Looking around right now I’m surprised Mr Beaumont knew this much influential people.
I had thought I’d have to cover up his hospital bills however the hospital said it’s been cleared.
The faces I’m seeing right now in his funeral are not one of those faces that one could see in their entire life, probably only on television.
Celebrities, news anchors, and even the Mayor of Paris is present, in over four years of staying with him I haven’t seen any of these faces.
I had assumed that Mr. Beaumont’s financial stability came from good investments or a solid pension that allowed him to care for himself in his later years. It was only now, in the midst of this somber occasion, that I began to grasp the complexity of his identity. His connections seemed to run deeper than I could have imagined.
“You must be Nora,” an elderly looking man with pot belly walked up to me.
“Yes sir.” I said, smiling politely at him.
“Have heard alot about you. It’s finally nice getting to meet you.”
“Ooh you have ? I’m sorry Mr Beaumont didn’t speak much about his friends.”I said, trying to mask my confusion.
“Oh, that’s fine. I’m Patrick,” he introduced himself, extending his hand toward me.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Patrick,” I said, shaking his hand firmly, despite the unease swirling in my gut.
“There’s a court meeting scheduled for the fifteenth of this month, and your presence is required,” he stated, his tone shifting slightly to one of seriousness.
“Court ? Did I do something ?”
“Not at all Miss Nora, it has to do with Mr Beaumont and since you’re his close associates your presence is important.”
“Alright, if you say so, I’ll be there,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady even as my mind raced with questions.
As a foreigner in Paris I try to stay as much from trouble as possible. Being called to the court doesn’t sound right to me, do they think his death wasn’t natural?
Why will they need me in the court ?
“What court will I be meeting you at, please ?” I asked before he walked away.
“I’ll send you the location,” he replied with a knowing smile.
“Wait, you have my number?” I asked, hesitating.
“You could say so…” He answered with a shrug, before slipping away into the crowd.
Okay… this is becoming weird. Have never come across this man in my entire life yet he has my number, knows my name and is talking to me so casually.
What was even more weird was the fact that everyone was coming to shake me like I’m a very important person.
These are people I don’t even know from Adam.
“Thank you very much for coming,” I said shaking hands with the mayor.
“It’s nice finally getting to meet you Nora, you did a great job with Mr Beaumont.” I smiled at him not having the slightest idea of what he was talking about.
Good job ?
Hell no.. they must be mistaken.
But wait, did he just say my name ?..
As the last guests trickled out, the atmosphere shifted, becoming quieter. Only Kate, Oz, and a few other workers remained, the weight of loss hanging in the air
I didn’t bring the kids along cause I felt they were too young to witness such a heavy occasion.
It was even more surprising that Mr. Beaumont had no relatives in attendance. I glanced around, taking in the emptiness of the room, the flowers wilting, the chairs pushed aside. It felt unreal that someone who had been such a constant presence in my life was now gone, I’m still in shock.
After making sure everything was done we all got in the car and drove off, back to the mansion. The drive back to the mansion was quiet, no one spoke about anything, one way or the other we were all connected to him.
Since Mr Beaumont is no more I have no right to stay at his place, for the past few days have been moving my stuffs out, back to Kate’s, since I’m yet to find a suitable apartment.
Thankfully, I had enough savings to cover my expenses, but the thought of starting over again is what scares the shit out of me.
As we pulled up to the mansion, I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the next chapter of my life-one without Mr. Beaumont’s guiding hand.
“Are you going to be okay?” Kate asked, breaking the silence, her eyes searching mine.
“I will be,” I replied, though I wasn’t entirely sure. “I just need some time to figure things out.”
“We’re here for you,” Oz added, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder.
Today is thirteenth, which implies I’m to go to the court in three days time which is on Monday.
“Will you be coming to the apartment today ?” Kate asked following me upstairs.
“No, I was asked to come to the court on Monday, I don’t know why, but I’ll like to stay here till I hear what it is they have to say. I don’t want a situation where it’s going to look like I left the house immediately after his funeral.”
“The court ? Did the person mentioned why you have to be there ?” Kate asked arching her brow in concern.
“Nope, he said nothing. He only said it had to do with Mr Beaumont.”
“Well then I’ll come along with you..”
“You don’t have to Kate,”
“Nope, my mind won’t be settled if I don’t go there with you.”
“Well if you insist..” I said shrugging.
******
Three days felt so long, cause I keep wondering what could have resulted to my presence being needed in court, I don’t even have a legal lawyer if something were to occur. Hell have never even been to a court.
I got to the location that was messaged to me last night by Mr Patrick, standing just outside waiting for Kate.
“I’m sorry am late, got held by traffic.” Kate said rushing towards me.
“It’s fine I just got here..”
“Alright let’s go in then.”
My eyes widened as I entered the elegant courtroom in Paris’s historic Palais de Justice. Patrick, the mysterious man from the funeral, stood beside a dignified-looking judge.
“Bonjour, Mademoiselle Nora,” the judge said. “Welcome to the Tribunal de Grande Instance de Paris.”
A uniformed man walked closer to me and Kate and pointed for us to take our seats.
My mind raced wondering what this whole thing have to do with Mr. Beaumont?
I turned around seeing some other familiar faces like Mrs Hargrove his previous care taker and cook, as well as the driver.
I was a bit relieved that I wasn’t the only one asked to come. But I still wondered why we were here.
Mr Patrick’s expression remained the same not giving out any hint. “As you know, Monsieur Beaumont’s passing has left certain… arrangements to be settled.” He said.
The judge nodded. “We are here today to proceed with the reading of Monsieur Beaumont’s last will and testament.”
My heart skipped a beat. What could Mr. Beaumont have left for her?
OMG! I can’t believe he even thought of me in the first place.
“The will contains specific provisions regarding Monsieur Beaumont’s estate, company and assets,”The judge continued.
Mr Patrick’s eyes locked on mine, his gaze piercing.
He paused a little before adding.”And, Mademoiselle Nora, you and your children are beneficiaries.”
My breath caught. Beneficiary? What did it mean?
Even without a stethoscope, I could hear the sound of my heartbeat.
Kate held my hands tightly under the desk, obviously as tensed as I am right now.
The judge gestured to a clerk, who handed him a document.
“Let us proceed with the reading of the will.” He said.