The Brotherhood

Chapter 14 (Part 2)

Erin

It's already 8 in the evening. We're still in the hall. Nasa dance floor ngayon sila Mommy at Daddy together with the other 2nd generation Ws.

Kami namang mga 3rd gen, nagdidinner habang pinapanood ang mga magulang namin.

I'm sharing a table with Yuri, Jaimie, Sky, and Clary. Scarlet is with Ethan right now sa kabilang table. Magkakasama silang limang lalake dun.

Sky kept staring at the chandelier.

Sky turned to Yuri, "Galing ba sa France 'yang malaking chandelier sa gitna?"

Yuri answered, "Yep. Inspired daw yan sa candelabra sa Beauty and the Beast, si Lumiere, yung talking candle."

I don't have an eye for art kaya nanahimik na lang din ako. But I heard that it was customized per Archibald Wilson's request.

"Ah. Kaya pala romantic yung vibe ng chandelier. Actually, lahat ng artwork tsaka architectural designs dito sa Baroque Hall, parang lahat may origin."

"It was all Archibald's idea. He was very artistic."

I have never met Archibald but I was told that he was the wealthiest W.

"Sino si Archibald?" Tanong ni Jaimie.

"Di pa ba nakuwento sa inyo ng mga jowa niyo?" Tanong ni Yuri.

Umiling sila Sky at Jaimie. Si Clary naman bumulong sa tabi ko saying, Jowa my ass.

I chuckled but it made me think of Leo again.

Leo never replied.

Tinanong ko yung guard kanina kung nakita si Leo. Umalis daw kagabi.

Yuri continued, "Long ago, there were six Ws. Si Mateo Wallford, Theodore Wright, Harold Walker, David Wyatt, Colin West at si Archibald Wilson. Si Archibald daw ang pinakamayaman na W noon. Pero dahil sa aksidente, namatay ang mag ina niya. Archibald was alive but he left this world with no heir to his wealth. Kaya bago siya pumanaw dati, the Ws made a pact, na kapag may naputol na bloodline sa W, ididistribute evenly sa kada pamilya ang naiwan na kayamanan ng nawalang bloodline. Kaya nung mamatay si Archibald, nalipat ang yaman niya sa mga naiwan na Ws. That's why the Ws are extremely wealthy."

I nodded. We all owe Archibald for what we have right now. We wouldn't be this wealthy if it weren't for him.

Brian Carlisle is a close friend of my parents that's why Yuri's family is also close to us. That's why Yuri knows all of our secrets.

Nagpatuloy si Yuri, "Pero, if ever na may lumitaw at magpakilalang tagapagmana ni Archibald, 50% ng kayamanan ng kada isang pamilya ay malilipat sa lost heir ng Wilson. Kasi hindi naman nakita ang bangkay ng sanggol kaya umasa si Archibald na buhay pa ang anak niya. Pero sa paglipas ng taon, there was no sign of his heir. Some of Archibald's DNA is inside Wright's laboratory, preserved and always ready for a DNA test if ever dumating yung tagapagmana."

"But there is no heir. Maybe Archibald's son died in the crash and its ashes burned to the ground. My parents hired the best investigators in the world and they found no trace of his son." I said.

Jaimie, Sky, and Clary are still shocked.

Napailing si Jaimie habang umiinom ng tubig.

Sky spoke, "50%? Ganon kayaman yung Wilson?" Yuri and I nodded.

"Sa kanya din tong island na to. Everything you see in this island, is Archibald's." I said.

Of all the Ws possessions, this is my absolute favourite.