Five Star Attraction. Jacquelin Thomas

       Ari stood up and walked out of the room. He took a seat in the living room and turned on the television.

       Natasha was relieved. She needed some time to get herself together before she looked like a bumbling idiot.

       When she returned, Ira walked over to her. “What’s going on with you? You okay?”

       She stole a peek at Ari, who was walking into the conference room behind his father. “Nothing’s going on. Just didn’t think this meeting would turn so contentious.”

       “Natasha, I have a tremendous amount of respect for you, so I’m going to offer a word of advice,” Ira said. “Make sure that you are choosing the right side in this battle. Robert knew exactly what he was doing when he left most of his estate to Malcolm Alexander. I’m surprised you would believe otherwise.”

       Before she could respond, Ira walked over to where Malcolm was standing.

       She took a deep breath and then released it slowly. Convincing Malcolm Alexander to sell wasn’t going to be an easy feat.

       Ari sat with his jaw clenched. When he met her gaze, the line of his mouth tightened a fraction more. He rose to his feet and walked over to the counter to grab an apple.

       He picked up a newspaper from the stack lying atop a cabinet. “Secret Son Inherits Robert DePaul’s Dynasty,” he read aloud. “I guess news travels fast in this town.”

       “Put that down,” Malcolm said. “No matter how big or how small a city, people love to talk.”

       “It says here that the outraged members of DePaul’s family demand a DNA test be performed to prove that you somehow defrauded Robert. Dad, this is crazy,” Ari uttered, shaking his head in disgust. “You’ve never met the man.”

       A muscle flicked angrily in Malcolm’s jaw. “Son, they don’t care about that. When people think they have been mistreated, they jump to all sorts of wild conclusions. They are looking to blame someone—anyone. They can say whatever they feel, but it doesn’t make it true. This applies to Robert DePaul, as well. For all we know, he could’ve done all this to upset his family. I have no problem with taking a DNA test. I think we all want to know the truth.”

       “Robert was very clear,” the attorney said as he entered the room. “He wanted to acknowledge you as his only ch—”

       Malcolm cut him off by saying, “My mother never once mentioned this man. Frankly, I don’t know how or when she could’ve met him. This could be a case of mistaken identity.”

       Ira pointed to the letter Malcolm was holding. “I believe the letter you have in your hand will give you the answers you need.”

       “I want to have the DNA test,” Malcolm blurted. His tone brooked no argument.

       “I think you’re making a wise decision, Mr. Alexander,” Natasha interjected.

       “Dad, you don’t have to do this,” Ari argued. He gazed at Natasha as he said, “You don’t have to prove anything to these people.”

       Malcolm nodded. “I know, but I want it, all the same, son. I’m not doing this for them as much as for me.”

       Ari waited to see if his father would say more, but nothing came. The matter was settled.

      Chapter 2

      After spending over an hour going over an inventory of Robert’s real estate holdings, Ira called for another five-minute break. He excused himself to take a phone call. Natasha did the same, leaving Malcolm and Ari alone in the conference room.

       Ari stood up to stretch. He had no idea their meeting would take so long. He was tired and his father looked exhausted. They were both still on East Coast time.

       Malcolm picked up the unopened letter and said, “I was about eight or nine years old when I asked my mama why I didn’t look like any of them.”

       “What did she tell you?” Ari asked.

       “She sat me down and explained that I had a different father. Mama did tell me that he was a white man, and that they had loved each other very much. That’s all she told me, and at the time, I guess it was enough for me.”

       “How do you feel about all of this now?” Ari inquired.

       Malcolm shrugged. “Son, I’m not sure. First, I want to have that DNA test done, and then we’ll just go from there.”

       Ari pointed to the letter. “Aren’t you going to read it?”

       “Eventually, but not just yet,” his father responded.

       “You plan on waiting until after the DNA test results come back?” Ari walked around the room, looking at the artwork. He stopped at a window and peered outside.

       Malcolm shook his head. “No, it’s addressed to me specifically, so I intend to read it, but I’m just not ready right now.” He rose to his feet and joined Ari at the window. “This is a beautiful city.”

       “It sure is,” Ari agreed.

       “Dad, Robert DePaul was a brilliant man,” he said after a moment. “He wouldn’t have left you his estate if he didn’t know for sure that you are his son. Take another look at that portrait on the wall behind you. You are the spitting image of him—you just have more coloring. That’s why I can’t believe a DNA test is needed.”

       “Ari, there’s no shame in taking that test. It will alleviate any issues later.”

       “Ira told us that the will is ironclad.”

       “To be honest, I’m not worried about it, son. I’m not sure I want to be saddled with Robert DePaul’s estate. Look at all that stuff on the table. Our lives are not complicated, and to tell you the truth, I prefer to keep it that way.”

       A muscle quivered in his jaw. Ari couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “You are actually considering not accepting the inheritance? Dad, you can’t be serious.”

       “I have always worked for everything I ever had, Ari. I am not going to feud with the DePaul family over this man’s money. I never knew Robert DePaul personally, and I don’t need his money.”

       Ari didn’t argue, but he didn’t believe that his father should refuse the inheritance. He was Robert DePaul’s son and legally entitled to his estate.

       His parents believed in helping others less fortunate—with that much money, they could really make an impact in their small town. The schools needed books for students. His family had been hosting fundraisers to get the money. Well, the inheritance would enable them to buy textbooks for all of the students. Then, there was Habitat for Humanity. His father wasn’t thinking clearly.

       “Son, what are you thinking about?”

       Ari turned his attention to his father. “I was thinking about all the good that could come from you accepting this inheritance. The schools back in Aspen could have textbooks for every student.”

       Malcolm nodded. “We could build several houses… I’ve considered all of this. Despite it all, I have to consult the good Lord, Ari. Everything we do must be done in order. God is the ultimate counselor, and it’s his advice I will seek.”

       Ari couldn’t argue with that, so he remained quiet.

       Natasha paused a moment outside the door of the residence to straighten her jacket. She ran her fingers through her dark brown, shoulder-length hair.

       “This is definitely not going to be as easy as I thought,” she whispered. Ari Alexander had taken an instant dislike to her the moment she opened her mouth. Now she had to find a way to do damage control.

      I can’t come on too strong, she thought. It will only make them suspicious.

       Natasha took a deep breath and released it slowly. She allowed the