HER FATHER'S TREASURE
“Guard this with your life.”
Those were the last words of Jessica’s father, the richest man of the country as he handed her the family heirloom—a small, shiny treasure chest. Clutching it tightly, Jessica and the surviving loyal subordinates of her father ran with all their might through the forest as their mansion burned down. It was a long, dark, cold night. Jessica and her father used to play in the woods. She knew the forest very well, using it to escape the raging fire and the angry men.
At the end of the woods awaited Phillip, the right hand man of Jessica’s father. They ran until they reached the car Phillip had brought. Jessica stumbled, falling face-first onto the rough forest floor. Tears streaked her soot-covered cheeks. Phillip rushed forward, his steps urgent but controlled. He lifted her gently and placed her in the backseat, her father’s men silently gathering around her in a protective circle. Despite the exhaustion, they were on their guard to protect the heiress of the corporation. They weren’t the nicest people, but they knew loyalty. Jessica held the box tighter as everything sank in—her father’s death, their mansion burning down, and the family heirloom entrusted to her, though she had no idea what it truly was. Due to fatigue, her eyes felt heavy. She eventually succumbed to sleep.
When she woke up, she found herself in a guest room of Phillip’s vacation house. They had gone to a private island to escape. Phillip entered the room and found Jessica spaced out. He walked towards her silently and sat beside her. The silence was deafening, the air heavy, her hands cold as ice. As if she were dead. Phillip was not the best at comforting people. So he placed his rough hand on her back, gently patting it in a clumsy attempt at comfort. At this moment, she’s not a rich girl nor an heiress to the biggest corporation in the country—she’s just an 18-year old girl who just lost her father. As the closest friend and ally to her father, it hurts him to see Jessica this way. His eyes waver, trying to hold his tears back. His throat was dry, trying to find the right words to say. Phillip said nothing. He took the treasure box from the bedside table and handed it to her instead. Jessica looks at the box, takes it, and breathes in deeply. Her hands trembled as she slowly opened the box.
It was a pile of family pictures. Pictures of the present family and their ancestors as well. Underneath the pile is a letter, a wallet size picture of Jessica and her father, and a USB. Jessica’s tears fall as she reads the letter.
“Dearest Jessica,
By the time you’ve read this letter, I assume that bad things have happened. I’m sorry you got tangled in my business. But I want you to know that you and your mother are the best thing that ever happened to me. You are my greatest treasure. No amount of riches can equate to your presence in my life. I wish I had more time with you.
This time, I leave everything up to you. The USB contains all of the information you need about the company. Whether you sell it or continue it, I will always support you in whatever you do because I know you’ll do great things in the future. Just remember that your safety is the top priority here. Unfortunately, I think I have to meet your mother ahead of time in heaven. Remember what I said? Whenever you miss Mom, just look at the stars in the sky. Now, do the same for me, okay? I love you.
Love, Daddy”
These were the treasures found in the treasure box, an heirloom that tells the history and faces of their family. Family, it was the only treasure worth keeping. Her father never forgot to remind her of that. Jessica took the picture and held it close to her heart as she wept. Phillip said, “We are still here for you, Jessica. Remember, we are a family too, by blood or not.”
Her father’s men knocked and entered the room. They had been reduced by a significant amount, some unscathed, some injured, but most… dead. They walked closer towards her, keeping a respectful distance from her bed. All together, they kneeled, a demonstration of submission and loyalty. No words were spoken until Phillip broke the silence, “The USB might also contain who did this. Whether you seek justice or choose peace, we are with you. Whatever you decide, my lady—you won’t face it alone.”
She didn’t know what to do anymore. No amount of revenge or riches would ever fill the hole in her heart. But she knows. She knows that she’s not alone. And that she has a family still there for her. After all, it was her father’s greatest treasure. And his will must go on in the heart of Jessica. But for now, she will grieve, mourn, and weep.
Jessica looked out the window. The night sky blinked with a thousand stars. She closed her eyes, holding the photo close. “Okay, Daddy,” she whispered. “I’ll look up when I miss you.”
Somewhere beyond the grief, something stirred—a promise, a purpose. The stars above watched in silence, bearing witness to the beginning of her story.
