Chapter 4.02 Issues

“I know this may be a lot for you to handle.”

“After all, we’re aware that you’re still young, and inheriting a large amount of money is can be stressful for anyone.” Listening to a financial adviser telling her how to look after her dead father’s money isn’t exactly the way Roisin wanted to spend her eighteenth birthday. Ideally she would have spent it with her family, friends and her boyfriend, but that’s not how today is going it seems.

Granted, she’s seeing her family at another time today, and is seeing Joe later, and her friends, well, she’ll hang out with them at some point, but she’d rather be doing anything other than this.

 

“There are some options we can take regarding the money. Personally, I would recommend investments and spending your money in useful ways. Even though it may seem fun, I would advise against spending it all on partying and other… Frivolous activities.”

“There’s just something I want to know about the money,” Roisin started, somewhat hesitant as she said what she wanted to. “I just wanted to know, are there any other strings attached?”

 

Furrowing their eyebrows, the financial adviser frowned. “I’m not quite sure I understand what you mean.”

“I mean,” sighing, Roisin took a moment before explaining herself, “I mean, is this connected to my dad’s family? Have they touched this money or is any of it theirs?” From the few things she’s learned about her father’s family, Roisin’s gathered that it’s best to stay as far away from them as possible.

Taking a moment, the financial adviser began to explain. “The will your father left stated that everything would go to his next of kin. For a long time we haven’t been able to track you however due to, those events, we managed to figure out who you are and where you are. Don’t get the wrong idea, some members of your father’s family have managed to twist some of the words in the will, however the money is yours, and purely just yours. The house and other physical assets are in other people’s names, because of a clause in your grandfather’s will, however the money is yours, no strings attached.”

 

“Hey, you seemed pretty frazzled on the ice today.”  One of the other girls training at the rink (Louise? That’s what Lainey thought her name was) approached Lainey after her training with her partner, Caleb.

Narrowing her eyes slightly, Lainey explained as she put her training things in her bag. “I think I just overworked at yesterday’s training. That’s all.”

 

Louise grinned, somewhat mischievously. “You know, I think you’ve been off for a few days now.” She commented, looking at her nails. Glancing back over at her, she mentioned. “I mean, you need to be the best you can be, right?”

Leaving sorting out her skates, Lainey straightened up to look at her. “What are you on about? If you’ve come here just to psych me out, I’d prefer it if you just left.”

 

With a melodious laugh, Louise held out her hands in defence. “Hey, hey. That’s not what I meant. I meant, if you ever needed any… Assistance, I guess.”

“Doping?” Lainey asked, caught off guard. Lowering her voice to a dangerous whisper, so no one would hear their conversation, she explained. “I don’t know who the fuck you think I am, but I’m not that kind of skater.” Quickly untying her laces, she swapped out to her normal shoes. “Don’t bother me with that again. I’m not and never will be one of those ‘roided athletes.”

 

“Silly, it’s not steroids. No one does those anymore. It’s just, performance enhancing, you know? Like how singers use auto tune or how actors use those fake tears and fake blood. It’s only a bad thing if you make it a bad thing.” Smiling somewhat, her voice took a slightly darker turn. “After all, you’ve worked so hard, and I’ve seen some of the newer competition. Would you really want to give up when you’re so far along?” She asked, looking over at the door. “That Elena’s on the ice right now, isn’t she? I only saw her skate a bit but she looks good.Kinda reminds me of you in a way. You’ve got my number, right? In case you change your mind, that is.” And with that, Louise hummed and left the changing rooms.

Lainey paused, and looked at the door, unsure of what to think.

 

Back at the flat, Roisin absently flicked through TV channels, unsure of what to think or to do with the money. Knowing that it was purely hers, with no strings attached… It was hard. How was she supposed to even know what to do with so much money? Sure she could just give it all to charity, but to which one? So many were corrupted, and she was concerned about making the wrong choice.

Sure, she could make her own business or something, but what kind of business? She wasn’t very good at thinking about things like that. She could buy herself and Lainey a bigger flat, or even a mansion, but she liked their flat. She didn’t want some massive house, not yet at least. Maybe when they were older, they could get one of those fancy penthouses…

 

But was that really the right way to spend it? What was the right way? Is there even a right way? How would she know that whatever she did with the money was a good thing? A large part of her wished she was never faced with this, after all, it would be so much easier if she wasn’t faced with the burden of having so much money. Right now, she began to realise that money really didn’t buy happiness. In fact, all it brought around was stress.

 

There was the sound of the door opening and closing as Lainey walked back into the flat after her training. Sighing heavily, it seemed apparent that for a few moments she wasn’t aware that Roisin was here. Glancing over into the living room, her troubles vanished and she grinned. “Hey, happy birthday. I figured you wouldn’t be up when I left.”

Smiling back in response, Roisin replied. “Thanks.” Sighing heavily, she flicked some more through the channels. “So, I had that meeting with the bank people today.”

 

“Oh yeah, that was today, wasn’t it?” Lainey asked, sitting on the other sofa. “What happened? Is the money all yours?”

Nodding, Roisin’s eyes stayed locked to the TV. “Yep. It’s all mine. The money, at least. The house and the other stuff isn’t though. There was some tag line in my grandfather’s will that said things went to my dad, or some of his cousins if my dad wasn’t around, and because the physical assets weren’t in my dad’s name, they’re not mine. My dad’s money however is all mine.”

 

“How much is it?” Lainey asked, watching her little sister. The incident of today and what was propositioned to her can wait as this felt more important.

“A lot. Like, a lot a lot. Like, I could buy one of the mansions near where the celebrities live and it would only make a little bit of a dint.” She mumbled, and sighed slightly. “I just don’t know what to do with it all.”

 

Letting out a low whistle, Lainey wasn’t sure what to say other than. “Fuck. That’s a lot.” Taking a moment, she then decided to change the subject. “Is Joe coming over later today? Or is he spending time with his family?”

“Joe’s coming over later today, and I’m thinking of us having dinner here.” Looking at Lainey expectantly, she smiled sweetly.

 

“And you want me to leave for a while, yeah?” Sighing dramatically, Lainey then grinned. “I guess I can do that, because you’re my favourite step-sister.”

“I’m your only step-sister.” Grinning in response, Roisin was happy that she got her way. “You can make plans though, right? I don’t want you awkwardly hanging around.”

“Hey, don’t worry. I can probably meet up with one of the other skaters.” Feeling her phone buzz in her pocket, she figured it was from that person.

 

It was later during the day when Roisin started to feel nervous about seeing her boyfriend again. It’s been about two months since he’s last been home, and it’s the first time that the two of them will have had a whole flat just for themselves, so she wanted it to be special, but also relaxed. Nothing too serious, but still sweet and special.

As she looked over at what she was cooking, she sighed heavily. If only she had somehow inherited her mom’s ability to actually cook. That would have been useful. At least she still had some of the recipes her mom used, even if her mom never stuck to the recipes.

 

Maybe if she just put out a lot of wine then it would taste better? Probably. Hopefully. Getting drunk makes everything taste better, sure. That’s why gross fast food always tastes better after a house party or going out, right?

“I guess it’ll just have to do.” Roisin mumbled, and the sound of knocking on the door got her attention.

“Hey! It’s the military! Open up!” Grinning, Roisin rushed over to answer the door, recognising that voice.

 

Grinning up at Joe, Roisin simply mumbled. “Hey.”

“Hey.” He grinned in response.

“How long have I got you for?” She asked, grinning. All she knew was that he was coming home, but not for how long.

“Four whole months together.” He grinned in response.

 

“I’m surprised you wanted to meet me here.” Louise pointed out, smiling at Lainey. She had told her to meet at an empty dive place, mostly so their conversation wouldn’t be heard by anyone who knew either of them.

“Yeah, so am I.” She mumbled in response, watching her carefully. “So, when can I get them?”

Taking something suspicious out of her bag and handing it over to Lainey, Louise gave an odd smile. “I’ll give you the number of my guy. He can meet us here in about half an hour. For now, I say we enjoy ourselves.”

 

______________________________

AN: Wow. Two chapters in a week. Can I have an award please? xD

I’m having a lot of fun writing for the two sisters, like a lot of fun 😀 I got kinda inspired and may or may not have written the outline for quite a few more chapters, whoops xD

Anyway, yeah. That’s it for this chapter. Not much else I have to say other than thanks for reading ^-^ (I’m going to try and say that more; I don’t say it enough)