Sweet 18

Ch 1: Shock

Disclaimer: Dun own PR!

Sydney Drew is an eighteen-year-old student. She adored her father a lot although Adam never showed his adorations to his only daughter. Her mother had passed away in a car accident when Sydney was five. As the richest girl in school, she has everything that she wanted—cars, friends, bags, you name it all.

Sydney is good at everything she does—academics, dance, and fencing and of course she's a cheerleader and a good one at that. On top of that all, she attended self-defense and shooting classes.

More surprisingly, as popular as she may be, Sydney isn't attached. Oh yes, of course she had many chasers but…

"Hello Howard." Sydney waved to the old man behind the wheel, also their house butler and her father's very capable assistant.

"Ms. Drew." Howard nodded. It was the first time Sydney saw the grave looking expression on his face.

She asked in an unsure tone, "Howard, is there something wrong?"

"Ms. Drew, your father's lawyer will speak to you later." Howard answered, his eyes staring straight ahead at the traffic.

Sydney kept quiet and chewed her lips. She prayed silently to god that nothing bad would come to her father. She loves him so much and he is the only closest kin she had minus those cousins and uncles who wanted her dad's company.

As Sydney stepped into the bungalow, she felt an unordinary quietness. Helene stepped forward. "Ms. Drew, welcome back. Dinner's ready, here let me." Her housemaid stretched her right hand to grip her schoolbag.

"Sydney."

Helene looked at Sydney questioningly.

"Call me Sydney. I've told you so many times."

"Oh sorry Ms., I mean Sydney. Let's get you wash up, shall we and then you can have your dinner already."

"Is dad coming home to have dinner with me tonight?" Sydney went up the stairs and asked Helene who was standing beside her.

At the mention of her dad, Helene's tears welled up. Sydney watched at housemaid in shock. She frowned and asked, "Something wrong?"

Helene shook her head and pushed Sydney into the bath, then walked down hurriedly. Sydney took a quick shower then climbed down the stairs rapidly, taking two at a time.

"Ms., I mean Sydney." Helene greeted when she saw Sydney bounded off the stairs.

At the dinner table, Sydney saw a man sitting down on a chair whom she immediately recognized as her dad's lawyer. David Powell stood up when he saw her.

"Good evening, Ms. Sydney." David shook hands with her. "I believe this is the second time we have met so far."

Sydney displayed exquisite manners and nodded her head, trying to play a good hostess to her dad's lawyer. She signaled her butler who snapped his fingers. Shortly a waiter stood forward, holding a glass of martini.

David thanked the waiter and gestured Sydney to sit opposite him. "Terrific memory. You still remembered martini's my favorite drink."

"Dinner?" she asked promptly.

"No, I'm here to discuss something of importance with you." As he said that, David took out several pieces of papers from an envelope and laid it atop the dining table.

"I'm sorry I have some very bad news for you, Ms. Sydney. Your dad has just passed away." David announced.

Sydney kept quiet then asked softly, "When?" nothing written on her face as recognition hit her that her dad had gone, left her. There was nothing to cry about. Her father had taught her to be strong and she was going to do just that.

"Just this afternoon. I've brought his will and Mr. Drew had arranged for something which it is best you fulfilled it."

"I'm ready," she breathed the words out slowly. "Show it to me." It was certainly too much for an eighteen-year-old but she was a brave girl, as her father said so himself.

David handed her a letter. "A letter from Mr. Drew. Read it and you will understand."

Just do it. Get it over with.

My dearest Syd,

Well, what a sorry state of affairs this is. I can only begin to imagine what a nightmare this has been for you. But my child. My daughter.

Here's several things I have to ask you to do, it is the last I assure you. I've arranged a marriage for you to Sky Tate. I know he's a stranger to you but believe me; he's a good man. I would be most relieved to know that you will be in good hands as long as you marry him.

However, if you don't, all my assets will go to the next highest shareholder, your uncle, James and your inheritance will be under his surveillance until you are twenty-five.

Goodbye my girl.

I am and always will be,

Your loving father.

Sydney stared at the piece of paper in horror. Her father was still trying to manipulate her. There were so many things she wanted to say but she couldn't, not in front of David, at least. She needed to hold some dignity for herself.

"Tell me about this man."

David watched her in amazement. Very good, only she fits to be Adam Drew's daughter. Only she.

"Sky Tate, twenty-four-year-old only son of Wes Collins. A cop—god give him credit, he was a good one at that too. His father still waiting to pass the hot seat to his reluctant son."

"Tell me David, what if I refused?" Sydney asked even though she knew, she wanted to hear him say those words.

He looked at her and spoke, "Then your inheritance will wait till you are twenty five and your father's company will fall into the hands of your uncle."

XXX

TBC-Pls R&R!