Chapter Nine

Riku looked up at the large building, 'I can't believe she suckered me into doing this,' he grumbled.

He entered the building, then went to where he was directed and just as he arrived the door was thrown open by a blonde that almost knocked him over. 'Oh, sorry,' she apologized after she backed away to give him space and look up at him with beautiful crystal clear bright blue hues.

'That's,' he was going to say that it was fine, but the more he studied her the more he knew that she looked familiar.

'Namine, you'd better hurry if you plan to make it back before the lawyer arrives,' an older female voice told her.

'I think that he's already here,' she stepped aside so that he could walk inside the room filled with attractive looking people.

'You don't look like my Mother's lawyer,' the older version of the cute blonde stated after she studied him up and down.

'You are correct, I am actually here as Ms. Ursa Veale's representative,' he told her, them.

'Oh, I know who that is,' Namine stated, 'she was Grandmother's mysterious singer.'

'She's actually more than that,' he saw the older dark hair female flinch in the background.

The two younger males got up and sized him up, 'Who are you?'

'Riku Rite, Ms. Veale's representative,' he forced a smile seeing that he didn't agree well with the two young males. If he remembered correctly they were her older brothers.

Terra continued to study him, like a panther eyeing his prey, 'I feel like I've seen you before.'

'Me too,' Namine announced happily. 'I think it was a few weeks ago when I ran into Amistad at Annie's Bakery. You guys left in such a hurry I didn't get to introduce myself.'

Riku turned to look down at the beaming blonde, 'You're right, I remember now.' It had been his first day back and his mother had forced him go out to with her to run errands.

'This is great, if you know were Amistad is then you know where she is,' Riku looked away from the woman before him to the older male blonde. He couldn't help but note the slight desperation in his voice.

'Yes, I am currently staying with my mother and her friend.'

'That means,' light and hope entered his dull blue hues as the whereabouts of his daughter were within his grasp.

'Wait, you live in the same house she does,' Terra cried out in outrage.

Before he could answer him, the door behind him opened once more and halted his movements towards him as the late Mrs. Frost's lawyer arrived. 'Good morning, everyone,' he greeted with a half smile on his stoic face.

They turned to the newcomer and Riku just nodded in greeting and got out of his way. The man walked in and took his place at the head of the group, 'I hope you didn't have long to wait?'

He began to pull out some papers, 'If everyone is here, we'll begin with the reading of Mrs. Violet Frost's will.' He scanned through the list of names and familiar faces, 'It seems we are still waiting on Ms. Ursa Veale.'

Riku pulled out the legal documents that stated he was her legal representative and by the looks that he got from the younger males, he realized that the news was still unwelcome. He had already stated it, they probably thought that he was a phony or something. He handed the lawyer the papers and allowed him time to look them over, he nodded and began to read the will. To him it was nothing but a bore and he didn't see why he was there considering the rest of the family seemed to be getting the majority of the inheritance. When it came to the thirty-three precent of the share's from Frost Inc. things got interesting. The older blonde, Rose, shifted in her seat and sat more on edge. 'To my Granddaughter, I leave my shares of the company.'

The girl next to him gasped as if she wasn't expecting such a gift. 'To her that so much was take away from, I leave this in hopes of making up just a little of what she was never given.'

'Wait, I've never been without anything,' Namine muttered confused.

'I also hope that Ursa takes advantage of this opportunity and the possibility of producing her own album. To me it was always such a joy to hear her sing and I hope that she will grant others that same pleasure.'

As soon as the last sentence was read Rose broke out, 'Was Mother mad? To leave something to a person that's not—'

'Wait,' the male seating beside her reached out and grabbed her arm. 'Doesn't the name sound familiar? Ursa, Ursa Veale,' the brunette female, who had flinched earlier grew pale. 'Isn't she the daughter that you had, but died?'

At the sudden realization and question the woman fainted, 'Lily,' her husband called out to her.

'Mom,' Ventus ran to her aid.

'What's going on,' Namine questioned as he looked at Riku for answers.

'Uncle,' Gabriel was already checking on the status of Lily's well being.

'It's alright, she just fainted, but with her high blood pressure it would be best to get her checked out,' he advised.

Terra looked over at Aqua and frowned. He never imagined that his mother would react the way she did to her daughter's secret being revealed. His father, Uncle and him decided to take his mother to the hospital so that she would be better diagnosed and stabilized if anything was wrong with her. Once the excitement was over, the lawyer for Mrs. Frost, Xemnas Hearts, asked Riku to the side. 'I would like to meet Ms. Veale, so that we can sign the paperwork for her shares.'

'There is no way that this woman is who she claims to be,' Rose interjected. 'Just look at my sister's reaction to the mention of her deceased daughter. My mother was mad to leave her stocks to someone that doesn't even exist.'

'It's not a lie and she will receive her inheritance,' Ventus stated as he stood up to his overbearing Aunt. 'She is family.'

'How come we've never seen her? For all I know this woman is an imposter and you, your brother and your father are planning something,' she accused.

'My parents had their reason for keeping quiet about her and we aren't planning anything,' Ventus told her.

'Mom,' Namine grabbed her, knowing that she was fuming and was about to go off any second. She couldn't accept the fact that someone else was taking away the one thing that she wanted the most.

'But this—,' Rose cut herself off, she had hoped that with her mother's death she would have been able to gain control of the company.

'Mom, calm down,' she tried to calm her down, but at the same time she held her back.

'This…'

'Ma, we should honor Grandmother's last wishes,' Namine tried to console her.

'Fine,' she agreed, but began to plan a new way to gain a hold of those shares.

Once the family drama ended, he turned to Xemnas and tried to convince him of giving him the papers and once Ursa decide what to do he would get back to Xemnas. However, he was against listening to him. He was dead set on meeting with Ursa, if she was against him going to her house they could reschedule an appointment at his office. 'Fine,' he finally submitted. Riku knew that there was no way that she was coming into the city to see him, 'Just let me call her and see what she says.'

He called the house and on the third ring he heard her voice, 'Veale and Rite residence, how can I help you?'

'Ursa,' he said her name unsure.

'Oh, you,' her voice lost its cheerfulness. 'What do you want? I thought that you were going to come back and tell me the news.'

'Your Grandmother's lawyer wants to meet with you. So that you can sign paperwork to get your inheritance transmitted.'

'Tell him to give you the paperwork.'

'I already did, however he's dead set on meeting you in person.'

'Well, I refuse.'

'You can't refuse,' Riku was beginning to lose his patience with her.

'You are a horrible counselor, I should tell your—'

'Just get ready, we'll be there soon,' he cut her off and hung up before she could make him more upset.

'So I'll follow you,' the man stated rather than asked.

'That works, let's go,' Riku nodded and waited patiently for him to gather his papers and suitcase. While he waited, the cheerful and attractive young blonde, Namine walked up to him.

'So this might not be the right time, but maybe you and I could get together later,' she handed him a slip of paper. 'Call me when you have the chance.'

'Sure,' he agreed as he studied the blonde once more and couldn't help but admire her beauty.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Ursa paced about the living room annoyed that Riku would be arriving soon with an unwelcome guest. 'Should I bring you some tea?'

'No,' she lifted her head up to look over at Amistad and sighted, 'I am just worried.'

Amistad took a seat and ushered her by her side on the couch, 'Tell me what's wrong?'

'A few months ago life was peaceful. We lived in the comfort of our own pace and now we have people coming and going. You son is living with us and my family is trying to reconnect.'

'But change is good, isn't it?'

'Yes, but I am starting to feel that it's all going too fast.'

'Or is it that you hate wearing your outfit and feel restricted?'

Ursa stopped pacing and turned to look at her, 'Is it that obvious?' She looked down at her attire that covered her from head to toe.

'It's usually the only time you complain about people,' Amistad pointed out.

'I guess, but this time it's different and a stranger is coming.'

'Really someone new is coming?' This was interesting news.

'Yes, my Grandmother's attorney,' she answered.

'So this is why you are even more anxious than usual to have a guest over,' she stated.

'Of course, this is a stranger we're talking about. He has no blood ties to say that he will be just as accepting to me as my family members.' She began to pace back and forth again, 'When are they going to get here? I need to get this over and done with.'

'Chin up, Buttercup,' the gate alarm went off, 'I'll go and buzz them in.'

She watched Amistad get up and walk over to the front door to buzz them in. 'I'll go and warm some water for tea,' she mumbled in dismay.

Ten minutes later, Riku and his unwanted guest arrived. Although, for the first time in her life after she met him, she felt butterflies begin to flutter about in her stomach. 'Mr. Xemnas Hearts, this is your late Grandmother's attorney,' Riku introduced him. 'This is Ursa Veale, the daughter of Julian and Lily Veale.'

Ursa was mesmerized by the tall and attractive male standing before her. He was about a head and half taller than her, his eyes were a beautiful tiger orange, his hair was silver and combed back, he had strong facial features that could easily mistake him for a male model. After she saw the stoic and intrigued expression on his face as he took in her image, her face became heated, as embarrassment flooded her senses. 'H-h-hello, welcome,' she stuttered a bit, but then cleared her throat. 'Please, come inside,' she turned to lead him in, while at the same time trying to ease her racing heart.

Riku watched her and wondered were the annoyed and angry woman on the phone was now more docile then he had come to face with the few times her interacted with her. 'Please, have a seat,' she offered Xemnas as they arrived.

Riku was about to take the seat across from him, but when Xemnas wasn't looking she moved him out of the way and took the seat for herself. He was about to say something, when Xemnas began to pull out paperwork out of his suitcase. 'Ms. Veale.'

'Yes,' she berated herself for sounding so breathlessly elated when he was talking to her. 'You can call me Ursa.'

'Ms. Ursa, as your counselor already told you, I am here to get some paperwork signed so that we can begin the transfer of your Grandmother's shares to your name.'

'What,' sh snapped out of her trance as she processed the words he had just spoke.

'I thought your lawyer told you on the way, but by your reaction I guess not. Your late Grandmother, Violet Frost, has left you her shares of Frost Inc.'

'I,' she was speechless for a moment, until she found her voice and said. 'Thank you, but that won't be necessary. I wish to refuse the inheritance.'

Both men looked at her as if she were crazy, 'You can't refuse,' Riku told her. 'You don't know what a great opportunity this is for you.'

She turned to him and frowned, but of course with her burqas on they couldn't tell what she was thinking. 'Frost Inc. was started by William Frost, a man that loved music but had no talent of his own. Therefore, with the help of his wife, Violet Frost, they ran the company. They began by producing classical and then shifted into ballads. Once the new generation began to take over, they noticed that pop and hip-hop were the new trend. Not wanting to be like the rest of the competition they developed their own brand and know have female and male groups at the top of the charts. They also have some sub-groups and solo artist. With its success Frost Inc, has sky-rocketed in profit. My Grandmother was the one with the most control because she had the most shares, so giving them up would be very foolish indeed.'

'Than you'll reconsider and sign the papers,' Riku asked her and turned to Xemnas for support.

'No, I still refuse,' she told him.

Xemnas looked over at her before breaking the bad news to her, 'Even if you want to refuse, you can't. Mrs. Frost put a clause in the will that stated that for the first year of ownership you can't sale or pass the stocks over to anyone else.'

His stoic and determined tone made her become mush, but at that same time annoyed her. 'If I can't refuse them, why do I have to sign the paperwork?'

'They are a guarantee that you will receive your money.'

'I don't want it.'

'The money will go to an account that has already been opened under your name. The papers just allow you to gain access to it, they also make the transfer of shares officially yours.'

'I—'

'Allow me to speak with my client in private for a moment,' Riku said as he grabbed her forearm and pulled her up so that he could drag her away.

'What are you doing,' she demanded as he closed the door to the downstairs library.

'That's the same thing that I want to ask you.'

'I want nothing to do with the company or its money.'

'Just sign the papers and once the year is over sale the shares. I have a feeling your Aunt would be willing to buy them from you.'

'No,' she refused, 'that would mean that I would have to…'

'Become a silent partner,' he offered to her unfinished statement.

'Even as a silent partner I'll have to show my face when called upon.'

'Then I'll represent you.'

She shook her head, 'You couldn't get Xemnas to give you the paperwork and explain things to me.'

'He wouldn't listen to me, he wanted to come here and see you in person.'

'He wanted to see me,' she whispered and she could have sworn her heart skipped a beat. Suddenly her shoulders slumped and she hung her head as realization dawned on her that the only interest he could have in her was job related.

'Earth to Ursa,' Riku waved his hand in front of her face.

'Yes,' she pulled away from her thoughts.

'Have you thought it over?'

'I don't want to do it,' she stated, 'but I'll stick it out for a year.'

'I'll be happy to represent you,' he beamed down at her.

'I was actually going to ask Xemnas to represent me,' she watched as his face fell and she couldn't stop herself from laughing.

Annoyed, he grabbed what he thought was her cheek and pulled on it, 'You're not funny.'

'I'll give you a chance, but you are going to have to pass the bar here so that you can legal represent me and do as I ask you,' she told him as she rubbed her cheek. 'And don't think that I am just going to hand my money over to you so easily. I'll need you to do a good job, so that Amistad has an actual reason to be proud of you.'

'Tsk, you're so demanding,' he turned her around and walked her out of the library and back to the living room. His mother was serving Xemnas some tea, 'Sorry to keep you waiting.'

'Not to worry, I am sure that you two had a lot to discuss,' he turned to Amistad. 'Thank you for the tea and keeping me company.'

'Ursa prepared it, but forgot to bring it out,' she smiled down at the handsome young man.

'It taste delicious.'

'Ursa's own personal blend.'

'Oh,' he looked over at the woman covered in dark attire and nodded in her direct. Wondered what was underneath her dark heavy vail and what kind of facial expressions she was making. 'It's really good.'

Riku could sense that he was the odd ball out between the two females and Xemnas. He cleared his throat, 'We should get down to business.'

'Right,' he nodded and refocused on getting the paperwork ready for her.

While Xemnas wasn't looking Ursa stepped on Riku's foot and went to take a seat. He was about to say something when he saw the look of disappointment in his mother's hues. What did he do wrong? 'All we have to do is sign the paperwork.'

Ursa nodded and she began to read through the papers he handed her, 'This looks pretty straight forward, but I'll have to have my counsel take a look at them.' She offered them to Riku, so that he could take a deeper look at the papers.

Shortly after reading through the paperwork, he agreed with her that it was alright for her to sign. 'Well,' Xemnas made sure that everything was in place. 'I'll make copies of the paperwork and bring them over.'

'You're coming back,' both women said together.

'Is there a problem with that?'

'No,' they both shook their heads. 'It'll be nice to have company over.'

'I am pleased to hear that,' he said as he finished gathering his belongings.

After saying farewell, the women sighed in sadness of his departure, 'You two do know I am still here,' Riku pointed out.

'Sadly,' Ursa mumbled as she turned to go back inside after Xemnas's car disappeared.

Riku grabbed her before she took another step, 'You should be happy to get to see my handsome face everyday.'

'That's the sad part,' she pulled away and left to take off her attire and process what had just happened.

Amistad looked over at her annoyed son, 'Do you believe in love at first sight?'

'Ha, you think I am in love with that hard headed, stubborn and annoying woman.'

Amistad laughed, 'Not that, I would never imagine you two together. I mean her and Xemnas.'

'Please,' he thought that the idea was absurd. He thrusted his hands into his pockets, 'I don't think that is ever going to happen.'

'Never say never,' Amistad warned.

'Please, it's easier,' he paused when he felt something in his pocket.

'What's that,' his mother asked as she saw him pull out a piece of paper.

Riku smiled as he recalled the blonde, 'Maybe love at first sight.'

'But,' she watched as he left.

'You said I need to get out more,' he called back.

0000000

Name: Ursa Veale

Age: 23

Hair color: black

Eyes: black

Relationship: Currently none, interested in Xemnas, future Riku

Likes: Pastries, but not too sweet

Dislikes: Her Aunt and how annoying Riku can be

Description: For most of Ursa's life she was kept in the locked away and in the shadows, because of her appearance. That is why she has low self-esteem when it comes to her looks, so much that she is disgusted by it and believes that others are as well. Since her physical aspect is her most fatal flaw, she lacks awareness that she has other attributes to offer and make her special.