The riddle

The riddle

Today is the day. I've been waiting for so long for this day to come, it's almost unbelievable… I hope this is not a dream, someone pinch me...! My body is fueled by these mixed feelings. Happiness, fear, shock, they’re all hitting every inch of my brain, but I can do it. This is the final act and the curtain's about to go up, so brace yourselves! You must be discombobulated right now, so allow me to bore you with the story of my life and try not to pity me! I was born in South Tucson, Arizona, and this place cannot really be described as a fountain of wealth and opportunities, ask whoever you want. I am an only child, as my parents fell apart due to financial problems and their toxic lack of ambition. As you can imagine, I did not have much, nor done anything significant with my life. I am not the smartest neither the bravest, but I have realized something: money can actually buy happiness. "He is a hypocrite" you might say, but no! I know I’m right! Money can buy happiness and money can ruin love…pure love, like it did to my parents. It was not about us anymore, it was all about the money, what my mother spent, what my father earned, what I have not contributed with, and how I was a mere waste of money for the people I loved the most. As I said, do not pity me, it's getting better…and I am getting worse, so buckle up! Now it would be the best timing for me to tell you about my mother's sister: Lucia. Unlike all the people I know, she had it all: looks, ambition, power….and money. I always thought she was an angel sent on earth to put an end to my misery, and today I'll be the one to inherit all of her wealth and power. Oh, I forgot to mention, silly me. Lucia passed away. I suppose loneliness hits a woman's heart like a hammer, and she faded away day by day, right in front of my eyes. You might call me slightly evil, maybe a monster, but I need to confess to you…I was waiting for her to finally leave this world. It’s not greed or jealousy; I simply believe that creating an empire was her mission…so I could enjoy it later on. I would call it my birthright, but you are free to judge.

-“Marcus! Are you in there? Son, you've spent one hour in the bathroom, don't make me knock this door down! We're all waiting for you downstairs. The lawyer is about to start reading the will. Hurry up!”

And that was my loving father, who, as you can see, is mourning poor Lucia in his own ways; in case you were wondering who I resemble, he is your guy. Enough with this uncomfortable chit-chatting, let's assist the show of a lifetime. As I am walking down the stairs to attend this surprisingly joyful meeting, I can only recognize my father. Who are these people and how come they're all mentioned in Lucia's will? I was her one and only friend, the one who held her hand on her death bed, and now you're telling me that ungrateful woman shared all my fortunes with these people? Unbelievable! Pfffew… calm down, Marcus… take a seat and hope for the best.

-“I am glad you have finally joined us, Marcus! I could not start reading Lucia's last wishes without her beloved nephew and most importantly, priceless friend. So, as I announced you all, Lucia's heart was touched by every single one of you in a very special way, therefore she decided to return the favor and… touch your pockets, apparently.”

What? What is wrong with this man…the way he's highlighting those words…why does it feel like we are being mocked? Am I the only one noticing it? This is not a game I will lose, let's test you, mister know it all.

-“I do apologize for interrupting you, but I do not recall seeing your face around… it is hard for me to believe that you have been familiar with my aunt Lucia. What was your name again?”

-“Jeffrey Sorrow. Well, I actually do know a lot about you, Marcus. Lucia was a close friend, but do mind my bitterness, you are a child and you don't need to know everything. After all, Lucia was an accomplished woman, she had the right to own her life and maybe have some little secrets as well, do you not agree?”

I cannot believe this man… is he trying to humiliate me on my big day? What do I say now, they are all smirking in disgust…? I hate that look…that feeling… Jeffrey Sorrow…wait a minute!

-“Just saying, it is interesting, because her lawyer is mister Connan Armin and I do not see him in here, mister Sorrow.”

-“Delicate matters need to be handled by special people, kid.”

-“Dear God, I had enough! Ignore my son, mister Sorrow. Marcus, say one more word and you'll have to deal with me, so play your cards wisely, boy. Just tell me what I have got from Lucia, I need to go home. Sorrow this, Connan that, Armin there, who cares?!!”

Of course, this man had to open that cursed mouth…now it really looks like a circus. Good job, dad! Keep going and we are going to leave this room with nothing but bruised eyes.

-“Unbelievable… Let's begin then: "I am extremely sorry to leave you in such a graceless way, without saying goodbye, without looking in your eyes; you have to forgive me for that. If all of you are there, you might notice there is not present a single acquaintance of yours, but the share will explain it all. First of all, I want to start with my precious little brother, who I regretfully admit that I have neglected. My spirit will always protect you, and you can enjoy the beautiful landscapes from Milano, as that villa is now yours. Maurice, Reiner, and Sheina, you lived your lives having one pure and unique purpose: helping others. And that is why you are the owners of the villa you are standing in at this very moment. I hope this will be enough to foster that children's center you always talked about. And Marcus, my little baby, you deserve it all, that is why my life savings are all yours: 20…”

20?? 20?? I cannot believe it! $20 million! I am rich! I am done with flipping burgers around the corner, I am leaving this crappy town, it is all over!

-“…$20,000 and my journals, all of my life is trapped within those pages and I want you to keep those words alive.”

-“Wait, what? Stop right there! Did you say $20,000? Read that again! That cannot be right! I cannot live my life on $20,000! Out of all of those lawyers, she has got the one that cannot read?”

-“I would not say another word, kid. It is written right here (pointing at the will), black on white: $20,000!”

I can't believe it….it can't be… they are looking at me as if I'm crazy, trying to hide their muffled laughter. After everything…is this what I end up with? Whatever, I made a fool of myself in public for too long, I will need to look into it later on, there is no way Lucia only had $20,000 left. Or is it? What if she was truly struggling with money? Is it possible that she could not live with the idea of going back to living in poverty and that's why she's…? No, I am overthinking. Every person in this room knows she was filthy rich, that's why they are all looking at me like I've got played.

-“Mister Sorrow, did you say I have inherited her journals as well? Could I have those now?”

-“And I thought the cat got your tongue. Of course, kid. Follow me!”

I told you I'm not giving up that easy, I think we're going to solve the mystery one way or another. I've been following this weird man for 5 minutes and he hasn't said a word. I don't even know if it scares or relaxes me, but he looks like he knows much more than he pretends…maybe even too much, which is worrying.

-“This is the room she keeps her journals and favorite books in. The key is yours, take your time. I will be waiting for you.”

-“Thank you!”

Weird…I have spent so many years in this house, but I've never seen Lucia unlocking this door, she always said it's just an old, moldy room and she cannot be bothered to look for the keys…why would she lie to me? Anyways, the moment of truth! (slowly opens the door and remains petrified) This is… I don't even know how to describe it to you. This room is…Lucia. Her smell, her favorite things, the colors, the energy, even the way the light is piercing through the mosaic windows. I don't know if I should feel scared or emotional. God, there's something in this room that makes me feel unworthy…like a thief…? No, there's no way I am getting soft now. Don't you think for a second that I'm going to turn around after all these years. Let's have a look at these journals. So we've got 7 of them, this is going to take ages, I might as well camp in here. They look so precious, covered in a floral pattern, with gold details and silk bookmarks, exactly the way I imagined they would look. Maybe she is not that unpredictable in the end; Actually, I think I was wrong, there's another one… a little black book, covered in leather, with fine, expensive cuts. Maybe that's where I need to start, aaaand was I right! She only used one page, 7 days ago, right before she left us. Is this… a riddle?

"Don't be overjoyed in the eyes of the unknown, but under the eyes only we know of."

Only the eyes we know of… You had to make it complicated, Lucia… the eyes, the eyes… As if she was there to help me solve the riddle, my eyes unconsciously remained blocked on that window's mosaic, and it only took me one second to realize… When I was little, after my mother passed away and my dad was taking his anger on me, Lucia held me in here and decorated the attic with silly plushies, so I could feel like a child again. We used to look at the stars together through two glass spots, carved in the roof… she was telling me that those are my mother's eyes and that she would always watch me from the skies… That must be the place! I haven't been in the attic since I was twelve, I'm surprised I still know where it is. That's the door! Ok, take a deep breath, maybe what's on the other side is going to shock us both! (Slowly opens the door)

-“But…how? What are you doing in here, mister Sorrow?”

-“I said I was going to wait for you. Your aunt was more than a friend to me, and I know very well she was like a mother to you. She did not want you to live the same life as hers, so I had to lie for your own good down there. This envelope is yours. And her empire with it. Kid, I really don't like you; I have always known your intentions, but Lucia adored you and tried to forgive this side of yours. Your mother is not the only one watching through these eyes, so do not make them shed tears.”

The only thing I could do before he left was nod. (Opens envelope and gasps) I made it!