Apple had calmed down after the talk with Jake.
Surprisingly, it had been good to talk to someone who understands your problem, she thought, knowing that she couldn't talk to anyone else about this.
It had been two days since she stayed at the Gringlys next door, they know that if she doesn't show up then she wanted to be left alone in her house, which had exactly been the case as to why she avoided going back.
It seemed like every time someone talked about the future to her, they repeated the same thing and it was starting to get on her nerves, Apple usually kept her opinions to herself but this was her life and she wanted to change, so what if she likes Luka? That was nobody's business but her own.
She had to wonder would things been different if she left that note earlier? Would Luka even speak to her then? The news of Luka and who he hooked up with at different parties were all the students in the hallway would speak of, so probably not.
Why did she ask him to take her virginity? Most importantly, how has she not turned into flames for being so embarrassed around him every time he looks at her? It had been a low point in her life to leave that note, now every time she thinks back on it, it simply makes her cringe.
Apple turned off her bedroom TV and sighed out, she knew there was no point crying over the past, in two days it would all come to an end anyway.
Just as she was about to get up, her phone started to ring.
Recognizing the number, Apple answered on the second ring.
"Hello?" She asked, confused.
She could hear them clear their throat. "Good evening Miss Brady, it's your family lawyer Ron Tompson, I know it's late and I apologize if I have disturbed you."
Apple wanted to laugh because the only thing he disturbed was her toxic train of thought, she'd thank him if she knew him better.
"You're not." She said slowly. "Is something a matter?" She asked.
"No, well yes, you see Miss Brady." He clears his throat again. "Pardon me. We have just received your late father's will, and I'm afraid he gave strict instructions to alert you two days before your birthday before the will read with the rest of your family."
Why would dad request something like that? She had to wonder. "Okay..."
"Well it seems there will be no hearing, your father's instructions were simple Miss Brady, within the will be delivered to us we are to reach out immediately."
"Uh." She paused. "You're reading the will now? Is that what you mean...?"
"Yes, Miss Brady."
She swallowed hard and nodded her head as she prepared herself.
"There will be a letter delivered Friday at exactly 12:00 AM at your current residence from your father, it will be for your eyes only, and then that leaves me with telling you one other thing." He pauses. "I hope you are sitting down for this Miss Brady." He warns.
"Yes...? I'm sitting." She tells him confused.
"Right." He starts. "Your father has left everything in your name, his company and funds, including the family residence in Ireland that has been passed down in your family, that includes all belongings and benefits of each estate I email to you."
"With that being said, you have 116 billion dollars in funds that you can access Friday onwards, to do with what your heart desires." He says.
Apple had to take a moment to understand what he had just said, did this man just say I have billions in my account that I can access Friday? There was no way her father left her everything, her mother would not allow it.
"There seems to be some mistake." She pondered, completely baffled. "My mother..."
"Mrs. Bradys already been given the will upon the death of your late father, everything was settled when they got divorced four years ago." He told her. "I was there Miss, he went to such lengths to make sure everything was yours, all the paperwork had been done since then Miss Brady, your mother, Miss Brady has no claim to you or your father's wealth after signing a prenup prior marriage."
"I'm afraid if you wish to know more concerning Mrs. Brady and what your father left her, I cannot tell you, I hope you understand Miss Brady."
Apple didn't know what to say, divorce? Since when had her parents gotten a divorce without Apple knowing about it? The more she tried to wrap her head around it, the more nothing made sense anymore, she would've surely noticed if her parents were divorced... wouldn't she?
What exactly did Clarie Brady's face look like when she heard her daughter, the same daughter she abandoned had gained all the weather her husband had self-made through his company? The more she thought about it, the more she knew what was coming next.
If they had really gotten a divorce, then learning about Apple's claim to the multi-billion dollar company might just make her mother's head explode.
Her mother would not let this go, Apple's dad had spoken once about his will, Claire had hated money and claimed to be independent, but she also demanded support, she was expected to live a certain life with her father's wealth if he ever did pass.
No wonder she had not seen her mother in over a year, she had already cashed in when he died, she knew that her mother would probably arrive before Friday and bring up this will, it was to be expected, 116 billion would be a slap to the face for her mother.
"Thank you... for contacting me, this is a lot to take in." She said honestly, staring off into nothing.
"I completely understand, this is a lot of money and responsibility for someone so young, I am available to you when it best suits you to go through the contract and will in more detail." He tells her.
Apple sighs out and rubs her head. "Yes, that would be good, thank you."
The front doorbell can be heard from her bedroom as she stands up and goes towards her front window to see if she could see who it was.
It was too dark to see, but there was definitely a car parked in the driveway.
"No problem Miss Brady, and congratulations again, if I don't hear from you before Friday, happy birthday." He said.
Grabbing her robe to wrap around her as she leaves her bedroom she couldn't help but sigh out loud, forgetting she was still on the phone.
"Thank you, and um.. thank you for contacting me, have a nice night." She said awkwardly, walking down the stairs.
"You too, Miss Brady." He says before Apple ends the call.
That was unexpected, what was her father thinking giving her everything? She had suspected it at much, she was the only child of the Brady empire, she had to wonder what else the will said, but most of all, she wondered what the latter would say.
Then theirs the divorce, how did she miss that? Her so-called mother had been gone for two years after her father's death, it should've been so obvious, now that he was gone she didn't need her anymore, at least not until she turns 18, then who knows what her move would be.
Friday... her birthday, she'd finally be eighteen and able to finally understand what was going through her dad's mind when he left everything he worked for to her, but also finding out more about her mother's situation, she did not want any more surprises.
Sighing out again, Apple made it to the front door, as the bell rings again before she puts the code in, unlocked the front door security as she opens the front door, only to see a familiar face she didn't expect to see tonight.
"Riley?"
Riley, Martha, and Johns's son, she'd not seen him in a few months, not before he moved away for work and study, the last time she saw him was New Year.
"Hey, how come you're over here and not at ours?" He asked, frowning and stepping into her house.
She laughed awkwardly and closed the door. "I felt like some alone time... your parents know I'm here."
He hums. "Alright." Theirs a pause as he looks around the house. "This place still feels lifeless, I can't believe a person would choose to live in this mausoleum." He jokes making Apple cringe.
Apple looked at Riley and he had not changed a bit, he still had his good looks and that charming smile that made girls swoon, but to Apple, she had always looked at Riley like the brother she never had but wanted, she was sure he was her best friend, minus their dog who she was obsessed over.
"I thought you were coming Friday?" She asked Riley, as she follows him towards the kitchen.
Shrugging, he opened her fridge. "Felt like seeing my Lil Applebee."
Apple cringed. "Don't call me that..."
"Why? Dad does." He laughs out.
She was about to open her mouth but the doorbell ringing stops her.
That's odd... she wasn't expecting anyone, especially not at 9 PM at night, plus she never had any friends, none that would visit this late, Riley was the exception because he was her neighbor and knew where she lived.
"Expecting company?" He asked, with raised brows as Apple shakes her head.
"I'll get it." He says before Apple could detest.
Riley lightly jogs out of the kitchen as Apple grabs a bottle of water from the fridge, she could hear Riley open the door and say something but she didn't fully hear what he said, she was curious to stand up and go see who it was, but it was probably Martha and John, so she sat and waited.
"Apple?" Riley yelled out. "It's for you."
For me? Who could it be now she wondered as she moved from the kitchen with a frown on her face as she makes her way towards the front door where Riley is.
The closer they got, the more they noticed who was standing in front of Riley, she would notice that messy yet perfectly formed hairstyle anywhere, and that jacket, those shoes, and not to mention how tall he was, now noticing how slightly taller he was then Riley.
Luka Ellis had come to her house, knocked on her door, and asked for her.
There was no way this was real because if it was, this would be oddly strange, unless she was somehow dreaming this scenario and she indeed did fall asleep as she watched TV in bed, and this is just another strange dream.
"Hey."
No, he was here, why was he here? She thought to herself.
"Hi... Luka." She said awkwardly, as her cheeks began to blush.
Riley noticed her face which only made it worse, Riley was checking Luka out with a curious stare as he looked back and forth from Luka to Apple, which made the situation almost impossible to explain to Luka.
"OH, Luka Ellis? Right?" Riley says out loud, remembering his name.
Dammit, Apple thought, this was not good, Riley knew who Luka was, Riley would tease Apple whenever they watched Luka play football, it was friendly banter, but Riley knew that Apple liked Luka more than some childish crush.
"Yeah?" Luka said slowly, looking from Riley to Apple.
Riley covers his mouth, a grin forming. "Wait, hold up." He says. "You're dating?" He askes Apple, who now is gaping wide at Riley.
"No freaking way, seriously? When did this happen?" He asks, smiling.
Luka looks beyond confused as he stared down Riley and all Apple wanted to do was to run and hide and imagine this was some sick strange dream afterall, because there was no way that this was happening right now.
"Riley... n-no, he's just-"
"We're friends." Luka says.
There was a silence before Riley hummed.
"Sure, friends" He rolls his eyes. "Well would you look at the time, I should go Applebee." He says before wrapping his arms around Apple, bringing her into a hug.
"He likes you." He whispers in her ear, before moving back from the hug.
Apple was a complete mess, she could feel herself grow faint with how nervous, embarrassed, and utterly awkward Riley just made things for her, what was Luka even doing here? She was so not prepared for him.
"Nice meeting you, we're big fans me and the fam." He says to Luka who simply nods his head and smiles politely. "I'll text you tomorrow A, laters." He says to Apple before stepping by Luka and walking down her front door path.
Apple and Luka watch Riley go until he disappears down her driveway, Apple had still not moved since Riley hugged her and she didn't know if she could, she felt like if she moved she would wake up from this dream.
"Can I come in?" Luka asks, his eyes solely on her now.
Nodding her head, Apple watched in a haze as Luka stepped into her house and closed the door behind him as she simply watched in awe as she looked at him, admiring how handsome he looked right now, she could get lost in how perfect he always looked, it was almost unfair to be this attractive.
This was going to be a long visit, Apple had a strange feeling this wasn't a friendly visit, and that Jake might have told him about today, she had to wonder what Luka thought about what happened, and why he was actually here.