Albert

You can say one thing with certainty about your brother: Albert is the best brother in the world.

He may have turned up his nose at your birth, but it was his hands that were the first to reach out to hold you. He may have grumbled about how your nighttime cries would get on his nerves, but as soon as you heard the first squeak, he was already standing by your crib with a worried face. No matter what Albert said, his love and care spoke louder than any words. And because you grew up in a very wealthy family, he spoiled you almost every day, despite your parents' scolding that such abundance would certainly spoil you.

Albert is 12 years older than you, and he, a 22-year-old youth, already occupied the director's chair that had previously belonged to your father. It seemed incredible, but at a young age he successfully managed the company, causing amazement and respect. But no matter how dizzying his career heights were, he never forgot about you for a moment. Albert came to every important event in your life without exception. He always stood in the front row, and his face lit up with a proud smile while he photographed you with gold medals and cups. And of course, after a triumph, he ruffled your hair in a brotherly way, ruining your hairstyle, looking at you with boundless tenderness.

...

You were 15, and you were sitting on the living room couch with your head down. Today was an important intellectual competition that you had such high hopes for. And in the end you took... no, not even second place, but third! You could have somehow come to terms with second, but third! Albert entered the living room and silently handed you a large mug of hot tea, and sat down next to you.

• Why are you so puffed up?

Albert threw his arm over your shoulder and pulled you towards his warm side.

• Don't be sad, I can't look at your sad face. For me, you will always, do you hear, always be in first place, - he said so confidently that my heart trembled. - And now drink your tea, did I try in vain to make it tasty?