Recuerdo De Amor Island 4: You're My Life

Chapter 1

MIGUEL

A month before Blake and Shera's wedding.

LIFE defines us based on what we experienced, on what we did. Sometimes life was stolen or snatched away from us unexpectedly.

They say when something bad happened to you. You have three choices to choose where it leads you. You can either let it define you, let it destroy you or you let it be your strength.

I choose the latter. It became my strength, my motivation to succeed, and made me stronger to make them pay for taking the people we love, for the pain they cause to my family.

That was a decade ago. Today is my parent's 10th death anniversary and the ones who lost their lives that night.

The fallen families are here in our private cemetery for Loyzaga Clan and the mafia.

Edmundo Manuel Loyzaga

April 05,1964 - August 11, 2006

A beloved father to his children.

A great leader to his people.

Evangeline Grace Mondragon Loyzaga

February 22, 1967 - August 11, 2006

A beloved mother to her children.

The queen of the Loyzaga Clan.

You're never forgotten. Your legacy will continue in greatness and a better cause.

"I missed them. Sometimes I wish I can go back just one time in our past when we are all completed. To see them and say how much I love them," malungkot na sabi ng bunso namin. He is like me, harden himself and master to cover his true emotion. Ngunit sa harap nang napayapa naming mga magulang makikita ko sa mukha n'ya ang pangungulila at lungkot.

I can't blame him. He was too young when it happened.

Sa murang edad na labing anim, nawalan kaming magkapatid ng magulang. Ang kapatid kong babae ay labing-dalawa lang noon at sampu pa lang ang bunso namin.

Tinambangan ng mga armadong kalalakihan ang sasakyan ng aming mga magulang at kanilang matalik na kaibigan. Pinaulanan sila nang bala hanggang sumabog ang kanilang sinasakyan.

My parents and their friends die because of multiple gun wounds and burned in the blast. The darkest day of our life. Hindi lang sila ang nabawian nang buhay noon kundi kabilang ang mahigit sampu ng kanilang tauhan. Those who survived, live to tell the tale of that tragic event in their life.

Kahit namulat ako sa mundong kinagagalawan ng pamilya namin, hindi ko pa rin lubos maiisip na mangyayari iyon sa kanila. Sa kabila nang mga nakapalibot na tauhan nila nang mga panahong 'yon nagawang patumbahin sila ng kanilang kaaway. Their enemy risked a lot of life just to take the life of two powerful families in the mafia underworld.

Mula noon tuluyan akong tumayo sa sarili kong mga paa para protektahan ang mga kapatid ko. I vow to be stronger, to be the leader my people need to be... like my parents lead.

Behind their successful business under public eyes, Loyzaga Clan has always been the most powerful mafia leader in the world for centuries. Nagmula ang pamilya ng ama ko sa Mexico where my great-great-grandfathers are top leaders of the Mexican Cartel. Before my grandfather takes over the role as Mafia Leader, all illegal activities are under Loyzaga underground business. We were the top provider in the black market.

When my grandfather time to handle the mafia. He slowly cleaned the illegal activities under the clan. His main goal was to change the business into good. Marami ang nagalit sa kanya, against sa kanyang paniniwala, dahil doon maraming kaalyansa ng Loyzaga Clan ang kumalas at buo nang sarili nilang grupo o kaya sumanib sa mortal na kaaway ng pamilya... ang Samaneigo Family.

Ngunit meron pa rin naiwan at suportahan ang layunin ni Abuelo. Pero naging daan ito para lumakas ang loob nang mga kaaway ng pamilya na banggain sila lalo na ang Samaniego Clan. Many lives are lost every time the two clans clash but it didn't stop my grandfather to make the Mafia become better. He was assassinated when his father was only 20 years old. Being eldest agad hinawakan ni dad ang Mafia at tuluyang hininto ang pagbebenta ng illegal drugs and human trafficking.

My father builds a secret army through the Chameleon Security Agency which has thousands of agents roaming around the world. But the dark side of the Loyzaga clan is still there. The Loyzaga Mafia is still active in the underground world. Scared by many mafias because of my dad's business. He helps the government intelligence agencies for information in underground society without harming our clan and its alliances. Ang mga tauhan namin ay parang chameleon itself...can camouflage their selves on the rest of us.

It didn't stop even when dad met our mom and had us. Sa katunayan namulat kaming magkapatid sa dalawang mundong kinagagalawan ng pamilya namin. My mother's family was no different either. Her family was the second most powerful mafia here in the Philippines. They both taught us how to run the underground and legal business at a young age, especially me. They also taught us how to defend ourselves and how to use all types of weapons.

Ngunit sa kabila nang mundong kinagagalawan namin, namuhay kami nang simple at may pagpapahalaga sa lahat ng bagay. Naging bahagi ng buhay naming magkapatid ang mga tauhan ni dad either its bodyguards or shadow agents, we treat them like family.

The assassination of my parents, their friends, and our people change our lives forever. 19 lives were lost on that tragic night. Those who survive continue to serve us and vow to protect us with all their lives.

Samaniego Clan may successfully take down the leader of the clan. They forgot to remember that 2 heirs and heiress of the clan are still alive. They try to reach us but their luck wears off. They are all terminated before they even try. Samaniego clan lost many more people than us, and we made sure to take our revenge. That happened 5 years after my parent's died.

Making them believe we won't come after them... we strike. They put their guard down and we take the opportunity to terminate 3 of the Samaniego heirs in one night in different places. Solidly planned and clean job. Causing the Samaniego Clan shaken and terrified. After that, the rest of the Samaniego clan hide and run the mafia under the shadow of their people.

The sudden death of my parents made the mafia vulnerable at that time but my uncle, and dad's younger brother step up and claim leadership until I reach the right age to lead. He also takes responsibility for us which made us move to America. Malaking bahagi ng pagkatao namin ang naapektuhan dahil sa nangyari. To cope, mapagdesisyonan ko na pumasok sa US Navy.

At the age of 16, I became the youngest Navy Seal trainee, passing all the exams, from written, and mental to the physical exam with determination. I push myself to the limit and apply all the combat knowledge my parents taught me in the field. I studied hard to accelerate. At the age of 20, I became a US Navy SEAL officer (0-1). The youngest soldier in Navy SEAL history. My hardship paid off. I served Uncle Sam for four years, and face many deadly rescue operations and missions before I decided to focus on the family business and mafia.

Kahit nasa loob ako ng Navy noon patuloy kong pinag-aralan ang pagpatakbo ng mafia at negosyo namin. I became a Loyzaga Mafia leader at the age of 18, kahit si uncle ang namumuno alam nang lahat na kasapi nito na ako ang tunay na pinuno. Sa tulong ng anak ng nasawi na kaibigan ng magulang ko. Nagawa naming patibayin ang mafia, we become phantom of the underground world. Become deadly to those clans that allied with the Samaniego Clan.

"I miss them too, Azel but we have to move on at panagutin ang nakasala sa pamilya natin. We are only waiting for his mistake to take him down forever. A decade of waiting will be worth it," I uttered.

They will pay for the crime they did. I won't stop until I see the Samaniego Clan burn into the ground. To do that I need to take down the roots. He is too coward to face me after everything I've done to his clan.

"I can't wait to see them fall, Kuya. At kasama mo ako na puksain sila." His determination made me nod. I believe what he is capable of kaya hindi ako natatakot na bigyan s'ya nang misyon.

"Bro, Zhel is calling you," My partner informed me.

Cole Arnold Belmonte. His parents were with my parents that tragic night. Like us, he and his siblings are determined to be strong for the legacy of their parents. S'ya ang katuwang ni tito para palaguin ang kompanya. The best in his work and deadly once he is mad.

I take my phone into my pocket and saw I have a lot of missed calls from my sister. I immediately dialed her number.

Baby Sis

Ringing......

"Hello, Kuya!" The sound of her sweet voice made me smile.

I press the video request upang makita din s'ya nila Arnold at Azel.

"Hi, guys!" she said while waving to us when she accepted my request.

"Hi, ate!"

"Hi, princess!" sabay na bati ng dalawa.

She giggles. It reminds me of Lianna. My sister in different parents.

"Hi, baby sis! How are you?" masuyo ko na tanong sa kanya.

Malambing s'yang ngumiti.

"I'm good, Kuya, but I miss Pilipinas. "

Matagal na nitong gustong umuwi simula nang manirahan kami sa America ngunit hindi ko s'ya pinayagang bumalik dito. Plus her mission. The enemy were been waiting for her. She's our weakness.

"Soon, baby sis. Just stay safe there." Hindi ko rin maiwasang mag-alala sa kanya kahit alam kong kayang-kaya nitong protektahan ang sarili n'ya.

She sighed.

"I know and always will, Kuya."

Malungkot itong ngumiti sa'kin.

"Can I see them, Kuya?"

I just nod. Hinarap ko ang camera sa puntod ng mga magulang namin.

"I miss you, mom, dad." I hear her say those words with her voice cracking. I know she's starting to cry.

Arnold and Azel remain silent beside me while listening to her cry. Tulad ko nakatiim bagang din ang mga ito. The anger in my body is rising every time she cries but we let her be. This is the only day we show ourselves vulnerability. For our parent's death. After that, we lock our emotions in the back of our minds.

"I'm sorry, mommy, daddy, if I can't be there again para bisitahin kayo nang personal. Pero palagi nyong tandaan na mahal na mahal namin kayo," malungkot na sabi nito and sighed.

"I know everything will be fine soon and the judgment day is coming," she uttered firmly.

She uttered a prayer to our parents while we did the same. After that, she cried again fora few minutes and start composing herself.

"Can I see you now, kuya?" Hinarap ko ang camera sa'ming tatlo. Namumula ang mata ng kapatid ko dahil sa kanyang pag iyak. I hate seeing her sad.

"I have a few reports you need to read and study. The source of the information is anonymous for now, kuya. Just trust me on this," seryosong pahayag nito.

I nod. "I trust you, baby sis. Just be careful always."

"Thanks, kuya. Bunso, I send something to your condo. Hope you like it."

Natuwa naman si Azel sa tinuran ng ate n'ya.

"I'm sure I will. Thank you, ate. I will call you later," masayang aniya nito.

"What about me princess? " nagbibirong tanong ni Arnold sa prinsesa namin.

"Hmmm...I have a lady friend here, kuya. She's looking for love eh," panunukso naman ni Gracezhel. Making Arnold made a disgusted look at her.

She giggles softly. "It's a no then. See you again later, guys. I'm studying right now."

"Later, baby sis. Just don't draw attention too much and be careful," paalala ko sa kanya.

" I will l, kuya. Love you, guys!" paalam nito.

"We love you too, princess," sabay na salita naming tatlo. She sends us a flying kiss before she turns off the call.

Humarap ako sa dalawa kong kasama. "I'll be in my office from here."

Kailangan kong mabasa ang report na sinasabi ni Gracezhel dahil siguradong importante ito. Pinaalalahan ko muna ang kapatid ko sa pag-aaral n'ya at mag-ingat. Kahit may mga tauhan ako na nakasunod sa kanya palagi, iba rin 'yong alerto s'ya.

Bumalik na rin si Arnold sa puntod ng kanyang mga magulang. Habang isa isa namin pinuntahan ng kapatid ko ang pamilya nang mga nasawi kasama nila mama at nagbigay-galang. Dumaan din kami sa puntod ng mag magulang ni Arnold at nagbigay nang maikling panalangin.

After we are done in the cemetery, naghiwalay kami ng landas na tatlo. My brother to his friends, Arnold needs to go back to the island while I drive back to the Chameleon Security Agency.

24/7 bukas ang CSA. Sa dami ng tauhang meron kami every 8 hours may pumapalit na empleyado. We are working worldwide kaya dapat handa sa assistance ang main headquarters ng Agency. At dahil mafia property ang agency napakahigit and high-security alert ang building ko. Also, all of my personnel are capable of protecting themselves.

Reaching the 38th floor of CSA where my office has resided, I immediately access my mail and read the report Gracezhel send to me.

I smirk sa nabasa ko. Mapakalaking tulong ito para mapuksa na ang sungay nang mga kasapi ng Samaniego Mafia. My sister's squad is good at finding valuable information for us.

I immediately called my Beta team for their expertise. I share information and let them create a plan to take action. After that I got myself focused on all the documents and reports I need to sign and study. Kailangan ko itong matapos nang makabalik ako agad sa isla. Lalo na ngayong papalapit ang kasal ni Blake at Shera, masilan ang pagbubuntis ni Lianna mabuti na 'yog nasa high alert ang mga tauhan ko doon.

Ring !!!!

Napatigil ako sa pagbabasa at sinagot ang telepono. It's coming from the guardhouse.

"Yes?" I asked my men.

"Boss, your aunt Mira was on her way to your office," he informed.

"Ok. Thanks," I simply replied. It's a protocol for them na itawagan ako pagdumating ang mga pamilya ko.

"No problem boss. Bye!" magalang na paalam niya. I hang up too.

I compose myself and fix my table.

Every time I remember my Aunt my blood boils. I am carving for vengeance and thirsty for Samaniego's blood. Because of them, I can't even tell the truth to my aunt without harming the person we care about so much.

The sound of her high heels reaches my ears a few minutes later. A small knock follows and my door opens, revealing my stunning Aunt. Agad akong napatayo at salubungin s'ya ng yakap. Masuyo n'yang hinaplos ang pisngi ko at hinalikan ito.

"You seem to look like your dad every passing day, honey. I visit them before I came here. I miss you that's why I drop by to know how are you doing," she sweetly said.

"Thank you, tita. I'm fine po. Doon din po ako galing kasama si Azel, and Baby Sis called to see them too."

Inaya ko s'yang umupo sa sofa at tumabi sa kanya. Palihim kong pinag-aralan ang tiyahin ko, something is off. S'ya ang nag-iisang koneksyon namin dito kay papa. Most of Loyzaga family are in Mexico and US. My aunt is stunning and elegant. Nasa kilos at pananalita ang patunay na nagmula s'ya sa makapangyarihang angkan.

At the age of 50 my Aunt Aira Mirabella Loyzaga Chavez is still the epitome of beauty and grace. She's always sweet, charming, and cheerful but behind those smiles lies the sadness and longing for her lost baby girl.

Her princess.