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.

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.

“Hey, Nick.” Brent called his friend when he saw the blonde one passed through the door. “Nick! Nick!” There were many other people crowding around after the graduation rites. He was fortunate to locate Nick easily among this sea of faces.

Nick heard the familiar voice and looked around. He smiled wider when he saw his best friend waving at him. He immediately walked towards him. “Hey, Brent. I’m glad that you came.” They hugged each other. “Thanks.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for anything else, attorney!”

“Not yet,” Nick laughed. They started to walk down the front steps of the building where the graduation rites were. They saw Nick’s mother, Barbra, Audrey – his sister – and their bodyguards waiting for them. “I even doubted if I’ll take the bar.”

“Oh, come on. You can do it. You did well in law school.”

Nick shakes his head. “No, this is enough.” He went to hug his mother. “Hi, Mom, Audrey.”

“Congratulations,” Audrey smiled and embraced her brother. There were flashes of lights and they turned to see some members of the media taking shots of them. They can never avoid them. They are only famous because of their rich family and its associates. They couldn’t prevent it and the paparazzi seemed to take a great interest on that. Nick couldn’t blame them if they are here in his college graduation. He had his share of publicity when he dated models and famous actresses before, aside from his usual misconduct in which many people found interesting. He never did anything but just that and he’s an instant celebrity.

They approached him in an instant for an interview. “What are your plans, Nick?” a reporter asked. “Will you pursue a career in the courts?”

“We’ll see.” Nick winked at them. Another thing that gained their interest was his ability to reply the questions without definite answers. He always keeps them guessing. He is the son of a powerful media mogul but they cannot get straight facts out from him.

“Don’t you have plans to join your father’s business? Or are you planning to be a Hollywood lawyer?”

“The plans are being outlined. Ask me again when I see you.” Nick immediately turned to get in the car when his security ushered him inside. When everything has gone, the remaining reporters just watched them go.

“Oh, fuck. He did it again.” A redhead man shakes his head and checks his camera. “So much for the son of a media mogul, he never directly answers us.”

Nick, who’s inside the car, smirked as the paparazzi was left standing on the block. They will never get something from him unless they dig deeper. He never chose to become famous anyway and they have to deal with it. “I’m not going to take bar exams.” He announced to the people inside the car. He gave them a wide smile.

“What’s the purpose of taking up law if you’re not going to be a lawyer?” Audrey asked. “You just wasted your time and money.”

“I just want to finish college, that’s all.” Nick said. He saw them looking at each other. Graduating from a prestigious law school is enough for him. He just wanted to prevent others from thinking that he’s just some rich kid who doesn’t even have an intellectual head. The truth here is that he hates his father and he had his own way to spend his money without hearing any complaint from him. His father reprimanded him enough for his scandals and bad publicities. Going to a law school has been a giant move from him. He knew he surprised everyone and he liked it. “I’m also throwing a party tonight at the club.” He added.

“Nickolas, when are you going to plan something for your future?” Barbra asked her son, shaking her head in disapproval. “Surely, your father would like it better if you start learning the business.”

“Mom, this is the future and I have my own business. It’s called my life. I don’t care about him.”

“Nick…” Barbra sighed.

“You know what, Mom? I don’t fucking care about Dad’s business, okay? I don’t want to be like him. It’s enough that I graduated. I’m in charge of my life from now on. Deal with it.” Nick looked out of the window. There was an awkward silence following that. Everyone knows how Nick hated and rebelled against his father.

“You don’t talk to your mother that way, Nick.” Brent bravely broke the silence.

“Just leave me alone.”

~~~

“Let me see, meeting tomorrow at the Fox Media Industries.” Geoffrey Carter browsed at his personal digital assistant, as the car makes its way towards Bel-air. His eyes widened when he bumped into a note in today’s schedule. “Oh my god, I did it again.” He groaned. It was Nick’s graduation from law school and he forgot about it. How could he forget it, and the other important events in the past? He’s never good at this and he couldn’t make up for it. He can be the good provider for his family but never as a good father and Nick hated him for that. He reached for his cellphone to call Barbra.

“Geoff, I’ve been trying to call you many times.” Barbra said as soon she answered her mobile.

“I’m sorry…”

“Business, it’s always the business. I don’t know how I put up with it all these years. I love you and it hurts me to see that your children hated you.” Barbra cried. “Where are you?”

“I’m going home. I just got through an important meeting.”

“You’re in the jet?”

“In the car, Barbra. Where’s Nick?” Geoffrey bit his lower lip in anxiety.

“Call him. We just arrived from the airport after the jet took us back here in LA. I don’t know where he is now after the limo dropped us off at home. He went out with Brent. His friend told me earlier that they‘d probably go to see a house that Nick wanted to buy. You see, your son saved enough of his allowances to buy himself a house. You gave him a lot of money in exchange for your absence but that’s not what he wants. He wants you.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t say that to me. Tell it to Nick. I love you, okay?” Then Barbra said goodbye and hung up. Geoffrey drew a deep breath as he speed-dial his son’s line. Nick answered after the third ring.

“What do you want?”

“I’m sorry if I wasn’t able to see you graduate today, son.”

“No big deal. I got used to it.” Nick coldly replied. “Is that all you’ve got to say? I need to hang up now, Dad. I’m driving. Thanks for the car. That’s a nice graduation present.”

“Nick, can I see you tonight?”

“I won’t be around tonight, Dad. I have a party later. Bye.” And with that, Nick ended the call. He couldn’t wait to finish the conversation with him. Geoffrey sighed as he rested his head against the headrest of his car seat and closed his eyes. He couldn’t blame his son for acting cold towards him. It’s his fault; he was never there for him or Audrey. He loves his children but he was not able to show it to them. He took his laptop and opened it. He’s going to update his online journal. No one knows that he had one. His blog contains his thoughts about his family, his love for them, his thoughts about life and love. There wasn’t anything about his work. This is the in-depth view of his personal life.

“…I know it was my fault. I love my son and I will do anything for him. I guess that it’s not enough to give him the things he wanted because it wouldn’t equal to the very thing that he wanted from me: my love and attention. I was never the good father. I was always away from home. Thinking about this now, I have decided that it is time where I should take the backseat from the business and relax. My family torn apart and I have to do something now. I’m going to focus on them now.

I’m sorry, Nick, for not being the great father that I am. I hope I can tell you one day that I love you very much. And to Audrey, I am proud to be the good daughter that you’ve become. I love you…”

Geoffrey continued on his writing and when he was finished, he hit the save button and waited for his entry to appear. While waiting, he was surprised when his driver made a sudden shift on his driving and the next thing he saw is a big truck ahead of them.

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.

The Codicil. Five brothers and one sister – all grew up with their own different lives until the only common person which linked them together provided a codicil that will give them life’s lessons along the way and will bring them closer than they imagined themselves to be.

I am revamping this site and will give you the latest updates about the stories I write. I have a site, AOS Fiction, where I regularly update twice a month. If you want to read the rest of the stories, you can find it there.