The Royal Contract

"You know I only came here because I accepted a job." The newcomer said to the man that claimed to be his brother, declining the drink handed to him.

He took the seat that Nick offered to him and ordered his preferred drink. He looked around the room, assessing the place. Then, his eyes focused on the dance floor, finding a woman staring back at them.

"You can always work at the hospital and help me out in your spare time, Jacob." Nick pointed out, disrupting his focus, returning his attention to his brother.

Nick only learned that he had a brother when his father died and left the company to him. In the last will that his father left, it stipulated his last wish. It included that he should find his bastard brother. 

For Nick to get his entire inheritance, he had to help Jacob succeed in the life he wished to become. His father only left a few of his wealth to Jacob, but he assured that his other son would have enough to have a comfortable life.

"Although I am thankful to you for helping me get through medicine, it did not mean that I owed you anything." Jacob clarified his reason for transferring to this city. "I am not here to work for you." To make it clear.

He had hated his father for impregnating his mother, then leaving her to fend for herself. He had to grow up without a father and a struggling mother. 

Luckily, his mother had been a great woman. She had been both a father and a mother to him, growing up. He had a happy childhood even if he did not get all he wanted nor had a father to support him and be there for him.

"If you ever change your mind, know that you are always welcome to join my company." Nick reiterated as his attention went to another man walking towards their table.

He might not feel any sibling love for his brother, but he could see his potential. Jacob was smart and capable of helping him in the business. He believed that Jacob would be a great addition to his personnel.

"I will not count on it, brother," Jacob stated with conviction. He had discovered the business that his father left Nick when his older brother had taken him under his wings.

His brother offered to send him to school and take care of his and his mother's needs. He even paid their loans and house mortgaged. Nick said that it was the wish of their father to help him.

But in exchange, he had to do some errands for him. At first, it was a small job that he could do in his spare time. But as time went on, the tasks had turned more complicated.

"I hope I am not disturbing anything important." The newcomer that Nick was waiting for had finally arrived, cutting off his conversation with his brother.

He had arrived a few minutes ago, but he stayed in obscurity. He wished to observe the man he would be meeting with before showing himself to him.

He could see that he was having a conversation with someone he did not recognize. He could sense a bit of argument in the way their body language suggested. But it was too subtle to be even noticed by untrained eyes.

"No, not at all." Nick quickly stood up and shook the hand of his new client. "You have to excuse me if I have to bring along my brother with me. He just arrived in town, and I wish to show him around."

Jacob stood up from his sitting position and offered his hand to the stranger. He seemed to be a very significant person in his brother's eyes. But to him, he was just another rich snob. "Jacob."

"I don't mind at all. If your brother is as good as you, then you might be able to convince me to join your group." The man reacted with a wide grin on his face and shook the young man's hand.

"Unfortunately, he had no passion for our line of business. He is a doctor who will be starting his practice at the County General Hospital." He knew that it was a noble profession but still had a bitter taste on his lips.

He knew that his brother's talent would be wasted in his chosen job but would have become a great asset in his business instead. But he could not force him to do his bidding just yet.

"I guess a loss for us, but a great gain for mankind." The man who still had not divulged his name to Jacob said sarcastically.

He believed that there were people who were born to serve humanity. Then, there were those extraordinary men and women created to rule the world.

"It depends on one's perspective," Jacob responded to the man's words, not at all offended but proud of his chosen field.

He did not come here to entertain his brother's clients. Nick asked him here to see him, nothing more. He was here just as a courtesy to him, as his brother by blood.

"Yes, it does." Nick finally intervened in the conversation. "Why don't you have a taste of this delicious scotch? I ordered it just for you." Nick interjected, knowing that his new client was a fanatic in this particular brand and year.

On the other hand, Jacob decided to excuse himself from the discussion. He had no interest in their topic of conversation. He walked to the bar to replenish his drink and found the woman on the dance floor earlier ordering a drink.

He had already forgotten about her, but seeing her again spiked up his curiosity once again. He walked towards her and sat down on the empty stool a sit away from her.

"I'll have a beer." He told the woman behind the counter, giving her a friendly smile. 

If he was to catch this woman's attention, he had to act differently from what most men around here did.. He should not behave to be a rich, arrogant, snobby man, like his half-brother.