Lost Brothers: In Search of Us

By Victor C. Samuel

Jay and Perry are fraternal twins separated at birth. Their biological mother, Gloria, kept Jay to raise and Perry was given up for adoption. Two brothers living their early stages of life in Paris attended high school together, unaware of their relation, and later became good friends. What would you do if you found out you were separated at birth from your sibling? Although Perry was raised by wealthy loving parents, he lacked confidence; whereas, Jay, raised in poverty, was more of an outgoing self-assured person. In high school, Jay always protected Perry from the typical bullies. They were the complete opposite yet the same. As time passed, their lives moved in different directions. Perry was determined in search of his birth mother, Gloria. Will his search of Gloria lead him to Jay? A friendship bonded by loyalty and brotherly love will be tested. What will be the outcome?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Apr 30, 2019
• ISBN: 9781528962421

Victor C. Samuel

Born in Nigeria, Victor Samuel experienced the tragic loss of his mother at the young age of 4. Growing up, Victor lived in villages and cities with extended family. Eventually, Victor was able to make it to the United States where he landed in Georgia. His inspiration comes from understanding the feeling of connection between a reader and a writer. He uses the arts to tone his sense of self. Currently residing in New York City, Victor has developed his first book, Lost Brothers - In Search of Us.

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About the Author

Victor Samuel was born and raised in Umuahia, Abia, located in the eastern part of Nigeria. He loves reading adventure novels, perhaps, because it reminds him of his life and triumph he’s gained over the obstacles in his life. From being born in Umuahia, losing his mother at the young age of four, relocating to Port Harcourt, Nigeria, where he lived until the age of twelve while separated from his siblings. He eventually moved to The United States of America and settled down in Georgia. Victor views the world through a different lens; because of this, he has a great appreciation for the world’s beauty. He indulges in the graceful arts of drawing, poetry, and writing. He currently resides in New York City. Lost Brothers – In Search of Us is his debut novel.

About the Book

Jay and Perry are fraternal twins separated at birth. Their biological mother, Gloria, kept Jay to raise and Perry was given up for adoption. Two brothers living their early stages of life in Paris attended high school together, unaware of their relation, and later became good friends. What would you do if you found out you were separated at birth from your sibling? Although Perry was raised by wealthy loving parents, he lacked confidence; whereas, Jay, raised in poverty, was more of an outgoing self-assured person. In high school, Jay always protected Perry from the typical bullies. They were the complete opposite yet the same. As time passed, their lives moved in different directions. Perry was determined in search of his birth mother, Gloria. Will his search of Gloria lead him to Jay? A friendship bonded by loyalty and brotherly love will be tested. What will be the outcome?

Copyright Information

Lost Brothers!

In Search of Us

By Victor C. Samuel

Copyright © 2019 Revised

Original Copyright © 2018 by Victor C. Samuel

The right of Victor C. Samuel to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. Under the copyright office in accordance with title 17, United States code, attests that registration has been made for the work identified – Lost Brothers.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

Registered Under the United States Library of Congress, Copyright Office and British Library.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the United States Library of Congress and British Library.

Printed in the United Kingdom

ISBN 9781528918725 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781528918732 (Kindle e-book)

ISBN 9781528962421 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published (2019)

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd

25 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5LQ

Cover design and layout by Youness El Hindami

Acknowledgement

Given that this is my debut novel, this took two years in the making. During that time, the manuscript underwent many changes. Some changes weren’t so easy to make at first, but in the end, they improved the final book.

I owe many thanks to some amazing people whose support, creativity, patience, and attention to detail were of great essence in bringing this book from idea to completion.

Firstly, I will like to thank the editorial and production staff at Austin Macauley Publishing for their tremendous contribution to the final workings of this product. Many thanks to Elizabeth for her tireless work on this book. Early on, Elizabeth saw the vision for the book, added some terrific insights, and helped shape the book into its present form. Did I mention that this is my first book? With that in mind, I would like to say that it is very imperative that I had a great team of people who have been there during this process to bring my dreams, ideas, and imagination to life. Along with Elizabeth, I want to thank Daisy A.S. Befoune for her contribution in the early stages of the book’s editing which had helped the book reach the final stage of its publication. Also, my good friend Joshua Hewlett for his great insight into the editorial contribution of this book during its fifth time of going through editing. Thank you for the effort in editing which brought out the best in this manuscript.

Last but not least, my greatest gratitude goes to my actor friend David Hilfstein who, with great insight into arts and presentation, has contributed to the book cover’s concept. To Youness El Hindami for the cover art design and making sure we have the best book cover. Also, thank you to Nick Stephanou and Shawn Hardy for their handwork and motivation during this process, and their constructive criticizing which has greatly improved the manuscript and publication of this book. Great thanks to Jaden Smith from The Karate Kid for igniting the imagination needed for this book to become a reality.

To all of you and to the readers, I extend my sincere gratitude. I couldn’t have done this without you!

Part One

Chapter One : Becoming Me

The weather was cool and slightly gloomy, snow was falling and adorning the earth with her white crown; the smell of bluebells wafted through the air, glass windows were blurred by the cold, men and women rushed down the street with their teeth chattering, an effect of the cold.

She watched the descent of the snow and the busy street of her neighborhood carefully, noting the difference in this new environment that she found herself in and that she had left behind.

‘Paris…’ a smile played on her lips as she admired the beauty of the city she had always dreamed of.

Paris was indeed beautiful, even more beautiful than the descriptions she had heard about. She was glad and indebted to the man that loved her, the man that encouraged her to come over here. They had moved together from America to France, to start a new life, to build a new home, one whose foundation would be love and honesty.

‘I can hardly wait.’ A smug smile sat across her face as she thought of her beautiful secret, one that she would share with the man that she loved.

Her fingers were slender, she was a tall and slender creature; her eyes were burning blue, just like the waters of the sea; she had deep black hair and painfully thin lips but she was still a beauty to him…a beauty to his canvas.

‘We are going to be happy here,’ Gloria Underwood muttered to herself, her fingers feeling the slight budge of her abdomen.

It had been a year and a half since they moved to Paris, they both tried their best to blend and it was working out effectively. She chuckled as she remembered her American accented French, many times when she attempted the language, it would provoke glares from strangers and they always had a funny expression dancing in their eyes.

‘Working on it…’ she whispered and pulled her gaze from the street to the French dictionary that was before her, but her hands were still on her stomach.

Gloria had no family, her parents had died in a car crash when she was eighteen years old, she met Jake, the man she loved seven years after and they both fell madly in love with each other. Jake had been the one to suggest a move from their current location to France.

They were both young and they had dreams to pursue, what better place to chase a career deeply embedded in the art world than the city of the Louvre?

Jake was an artist, a fine painter but back in their home country he had not gotten the experience and the recognition that he needed to succeed. He had a lot of people he looked up to, first on the list was Leonardo Da Vinci. He adored Balotelli and Pablo Picasso, but that was not all. He looked up to renowned French artists like: Arcabas, Louis-Leopold Boilly and Pierre Bonnard.

He had a lot of dreams, he had identified his purpose and was ready to pursue it, this is the reason he had come to Paris with Gloria.

She on the other hand was a blooming fashion designer, she had done some sketches, but her works were not taken serious back in the U.S.A, so she had come here to learn from the best.

‘One day I will be your Leonardo and you will be my Versace,’ Jake had always teased her.

‘I wish so too,’ she murmured as she scanned the huge dictionary before her.

She had gotten herself a job with a fashion house along the street, her job was to assist in the distribution of cotton fabrics to other fashion houses that needed them. But she had not been able to go there for two days now, she suffered morning sickness and was sleepy most of the time, but she loved it regardless, she loved the feeling of carrying two lives inside of her.

Her eyes fell on the test result next to the dictionary, excitement bubbled through her as she stared at it, she was tempted to open it once again, but she held herself. She couldn’t wait to see him again.

She was happy to carry his babies; no other man could love her the way Jake did. He made her discover her true self, he had faith in her potentials, he believed in her. What more did a woman need from a man?

Jake cared for her in ways no other man had; he was a considerate lover and never self-centered. She especially loved it when he kissed her, when he dropped her on the bed and made passionate love to her. Jake was her desire, he always ignited a fire in her whenever he touched her. His kiss was peace to her soul and she would never grow weary of it.

She was about to travel into the world of midday revere when the door flew wide open and he stepped into the house, looking handsome as ever.

‘Darling…’ he spread his arms wide.

‘Jake! You’re back,’ Gloria hopped to her feet and rushed into his arms, where she always felt safe.

He was taller than she was; he had dark brown eyes and chestnut hair.

‘I missed you baby, how have you been?’ Jake kissed her hair. He had traveled to Toulouse for a workshop and he’d missed her, it had lasted for two weeks.

‘I missed you Jake, I am so happy you are right here with me.’ Gloria wept in his arms, tears streamed down her cheeks as she found solace in his arms.

‘Don’t cry, ma chérie, I won’t be gone for too long,’ he whispered huskily.

‘I love it when you give me a French pet name,’ Gloria chuckled and pulled away from his arms, eager to share the good news, to bring to life her beautiful secret.

She moved away from him towards the table, where she would fetch the letter.

He watched her closely, noting a difference in her.

‘You look…sexy,’ he winked.

‘Really?’ she arched a brow.

‘Yes, I feel like making good love to you right now…’ he licked his lips seductively.

He noticed that her breasts were fuller, her hips were wider, and she had this look of pure innocence around her.

‘Not just yet, see this,’ she offered him an envelope.

‘What’s in it?’ he bit his lip.

‘Look in,’ Gloria replied, crossing her arms against her full chest.

Jake was not too sure of this, but from the look on her face, it was something positive. Slowly, he peeled open the envelope, his brown eyes danced on the paper.

She watched him with a wide smile, expecting him to yell in excitement like he would normally do or raise her up and spin her till the world stopped, but none of these happened.

‘Do you not understand?’ she moved nearer to him.

‘Of course, I do, I can read!’ he snapped angrily at her.

‘Jake…’ she called him gently, she had never seen him this upset. Had she done something wrong? Had she said something to hurt him?

‘I…I am pregnant, I went to the doctor and it’s twins,’ she tried sounding hopeful.

He threw the letter on the floor, ‘I can’t believe you, is this some kind of a winter joke or prank? Tell me you are not for real.’

Confusion ran deep in her veins as she stared at the man she thought she knew, he was a complete stranger now.

‘Um, why would I joke about something like that?’ she answered, his question didn’t make sense to her.

‘That’s because it is a joke! You cannot be pregnant, Gloria, this is not what we agreed, this is not what we planned. What you have done is against all what we want for our lives,’ he groaned.

‘I thought you were on the pill,’ he cut in angrily.

‘I was…but…that night, I forgot…but this is not a bad thing,’ she stuttered, tears welled up in her blue eyes.

‘It is a bad thing, Gloria! You don’t just go around having kids,’ he retorted.

That did it, his words had seared her flesh, ‘Hey, are you accusing me of cheating? You know I am a hundred percent faithful to you. I love you, Jake, and we made love to produce these babies. We must care for them now.’

He scoffed, ‘We planned to build our lives first before kids. You always wanted a great fashion house and I wanted to be the best painter the world had ever seen. Your pregnancy is going to ruin our dreams, so there comes the solution.’ Jake paused, he dug his fingers into his pocket and fetched a pack of cigarettes, to her utmost shock.

‘You smoke now?’ Gloria’s knees fell weak as she stared at him, this man was a total stranger. Who was he?

‘That’s not the point, that’s not what we are discussing.’ Jake lit a stick and dragged in the scent of rich tobacco.

‘You are breaking my heart. This is a good thing Jake, children are a blessing.’ Gloria cried.

‘Not in this case, they would only bring us pain. We are not emotionally and financially cut out to be parents as it stands. We cannot do this Gloria, I am not ready to be a dad yet, and I don’t think you are. You are just carried away by euphoria, you know nothing about motherhood, let’s be honest,’ he said to her.

‘Your words are unbelievably harsh, I am ready for this child. I know we may not have the money, but we can try. There’s no harm in trying, but there’s greater harm in giving up.’ She was confident something could be done to care for the twins once they came.

‘You have to abort them, Glo.’ He tossed the cigar on the floor, his feet crushing it.

Silence fell upon the room, his words dug into her skin, searing her flesh, opening her eyes to the realization of the man