Lexi's pov;
I took Luci's number yesterday so I pulled a call through after breakfast. She came to meet us and we went shopping with Nelson.
" Wow,this is so beautiful, will you try it on?". Luci held out a dress to me.
" I don't need it. For whom will I wear it?".
" You don't have to be like that,wear it for yourself,ok?".
" This cloth suits you. I believe you will like it". I heard a man say from beside me.
It's a stranger yet,he looked familiar. So strange.
" I'm not a stalker,just a harmless opinion if you don't mind". He continued.
" Oh, thank you". I gave a polite smile. He smiled back and I swear I thought it was Max. His smile is so familiar.
' I must be hallucinating'. I shook out disturbing thoughts and grabbed the dress from Luci.
" I'll try it". I wanted to be rid of this strange stranger.
" You'll definitely love it". Luci winked.
I was relieved to finally be rid of him. I let out a sigh.
The dress was ok so I just bought it. I didn't want to hear Luci rant again. We continued our shopping in peace.
I bought many things for Nelson. I also bought packs of wool as I want to start knitting. Luci was such a good company. I even forgot my problems for a while.
I went to drop her before going home.
I was in the living room with Nelson when I heard the door bell. It was Max's Dad and some other two men.
" Good afternoon sir, come in please".
He didn't even reply me as he entered. I wasn't surprised because he's never for once liked me but I was wondering why he's visiting. Definitely can't be to offer condolences.
He sat down with the other men and cleared his throat.
" We came here to tell you that now, Max isn't here anymore so your services here are no longer needed. You should leave my son's house now and don't dream of bewitching my grandson to go with you". I was wondering why I wasn't even surprised.
" Cutie, will you go play in your room. I'll be back soon,ok?". "Ok Mom". I watched him went up the stairs to his room.
He snickered," better get ready to leave in two days".
I have always known my father-in-law not to like me but I didn't knew he'd go this far.
' perhaps Max already expected this to happen, that was why he willed all his properties to me'.
I smiled lightly," father,why don't we wait for my husband's lawyer,now my lawyer". I picked up my phone and called the lawyer immediately.
He smirked after I dropped the call.
" You think getting his lawyer involved will save you? Nice try. A pity it won't help".
Ding.dong ding.dong
" The lawyer must be here. I'll answer the door".
" Good afternoon ma'am".
" Afternoon and thank you for honoring my call".
" My pleasure ma'am".
" Please have a sit".
" Thank you ma'am". He gave a bow before sitting.
" The thing is, father and these two men are here to claim right on this house. They wants to send me out". My father-in-law let out a scowl.
The lawyer nodded in understanding taking out some documents from his bag. He stood up.
" Standing in front of you now is lawyer Jimmie. The lawyer of the deceased, Maxwell Kim. I'll like to announce that before the death of the deceased,he came to me to make his will in the event that he is no more. I'll read it out".
I Maxwell Kim leave all my properties and belongings big and small to Alexandra Drey. When I die, she'll become the sole owner of everything I own. It was signed off with his signature.
I almost teared up again but I held it in.
" Father, this house is Max's property which makes it mine now. I'm afraid I'm not going anywhere".
They looked shocked, especially Mr. Kim.
" No, it's not possible. How could he leave everything single thing to you. His total net worth is more than 20 billion XOF. How could he leave it to just one person? Not just any person but this worthless trash?".
" I'm afraid so. You need evidence? Then, I'll give you one". I nodded at the lawyer.
" Here's a duplicate of the will". He handed it to him.
" This is rubbish. I don't believe it". He shouted before barging out with his two companion who never spoke a word.
I sighed holding my face in my palm.
' so exhausting'. I dropped my hand.
" Thank you for today lawyer Jimmie".
" I'm glad to be of help to you madam. If anyone else troubles you, please don't hesitate to call me. I'll be on my way then".
" Won't you stay for some wine".
" I'm afraid I can't, maybe some other time".
" Bye then. Thanks once again".
" Goodbye ma'am". He said before leaving.
I breathed out. It's now obvious that Max had it all planned out. ' but who would plan his own death?'. Maybe I'm the one overthinking this.
I went to meet Nelson in his room," my cutie is so obedient, I should reward him. What do you think?".
" Mommy, mommy, let's go to the garden". Nelson said eagerly.
" Sure, sure, let's go. Let me grab some wool so we can knit,ok?". I ruffled his hair before leaving to take what I need.
We went to our now furnished hideout. I sat inside the house trying to knit a shirt while Nelson was playing outside.
I couldn't help remembering Max,' we built this together'. I sniffled.
I dropped the knitting pin and went outside to meet Nelson.
" Mommy, I'm trying to build a sand cottage". He shouted out to me. He was obviously enjoying himself very much.
I joined him and we played together. Built towers together and destroyed them together. We did all sort of childish things together. I was very happy, even if it was for that moment only.
After dinner, I took him to bed and wanted to read him a bedtime story like always.
" Anything in mind today Nelson?".
" Un". He scurried over to his study table and after going through them, he brought out a book. Holding it to me. He jumped in the bed as soon as I took the novel from him.
The title reads,' Alora's adventure in the strawberry forest'.
I read to him till he fell asleep and I tucked him in. I continued reading the story to see the end.
It was about a girl who got lost in a strawberry farm where she found her love and had a happily ever after.
When I finished the story, I tiptoed out as silently as possible in order not to wake Nelson.
As I lay down, I couldn't help thinking about the story. Comparing the characters.
I was lost in the world just as Alora was in the strawberry farm. Then Max came hunting for something else entirely but found me instead just as the hunter had found Alora instead of a game. And he married me.
'But while Alora and the hunter got to have a happily ever after, here I am'. I sighed sadly.
' reality and fairytale are different indeed'.
The next day, Jade took Mira and I out. I brought Nelson with me as I couldn't leave him at home. We got back to Jade's house in the evening.
" Thank you for today Jade". Mira said.
" Thank you, uncle Jade I really had fun".
Jade gave a big smile.
" The pleasure is all mine".
" Actually, I want to tell you something". He sounded solemn.
" Bad news?". I asked.
" I don't know. The thing is, I have to cut ties with you from now on. Staying with you guys will endanger your lives". Mira and I locked eyes, seeing the confusion in each other's eyes.
He took out three small objects and gave one to each of us.
I scrutinized it. It's looked very small with only one button. It is shaped like a bangle.
" That's the Dial. Anytime you are in danger, just press it".
I nodded.
" I still don't understand. Sometimes I feel like Max had been planning his death even before he died. I confused".
He gave a small smile.
" How could that be possible? Maybe he's just a very careful person".
"Actually,we, I,yes, I, I'm planning something and it might hurt you both so I need to stay away as far away as possible". I looked at him intently, he looked away.
I couldn't help but think he's hiding something. But what? I don't know.
" Well, we're leaving now". Mira said and stood up.
I also stood up and took Nelson in my arms.
About two days later, Nelson was still asleep and I wanted to go shop for groceries before he wakes up.
I parked my car beside the road and went into the mall. As I was coming back and about to cross the road back to my car.
I was in the middle of the road when I noticed a car driving madly towards me. It was obvious the car had the intention to kill me. My heart froze. My legs failed me, I couldn't go forward or backward. The car was getting nearer by the second. I closed my eyes as a tear fell from my eyes.
' Max, seems we'll be meeting soon. I'm sorry I won't be able to take care of Nelson like you want me to'.