Chapter 1

Brian Miller stretched at his desk, his eyes locked onto the flickering glow of his computer screen. His cabin and desk represented a chaotic amount of paperwork, leftover lunches, and Post-it notes. He stood up to look at the bustling expanse of New York City. The harsh glow of the city lights cast a stark illumination on his pallid visage, accentuating the dark shadows lurking beneath his eyes. The soft whispers of his colleagues faded into a distant hum as time passed.

Brian got back to his desk to finish the presentation he had been working on to impress the board of directors in the next meeting on Thursday. He has risen up the ranks as the executive vice president in the company not by making friends but through sheer hard work, working long hours, and dedication. At the young age of twenty-seven, he is leading a team of highly skilled professionals. As the deadline draws near, Brian concentrates on delivering a presentation that will cement his position as the senior vice president.

As the sudden ring of his phone startled him, he picked it up expecting his boss on the line. “Brian Miller,” he responded, his voice heavy with exhaustion and exasperation.

A poised and authoritative voice from a man resonated through the phone line. “Mr. Miller, this is Dean Jones representing the legal firm of James and Jones. We are based out of Santa Cruz County, California. I must break the news of your father, Richard Miller’s, passing with profound sadness.”

Brian’s grip tightened around the phone, his eyes staring blankly at the wall before him. With a sea of emotions, his thoughts wandered as he tried to grasp the words that reached his ears. “What ... what happened?” he faltered, his voice barely above a whisper.

“I regret to inform you that your father, Richard Miller, passed away in a car accident three nights ago while he was returning from San Francisco. The local authorities have informed us, and we’re currently handling the necessary legal proceedings.” The attorney’s voice remained steady. “We were trying to reach you for the last couple of days and—”

“Brian, are you still with me?” Dean Jones’ voice pierced through his fog of shock.

Brian nodded, still in a state of shock. “Yes,” he murmured. “I just ... I need a moment.”

“Of course,” James replied, his tone shifting to one of understanding. “It’s a lot to take in. Whenever you’re ready, there’s something important we need to discuss regarding your father’s will. Would it be possible for you to visit our office here in Marin County?”

Brian’s thoughts spun around like a tornado in his head, but he found his voice, steady and firm amidst the chaos. “Yes, I’ll come in.”

Jones paused, a hint of empathy in his tone. “Before we proceed, I must also inform you that I was more than just your father’s attorney. Richard and I were dear friends, and he held you in high regard, despite the years that separated you both.” The words hovered in the air, serving as a painful reminder of the relationship that never had the chance to flourish.

Brian was struggling to find his voice amidst conflicting emotions in his head. “I appreciate that,” he said, his voice thick with unshed tears. “What ... what happens now?”

Jones cleared his throat gently. “We can schedule a meeting this coming Saturday at our office. I’ll text you the details. Also, I am speaking now as a friend of Richard’s and not his attorney; the family has arranged for the funeral on Sunday. Richard would have liked you being there.”

Brian mechanically nodded, “Yeah,” as the weight of the news eased off his shoulders. With a deep breath, he ended the call.

Brian reflected on his memories of his childhood. Brian’s mother left him and his father when he was five years old. His father became a stoic man, leaving him on Long Island with a guardian, Mrs. Spencer, and moving to the East Coast. He received the news of his father’s second marriage a couple of years later. Brian couldn’t even remember what his stepmother looked like. Later, he entered a boarding school and experienced a life of isolation. His father paid for his private education and college and visited him yearly until he turned eighteen. Brian distanced himself from his father in the following years and focused on his career.

He couldn’t focus back on the work he was doing, and he immediately dialed his boss, informing her of tragic news. He mentioned to her that he would be attending the meeting on Thursday and would be taking a day off on Friday. She conveyed her condolences and asked him to take the next week off too.

As the room grew quiet, Brian took a deep breath, and he finished the presentation. He booked his flights and hotels for his upcoming trip to California.

The next few days were a blur of packing and finalizing the week ahead. On Friday afternoon, Brian landed at the San Jose Mineta airport, with clear skies and hills in the distance. The New York skyline, filled with buildings, is in stark contrast to the sublime east coast.

He got into his rental car, and with the GPS leading him, he got on the state highway to Santa Cruz. The highway cut through the heart of the open space reserve, with serene landscape and gentle breeze. He arrived at the city outskirts as the sun was setting, lost for a brief moment in the purpose of his visit.

He had scheduled the meeting with Dean Jones for the following day and secured a hotel room for the weekend. He planned to pay respects to his father for one last time and go back to his life. His thought: Why would the attorney need him here? Was there something his father had wanted him to know? What are the implications?

As he settled into his room, he watched from the window as lights illuminated the small town of Santa Cruz. On his drive, he saw the town possessed a lovely beach, a small pier to the east, and the green forests on the west.

The following morning, Brian met with Dean Jones. Nestled in a charming brick building, the attorney’s office boasted all the modern amenities. Dean Jones was a fragile old man but looked very professional.

As they sat down across from one another, Dean began, “Brian, I’m sorry for your loss. Your father was a decent man.”

Brian nodded, noticing in the corner a portrait of his father on a yacht with Dean Jones. He wondered whether his father and the attorney had a closer relationship than just being professionals.

Dean steepled his fingers, his gaze fixated on Brian. “Your father was a dear friend of mine. I first met him twenty years ago when he started a shipping business. He was a very well-read man, and his shrewd decisions made incredible profits for him and our firm as his partner. Though we worked together for many years, he never shared information about his past or about you. I had the pleasure of meeting you when you were still a young boy.

Brian gazed at him with a neutral expression as Dean continued.

“Richard had some ... unique requests,” he began, his voice cautious as he searched for the right words. “He’s left you with an inheritance, of course, but there’s something else.”

Brian leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. “What is it?”

Dean opened a thick manila envelope, the sound of paper shuffling echoing in the quiet room. He slid a set of keys and a USB drive across the desk. “This,” he said, “contains everything you need to know.”

Brian picked up the USB, cold and metallic, as it slipped into his fingers. “What’s this for?”

“Your father had owned multiple properties, the shipping business, and a sizable cash fund. He left the shipping business and the beach house, along with all its contents, to you.” Dean paused, his eyes searching Brian’s for a reaction. “But there’s a condition.”

Brian’s grip tightened around the USB, his heart racing. “What condition?”

“You must live here and run the shipping business. You are responsible for taking care of Richard’s now-widowed wife, Mrs. Laura Miller, and her daughter, Miss Emma Miller.”

Brian’s jaw dropped, and with his raised voice, he stated, “I cannot stay here; I have a life in New York City. I am an executive vice president of a company. Didn’t my dad leave anything for them in his will?”

Dean quietly, “Please! Calm down! Brian, I understand that this marks a significant shift. That’s why I said this is a unique request from him. Indeed, he has gifted them with the family home. Three members of his remaining family share the cash fund. However, the sole decision-maker regarding its usage is you. You cannot sell the properties or the business to a third party.”

Brian settled down as he listened to the words of the attorney.

“I think he has given you this responsibility because he trusts you to take care of his family. Personally, I would like you to stay.” Dean concluded.

The room seemed to shrink around him as he digested the words. In a matter of days, his life has completely transformed. He will have to make a new life with strangers, though he was already living a lonely life in the city. He gripped the keys and USB drive in his hand, deciding that this is his life now.

After a moment of silence, he spoke. “I’ll do it.”

Brian attended the funeral the next day. The church appeared larger on the inside than the outside. The church looked centuries old, dating back to the founding fathers of the town. He saw a woman, dressed in all black with a black veil, sitting on the front row. A girl, around eighteen years old, sat beside her.

Dean Jones stood up first to speak. At the end of his speech, Dean Jones called upon Brian.

As he walked up to the podium to deliver his eulogy, he scanned the unfamiliar faces. He cleared his throat and began, “My father was a man of few words and many actions. He was a provider, a thinker, loved by all his friends and family.” He read the remainder of his prepared speech, keeping it brief.

As he spoke, he noticed a woman in the front row, her shoulders heaving with tears, while the girl next to her stared at him in shock.

After the service, the friends and family gathered at the graveyard, behind the church.

As the sun set, Laura approached him with a mix of sadness and hope. “Thank you, Brian. Your father was a decent man and always spoke highly of you.”

Brian nodded, unsure of how to respond.

Laura smiled and said, “I believe you have already spoken to Dean. When you are free, come home. Dean will provide you the address.”

That night Brian sent an email to his company, informing them of his resignation. He decided to check out the hotel and move into the beach house.

The next day, he arrived at the beach house. The beach house is a luxury three‐story waterfront property. It has three bedrooms equipped with large bay windows; the kitchen has direct access to the beach, the two bedrooms are on the first floor, and the master bedroom on the second floor overlooks a small patio. An office area was also present on the second floor. He entered the house using the keys Dean had given him. He settled into the master bedroom. The set came with a mystery key. He looked at the USB and wondered if he was ready to know the truth yet.

On Monday afternoon, Brian met with Dean, who informed him the set of keys was for the beach house and didn’t know about the mystery key. Brian obtained the address of Laura’s home, and they agreed to meet at the office on Wednesday.

He arrived at his father’s house, now Laura’s, his stepmother’s house, in the evening. He gave her a call before arriving. It was a cozy-looking house located at the edge of the road. Laura invited him inside, and they sat in the living room. Brian noted that the house was devoid of maids, despite being as wealthy as his father. He surmised that Laura was a homemaker by nature.

The conversation was awkward at first, but Laura’s selflessness shone through as she spoke of her love for Richard and the life they had built together. Despite the recent misfortune, she maintained an optimistic perspective on life. Laura mentioned that Emma was in her final year of high school and preparing for college. She was not at home at the moment.

Brian felt a pinch of regret, realizing he didn’t know much about his own family. He had never met the woman who was now his stepmother. Now a widow, she had a teenage daughter to raise. Brian decided to support her and help her in any way possible.

As the evening progressed, Laura spoke about the business and its current state. “Your father had a vision, Brian,” Laura said. “He would be so proud to see you take the reins.”

Brian just nodded and understood the weight on his shoulders. He bid his goodbyes and, with a promise to visit her again, left his number with her.

On Wednesday, Brian arrived at the office and was received by Dean.

Dean entered the administrative floor with Brian on his side. “Brian, I’d like you to meet Ms. Bissette.”

“Welcome, Mr. Miller, It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said, her grip firm and professional. “I’m the office manager here. Let me introduce you to our employees. Ms. Bissette, a lady in her mid-forties, with a warm smile lighting her face, guided him.

“Sir, I’d like you to meet Ms. Okita.”

“Hello,” Brian said to Okita, a Japanese woman in her mid-forties, and turned back to Bissette, “and please call me Brian or Miller, but don’t call me Sir.”

“Welcome, Mr. Miller. I manage the financial aspects of the shipping business. Your father was meticulous in his records. I’m sure you’ll find everything in order.” she said with an accent.

They then proceed to a burly man, “Mr. Miller, this is Mr. Dewitt; he is in charge of the logistics.”

Brain extended his hand, with Dewitt adding, “I manage the ships, the cargo, the whole shebang. Your father was a tough man, but I’ll be here to guide you.”

Dean looked at each of them in turn before speaking. “Brian, these are the people who have been with the company the longest. They’re going to help you get acclimated to your new role. You can trust them.”

Brian nodded. “Thank you,” he said, trying to keep his voice steady. “I’m looking forward to working with all of you.”

They looked back at him with curiosity and unknown. They weren’t quite sure what to make of him, as he is young and untested, yet Richard Miller has entrusted him to lead them.

Over the rest of the day, they gave him the office tour, explaining the ins and outs of the business. Over the next few hours, they gave him a tour of the office, explaining the ins and outs of the business.

Bissette showed him his office, which smelled of cigars and had walls lined with nautical books and awards. With Okita’s help, he went through the financial statements, which were all in green, and he was excited to call this business his own and flourish.

Brian then took a tour of the warehouse floor with Dewitt, where the smell of saltwater and diesel filled his nostrils.

As the tour ended, Brian sat down with them to continue the good work, and they can reach him anytime in his office for their concerns. As the sun set, they left for their homes.