Hidden in a forest of flowers and animals lies the Willow Mansion. It is said to have existed since the year 3 A.D. The current residents Marcus Willow, his wife Diana Willow, and their children Emily and Billy. Marcus was a greedy man who only wanted power. Diana was a gold digger whose only reason for being with Marcus was to get rich. Their children were no better; Emily constantly bought dresses and jewelry, while Billy would buy himself watches and cars. The family was corrupt and it was clear that they would not change.

One night, two men came to the house. One was Diana’s brother, Jake Miller. The other was the director of the town Museum, and Jake’s close friend, Luke Walker. Jake knew the way to the mansion for he had been there many times in the past. When they arrived at the mansion Jake knocked on the door, but the door opened on its own with ominous creek.

“Hello?” asked Jake as he and Luke walked in.

“Who’s there?” asked Diana.

“My darling sister, it is good to see you.”

“Why are you here, Jake? And who is that with you?”

“I sent a letter telling of my arrival, sister, and this man is my dear friend, Luke.”

“Ah, I see. It appears that your arrival slipped my mind.”

“That is quite alright, sister. Tell me how have you been? Are things well?”

“Oh, yes! Yes, they are! Everything is wonderful!”

“Let me guess you made another million?”

“Tell me, are you jealous, dear brother?”

“Oh, perish the thought. I may not be rich like you dear sister, but I am making a stable living.”

“Whatever eases your mind, brother. Now come, you two must be famished. Allow me to have the maid prepare a feast for one of your stature.”

“Surely you jest, dear sister.”

“You know me well, brother.”

While Jake smiled at Diana with love, Diana smiled at Jake with contempt. He was beneath her, he was not rich, he did not have a wife, or children. He was worthless. Jake, however, knew of his sister’s true feelings for him. But he stilled treated her with love and respect as siblings do.

“So tell me. Mr. Walker was it?” “Please, my lady. Call me Luke.”

“Very well, Luke. Where are you from?” “I reside in the town over yonder.”

“Oh, the town beyond the forest?”

“Yes, ma’am. I am the director of the museum.”

“My, than you must be rich. Are you not?” “No, I’m not rich. In fact I make a very small salary.”

“Oh.” They continued to the dining hall where a large feast was prepared.

“We use only the best ingredients. The finest wine, the richest oil, and the fattest pig. We also use imported exotic spices; only the best. Don’t you agree?”

“I do, dear sister.”

Diana ordered the maid to get Marcus and the children. “Yes, M’Lady.” With that the maid left to get Marcus and the children leaving Diana alone with her brother and his friend.

“Sister, why do you only have one servant? When last I was here, there were scores of them.”

“I fired them all.”

“Why? What sinister deeds have they done? I met them all and not one would harm a fly.”

“Naïve as ever I see.”

“Sister?”

“They all stole from me. My riches, my jewels, they stole them all.”

“Sister, please, you know as well as I do that none of them would do such a thing.”

“As I said before, ‘naïve as ever’. They were merely fooling me. Using me to get close to my riches and steal them right from under me.”

“Sister, I believe that greed and love for money has blinded you.”

“Ha! Who are you to speak of greed, you don’t a penny to your name, brother dearest.”