Modern Arrangements: Complete Trilogy (Modern Arrangements #1-3) Read Online Free

Grandfather’s mansion. The
immediate family was requested to sit in the cold leather chairs of the library—a
room ironically never used by my grandfather—as the final requests of Aidan
Iverson Senior was read.
    I sat once again between Liam and Viola.
Viola held on to my hand tightly. Mr. Devlin, the family attorney, stood at my
grandfather’s large mahogany desk with folders, papers and a small plastic case
in front of him.
    "First of all, I would like to
express my deepest condolences for your loss," Devlin paused for a moment
before he continued. "Per the request of Mr. Iverson we have a DVD that
you are to watch after the will is read."
    Mr. Devlin proceeded to establish
everyone’s share of the inheritance. Most were receiving monetary inheritance
or physical assets like property or cars. Liam and Viola were given a large sum
of money along with an island Grandfather bought for his first wife—Isobel. My
cousin, James Iverson, acquired a monetary inheritance as well.
    Mr. Devlin turned, his eyes on me and
sighed.
    "Your grandfather has made his
intentions for you, Aidan, very clear, However, before his death he made
changes to his last will and testament." Everyone in the room looked at
Aidan and then the whispers circled from one family member to the next. Devlin
cleared his throat. "You are the sole heir to your grandfather’s home, possessions,
AIS and a large monetary inheritance." He took a deep breath.
"However, your grandfather left certain conditions with your
inheritance." Mr. Devlin held out a DVD.
    "I don’t understand." Staring
at the plastic case held out before me for a long moment, I hesitantly reached
out and took it. 
    "You will need to watch the
DVD." Devlin stood, asking everyone, except me, to leave the room. Liam
and Viola stayed at my request.
    At the large, old box shaped TV, I
placed the DVD inside the player sitting on top. Nerves swam in my stomach,
causing my finger to shake as I pressed play. Aidan Senior appeared before us.  Viola
sniffled as I sat between her and Liam to watch the video.
    "Aidan, my boy, if you’re watching
this damn thing, then I’ve finally kicked the bucket!" His deep laughter
filled the room. Tears welled in my eyes.  I would never hear the bluntness of
his remarks or his laughter again.
    "Well, by now that swindler Devlin
has told you about the inheritance and my changes ."  Grandfather
smirked at the camera.  It was a smirk I knew too well. This look was reserved
for when he knew he’d won.  The knot in my stomach tightened.
     "Aidan, you know I favored you. Hell,
everyone knows it. Now, I will tell you why."
    I straightened my spine. This wasn’t
what I was expecting from him.
    "You, my boy, are the exact image
of your Grandmother, Isobel— love of my life, just as your father."
    Liam stiffened at my side but I couldn’t
take my eyes from the television screen.
    "Well, it’s as simple as
that." He chuckled again. "Know, my boy, that I loved you as a son
and have always wanted what was best for you." Then he sighed heavily.
    "Now, on to the pressing
bullshit," Aidan Sr. put a glass of brown fluid to his mouth and took a
gulp. Knowing Grandfather, it was bourbon. "Aidan, you get the house, all
the possessions and the money to do with as you wish, as long as, within a year
from tomorrow, you are married."
    Choking on my own saliva, I barely heard
Liam and Viola gasp next to me.
    "Did he just say married?"
Glancing to Devlin, he simply silently nodded.
    "Yes my boy…you have to get
married!" Jerking my head back to the screen, my grandfather laughed from
the television screen. Before I could say anything, he continued.
    "You may have not listened to me
before, and continued to carry on with those harlots. Well, my son, now you
will have to pay attention to my wishes." He leaned in toward the camera
and smiled. "Now, for the rest."
    "There’s more?" I groaned,
putting my head in my hands.
    "AIS, ah yes. You are a shark, my
boy, and an excellent