Inheritance

Chapter 3

I hadn't been too keen on attending tonight's event, due to feeling like my uncle had an ulterior motive for organizing such a celebration. It was quite unusual for him to go to such lengths just to celebrate his family. Hosting birthday parties had never been his thing for as long as I'd known him. So why pull such a grand gesture now?

"Woah, take it easy, sis. We don't want you making the front page of the gossip blogs again, but this time for assaulting one of those poor old men." Marco playfully warned, as he pulled out a hairspray bottle to style my hair.

"Well, I happen to like the sound of that. I mean, there's a first time for everything." I teased, just as he finished placing my usually tameless hair into a messy bun, pulling two front strands out in waved curls.

"Speaking of first times...you still a virgin, Sasha?" Marco asked, as I immediately shot daggers at him. 

"Damn, your vagina is probably drier than my great grandmother's roasted chicken. And that's pretty fucking crazy, considering how long she keeps it stored in her freezer. Bless her heart." He laughed miraculously at his joke, while applying another fragranced hair spray to hold my updo. 

"On that note, I am officially tuning you out." I groaned. 

The joke was probably true, but I sure as hell wasn't going to let him know that. Besides, I was a proud virgin and believed abstinence was one of the strongest displays of self-discipline. Nobody would be coming close to my vagina for a long time, that I was sure of.

"Don't worry girl, I have a plan to rectify the situation. Starting with the gym. We still on for Monday?" He asked, staring at his finished product in the bathroom mirror.

"I'll keep you updated, but so far yes." I responded, as I briefly glanced at the time. Quickly rising from my chair, I began to scramble for my things. After another fifteen minutes of cleaning, Marco and I simultaneously rushed out of my penthouse together, going our separate ways once my driver arrived.

The drive to the venue was much longer than it should have been due to the heavy New York City traffic. As I exited from a tinted black Escalade, I was immediately greeted by swarms of paparazzi tussling over securing photographs of the rich and famous elites, whose names I couldn't quite remember. After taking a few moments to conduct press interviews on the red carpet, I was eventually able to escape the entourage of media representatives and enter the grand historical building. 

At first sight, I had to admit that I was generously impressed. 

High-hanging chandeliers were bolstered from the ceiling, lit with elaborate candles and ornaments. White and gold-colored balloons schemed the Roman pillars that had been strategically placed throughout the first and second floors. Fancy art, likely worth thousands, adorned the historically cream-painted walls. Members of the aristocratic society wandered around the scape, engaging in baseless conversations pertaining to either money, business, politics, or gossip.

"Sasha! Happy birthday, you old motherfucker! It's so nice to see you finally looking good for once." 

Without having to guess, I knew immediately that the owner of that particular voice was none other than my older cousin, Frank. Frank and I had a fairly unique way of expressing our love for one another. Despite our frequent rounds of banter and disagreements, we always knew that we were family first and cherished each other dearly.

"Thanks Frankie, wish I could say the same for you. Where's your father?" I returned, while we exchanged brief pleasantries. As he pulled away from our hug, he shrugged his shoulders indicating that he was just as clueless as I was.

"Well, if you'll excuse me. I think it would be quite rude of me to not at least try to interact with some of the guests on Uncle Darrell's behalf." I attempted to make a convenient escape, but Frank seemed to have other plans.