Zarki sat back in his leather chair, the weight of the world pressing down on him. The previous hours had been filled with intense reflection, his mind a battlefield of fear and desperation. Now, he knew that no matter how much money he had, no matter how many women had come and gone, no matter how many doctors had failed him, the solution to his problem required more than wealth or power, it required the intervention of those who truly understood the intricacies of law, family, and succession.
He had always relied on his advisors, his legal team, and his business consultants to guide him. But now, as the reality of his situation settled in, Zarki realized that it was time for a different kind of counsel: the counsel of those who understood legacy, family, and the delicate balance of power that could ensure the survival of his name. He needed answers, and the law was his final hope.
Zarki picked up the phone and dialed the number of his most trusted advisor, Haruni Al-Faiz, a man known for his discretion and expertise in the complex world of inheritance laws. Haruni had been with Zarki for years, helping him navigate the murky waters of business deals, contracts, and mergers. But this matter was different. This was a question of legacy, a question of life and death.
The phone rang twice before Haruni's calm, steady voice came through the line. "Zarki, how are you?"
Zarki's voice, usually firm and commanding, had an edge of vulnerability to it. "Haruni, I need your help. I don't know what to do anymore."
"Of course," Haruni replied, his tone serious. "I'm listening. What's troubling you?"
Zarki took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "I need to know if there's a legal way to ensure my legacy continues after I'm gone. I've tried everything, doctors, treatments, even multiple women. But none of them have given me the child I need. What can I do? Is there a way for me to secure an heir through legal means?"
There was a long silence on the other end of the phone. Haruni had always been a man of few words, but Zarki could sense the gravity of the situation. Finally, Harun spoke, his voice thoughtful. "Zarki, you've come to the right person. But first, I need to understand more clearly what it is you want. Are you asking about adoption? Surrogacy? Or are you seeking a way to establish a legal heir without the need for biological ties?"
Zarki clenched his fists, frustration rising in his chest. "I need an heir, one who is legally mine, one who will inherit my name and empire. But I fear I have no time left. I'm not sure how much longer I can wait. If my empire falls into the wrong hands, all of this will be for nothing."
Haruni's voice softened, his tone calming. "I understand, Zarki. You fear the loss of everything you've worked for. But it's important that we approach this with care. There are several options available to you, depending on what you're willing to accept legally."
Zarki leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "Tell me everything. What are my options?"
Harun began to outline the possibilities, his voice steady as he spoke. "The most common route in situations like yours is adoption. You could adopt a child, one who would be recognized as your heir legally. The challenge here, of course, is that adoption doesn't always carry the same weight as a biological heir. But there are ways to ensure that the adopted child inherits everything, through a combination of legal documents, wills, and trusts."
Zarki sat up straight, absorbing every word. "What about surrogacy? Could I have a child through a surrogate? Is that a legitimate route?"
"Surrogacy is a legal option in many countries," Haruni replied. "However, you would need to ensure that the surrogate agreement is ironclad. It's a process that requires careful attention to detail. But there's more, there's also the possibility of seeking a donor, someone who could provide the necessary genetic material, and have a child that is both biologically yours and legally yours. But that, too, comes with complications. Not every legal system accepts donor children in the same way they would a biological child born to a legitimate wife."
Zarki's mind raced as he processed Harun's words. Each option presented a solution, but each came with its own set of obstacles. He needed to be sure of his decision, for once made, there would be no going back.
"Is there any other way?" Zarki asked, his voice laced with desperation. "I'm willing to consider anything. I just need to ensure my legacy doesn't end with me."
Haruni's voice grew more serious. "There is one other possibility, but it's a more unconventional route. You could choose to recognize someone as your child, someone who is already in your life. Perhaps one of the children of your late friend Combo. If you were to acknowledge a child in public and give them your name, that could serve as a legal basis for their inheritance. But this comes with its own risks. You would have to be certain that the child could handle the responsibility of your empire, and that the other women wouldn't contest the decision."
Zarki sat back, contemplating the weight of Haruni's words. This was the most complicated option, one that involved not only legal decisions but personal ones as well. It was clear that no matter what, he had to act quickly. His time was running out, and every day that passed without a resolution felt like another day lost.
After a long silence, Zarki spoke again, his voice steady. "I'll need to think about all of this, Haruni. But I don't have much time. I'll need you to draw up the necessary documents and begin working on this immediately."
"Of course," Haruni replied, his tone calm. "I'll prepare everything for you. But Zarki, I urge you to be careful. This is not a decision to be made lightly. You're talking about a legacy, your legacy, and it's important that you consider every angle before moving forward."
Zarki ended the call, his mind swirling with the possibilities. He had always prided himself on being in control, on knowing exactly what he wanted and how to get it. But now, for the first time in his life, he felt like he was swimming in uncertain waters. His empire, his name, his future, all of it was on the line.
He stood up from his desk and walked to the window, staring out at the sprawling city of Wamboli below. The lights twinkled in the distance, a sea of possibility. But all of it felt meaningless without an heir to carry it forward.
Zarki's heart raced as he thought about his options. He had always been a man of action, and now he had no choice but to take the most significant step of his life. His fear of death had driven him to this point, but now he had a new fear, a fear of making the wrong choice, a fear of selecting the wrong heir. But he knew that, in the end, there was no time for hesitation.
The clock on his desk ticked on relentlessly, each second reminding him that time was not on his side. The urgency of his situation troubled him. His empire, his name, everything he had built was on the verge of slipping away without an heir. Zarki leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples in frustration. His thoughts drifted to Harun's counsel, who had always reminded him that sometimes solutions came from unexpected places.
A sudden idea struck him: What if he declared Jamilah, Combo's first daughter, as his own?
He could legally adopt her, raise her as his heir, and ensure the future of his empire. She was a capable young woman, intelligent and strong-willed, and she shared her father's business acumen. Zarki had always been impressed by her. She had the potential to become a great leader, one worthy of his name. If he trained her properly, she could carry his legacy forward, secure the future of Wamboli, and honor Combo's memory.
But then, Zarki hesitated.
Jamilah wasn't just any young woman, she was Combo's daughter, and there was a bond of respect that ran deep between them. Zarki had always viewed her as a surrogate daughter of sorts, but now, as the idea of adopting her began to take shape in his mind, he couldn't ignore the subtle advances she had begun to make in recent months.
She had always been respectful, but recently, there were moments, small, fleeting moments, when the glint in her eye, the way she lingered too close during conversations, or the soft touches on his arm when she laughed, made Zarki uncomfortable. She was a woman, after all, and though she had not yet made her intentions clear, Zarki could sense the undercurrent of attraction that she might have felt toward him.
He grimaced at the thought. It would be a disaster. If he allowed himself to be swept up by her advances, if he let her close in that way, it would not only undermine everything he stood for but also disrespect his late friend Combo.
Zarki could not afford to lose control. The idea of training Jamilah, of making her his heir, was brilliant, if he could maintain a proper distance, a professional relationship. But he couldn't allow himself to fall into temptation. The consequences of such a lapse would be devastating.
No, he decided. It was a bad idea.