Hong Kong
Standing
under a tall building, with very fationable and elegant surrounding atmosphere
along the Coast of Hong Kong Island. The darkness was embracing the blue sky
with a sensitive and delicate touch. There I found myself, in a strange place,
strange country and strange weather; I had no idea what the future was hiding
for me.
I
travelled all this distance from England to see my granddad as he was so sick,
but unfortunately I couldn’t as he died before my arrival.
My
granddad worked as an industrial businessman. He owned many factories in Hong
Kong. My cousin and I were the only people who would inherit all that fortune.
I
was so glad that I would get all that money, while at the same time I felt
guilty, as I would take money from someone I had never met. My granddad spent
most of his life in Hong Kong city after his divorce from my grandma many years
before I was born.
The
lawyer requested both of us to come to his office to open the will. We were both shocked when we discovered that
the will stated that my granddad’s money would only be ours if we got married
to each other. I thought of my life in UK, my home, my friends and particularly
my beloved boyfriend. My immediate response was by saying unequivocally: “NO,
that is impossible”. My cousin also said a “hesitant” no, but then the lawyer
asked us to go home and think carefully before making such a life changing
decision. He told us that if we chose not to marry each other, all of my
granddad’s money would go to charity instead.
I
went home very disappointed, but I was so tired to even think about anything. I
was staying in my granddad’s house while my cousin, who was already working in
Hong Kong, stayed at his own flat. All the people around me were very kind but
no one was able to tell me why my granddad made that strange will.
We were given a couple of months to decide what we wanted
to do, during which time we frequently met and talked. I then slowly started to
realise the reason why my granddad wanted me to marry my cousin, who I found to
be superficial, arrogant and immature with no sense of responsibility
whatsoever. My granddad clearly knew this, as they were living in the same city
for a while. I could not imagine my cousin to responsibly look after and
preserve his granddad’s fortune, without having a mature intelligent partner to
support and guide him through. While I could easily be that partner, I couldn’t
see myself spending the rest of my life with him. On the other hand, I loved my
boyfriend but staying with him would mean that I don’t get a penny of my
granddad’s fortune, which would not be an easy decision to make. What should I
do?
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