Chapter 2: Ashton

The funeral was quick, but it was beautiful as well.

Hailie stayed by my side the entire time, from the time they allowed me to view his body before we got started to place him on the ground at the family gravesite.

So many people came to pay their respects to my grandfather, their friend, and their family. Hailie held my arm, “You’re supposed to meet with the attorney in the study, Mr. Woods.” I nod,

“Yes, thank you,” I say, finally tearing myself away to go to my grandfather’s study.

Ethan already sat at my grandfather’s desk, all his papers ready to go. His glance comes up to me, his eyes filled with sorrow as he motions for me to sit. I did so. Soon joining me, he gets situated in his seat, “I’ve always hated these damn chairs.” He says, “I’d tell your grandfather that he needed to replace them every time I had to sit in them.” We both chuckle at the memory,

“I recall.” A smile formed on my face, “He’d tell you that they were gifted to him by, oh, who was it…” I shook my head, “Doesn’t matter.”

Ethan sighs as he brings up the will.

“Your grandfather was a good man.” He tells me. On that, we could agree. I cracked a smirk, thinking of something my grandfather always told me,

“Twenty bucks says that we both have to take a shot of tequila before we get started.” Ethan wrinkles his nose,

“I doubt your grandfather would be so…” He trails off when he glances at the document. He stares into the fire momentarily before pulling out his wallet and sliding me a crisp twenty-dollar bill.

“Called it.” I stood and grabbed the bottle, pouring us both a shot. Ethan raised his glass and began to say a few words,

“To Franklin,” he says, “if the man wasn’t dead already, I’d kill him for making me do this.” I chuckled as we both toasted to my grandfather.

My shot was gone in seconds, but Ethan, the poor man, pinched his nose as he drank his down, coughing at the sting.

Clearing his throat from the liquor, he begins to read the will, “Here is the last will and testament of Mr. Franklin Zachery Woods, and it reads as follows:

I, Franklin Zachery Woods, being of sound mind and body, leave all of my assets to my grandson, Ashton Alastor Woods, in the case of my death.

The assets include:

Woods Estate

An inheritance of 2.5 million dollars

The Woods Law Firm.

I will give you a moment to process this before I continue.” Ethan tells me.

Truthfully, I did not need a moment to process; my grandfather always told me everything would be left to me, no matter what. I nod to Ethan to continue,

“Before you can inherit the assets, your grandfather has left you two conditions.” He pauses, clearing his throat, “The first condition is Miss Kameron must be cared for, as so promised to her mother, Miss Rayen Kameron.”

“Okay, I can do that.” I say, “She can continue to live in the guesthouse and care for the house; that’s fine.” His eyes widened at the following condition, clearly not wanting to say, “What does he have me doing in the second condition?” I ask, getting ready to pour another drink.

“W-Well,” Ethan stammers. I think, waiting for what might be the end of me, “Your grandfather’s last condition is that you must marry.” I was thankful to not have my glass in my hand,

“I’m sorry,” I chuckled nervously, “can you repeat that?”

“You have to get married.” I stand and pace the room,

“I can’t get married!” I practically yelled, “Hell, I’m not even dating. How does he expect me to get married?” Ethan shrugged, not sure how to answer.

“I know he said he’d wish you’d stop fooling around and settle down, but,” he stares at the document, “this may be extreme.”

Eyes wide, I motion to the document, “You think?” Silence fills the room; the crackling of the roaring fire is the only noise. “I don’t know what to do.” Before Ethan could give me his opinion, there was a knock on the door, “Yes?”

The door opened to reveal Hailie standing there, a small smile playing on her full pink lips, “I’m so sorry to intrude, Mr Woods,” she says as she steps inside,

“It’s fine; we’re finished anyway.” I turned back to Ethan, “I need some time to think before I make any decisions.” Ethan nods and packs up his things. I turned my attention back to Hailie,

“Some of the guests wanted to say goodbye. They’re beginning to leave.” She tells me,

“Yes, of course, please.” I motion for her to lead the way.