Arthur sat at the table mourning the very recent passing of his father. His mother was also quite distraught and shaken by the events. She was staring at the wooden floor of their living room. He had come back from the United States of America where he had been taking care of one of the many schools his late father had owned.
This was a the most prestigious private school line in the world. His father found success in more than one country. In Russia, China, Germany, France and the U.S. the school chain was widely recognized and considered number one. Of course, it was quite pricey.
As an only child it was his duty to take care of his mourning mother. 's death had come as a surprise to them, it was a tragic and sudden but awfully common and mundane at the same time; a car crash.
Before his passing, he had accumulated a large wealth and had left all the money he had to his only son and his wife. A loud doorbell rang interrupting the eerie silence that reigned in the room. Arthur sighed and stood up.
" I'll get it mum." He said running a hand through his unruly short blond hair.
He walked over to the door and straightened his suit. He opened the door. He honestly believed his day could not get any worse but there stood a French man with a wide smile. How could he tell he was French? Well the obvious perfume and long uncut blonde hair and unbuttoned white blouse with rolled up sleeves was a dead give away. No English man would dream to show up at his house uninvited in his state. The lad seemed to be no mor than 18 years old as well, what business could he have here?
"Bonjour my brother, looks like our father was quite naughty!"
" What? Excuse me, but what is your business here?" Arthur shut the door behind him not wanting his mother to be disturbed.
"Well, you see we are brothers!" The French man exclaimed.
" I am an only child! Now piss off!" Arthur yelled infuriated at the nerve of this smelly French brat. He tried to shut the door but a foot stopped him.
" Have you not read his will?" The French man asked. The English man paused frowning his thick eyebrows in thought.
" No I have not." He said more to himself his green eyes widened in shock.
Did his father cheat? But his mother was right there! This was no time for her to discover this! She was already shaken if she ever heard wind of this...
" This is not a good time, please leave. Here is my card. Call me later. If it's about the money we can come to an agreement at a lat-"
" Please! I have no where else to go!" He begged.
Arthur paused in shoving the young man's foot outside the door and had a good look at him. He seemed to have nothing more then a backpack on him.
" Fine come in, however my mother is here so just say you are a distant relative! Ok?" Arthur asked still quite shocked but also disbelieving.
" Ok, mon Cher!" He said using his vile French language. Arthur paused in opening he door and a thought crossed his mind.
"How did you know to come here?" He asked glaring at the French bastard child that was hopefully not really related to him.
" I thought you might ask thzat! I have a letter from our père!" Arthur waited while the young man dug throught his full back pack.
"Here!" Arthur reached out with a shaky hand. On the letter's envelope was the familiar seal of his family now broken.
" Dear Francis, if you are to read this I have died. I'm sorry I could not be a better father to you, but know this. You have an older brother. If ever something where to happen to me, which is now the case now, know that I have a large fortune and I am sure my son Arthur will take good care of you. You will be able to find him at this address."
The letter went on to explain other ways to contact him. A tear came to fall upon Arthur's cheek only to be quickly wiped away. This letter was obviously written years before his departure to the states. But what really did it was his father's signature. There was no way this was forged. As his eyes gathered more tears Arthur remembered why he had avoided reading the will. He could not break down, not now. He needed to be strong for his mother. However all the walls he had built broke down.
" Frère! It's okay! Here!" A well manicured hand extended a disposable Kleenex.
Arthur took it and swallowed his sorrow back with difficulty while whipping his years with haste.
"Remember you are a distant relative!"
" Oui of course." Arthur saw genuine concern in the aqua blue hues of the Frenchman.
He then felt a drop upon his head, and one on his cheek following the flow of his last tear drop.
He dreaded the rain.
"Come in lad." he said stepping back so he could come in,
" Oh and one last thing, do not speak French. We hate that language." Arthur ordered in distaste.
"honhonhonhon. You are not my father! However I bet I can cook way better than you!" Francis smirked
"Arthur? What in Gods name is going on?" Ms. Kirkland seemed to have broken out of her trance and came to the door where the bastard child stood.
"Oh well, mum you see this is a distant relative of father's that came to pay his respects." Arthur looking down in guilt.
" Well let him in already it's pouring! Any relative of my late husband is a relative of mine! I will make some tea!" She exclaimed running over to the kitchen.
Once the door was shut, Francis took his boots off and asked where he could put his things. Arthur led him up the stairs to the furthest guest room. He did not want to have to associate with his unwanted half sibling more than he had to.
"So there's your bed and there is a washroom attached to the room." He explained quickly wanting to get away from him. This was too much too much in one day.
" Oh wait! I forgot to mention this." Francis exclaimed
" What?!" Arthur asked already overwhelmed.
" We have a sister."
Lighting illuminated the dark room showing the gentleman there was no hint of sarcasm in the aqua blues of his brother.