Ten-year-old Nick sat down on a chair in the dressing room, playing with his rubber ball, when his friend, Brent, walked over. “Are you ready?” Brent asked his friend who does not even felt nervous about this whole thing. While the other kids were busy and anxiously waiting for their turn in the talent show, Nick is just on a corner – acting as if he did not care about the whole thing. He joined the talent show in school but for Brent, it seems like his friend was not even willing to join here in the first place.

“Of course, I’m ready. I already got my lines memorized for the song.” Nick stood up and looked around.

Brent drew a deep breath. He got it. His friend is only doing this just to get his father’s attention. He’s always trying hard for it and Brent knew how his friend could get so devastated once he failed. “The gang’s all here,” he gave Nick an assuring smile just to ease his impending disappointment.

“Great, they always are.” Nick tried to smile. “Dad’s not going to be here again.” He bit his lower lip. “I can understand if Mom won’t be here because she’s looking after grandma who is sick but Dad…” He couldn’t hide the disappointment now. “He’s always at work.” He brushed off the hair from his face and sat back down on the chair. “This is useless. There’s no point in going onstage if my Dad’s not going to be there to watch me.”

“Don’t say that, Nick. You’re already here. Maybe if we can send the videotape to your father…” Brent tried but Nick shakes his head.

“Hi, Nick.”

Both boys turned and saw Audrey, Nick’s younger sister. “Oh, hi. What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to support my brother.” Six-year-old Audrey jumped excitedly. Brent smiled amusingly at the little girl and looked up to see a big bulk of a man stepping behind her. He recognized Jim, his friend’s bodyguard. At their young age, his friends were already entitled to a security person as they belonged to a wealthy clan. Their father is a powerful and rich media mogul. “I’m so excited when Jim allowed me to go here.”

Jim looked at Nick. “Is there any problem, young man?” He felt that he’s not only a bodyguard to these kids but he’s also their nanny. Their mother, Barbra, trusted him so much for that. And being with these kids for a long time now, he seemed to know more about them a lot – probably more than their parents did.

“I’m fine, Jim.” Nick stood up. “Wish me luck.” He shook hands with Brent and hugged both Audrey and Jim. He couldn’t do anything for his situation now. His father failed him again. He doubt if he can trust him again with another chance. He’s always away and it’s frustrating that he couldn’t do anything about it. It was as if his father never prioritized his family. It seems like he doesn’t even care about him and Audrey and Nick hates him for that. He can never understand his father.

Nick is silent all throughout the funeral as family and friends came to him with their condolences on the death of his father. No one could tell what is on his mind and what he is feeling right now. Nick felt numb. He doesn’t even know what to feel ever since he received the news that his father’s car smashed into a truck driven by a drunk driver. He was shocked. He couldn’t find the words to say. Both his father and his driver died on the spot. His mother was crying ever since, so did Audrey. Nick comforted both women but they never saw him show his own emotions.

“Nick?” Brent asked his best friend. He’s worried of Nick. He rarely spoke since what happened and it left Brent wondering what’s going on in his friend’s mind.

Nick nodded. “I’m fine, Brent.” He is thankful that his best friend is always there for him. Brent hugged him for a moment.

Atty. Kiefer excused himself to them. He discreetly tells Nick about the reading of his father's will. Nick frowned at that. “We just got through Dad’s funeral. Is there any other time, Sir?”

“It’s accordance to the will that it should be read right after his funeral.” Atty. Kiefer replied. “I’m sorry, Nick. I know that this is bad timing but you know it, I got rules to follow.”

Nick sighed and excused himself from Brent. Leaving the other relatives in the garden, he followed the family lawyer inside the house, and towards his father’s office. He saw his mother and Audrey were already there. After a few polite greetings, Atty. Kiefer started reading the will. He first mentioned about the major assets will be transferred under their mother’s name, including the transfer of Geoffrey’s bank accounts on her name. Barbra didn’t say anything. Her face still looks gloomy for the loss of her husband. The management of the family business will temporarily fall on her hands as well, to Nick’s surprise. At the back of his mind, he is expecting that he will inherit it since he is the eldest child. Maybe that’s why it’s only temporarily. His father may have a codicil stating on how he will handle those businesses.

When Atty. Kiefer turned to him and Audrey, he knew that his father had a surprise in store for them. “To my eldest son, Nickolas, he will get the majority of shares in the company, the beach houses in Malibu and in the Bahamas because I knew how much he loves the ocean, the management of the private yacht and speedboat at the coast of Seychelles and the possession of my Bentley and Lincoln. To my daughter, Audrey, she will get twenty percent of the shares in the company, the villas in Monaco and the house in London, the management of two private jets and the Ferrari.”

“That’s all?” Audrey exclaimed. “I know Dad has other properties scattered everywhere in the country and the world. And what about any money? Aren’t we going to receive any?”

Nick is only silent, wondering about it as well. He didn’t get any money. Their father is a multi-billionaire. The thought occurred to him as selfish as it may seem. Are they supposed to receive something from their father’s wealth?

“You will be receiving money of course, after you’ve done what your father has asked of you. He had special conditions stated in his will for all his children.” The lawyer replied.

“What do you mean?” Nick asked, frowning.

Atty. Kiefer cleared his throat and glanced at Barbra, who just nodded at him to continue. “Your father had children before he married your mother. Nick, you are the eldest legal child but you have four older half-brothers. Your father generously left something for them too.”

“What?” Nick looked at his mother. “Did you know this, Mom?”

“Yes, Nick. Your father had sons before we get married. I’m the one and only woman he married and never had any affairs. However, he was a ladies’ man when he was at your age.“ Barbra said. “He fathered four sons from four different women.”

“And you never told us about them?” Audrey is frowning as well. “You never introduced them to us.” Their mother didn’t say anything on that.

Nick turned to the lawyer. “What’s my father’s condition?”

“You have to meet your brothers and all of you will live together for five months under one house so that you will get to know each other.” Atty. Kiefer told them. “After that, you will see me again to hear what the other will has been stated for all of you. For the meantime, your father said here, ‘I left each of my children a million dollars as their allowance for five months until Atty. Francis Kiefer will read my second will. If you don’t follow this condition, you will receive nothing. They are going to stay in the house in France where no paparazzi can follow them.’ That’s all, Nick, Audrey.”

Nick drew a deep breath. This is ridiculous. He had four older brothers. He didn’t expect this. And his father’s will is sending them to Chateau Cordell in Paris. He was only there once. He stood up.

“Nick?” Audrey followed her brother.

“Are you coming or not?”

“Are you?”

“’I’ll fight for my right as the legal child.” Nick only answered and went out of the office.

Nick slammed the car door shut as he reached the restaurant where he’s going to meet Brent. He instantly saw him getting busy with his PDA. Sitting beside him is his girlfriend, Jill. They chose to sit at a table outside the restaurant. “Hey,” he greeted and sat opposite the two.

Jill smiled. “Did you already eat?”

“A little.” Nick adjusted his shades. He spotted a paparazzi lurking on a corner. He took a cigarette from his packet and lit it up. “I won’t buy the house yet.” He said after taking a drag on his cigarette.

“Why?” Brent looked at his friend.

“I’m going to France. I’ll be there for like five months.” Nick looked up at the waiter who approached them. He only ordered a sandwich and soda. “Father’s will, you know.”

The couple looked at each other than back to him. “Your father asked you to stay in some French villa?” Jill asked.

“Correct. Apparently, Daddy had four other sons before me and he wanted us to know each other well before the reading of the second will.” Nick drew a deep breath. They turned when a blonde woman approached their table. “Hey, Paris.”

“Hey, Nick. I just saw you and I was thinking if you’d like to go with me tomorrow night at a Bacardi Party in the Viper Room?” Paris showed her best charming smile to him.

“Oh, that’s tomorrow?” Nick paused and thought for a moment. Paris looked hopefully, as her hands were busy running along the back of the little dog in her arms. “I’m sorry but you see, my Dad just died four days ago. I can’t go with you. Thanks for the invitation.”

“Oh.” Paris’s face reddened from his rejection. “Okay. I guess, some other time then.” She said her goodbyes and immediately left.

Brent looked at Nick. “You just refused Paris Hilton, Nick. Did you realize that?”

“The quasi-heiress? Who cares? Besides, I’m richer than her.” Nick smiled at the waiter who brought his ordered food. “And, she approached me on a wrong timing. Didn’t she read the paper that I just lost my father? That’s very inconsiderate of her.” Nick rolled his eyes. He drinks his soda. “Besides, I got an early flight tomorrow to Paris, that’s a place in France.” He smirked. “I have to be there ahead of my brothers. The will said so, that I should prepare Chateau Cordell for them.”

“How did you suddenly have four brothers?” Brent leaned back on his chair and watched as Nick eats his food.

“It’s just simple. Dad’s a rich hotshot and women swarm around him. There was sex and babies but when he married Mom, he never had anyone ever since.” Nick said, as if he already perceived the idea of suddenly having strangers as his siblings. It just seemed so natural for him. “I’m actually looking forward into meeting them.”

“Did Atty. Kiefer brief you about your brothers?”

Nick nodded and took a moment to chew his food first. “Yes. I asked him to. The oldest one is turning thirty in October while the youngest one is the son of former actress Eliza McLean. I didn’t know that he’s my brother.”

“AJ?” Brent chuckled. “You just had a fight with him two weeks ago. Careful, man. He’s not yet through with you.”

“I don’t care. I’m still the legal son. I still get more among us.” He finished his food. When he’s done, he started with another stick of cigarette. “I heard that one of my brothers is getting married but rescheduled it because of this. One is a son of a famous political icon. And then there’s this one who’s a farmer. Can you believe that? My father spread his genes everywhere.” He shakes his head.

“Come on, Nick. Maybe your dad just got a lot of love in him. Didn’t you ever feel sad about losing him? I mean, you never had a nice talk –“

“Don’t start, Brent.” Nick drew a deep breath. “I don’t want to talk about it.” He takes a drag on his cigarette before he continues. “It’s sad but I guess that’s just the way life is. I’m moving on.”

Brent only shakes his head. He really couldn’t take the truth out from his friend. Nick closed his heart and it was as if he’s already incapable of emotions. It maybe his father’s fault to mold him to become the person that he is now but Brent also thinks that Nick chose to be like this to prevent himself from the feeling of pain. He chose to put walls around him to protect himself. Brent wondered how to get through that barrier. He loves his friend and he wanted Nick to be happy. His only hope is that this five-month experience with his brothers will change Nick – somehow.



~~~



Nick raised an eyebrow when he saw his sister walking inside the private jet in her pair of olive green buttoned blouse and skirt. He rolled his eyes. Audrey grew up in a strict boarding school and she got used to wearing those conservative clothes as if she’s going to office for work. He watched as she carefully sits on the chair opposite his and thoughtfully smoothed out her skirt. Then she remained seated in her chair, her hands folded in her lap.

“How do you manage that?” He asked her.

“What?”

“Being that prim and proper,” Nick replied.

“Am I?” Audrey innocently asked. Nick only nodded. “I don’t know. I guess I’m just really comfortable with this.”

“That’s because that’s what you got used to do. Those people in that boarding school stuck in your mind that wearing those boring clothes is the proper thing. Anyway, that’s okay. You looked very respectable.” Nick turned to his hand-carry bag and retrieved his medicines. He doesn’t want to offend his sister by telling her that she looked outdated with her clothes. He doesn’t know how.

“What’s that?”

“Sleeping pills.”

“Why?”

“I don’t like flying. I’d like to sleep on this flight.”

Audrey nodded. There was silence after that. They turned when Atty. Kiefer appeared inside the cabin and smiled at them. “Children, your father entrusted the will to give this to you.” He gives them a credit card each. “It has a credit limit of a million dollars as your allowance for five months. Have a nice trip and I’ll see you after five months.”

“Wait. This is the million he’s talking about?” Nick frowned. He thought the money would be in his bank account. What were his father’s plans then?

“Yes, Nick.” Atty. Kiefer turned to Audrey. “It’ll be nice if you spare a time for shopping your clothes there, Audrey. You will live in Paris for five months. I hope that it’d somehow help your preference in clothing. You’re a pretty lady and you’ll look better with the clothes that are more fashionable.” He winked and then left.

Audrey turned to her brother. “What is he talking about?”

“He just read my mind.” Nick only replied and stood up.

He drew a deep breath as he stepped through the airport immigrations. He thoughtfully puts his passport back in his bag. Charles de Gaulle Airport is always a busy airport no matter what time of the year is. The people were of mixed races and it was as if he’s Superman with the super hearing. He’s been hearing many languages in which most are foreign to him. Grabbing his luggage from the conveyor, he started towards the main arrival area. He wanted to eat first before going to his destination. He spotted a posh restaurant inside the airport and went in. It is self-service. After placing his orders, he gives out a credit card to pay for his food.

With a grin, he finished everything in the counter and went to a nearby table to eat. He smiled at the thought that he used his father’s card for the first time. One million dollars credit limit, not bad. Maybe he’ll go shopping one of these days. He’ll take that half-sister of his with him. What’s her name again? Audrey. He smiled at the thought. He never had any sibling and although he didn’t like Nick, he wanted to get close with the only girl among them.

It’s been almost a week since his biological father died and it has been a shock for him and his mother that a lawyer came to their house and told him about his father’s codicil. He didn’t expect that a wealthy man such as Geoffrey Carter would remember that he had another son – and that he left something for him for that matter. A million dollar allowance for five months is enough but that’s just an allowance. This is Geoffrey Carter – the successful media mogul and shipping magnate. He’s a multi-billionaire and he couldn’t imagine what he will get as part of his inheritance. He shakes his head at that thought. He doesn’t want to think about it. The man is dead and he should respect him rather than thinking of what he will get from this. He isn’t as coldhearted as that of Geoffrey’s legal son, Nick.

Now, thinking of that man, his blood began to boil. He doesn’t like Nick. In fact, he hated him. He doesn’t like the way Nick paraded himself as some rich kid whose favorite past time is to spend a lot of his father’s money. He’s always around every hot party in town, have been with different kinds of women and featured in the headlines for misconduct against the authorities. He’s not jealous of that. He had his share of being in that phase but not as much as Nick did. Nick is notorious in what he does and seemed to take pride on it. Well, secretly knowing that he is Nick’s half-brother does not make him prouder at that.

And then he remembered laughing aloud when he read in the papers that Nick decided to pursue a law degree in Harvard. That was very original of Nick and he didn’t see it coming. But Nick surprised everyone when he proved himself more than as the rich, blonde and spoiled brat of Bel-air. He graduated last week with recognition from the prestigious law school. Everyone within the society and business circle had to say something about Geoffrey’s son.

He finished his food and glanced at his watch. There’s no definite time to arrive at Chateau Cordell. The lawyer only advised to be there today. He decided to go through this five-month codicil of his father out of respect for the dead. Otherwise, he won’t be here at all plainly because of Nick. After the night brawl with the younger guy two weeks ago, he doesn’t want to see him again. But fate brought him back within Nick’s radius and he wondered why. He doesn’t need his father’s money, if Nick will think he is. His own mother had enough for him, aside from a business he’s having right now.

As AJ hailed a taxi outside the airport arrival area, he wondered if he could stay here in five months with five strangers. Maybe, maybe not. It remains to be seen. His only wish is for Nick to leave him alone.

He wondered if this is the right thing to do. His mother told him about his biological father but he never considered him as part of his life. For him, Geoffrey Carter was the famous rich businessman he can only see in the newspapers and business magazines – but never as his father. He had a peaceful life until a lawyer visited him in school and laid out his father’s codicil.

He found it ridiculous. He should live for five months with his five other siblings and after that, he will receive his inheritance. Of course, he needs money but an immensely amount of inheritance from a father he never knew is like asking too much. He grew up accustomed to the simplicity of life. He is scared of what this wealth can bring to him and his family.

Thinking about his family, he remembered his fiancée. They were about to get married but they were forced to reschedule it because of what happened. His girlfriend urged him to go because she knew he needs money to pay for his mother’s hospital bills. He is a high school PE teacher and his salary is not enough to clear the debts. He’s thankful that his girlfriend understands him. Thinking about her now, he realized how he misses her already.

As he looked out at the sights before him, he recalled about what Atty. Kiefer told him about his brothers and sister. There’s the farmer, a businessman, son of a famous actress, the girl from the boarding school and Nick. Everyone knows who Nick is. He had students who have a crush on his half-brother as if he’s the nicest guy on earth when he’s full of mischief up on his sleeve. He couldn’t blame it if Nick is uh, good-looking but he doesn’t think that he can set a good example to anyone who got a crush on him. It doesn’t matter if he graduated with honors at Harvard. He’s still the most stupid guy for Brian. He’s hoping that things won’t be hard for him for five months. He needs to get through this and go back home.

With a sigh, Brian looked at the window of the cab when the driver announced that they reached Chateau Cordell. It was like a miniature of Palace Versailles. He whistled in awe at the magnificence of it. Geoffrey Carter is – no wonder – a multi-billionaire.

“Are you going to stay there?” the driver asked in hard English. “Monsieur?”

Brian turned to the driver and paid him. “Uh, yeah, but the place is not mine. I was just invited. Merci.” The driver nodded and smiled as Brian went out of the car and gathered his things. He knew that passing through those gates is like entering a new chapter in his life.



~~~



“Hey.”

He turned around when he heard the greeting thrown his way. He smiled at the flight attendant he recently acquainted with during the long flight to Paris. The smile turned into a naughty grin when he remembered what happened last night at the plane’s lavatory. He was not the adventurous type but the woman made it hard for him to resist her. He had the quickest quickie – if there’s such a word in the dictionary to describe what happened.

“Where will you be staying?” the blonde flight attendant asked him. She even playfully touched his short curly hair.

“Chateau Cordell. Did you know where it is?”

“Oh, you are not just a naughty boy but a special one. I was born here. I know where it is. That’s a very big estate.” Their lips met in one heated kiss. “Are you a Latin prince?” She giggled.

“No.” He kissed her again. “Listen, I have to go. If you’re taking me there, fine. I need to go now.”

“Unfortunately, I can’t go with you.” The uniformed woman glanced at her colleagues who were now on their way out of the arrival area. “I need to prepare for a flight later after five hours. It’s been nice meeting you. The sex was amazing.” She winked at him, kissed him once again and then left.

He drew a deep breath as he watched her go. Yes, the sex was indeed amazing. That woman knows what to give. He shakes his head. He had to clear his mind now. In a few hours, he will meet his brothers and he will start his five-month torment with them today. If it were not only for the money, he wouldn’t be here in the first place. He doesn’t care if his father was one of the richest men in the world. He is happy with his own peaceful life until that day when a lawyer personally came knocking on the front door of his apartment in San Juan, Puerto Rico and told him about Geoffrey Carter’s codicil. He needed money to start a business he’s been planning about and this is the easiest way to do it. Five months aren’t that long. It will be over before they will even know it.

Howie picked up his luggage. He already solved his problem with money and he began to think about the other people he will be living with for five months. He’s going to live with four other brothers and a sister. He doesn’t know what to expect from them – except for Nick. He didn’t have a hard time researching about him on the internet. His half-brother had enough publicity to put in a book and publish it. It’d probably bring him millions, more than what he probably already had. It was like an obligation for Nick to be in the news per week. The latest one was when he graduated with flying colors in Harvard. It surprised Howie. The spoiled brat got something in his head other than partying and drinking hard.

As Howie hailed a cab outside the airport, he wished that he wouldn’t have a hard time dealing with the famous brat. All he wanted is peace and his inheritance.