on the girl. Opening the bag, she pulled out a tan folder. Placing it on his desk sliding it over towards him; as he picked it up flipping it over seeing the photo of her. “Are you sure that she’s your granddaughter sir?” Ms. Nelson asked, looking from him to the little bits of picture frames on one side of his desk.

Seeing a young woman with long brown hair and green eyes; with a toddler in her arms with blonde and natural brown streaks in her hair. “I know she is, her and my daughter use to live here Ms. Nelson. But I also need you to do something else for me.” Charles said, as he read through the documents on the granddaughter that he use to know. “W-what is it that you need sir?” Ms. Nelson asked, looking from the pictures of the grandchild that looked similar to the man sitting across from her. “I’m glad that you can keep your discretion about all of this and my Will. I would like for you to bring Malissa here to live.” Charles said, sitting down the papers and leaning back in his seat.

“It’s been a little difficult trying to keep your will and these documents about her secret. Your families lawyer has been snooping around my office, so I had to keep them at my place. But sir I’m still a little confused about why all of this has to be kept secret from your family lawyer and family?” Ms. Nelson said, hoping that she wasn’t crossing the line about brining it up once again.

“I don’t trust my nephew or neices and brother with my home or money. I know that brother tried to kill my daughter when she was living here. The only reason he didn’t succeed is because my maid ate the food instead.” Charles admitted, having a feeling that at least one of them would try to somehow get money.

“Sir, if he tried killing her before then finds out that you have a grand child. What’s to stop him from doing the same to her? And are you even sure that she’ll be safe here?” Ms. Nelson asked, question after question wondering even if he would be safe as well. Charles saw the worried look in her eyes, that she was starting to stress about the possibility of him being murdered by his family. But he already has a plan for that, with a good plan that he already planned ahead.

“You don’t need to worry about a thing Ms. Nelson. I’ve taken care of everything, I only need you to keep this one thing safe for me.” Charles said, pushing away form his desk walking over to one of the portraits on the far wall. Sliding aside the portrait with the split tree turning the lock back and forth till it clicked open. He reached inside taking out a small black leather book. “Okay sir, but what is it that you need me to keep safe?” Ms. Nelson asked, looking at the old man that walked back over to his desk.

“This right here.” Charles said, holding up in his hand was the small leather bound book. With a confused look on Ms. Nelson’s face as she stared at his hand that held the black book. “But is there something important in it?” Ms. Nelson asked, looking from the book to him. “Yes, there is and I don’t want anyone to know the contents in these pages.” Charles said, handing over the book to her, she took the book out of his hands and into the leather bag nodding her head at him. “Good, you can’t read it either. And if anything happens to me I want you to keep this book from Malissa as well.” Charles said, walking past his desk and her, he opened the door waving Subastian over to him...

Three weeks after his meeting with Ms. Nelson, he was surprised that she successfully convinced Malissa to stay at his home. After reading her letting he tossed it in the fireplace in his pallor room leaning back in his seat. “Mr. Cherith, your brother is at the gate requesting to see you. Should I let him in?” Subastian asked, standing in the doorway watching as the letter burned in the fire. “Did he say what he wanted?” Charles asked, reaching over for his cane as he stood up and walked over to him.

“No, he didn’t say why he wants to speak with you.” Subastian said, watching as he walked past him into the side room seeing his brother walking back and forth on the monitor. Pushing the speaker button he said, “What do you want Gram? I’m busy right now so what is it?” Gram stopped in his pacing looking up at the security camera as he yelled out, “Damn it! Charles open these gates!” Sighing Charles shook his head looking down at wrist that rested a Michael Kors watch. “Gram just say what you want.” Charles said, in a bored tone as he twirled his cane around in his hand.

Sucking his teeth Gram said with his anger slipping into his tone, “Our lawyer said that you’ve been discussing with another lawyer some Nelson girl. So what’s going on? I know your not trying to deny me, my right to this manor and money!” Chuckling to himself Charles said, “You’re right? As I recall this is mine and what do with it is none of your business. An who I decide to pass it on too is my choice and mine alone. I don’t need to answer to you.” Gram stood there glaring up at the camera with hatred in his eyes as he balled his fists to the point his knuckles were turning white.

“You, why you! I’ll make sure you regret this!” Gram shouted, stomping off back to his Ford truck slamming the door closed with the rusted paint falling to the ground. He backed up and sped off back down the private road with him mumbling to himself the whole way home. “Was it even wise of you to push his buttons like that Mr. Cherith?” Subastian asked, as he watched him laugh at his brothers retreating truck before he walked out of the room.

“I honestly enjoyed every moment of it. Besides I don’t want him here when she comes. I want you to pick her up and bring her here tonight Subastian I don’t want any of them here at all.” Charles demanded, as he patted him on the shoulder while he made his way up the stairs to his room. “Of course Mr. Cherith I will pick her up right now.” Subastian said, walking to the door and walking in to the double door garage starting up one of the cars and pulling out driving out the gate heading into town.

By the time Subastian was nearing Malissa’s apartment complex he noticed a white car fallowing him. When he sped up just in time as the car was sped up to hit the bumper. Swerving to the right and left do the white car couldn’t get in front of him; he then turned down side streets and headed back to the main road taking three rights between taking two lefts till he parked in a near by alley cutting the lights he watched as the white car sped on by never noticing him. Breathing out a sigh of relief, he still wanted to be careful. So he pulled to the back of her complex and hopped out heading around to the front he walked in through the glass doors.

Heading on up to the fourth floor, knocking on the blue painted door. Malissa jumped out of her sleep on the gray futon that sat in the middle of her small livingroom. Stretching her arms and legs out, she stood with a yawn escaping her as she neared the door. “Who is it?” She called, standing on her tippy toes to peek through the peep hole. “Ms. Mortitz, I am Subastian Moore. Your grandfather Mr. Cherith sent me to pick you up and bring you to the manor.” He said, listening as she unlocked and opened the door a crack looking at his tall lean figure.

“Um, I thought I wasn’t to see him till next eeek or something. I mean that’s what his lawyer said to me when she was here.” Malissa said, with her mind going back to that small black leather bound book that she took out of that lawyers bag. “Yes well he couldn’t wait to meet you in person and get to know you.” He said, gesturing for her to let him in with his hand while he took in her appearance. With her sandy blonde hair atop her head in a loose bun with strands hanging down framing her face that held soft features with small full lips that looked soft to the touch.

Clearing his throat trying to not be taken aback by her beauty and him being so attracted to her as well. She opened the door wider revealing that she was in a over size black tee with purple flowered and black short shorts that showed off her thick thighs. Subastian walked into her small cramped apartment seeing that she already had three bags packed that sat up against the dingy white wall that was connected to her even smaller kitchen.

That was wide open to were he could see that there was only room for the stove that sat next to the wall on the left side and to the right was the stainless steel sink and countertop with a fridge next to it. “Glad that your already packed for the trip out of the city.” He said, walking over and grabbing the bags while she went to change but he stopped her. “Miss Malissa, there’s no need for you to change. It’s late so you can come in your sleepwear honestly, Mr. Cherith will be asleep by the time we get back.” He said, scooting her out of her apartment just as she grabbed her keys and phone and charger as well...

The drive was a long hour and thirty minute drive to the manor. With Subastian constantly checking the review mirror every five seconds. But by this time after they entered the manor and he showed her to her room and helped her unpack. She just wanted to collapse on the huge Queen size bed and let sleep take over...

Rays of sunlight streamed through the white sheer curtains that brushes against the hardwood floor of her room. That had her tossing and turning as she tried to get back to dreamland that was escaping her quickly. Cracking her eyes open, with a groan she sat up looking over to her book bag. Sliding out of the huge comfy bed padding her way over to the dresser and unzipping the bag. Pulling out the book she stared at it for a few minutes then she walked back over to the bed.

Crawling to the middle of the bed she sat there glancing at the door before she flipped opened the book to the first two pages. As she read what was written inside, till she reached the middle of the pages. Dread sunk in her bones with the knowledge that her mother was murdered while she was on her school trip. Jumping out of the bed and out the door, and down the hall calling out her “grandfather’s” name. Wanting to find him in that huge home looking around every corner an room.

Till she finally found him, sitting in his home-office behind his desk. When his gaze looked up to meet her teary ones as she stood in his doorway. “Is it true? Huh, is it true that my mother was murdered because of you?” She asked, walking over to him and tossing the book on his desk. Watching it slide across to him hanging off of the edge. “Yes, it’s true but you have something else on your mind Malissa. So speak your mind.” Charles said, seeing Subastian standing near by listening to the conversation.

“I was told that you were my grandfather but I read that your my father instead?” She said, as tears rolled down her cheeks thinking that he would lie to her. “That’s how your mother wanted people to know but the truth is she’s not my daughter I brought her but you already read that since all of the transactions were noted in this.” Charles said, picking up the book and waving it in the air to her...