C1 Beginning

Tomas Gonzalez sat on the couch in the mini sitting room with his brothers Francis, Alejandro, Dario, Juan, Silas. Their uncle who was on his death bed had called for them, making them leave their busy schedules and see him. Tomas felt an awkwardness towards his brothers as they all sat and waited for him to call on them. An awkwardness that seeped into his skin and made him feel uncomfortable.

The feeling was ridiculous because he didn't do uncomfortable or awkward. He was a stern man who prided in the clarity and reasons for his thoughts and emotions. He didn't ever let mawkish emotions pass through him.

But it was different this time. He knew why he was feeling these kind of emotions. He and his brothers hadn't spoken to eachother since they arrived at their uncle's villa. They had sat here for more than an hour without saying a word.

Tomas knew all too well. He and his brothers had been estranged from childhood. They all lived happily together until their parents divorce when Tomas turned nine.

As the first son and eldest, Tomas strived to keep the peace in his home but failed. His parents dragged him and his brothers through a messy divorce and by the time they were done, he and his brothers were forcefully separated from eachother.

His parents sent him to another country to live with one of his uncles while he didn't know where his brothers were sent to.

And he hadn't seen his parents again until he heard of the news of their deaths, years ago.

As the years went by, he could say that he and his brothers had grown apart.

He felt a little bit of nostalgia creep in as he sat silently in the midst of his brothers. His mind went back to the days where he didn't have a care in the world. The days where he and his brothers played for hours on end.

But that was the past.

Ever since his parents divorce, his uncle, Matthew who he lived with trained him to be strong amidst adversaries. He got into the business world at such a young age and he got exposed to harsh realities. So he became a hard guy in order to survive.

A hard guy who didn't do mawkish emotions like awkwardness or nostalgia.

He had to get his shit together and focus on doing something productive with his time because whatever time he wasted cost a lot of money.

He sent a message to his assistant to fix the meeting that was scheduled to happen at the moment.

It was supposed to be a virtual meeting but the present situation didn't allow it. So he was going to make it a virtual chatroom instead.

His assistant got the message at once and in a matter of minutes, the meeting had began.

It took only a matter of time before he got immersed and that was what he wanted. It was much better than having those sentimental thoughts and emotions. His brothers didn't care to initiate a conversation so why should he be the one to break the ice?

About half an hour later, his uncle's butler, James, a short, bald and sturdy middle aged man said to him.

"Mr Benjamin will see you now"

And with that, he concluded his virtual chatroom and went to see his uncle.

His uncle looked frail and pale as he lay down on the bed, covered with a thin sheet and his lips lifted a little as he attempted a smile when he saw Tomas.

Tomas knelt beside his bed and took his hand.

"Tio!" Tomas mumbled lowly as he saw his uncle Benjamin. A strong Gonzalez had been brought to his knees by a terminal disease. His uncle Benjamin wasn't the one that raised him but he saw him a lot when he was little.

He could remember his uncle Benjamin's warm smile and benevolence.

Another wave of nostalgia creeped in but he stifled it in a flourish.

"You've grown into a young and strong Gonzalez" his uncle breathed out. "I'm sure you are wise too and I hope you will use your wisdom to mend your broken relationship with your brothers" said his uncle again and he just nodded feebly. He didn't want to argue with his dying uncle for it'll break his heart. He was too busy to demand affection or seek attention from his brothers, he had other productive things to do with his time.

But he didn't say that to his uncle, he simply nodded his deceptive head in affirmation. "Yes uncle Benjamin, I'll see to it that your wishes are granted"

Benjamin smiled feebly. "I wish you luck in advance because I won't be there to witness your progress"

"Thanks uncle Benjamin" Tomas bowed his head in reverence

"I've sent Stephen, my legal advisor to you. 12 acres of land will now be added to your possession. Discuss the paper work with him"

His uncle Benjamin said and Tomas's eyes lit up instantly. Then his uncle added before Tomas could leave; "I've left the reconciliation with your brothers in your hands. Don't let me down"

*****************

Dario Gonzales barked orders in form of text messages to his secretaries, concerning the conference meeting they were supposed to represent him at while he sat in his uncle Benjamin's living room and waited for the old man to summon him so he'll leave this awkward and tension filled area.

It was quiet as usual as he sat with his brothers. Everyone faced their phones or laptops, working away the time instead of initiating a conversation. He contemplated doing so at first but one glance at the faces of his brothers stopped him for he didn't want to make a fool out of himself trying to salvage a damaged relationship.

He couldn't wait to get summoned by his uncle and get the hell out of here. He hated the negative energy and could do anything to rid himself of it.

Well, that was how it had been between him and his brothers since his birth. He lived with his mom after he was born and he was told by his mom that he didn't have any brothers and no dad. It was until he turned eight that his mom took ill and told him everything about his family. From his parents divorce to the division of their family. After the death of his mother, he went to live with one of his dad's brothers named Stavros.

His uncle Stavros raised him with a golden spoon in his mouth and fortunately for him, Stavros couldn't bear any son so he handed more than half of his property to him; including the companies, houses and lands. All Dario had to do was to keep the company from going bankrupt while he partied and drank away.

That was literally life for him. As the last Gonzalez son bore by his parents, he lived without a care in the world.

He was more of the playful, charming and daredevil type of guy who liked to try new things everyday and take risks. He didn't like work, only saw it as a necessity, but one thing he loved alot was the abundant supply of women.

And as at now, he couldn't care less about the awkward situation between him and his brothers because he didn't even know them well. He only got to know them as he grew. So he couldn't ease a tension that he felt all too well. If anything, he wanted to leave asap.

As if on cue, his eldest brother Tomas stepped out of his uncle's room and left.

And the butler James called for him; saying his uncle Benjamin would like to see him now.

He was a bit surprised because he thought it would be Francis who'd be next. Francis was the second son, right after Tomas.

But nevertheless, he heaved a deep sigh of relief and followed the butler.