THE CROWNLESS HEIR

PART 3: THE SECRET HEIR

Nicholai awakes, his eyes feel so heavy when he open them, coupled with his body that feel as though it had been mercilessly beaten by a crowd of people—it is so hurt. Do not know how many days Nicholai had been falling asleep on his mother’s old sofa, and how many days he had been waking up with a sense of emptiness.

Nicholai walks towards the kitchen, taking a glass of water and drink it till empty. His eyes suddenly look at the dining table not far from him. There are some food—bread, fruit, vegetables, and side dishes. These many food, who else would give if not Aunt Brenda? The woman who is just two years younger than his mother already considers him as her own son, even though she was never pregnant.

“One day I will repay your kindness, Aunt. I promise.” Nicholai says joyfully.

Nicholai takes the plate, then put some of the food there to eat. He sits on that sofa anymore. Yes, he still can eat because of Aunt Brenda. Maybe tomorrow Nicholai will look for a job, whatever it is. Nicholai does not want to be sad for so long.

When he is enjoying that delicious food from Aunt Brenda, a luxury black car comes, comes into Nicholai’s yard and stops. Two black suit men that Nicholai does not know who they are, come out.

“Are you Young Master Nicholai Barbara?” One of the black suit men asks.

“Yes, it is me.” Nicholai says. His eyes still look at the men full of confused. Who are them? Why do they call him ‘Young Master’?

“Can we come into your house? We have an important thing you have to know.”

‘Oh, okay, of course, please.” Even though he is confused and has a little bit sus, Nicholai still welcomes them to come in.

“Do not sit there!” Nicholai screams, remiding one of the two men who wants to sit on the rickety bed frame. “It is already rotten, you could fall down. Here!” Nicholai points the sofa, the man obeys.

“I am sorry, this house is still so dirty. I have not cleaned it yet since my mother passed away.” Nicholai says ashamed.  

“No worries, Young Master.”

“Say it, who are you and what make you come here?” Nicholai asks to the point.

The two black suit men look to each other, before finally one of them makes a code.

“This is it, Sir, we are from BW Corp. we got the task to look for you.”

“Look for me?” Nicholai furrows his brows. “What for? I do not have a loan to someone. Does my ex wife—Alicia have a loan to BW Corp?” Nicholai asks carefully. Feelings of fear and anxiety began to take over him. If it is true that Alicia is like that, swear, this time Nicholai will not let her go easily.

“Oh, no, not about it, Sir.”

“So?”

“Last week Mr. Alexis Blackwood—a CEO and owner of BW Corp passed away. And from his will, it written that you are one of his son entitled to the inheritance and share ownership of BW Corp.”

“Me? A son of CEO? Ah, you must came to the wrong person, Sir. I am—”

“You are the son of Mr. Alexis Blackwood with a woman named Natalie Barbara.”

“That is my mom!” Nicholai screeches.

“Yes, the will is true. As a descendant of Mr. Alexis Blackwood, you have a right to get your inheritance. In the will written that Mr. Alexis Blackwood gave BW Tech—a subsidiary of BW Corp, and 30 percent of BW Corp’s shareholdings.” That black suit man gives a will written and signed by Alexis Blackwood.

“And this is the DNA test result.”

Nicholai takes the two papers. His eyes dart nimbly, reading through the text with great care.

His eyes wide for a split second. Right, he is the biological son of Alexis Blackwood. The DNA test also says that they are 100 percent biological father and son.

“So, all this time ….” Nicholai can’t finish his sentence. It seems impossible for Nicholai, who had lived in poverty for 35 years and never thought about becoming rich, suddenly find out that he was the son of a CEO and had inherited such a large sum.

“It is when the reading of the will of Mr. Alexis Blackwood.” They give a laptop and show a video record when the reading of the will happened.

“You have to move to the house of Blackwood Family, Sir.”

Nicholai is silent, especially when he sees the moment which was silence before, then crowded. Several people got into a fight when they knew the fact that Alexis Blackwood had a son from his unofficial relationship with another woman. That fear suddenly envelopes Nicholai’s mind.

What if Nicholai arrival did not get a good welcome? Will his days there be much better his life now?

“This will was read by a professional notary of Blackwood Family and has been witnessed by many people, especially Blackwood Family, so you are protected by the law. You do not have to worry, Young Master.” The black suit man says, as he know what Nicholai thinks.

“I … I have to tell Aunt Brenda.” Nicholai says. With limp steps, Nicholai walks to Aunt Brenda’s house where is nearby his house.

“AUNT! AUNT BRENDA!” Nicholai screams while he is knocking the rickety door, hoping his aunt hears it and open the door quickly.

“AUNT!”

“What happens, Nick?” Aunt Brenda finally opens the door, she is surprised when she sees Nicholai with gasping for breath. “A bad person comes to your house?” Aunt Brenda asks full of worry.

Nicholai shakes his head. Without answering the question of Aunt Brenda, Nicholai holds the hand of the old woman, bringing her to his house to meet two strange black suit men who are still sit on the sofa as before.

“Who are you? Why do you come into my nephew’s house?” Aunt Brenda asks with vibrate sound, she is afraid if two strange black suit men have malicious intent to Nicholai.

“We are from BW Corp.” One of them starts saying, telling what makes them come here from the beginning. They also not forget to show the video recording of the will, the will, and the DNA test result to Aunt Brenda.

Aunt Brenda is surprised, same as Nicholai, she also does not believe it.

“So, my sister gave birth to a son of a CEO?” Aunt Brenda mutters.

“Correctly, Madame. And when Mr. Alexis passed away, Young Mater Nicholai is entitled to his inheritance.”

Aunt Breda and Nicholai look at each other. Nicholai looks at Aunt Brenda sadly, but Aunt Brenda smiles at him.

“I am happy finally you have a better life, Nick.”

Nicholai is silent with Aunt Brenda’s answer.

“You have suffered enough, living in poverty with your mom, migrating and working hard for your wife who was cheated on you, your mom passed away, and you were fired from your work. What other suffering must Auntie witness you endure, Nick? Now, go ahead! Living much better there. You deserve to get it all, Nick.” Aunt Brenda releases Nicholai.

“But, how about you, Aunt? You are also my mom. I can’t leave you alone.” Nicholai says worriedly.

Aunt Brenda smiles again, she holds Nicholai’s hand. “Auntie still have so many neighbours who are good to me. They must help Auntie. You do not have to worry about Auntie, Nick.”

Nicholai is silent, but the look in his eyes appear to troubled.

“Pack your things and go, Nick! You can visit Auntie during the holidays. Auntie will always welcome you.” Aunt Brenda is convincing Nicholai again.

After some efforts, Nicholai finally nods, agreeing to follow two black suit men to go with a condition that Nicholai is allowed to visit Aunt Brenda whenever Nicholai wants to. Two black suit men agree with the condition of Nicholai.

After helping Nicholai to pack his things, they bring Nicholai to go.

Accompanied by Aunt Brenda’s final wave, the car carrying Nicholai began to fade from sight at the end of the road, moving ever further away from the village.

Nicholai’s heart is mixed emotions. He is not happy, not at all; instead, he feels fear and sadness.

The two hour journey finally brought them to the magnificent mansion. With 24 hours security, the house was surprisingly spacious. Ah, perhaps too spacious.

Dozens of household assistants welcome Nicholai, saluting him like a king had arrived.

Nicholai is taken int the house which for Nicholai is more appropriate to be called a palace. How could it not be, this house is so big and spacious, with tall pillars accompanied by luxurious ornaments.

“You have finally come.” A middle aged woman greets.

Nicholai looks at her. This woman, even in her old age, still looked fit and healthy. Her face is still strikingly beautiful, perhaps due to her inexhaustible wealth, which ensured all her needs were met. A stark contrast to Nicholai’s mther.

“Come on, let’s get started! Everyone is waiting.”

Do not know what the woman’s words meant, but all the workers nod, inviting Nicholai to follow the woman.

They led Nicholai into a dining room too large to be called a dining room. Two men and two women, roughly the same age as Nicholai, were already there. Like the middle aged women, they are also eyeing Nicholai with disdain.

Nicholai also sits between them, letting the maids preparing for the food.

“Let’s eat it now!” The old woman says, making everyone on the dining table eat their own food, not except Nicholai.

Even though he feels so difficult to use the table wares, Nicholai continues to eat it voraciously.

“Cough!”

Nicholai stops eating, looking at the sound source.

The old woman laughs a little bit to Nicholai. “You are so hillbilly.” She says insulting. “Teach him about manners! I do not want to keep a wild animal in this house.”