Husband With Benefits
Chapter 303: Planned

Chapter 303: Planned

Erasmi turned away from the brothers and looked down, slowly clenching his hands as he said," I’ll go and make arrangements for the funeral."

Just then the Butler stepped in," There is no need, young master Erasmi. The old master has made all the arrangements."

Erasmi stared at Thomas and nodded slowly. The old bas*ard had to be so controlling that he did not even trust them with his funeral. Anger and grief continued to war inside Erasmi and the distraction of making the arrangements was also taken away from him.

***

The funeral was a silent and somber affair. Elijah Frost had made every arrangement for the funeral, making it clear that he would be as independent in death as he had been in life.

As the casket was lowered into the earth, the air hung heavy with the weight of unspoken words. Erasmi, Ian, Seb, Gabe and Lucien all stood together silently watching, while Demetri stood on the other side, his hand tight around Nora’s.

The old Butler, Thomas, stood at a distance, his face a mask of professionalism. Behind him stood the old servants of the mansion who had come out to bid goodbye to their employer. Once the last handful of soil fell onto the casket, Erasmi took a deep breath, feeling a mix of closure and lingering resentment.

Grief had come in waves, but none of the brothers would show it. For each of them, the old man had been a pillar of strength. Invincible when their own parents had left this world. Yes, the man had turned unreasonable with age, and yet, they could not forget the time when he had been their world. Their Superhero who’d taken them places, and made them laugh. He’d scolded them fiercely, but no one had dared to raised their voices to them in his presence.

The passing of Elijkah Frost marked the ending of their own childhood. As the brothers, each started to walk away, the butler came forward," Masters. The old master has also arranged for an executioner of the will to arrive. Dinner will be served and then the attorney..."

Demetri sighed, knowing all of them needed time to come to terms with their grief and said," Uncle Thomas, we can do this tomorrow..."

"The old mansion will be sealed tomorrow onwards, master. All of us servants have been retired and bequeathed by the old master already. If you would like to retain anyone, I can have a word with them, but since most of us are already old, we will be leaving to spend time with our families. And the old master wanted this done so that he would be able to rest in peace."

***

In the dimly and dreary library of Elijah Frost, the attorney took the old man’s place while the brothers all stood in different places, leaning against an odd shelf, wondering what the old man had in store for them. The only people seated were Demetri and Erasmi, with their heads bowed.

The attorney sighed and spoke," As per Mr Frost’s last request, the execution of his last will and testament will be done now. Before that, I have to read the last few words that he had to say to all of you."

The man cleared his throat and began, To all my grandsons, you may think you hate me, but you’ve all made me the happiest man to be alive. As I dictate these words, I want to tell you only one thing, I leave this place with no regrets.

As an old man, I have buried my wife, two youthful sons and their wives, and lived with a lot of pain. But I have also had the chance of seeing you grow up to be fine young men. In fact your fathers even had a competitive streak that worried me, but all of you are like a team and that could not put me more in peace.

Over the last few years, I have tested your patience, and even offended people you hold dear, but consider this the old man’s way of protecting you the best he could. But your choices in life proved to me that I need not worry in death, for you will all be there for each other.

Seb and Ian, the two of you, I have always held responsible for turning my hair grey earlier than they should have been, so I hope you will have an endless supply of hairdye when you reach my age and are blessed with grandchildren as lively as you all. You’ve taught me to be happy and let things roll over when the going gets tough.

And Ian, you really need to find a better way than to get my staff drunk to get information."

Ian and Seb exchanged glances as they heard the words, remembering the numerous mischiefs they had dragged the old man into.

Gabe, you were always the focused one and from a young age, you’ve been focused on the one person who is bound to give you pain forever. I had hoped to save you... but I realized that no matter how strong I was, I couldn’t protect you. I wish you to have all the happiness in the world even if the price you are paying is pain. Be happy...

Gabe bowed his head in silence, not wanting to say a word.

Lucien, the youngest and the most innocent-looking kid. You’ve been smart in hiding your rebelliousness from your everyone’s eyes. Out of them all, you are the one who has least received a mother’s love. I always feared that it would make you less empathetic, but seeing the man you’ve become, I could not have been more proud, even if you do like going around on those forsaken motorcycles.

To Erasmi and Demetri, we’ve been at logger heads ever since the two of you grew taller. I see my self in the two of you and I hope, that in the future, you would think of me with not a sigh but a smile. I did my best for the two of you, even though you always repeatedly tried to get another grandmother for yourselves."

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