* Reda Faith *I could not stop the tears from flowing in my eyes as I rode with my father in his white Honda CRV. He is silent while on the steering wheel and I keep my eyes outside the window. I have never made him so angry and disappointed all my life, this is the first time that I have seen him this angry. He even punched a powerful man like Axel. The silence is disturbed by the ringing of his phone above the dashboard of the car."Yes, Papa?"My grandfather is on the line. How could I forget, that this is the day that they will be declaring if my grandma will be out of the confinement in the hospital?"Come again? I can't hear you properly please speak a little bit louder."The tone of his voice made me turn my head away from the window and into him. He is holding the phone in his right hand while the wheel is on his left. There was no traffic on the road as we were already heading home but my father pulled over on the side of the road and dropped the phone slowly on his lap."He
* Reda *It was the worst day of our lives, having said our goodbyes to my grandmother and finally finalizing her burial. It took us weeks to slowly accept the fact that she will no longer be with us and I do hope that she will be resting peacefully in heaven. I prayed that my Nana would be happy up there even though I cannot see her anymore, but to know that she no longer suffers is more important. I stopped blaming myself for what happened and I also felt that my father seemed to have forgotten what I did with Axel.He could have learned the fact that my family is in grief for I have received a message coming from him. "Reda, I know you are grieving and I regret the fact that I can't be there to hold you. Let your grief over soon sweetheart and I am always be right here waiting. Take care of yourself and your Dad. See you soon!"After reading his message, I saw the look in my Dad's eyes when he watched me put my phone back in my pocket. To avoid any complications, I turned my mobile
* Axel *With my territory finally expanding in the Philippines, I could not help but be occupied throughout the day. Yet when the night comes I still have the time to think about her and my father. My biological father who failed to know about me, pulled some strings to find out about my real identity. However, I had anticipated his actions even before I decided to come back to this country. He failed to learn my true blood and my real identity is still hidden from all the residents of his lands and this country as a whole."Boss Axel, the documents have arrived, congratulations on owning five thousand acres of land and property."The smile on Donte's lips is wide however I just nod and accept the big folder from his hands. "Complimenti Boss Axel! Bravo!"The greetings of my men inside the room maybe loud and cheerful as I scanned the pages one by one and they clapped their hands toward me. "Thank you everyone! We can all go out tonight and rent the nearest bar in town. Eat anything
*Axel *"Buon Viaggio!" (Happy Trip)Donte bid a normal goodbye when we were about to board the plane for the international flight. Davao City airport is neat and bigger than the one in Butuan City which only caters to local flights across the Philippines. I was a bit reluctant to go on with my business trip to Taiwan and Singapore but I must leave to deal with a huge amount of money at hand. I look around the whole place before looking at him in the eyes and seeing the rest of my men behind him.I only have three of my most trusted high-caliber men flying with me, Rocus, Rafael, and the only female who belongs in the highest-paid men working for me Devin. Although at first glance no one could tell if it was a she or a he for she always wears manly clothing but looking at her passport would clear everything up. Rocus carries my small attache case and a carry-on bag while I speak with Donte for some final commands before I leave."Begin the construction of the Villa Donte, you have all
* Axel *The plane safely landed after more than two hours of traveling above the sky. I checked my phone for a signal after the announcement of the pilot on board. The weather is hot, as the summertime is still thirty-five degrees, and time is about noon which is even more reason why the temperature is hot. I slowly get up from my seat after seeing that my men are ready to go out."Thank you for flying with us sir, hope you enjoy your stay in Taiwan!"I nodded as the flight attendants stood in line at the exit door of the plane. At the corner of my eyes, I saw the male flight attendant smiling but as soon as I was about to turn my back I caught him taking his mobile phone and typing on the screen as fast as his fingers could. With Devin ahead of me while Rafael and Rocus behind me we exited the plane as usual.The airport is a bit crowded following the line of passengers arriving, it was good that we have a separate line for all the business class. I followed Devin into the migration
* Reda *All the luggage is packed and ready to leave as I look at my reflection in the mirror. It's been a few months since the death of my grandmother and then we started processing our documents needed to go abroad. Uncle Alexander came across a business associate who offered an opportunity for my father to work and live overseas. Despite my objection and my grandfather's request to stay, he wouldn't listen. So the three of us pack our baggage and must leave soon. Australia, it's miles and miles away from the Philippines, especially from the place where I was born, but my father found an opportunity to start over. After my grandmother died, things were never the same for our small family. And also I know that my father did not forget what happened between me and Axel. Although he was not asking anything I could see from the look in his eyes that he was calculating me and trying to figure out if I have still contact with him. But if he had only asked, I would tell him how I blocked
* Axel *The business deal in Taiwan was a success after that the next destination was one of the world's cleanest countries in Asia, Singapore. However, God knows that people on the inside are only clean when it comes to their surroundings. I spent three days in the country before I was challenged by a few gang lords of the same country. "Boss Axel! We have a tip from the Dragon gang that we aren't welcome here."A worried voice coming from Rafael greeted me as I walked into the office early in the morning. Rocus and Devin are standing with him, it seems that the three are up early before me because of the bad news."Well, good morning everyone."I calmly walk passed them and sit on my swivel chair, with their eyes following my movement as they wait for the next words that I am about to say. "Good morning too Boss Axel, dispiacente."Rafael knows that I hate panicking and he is also aware that the fact that we are in this country would bring chaos to the rival gangs. We are all awar
* Axel *The two-hour flight back to the Philippines was filled with silence. As Devin was being nursed by a private doctor while on travel, I still felt glad it wasn't fatal. While I am thinking of ways to get back the money I lost and the enemies that I thought were responsible for the sudden bomber. I believed that I had been way too relaxed even when danger was already in front of me. The attack would have cost me my life and my three friends. I gritted my teeth while I sat on my seat and I saw the clouds from my window."She is stable Boss Axel, the doctor confirmed that Devin would wake up after eight hours caused of the medicine he gave her."I sighed and met Rocus's gaze as he sat beside me. "Good! Now we know that the Dragon gang is not a group that should be taken lightly. I could have taken extra precautions and bought a place that was exclusive for us rather than staying at the hotel. It was reckless and thoughtless of me. Have you contacted the other members of our family
* Axel *It brings me so much joy to see that Reda is here in Singapore, and her flight schedule was moved earlier than what has been expected. Her presence brought me a calm oasis after the stormy weather. I almost forgot that I had an appointment with Julliana that is why I came down to the restaurant early. Expecting that she was with Bernard, but she was alone. I didn't want to put Reda in a difficult situation so as much as I wanted to stay beside her, it was better if she exited the restaurant first. After I send her in the elevator I walk back to where Julliana is waiting. She was still sipping her cup of coffee, she must have ordered another one after I left."I like the coffee here, or maybe I just felt bored waiting for you."My lips curved in a dry smile. "My apologies, Julliana it was a pleasant surprise to see Reda most suddenly. I thought you were coming with Bernard?"At the corner of my eyes, I saw Donte moving forward towards our table when he saw that there was anot
* Reda Faith *I enjoyed watching him eat, the way his red lip moves, and his mouth slightly open to take in his food. But I tend to look away when he notices and then gazes at me because it would be too embarrassing to be caught staring. He is the man who can make all women swoon inside the restaurant, it doesn't matter if some of them have a partner on their table. I couldn't help but notice how they gave him their admiring gaze."By the way, I am waiting for a business partner to arrive. She is a bit late so it gave me enough excuse to start eating."His voice sounded normal but he glanced at the entrance with a frown before wiping his mouth with a clean white table napkin."Oh, it's alright. I have no other plans for today, and I may just go back to my room after here. You can speak with your business partner then."His expression changes as he looks at me and the way his eyes glimmer makes my stomach churns. "I will come to see you afterward, it's just a short meeting regarding m
* Reda Faith*We had another successful flight, from Australia to Singapore. Almost all the colleagues I worked with this time were foreigners since it was not supposed to be my time to fly. I changed my schedule with one of my colleagues to go back to the City where I could meet him. But he was not aware yet that I was back in Singapore.I checked my phone for his messages but was a bit disappointed to find none. His last message for me was the day before yesterday morning, which was sent around five am and I was only able to answer two hours later when I woke up. After that, there were no messages or any signs of being online on his number. I am still debating with myself if I should call him or not."Good morning Miss, care for a cup of coffee?"The question coming from the waitress who holds a pot of coffee in her hands put me back in reality."Oh, yes please."I let her pour the aromatic coffee into my cup and then glance around the cozy restaurant of the hotel. This is a complim
* Axel *I don't know why but something triggered my fear when I saw the expression on Rafael's face, but he turned towards Rocus who looked at me calmly. Almost like he voids himself from any emotion. "What is it, Rafael?"The second time I asked him. Rocus cleared his throat while Donte groaned frustratingly, waiting for an explanation from either of them."The bullet that killed the old man comes from my rifle."At first, I didn't see anything wrong with what he just told me but as Donte started to let out a series of explicit words. It all dawns upon me."Shit! Rocus, that's not the order we had in the plan. Our role was only to support the Dragon gang why did you have to shoot the old man?"Gritting my teeth I so much wanted to break his neck for being stupid but I know that both of them have worked so hard while I was hiding away with Donte. "I know Boss, it wasn't supposed to go on like that. I was the second option when Miss Goh and Bernard attacked the old man but they got c
* Axel *Donte was driving our bulletproof car when we reached the busy streets of Singapore. Rafael and Rocus along with the others went ahead of us, while I was busy checking my phone. It took a few minutes before I realized that we hadn't taken the same road as the others."Donte, where are we going?"He drives in silence, I look at the streets which start to get cleared from the traffic."I am not putting you in danger Boss, Rafael and Rocus are already out there. And they have understood the assignment."I close my eyes for a few seconds and shake the irritation that is starting to surface. Donte is only thinking about what's good for me but this is not a part of my plan. There could be implications if I am not seen with my men supporting Julliana."This is not what I was expecting from you, Donte!?"I realized my voice, but I didn't have a plan to fight him. Somehow deep inside I felt the surge of relief. The road we are taking is leading to the harbor. "I am not fleeing Donte!
*Axel*Time moves fast, when it is about six pm Donte was the first one to take my attention off from the laptop that I was working on. "Boss, have you informed Miss Goh about your decision?"He looked more anxious than I was but fully ready as I saw his clothes from top to bottom the weapons hiding inside his jacket and knives on his waist. Donte leaves no space without something to depend himself on. "No, I am waiting for her call. Since I am not the one needing help at this point. Let them call me, if they don't then they don't need my hand or something has come up."Donte looked at me and exhaled slowly, agreeing to my words. I don't want to make this look like we are the ones offering our hands to help Julliana and Bernard. This is their fight, but the situation requires me to lend a hand."It won't be long now and I am sure that she will call me for the follow-up."After I said that, my mobile phone rang and it was her name on the screen. "Oh, that's her Boss!"Donte sat down an
* Axel *Her eyes turned from being hurt and sad into something darker as her lips tightly shut in a thin line. The side of her which I had no idea that she was hiding behind the silent type. "Think about it until midnight Axel, I will have my people ready today and we will execute the plan on the brink of dawn."I raise an eyebrow. "You know I did not sign up for this Julliana, this is not what we have talked about. Do not force me into something that would put myself and my men in danger otherwise, you will have an enemy worse than your father."My words are real, there is no threat just the fact that I would not participate in their plans. It's enough that I kept my mouth shut until this moment and went through with the wedding. Bernard exhaled as Julliana sat in silence."I think we made a mistake in coming here early Julliana, let's go."She looked at him and then back at me, Donte was watching them both ready to speak more if they were going to insist. "Fine you stay here and ke
* Axel *The morning came early for me as I opened my eyes and immediately fixed myself to start the plan on some of my online records and business accounts. Juliana and her man will not be up early, I just know that both of them have taken advantage of the situation to celebrate their love. Despite what happened to he brother, she is still able to make out with her man, I couldn't blame her for that. They have been hiding their relationship in the eyes of many and only got their full chance to be themselves for not.A honeymoon for the newlyweds, but I am the groom who's not going to be with the bride. For there is only one woman in my mind at this moment and even from before, she is the one that I should be marrying. A few knocks on my door alerted me. "Good morning Boss! It's me."Donte's voice made me relax and walk towards the door without pressure. "Morning Donte, glad to see you early."I looked behind him and saw Rafael and Rocus, both had deep frowns on their faces but bowed
* Axel *We were inside the limousine going back to the house when Juliana broke down and cried. There are only both of us at the back since I let Donte sit with the driver in the front."I'm sorry about your brother Juliana."I ran my hand on her back and took the box of tissues on top of a small attached table. She was gently sobbing. "He was rude but he didn't deserve to be beaten up like that in front of everyone, he was still my brother.""I know, but your father has a violent way of disciplining him."She stopped crying before we reached the hotel and I was glad that she did or I will have a lot of explaining to do to her men when they see us. It is still our first wedding night even when it is just for a show, none of her men knows about our secret agreement. The hotel we were about to spend the honeymoon is located in the center of Singapore.The whole building stood the proudest and we booked the most expensive room but I don't mind spending. I didn't let her family pay for t