1. It's a matter of blood and legacy

 “If I die tomorrow, will you cry for me?”

The question slipped from Reggie Blackwood's mouth, accompanied by a lopsided smile that did not reflect the weakness of his body. Even with a pale face and frequently interrupted breathing, the old man still carried an aura of power.

Sitting opposite him, I was transfixed. My hand holding the teacup suddenly felt too heavy, and silence crept into the room like fog.

“Of course I'll drink champagne with your corpse,” I said after sipping the tea, trying to cover up my anxiety with a joke. Did he think he was the only one who could joke like that?

A crisp laugh escaped the 66-year-old's lips. “Good idea,” he commented. “Who else are you going to drink with anyway?”

I finally let out a long sigh, feeling tired. “You're being overly dramatic, Reggie. Your health is already much better. The doctor said—”

“That pretentious man just wants me to survive longer.”

“That's what a doctor does, isn't it?” I did not expect there to be a tremor in my voice, even though I wanted to sound cynical.

“Sera, I'm serious. I didn't call you in between your busy schedule to talk about my health.”

I made no further comment, just looked at him silently. For some reason the turtleneck I was wearing now began to feel so suffocating and itchy. Perhaps it was too early to wear such high-necked clothing. And Reggie's work space wasn't usually this stuffy.

“Why didn't you ever ask me why I adopted you?” asked Reggie. The topic of conversation that we had not spoken about for years was suddenly brought up. And that meant, I knew that our conversation was really going to get serious. And this was about our relationship, not business or anything like that.

“Because I couldn't question your decision in the first place,” I replied, not entirely lying.

“But do you ever wonder?”

Yes, often. On certain nights over the past 16 years, I would think about it. And more often than not, it was in the form of my gratitude. “I told myself that it was because I'm pretty and the smartest one in that place.”

Reggie laughed. “Well, that's not wrong.” He took a deep breath, then leaned forward. “But another reason is that it's as my penance. On the other hand, I know very well you're very smart and tough. You are indeed suitable for the Blackwood family.”

“Penance?” I never thought that would be the answer to my question from those few nights.

“There's too much I wish I could forget, but there's one thing I can't erase. Them—that four people.”

“You killed four people?” I snapped, which made Reggie laugh again.

“No, silly. I mean, there are four men out there,” Reggie continued, his voice getting lower, ”who have my blood running through their bodies. Four men who don't even know each other—and have never met me until the past few days. They are my sons, Sera. The sons of four different women.”

The teacup in  my hand almost fell over. “You're joking, right?”

“I don't even take million-dollar business decisions this seriously.” Reggie leaned back in his chair, exhaustion evident on his face. “And they're coming here. I've called them all.”

There was a moment of silence.  My mind was spinning wildly. Almost everyone in this town knew that Reggie in his younger days was an adventurer, a love adventurer to be more precise, a womanizer who captured the hearts of many women. But, four sons from four different mothers... I never imagined that. That's way too much!

“Reggie ....”

“You'll meet them at dinner tonight.”

My voice caught in my throat. “Why didn't you tell me earlier? This is too sudden.”

“You don't have to worry. The four of them are no match for you.”

“There’re four of them. I have to worry,” I emphasized my voice, before finally remembering something important. “Wait, did they know that I …?”

“Of course.” The old man smiled faintly, shrugging casually. “They know you're my adopted daughter. What's more, I did tell them everything.”

“Everything?” My suspicious tone could not be hidden.

“That I entrusted them—and everything I have—to you. That you have an important role in Blackwood.”

“You know I love you, but this is crazy, Reggie.” I leaned closer, looking at him sharply. “You know they won't just accept me. They must think I'm just an appendage. Or worse, a hindrance!”

“Ah, they won't dare.” He chuckled, but a cough followed, forcing him to stop.

 “You can't be serious about this. What if they're not right for each other? Or worse, what if they don't get along with me?”

“It's likely to happen, but I'm sure you can handle it. You have the courage they need.”

“Courage?” I sneered. So, Reggie had been planning this since the day I was adopted? Or even before that? That  my adoption was just one of his plans? “Reggie, this isn't just about courage. It's a matter of blood and legacy. It's about money and power. They'll be battling each other before you have a chance to introduce them properly!”

“And that's where you come in,” Reggie commented calmly.

The large window in Reggie's study suddenly caught my attention, as if calling me to jump out of there and leave this nonsense behind. “I'm not a martyr, Reggie.” My eyes then narrowed. “Are you sure you're not just creating chaos for your own entertainment?”

“I do create chaos, Sera. But it's not entertainment.” I looked at him sharply, this time without a smile. “This is my legacy.”

“And if I fail?”

“You will not fail, I believe in your abilities. You've been a Blackwood longer than any of them, and you know what that means.”

I swallowed. My breathing was getting heavy. “So, what do you want from me tonight?”

“It's simple. Don't let them kill each other at the dinner table.”

I snickered, without humor. “That's a humble request.”

“Oh, and one more thing.”

“What else now?” I was already getting tired of this conversation. Anyone, please always remind me that I loved and respected Reggie more than anyone else in the world.

“Don't let them kill you either.”

I shook my head again, more slowly this time. “This is madness, Reggie. You know that, right?”

“All great things start with madness, my dear. Now, prepare yourself. They'll be here in a few hours, and I don't want this first dinner to turn into a battlefield. You are my strength here.”

I closed my eyes, trying to digest everything. When I opened my eyes again, Reggie was leaning back casually in his chair, with a small smile indicating that this conversation was over.

I had no idea where Reggie's plans would take me this time. However, one thing I was sure of was that after tonight, my life would never be the same again.

***

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121224, Anne Joyce