The Rise of the Phoenix

Chapter 3

"That's Agent Kim. One of the trusted minds of Ponos." Hellion said. Maybe he sees my curiosity towards the man.

Minds are the mafia's hidden people. They are the ones who investigate and handle issues. They take action silently and report to us. Their identities remain hidden so that they can blend with the people in the mafia world without any problem.

Ano kaya ang binalita noon kay Ate?

"Anong kurso ang gusto mong kunin?" Napatigil ako sa paglalaro ng arrow ko. Nakaupo kasi kami ngayon sa damuhan dahil katatapos lang naming maglaro ng archery. Binalingan ko siya. Nakangiti siyang nakatingin sa akin.

I hope I can smile like that too. A gentle and genuine smile.

Arthemis and I have been playing archery since this morning. Hellion, on the other hand, has not been present since another business related issue came up. Maybe she saw I was bored again, so she insisted that we play archery.

"Kailangan pa ba 'yon?" Nakangisi kong tugon. We have money, power, and everything. Kung iisipin hindi ko na kailangan pang mag-aral. I can own whatever I want.

"Of course, you still need that. Its important," seryosong saad niya.

Minsan naiisip ko kung ate ko ba talaga siya? Parang kung umasta kasi parang nanay at tatay ko na pero kahit ganun.

I always feel her sincerity. She loves me so much and it alway melts my heart.

"I want to study Business. So that I could help you too." Kusang lumabas sa bibig ko. The truth is, I don't know what I really wanted.

"Really?" Gulat na tanong niya. Tumango ako. Lalong lumaki ang ngiti niya.

"That's great! Grandpa, will be so happy if he know this," masayang sabi pa niya.

"Ikaw, ano bang kinukuha mong course?" tanong ko. Ngayon lang sumagi sa isip ko kung anong hirap ang pinagdadaanan nila ni Hellion. In such a young age, they are managing our business while studying.

"I already graduated. Business administration pareho kami ni Hellion." Gulat akong napalingon sa kanya.

Graduated? Bakit ang bilis? I thought they are also home schooling. I'm really preoccupied. Knowing this now, makes me feel stupid.

Napatawa siya sa gulat kong ekspresyon. Agad din naman itong bumalik sa dati.

"You know honey. Grandpa is powerful. When you disappear, the mafia and our business is at risk. We need to help grandpa as soon as possible. So, we accelerated."

Napaiwas siya ng tingin sa akin na parang nagkamali siya. Gusto ko sana siya tanungin ulit kaso sa kinikilos niya mukhang huwag na lang.

Obviously, they are hiding something from me. Until now, they have avoided opening topics about the tragedy and the people who are involved.

They just say, it's from the rival mafia. Nothing more. Not even mentioning what mafia is that. Maybe I will act alone to find the answers to the queries in my mind.

"Jewel, Themis." Sabay kaming napalingon sa pinanggalingan ng boses.

"Grandpa." Ngumisi siya. His cold dangerous eyes meets mine.

Ang kanyang presensya ay nagsusumigaw nang kanyang awtoridad. Na parang kailangang lumuhod ang sino man. Halata na kung kanino ako nagmana. Namana ko sa kanya ang kanyang taglay na presensya at mga blankong mata pero hindi ang kulay nito. Themis said I inherited it from our grandmother.

That's why, grandpa favors me alot.

He looks so dangerous, merciless, and blank when you stare at him, but he is really soft on the inside. A loving grandfather to us.