According to dictionary.Com - Crucifix [kroo-suh-fix] - noun: A cross with the figure of Jesus crucified upon it.
It was cold and raining lightly. Fantastic, she thought to herself, a perfect day for a funeral. She stood there alone and stared at the casket of her father, Marco Jackson. Her only family member was gone. She didn't know the details, but she had been abandoned at birth and was taken into foster care. Marco had adopted her when she was just over a year old. He never married, so as far as Layla was concerned her only living relative had died suddenly of a heart attack and she was alone, very alone.
She had loved him like a real father. He was all that she had known. Marco had gotten rich doing questionable jobs for questionable people. But when he adopted Layla, he decided it was time to stop.
He had millions, he was rich enough and he didn't want to do anything to jeopardize raising his daughter. Every time Layla looked at him, her eyes lit up. They were and remained very close right up to his death. They were father and daughter, and more important, they were best friends. But there were things Layla didn't know.
She turned around to leave and there was a man standing closely behind her. He startled her and she gasped. He was a big man, at least 6'5", but very trim and menacing in his flat black suit, black tie,
black shoes and to finish the mysterious look, a pair of black sun glasses that hid his eyes. Also, for no reason, she noticed they were Oakley sunglasses and she was pretty sure he was very handsome, but had bad timing because her mood was wrong. She couldn't be anything but angry.
"Miss Layla Jackson?"
"Maybe. Why?"
"My name is Randy Nichols and I worked for your father as Head of Security. He has left certain instructions entrusted to me to be carried out after his passing."
"What type of instructions?"
"Before this conversation goes any farther, I have to see your identification. The information I am about to disclose is private and privileged to only me and Miss Layla Jackson."
She let out a fake laugh. "Private and privileged?" she repeated. "Listen Mr. Nichols, I am not in the mood for this. I have just lost my father and I am not about to rummage through my purse to find my ID. So I'd be really appreciative if you'd just tell me what's going on, or just go away."
He suddenly got very serious and said, "Please trust me Miss Jackson. This is definitely not a waste of your time." He moved a little closer to her and leaned over. In a whisper in her ear, he said "Besides, part of my orders directly from your father before he passed away were to follow you until you listened to what I have to say and provide car service so you remain safe." Yep, "follow her" sounded like her father.
She sighed and apologized, "I am sorry Mr. Nichols. I'm usually not this difficult, but then again, I've never been completely alone. I have no family now and I don't know what I am going to do."
She stood there, small tears running slowly down her face and suddenly Mr. Nichols felt something tighten in his chest. Then he had a sudden strong urge to grab her, wrap his arms around her and kiss her. When he stopped being Mr. Randy Nichols, Head of Security for Marco Jackson, and looked at her, really looked at her - he realized how beautiful she was. But she did have that look in her eyes that she
was alone and he couldn't help wanting to make it all better. He had never been so quickly drawn to someone before.
She got out her wallet and said "I'm not gullible Mr. Nichols. If your legitimately here to help me or give me some information about my father, you'd have some form of identification with you, too."
He smiled, she was a smart lady. He got his badge and identification out and showed them both to her. She seemed satisfied with him being who he said he was and she showed him her Drivers License showing she was Layla Jackson, daughter of Marco Jackson.
She said "Okay, start talking, and you can call me Layla instead of Miss Jackson." He said with a smile that made her melt "Okay, then you call me Randy and I would probably suggest we go somewhere a bit more private. Just follow me."
They ended up at a dark, upscale bar. They both ordered a beer and Randy handed her a key with a
business card attached. There was an address and a number.
"What is this for?" she asked.
"Your dad had a safe deposit box."
"What's in it?"
"I have no idea." but part of my contract, Layla, says to escort you immediately to the safe deposit box and make sure only you, under my supervision, view the contents."
"Randy, should I be worried?"
"Not with me around" and he gave her a smile that immediately made her feel safe.
They went to the address on the business card. As they walked in, Randy stood in front of Layla and he took her hand. "Stay close" he said. They showed the bank clerk the key and Layla's identification. The clerk said that she would show her to a private room and that bank security and her security would go together, retrieve the box and bring it to the private room.
"I want my security in the room with me" said Layla.
"That is not a problem, ma'am, whatever you prefer."
She and Randy sat in the room and the guard entered, set the box down and walked out, locking them in for safety. Randy checked the room for any video or sound devices and said it "was clean, go ahead and open it."
First there was an envelope that said Layla's name on it, she opened it and read it to Randy. It said -
Layla,
I am sorry to admit this to you, but years ago, before I adopted you, I was a professional thief. But when I adopted you, I stopped. I stole this Golden Crucifix from a museum here in Rio De Janeiro. I am ashamed to admit I was always to afraid to return it. I was afraid they would arrest me and take you away. If you are reading this, Randy, my Head Security Officer, has brought you here and kept you safe thus far. Thank him for me. I have one more task for Randy and then he will have completed all requirements and will receive $1 million dollars from my estate. Randy must accompany you to the museum to return the crucifix to the rightful owners. Layla, you will receive a reward of $1 million dollars if you just tell the museum you found it. I am also leaving you everything in my estate, which is
around $5 million dollars in assets and you will receive a cash payment annually of $500,000 per year.
Love you always,
Dad
Layla looked in the box and saw a beautiful Golden Crucifix, so beautiful she was afraid to touch it. She closed the box and she and Randy went straight to the museum and returned the Crucifix to them. As her father had said, they received the reward and the estate money.
Years later, after everything had calmed down, Layla and Randy were still spending time together, eventually falling in love and getting married. They were sitting on their private beach and Randy said,
"I really miss your father, he was a great man to work for."
"I miss him, too. I'd love to be able to tell him I'm pregnant."
The end :)