Breaking Boundaries

Chapter 3

    Nakahilig si Izaac sa hamba ng pintuan at hindi pa tuluyang pumapasok sa home office ng ama. Nakatalikod pa kasi itong nakaupo sa swivel chair at may kausap sa telepono. Hindi naman gumawa ng kahit anong ingay ang binata at tahimik na nakinig.

    The room had a rustic vintage vibe to it. Its floor was topped with expensive carpet from a bear’s fur. On one side, there was floor-to-ceiling shelving filled with books, files, antique figurines, and assorted bottles of liquor. At the center stands a massive mahogany desk with intricate carvings down to its edges.

    “Yes, Let them know that I need it as soon as possible,” his father sternly said on the phone. “Well, tell them to hurry up! Ilang araw na naipadala ang sample ah.”

    “No-No! Listen, I need it by the end of the week. Dito mismo! Sa akin idederetso at huwag na ‘wag iwan lang sa The Site. I want the file delivered right to my hands. I can’t risk anyone else snooping on the results.” Iyon lang at mabilis na tinapos ng matanda ang tawag.

     Results to what?

    Izaac knew he couldn’t care less. Besides, he’s done with that life. Wala na dapat siyang pake sa kung ano man ang ginagawa ng ama.

    “Are gonna keep on standing there?” Paglingon ng matanda. “Why don’t you come in, son.”

    Izaac just crossed his arms and entered the room. He didn’t even bother to close the doors. Mabilis lang naman ito. He didn't plan to prolong their conversation longer than it should.

    “I hope you’re back in the country because you’re ready to lead LSF,” diretsong sabi ng ama.

    Izaac just let out a heavy sigh. Ito ang usapang iniiwasan niya. Ever since that evening when his father introduced that kid Sunny to the whole household, he just didn’t feel like spending a lot of time there. Especially now, that his father has been relentlessly pushing his position in LSF.

     When will he ever stop?

    Lorenzo Security Force, the biggest and most recognized private security and intelligence agency in the country. LSF caters to a wide range of services starting from intel gathering, item retrieval, to security personnel, you name it. Among all these, their forte is still undercover operations.

    The government agencies do acknowledge the existence of LSF and at times work with them side by side. But above all else, the services of LSF are only for the elite of the elites. The operations often take place in the shadows and Izaac is one of the agents.

    It wasn’t much of a choice. He was born into it. His father, Arturo Lorenzo was the founder of the agency shortly after he liquidated his assets in Italy and settled roots in the Philippines. Arturo became the leader and core father of an elite brotherhood of fighters and marksmen, most of which came from several powerful families around the country. Now, his father continues to pester him into taking the position as the leader of the second generation.

    But he’s not about that life.

     At least not anymore.

    “How many times do I have to say no, Dad?” he said in exasperation. “It’s not gonna happen.”

    Ilang taon na rin niya itong iniiwasan at bakas ang pagiging iritado niya sa tuwing kinukulit siya ng ama. He didn’t want anything to do with LSF anymore. Umuwi lang siya para i-take over ang management ng shipping company nila. Iyon lang.

    Arturo Lorenzo came from a prestigious clan in Italy but when he saw potential power and influence in the Philippines, he grabbed it without hesitation. Isa na rin sa dahilan ng pananatili nito sa Pilipinas ay nang makilala nito ang ina ni Izaac. Izobel Easton was a Filipino-British heiress to a real estate empire. She was born and bred in the country.

    Arturo and Izobel conveniently fell in love and together, they started the agency. With the unstoppable rise of LSF, came the unending complications. It was the very curse that eventually led to his mother’s death. And eversince, Izaac learned the greatest lesson LSF had taught him.

    People like him and his father could buy many things but they cold not afford to love. He could not buy life for his mother.

    His father did not think like him. That tragedy became his reason to keep their legacy alive.

    “You know that sooner or later you have to take my place. At some point in time I have to retire son. Kanino ko pa ito iiwan kundi sayo lang and it's about time that you learn some sense of responsibility," his father said while massaging his temple.

    “Pag-iisipan ko. But don’t get your hopes up. Just please get off my face, Dad.” Sinabi niya na lang iyon para tigilan na siya ng ama. Malamig niya lang itong tiningnan bago walang kagatol-gatol na tinalikuran.

    "What happened to you, son? We used to be seeing eye to eye but ever since your mother died, you became distant."

    He halted and clenched his fist involuntarily. "Why? Was I supposed to be enthusiastic and cheerful after seeing Mom die in my arms?"

     Damn! I don't like where this conversation is going.

    "I loved your Mother with all my heart. You know if I could have taken her place I would have!" Tumaas na rin ang boses ng ama niya. They both tend to lose their cool whenever this topic rises.

    “Whatever. It’s not like it matters now. Your regret won’t change the fact that you weren’t there when we need you the most.” Nilingon niya ang ama at sinigurado niya na nakita nito ang bakas ng galit sa mga mata niya.

    “That kid you brought home. Why would you do that? Don’t you think shes too young for you?” panunuya niya sa ama.

    "It's not like that. I'm taking her in. Wala na siyang mapuntahan. I tried to pull some strings to find out if she has other relatives. It turns out, wala talaga. That poor kid doesn't even have a birth certificate. Hindi man lang siya na register ng legal. Plus she has a heart of a warrior given the right training she has a promising future."

     "So that's it you just found her somewhere and you decided to train her to be one of your little agents? She's a minor and of course she'll just nod to everything because she has no other choice!"

    The idea of making Sunshine an LSF agent left a bitter taste in his mouth. He didn’t even know why. Maybe he was just tired of his father having way and playing God over everyone else. Or maybe the idea that the wounded kid still has to go through more hardships twists up his insides.

      Why would I even feel that way? Hell, he just met that kid!

    "What I'm trying to say is I will be raising her. She'll be part of the family. It's up for Sunny to decide if she wants to be an agent or not. I'm processing for her to catch-up academically and I'm also looking at possibilities of making her a Lorenzo legally," his father explained.

    Something about what his father just said irked him. Ano raw? It got worse, adopting her and making her part of the family.

     Like a sister? Oh, hell no!

    "Bullshit! I won't let you stupidly put her in this family! She will not be my sister if that is what you're thinking," he said while clenching his fists. Sa hindi maipaliwanag na dahilan ay hindi mapakali ang binata at mas tumindi lang ang inis niya sa ama.

    "It's not your decision to make, Izaac."

    He knew he was done talking ti his father so he just walked out and slammed the door.

I need a drink.

    He went down to the bar downstairs and poured himself some whiskey. Mablis niyang nilagok iyon at muling tinagayan ang sarili. A couple more shots and it didn’t relax him still. So he took the whole bottle and headed to the gazebo outside.

    It was next to the small man-made falls by the lake at the end of their property. The sound of the water always relaxed him, making this his favorite spot. But tonight was different. He still felt uneasy. Tila ba maraming siyang iniisp pero nag-rumble-rumble na sa utak niya kaya wala na ring kwenta.

    Isang tagay pa sana ang gagawin niya nangmay narinig siyang humihikbi sa ‘di kalayuan. He quickly scanned the surrounding and he saw a figure sitting on the grass. It was Sunshine, facing the lake with her shoulders shaking. He motioned closer and heard another sob.

    Was she crying? He never really pictured her as a crier but what could he expect. She was just a child.

    Lumapit pa ang binata at tumabi sa kanya sa damuhan.

    “Hindi ka lang pala tatanga-tanga. Iyakin ka rin pala.”

    It was far from what he wanted to say but he just blurted it out. Nilingon naman siya ni Sunny at nagtama ang paningin nila.

    Her eyes were glassy and puffy. Halatang kanina pa umiiyak. May mga pasa pa rin siya sa pisngi na unti-unti nan g naghihilom at hindi na nga gaanong kita pa ang tahi nito sa labi. This was the second time that he had a good look at her.

    Tama nga ang hinala niya nang unang gabing dumating si Sunny. She was pretty. Hindi kayang tabunan ng maikling buhok, mga sugat, at pasa ang maamo at mala-anghel nitong mukha kapares ng katapangan sa mga mata nito. Since then, her young beauty became more and more evident as the days went by. Izaac wanted to run his fingers down her cheeks and wipe her tears away but he tried so hard not to.

    "Bakit ba ang laki ng galit mo sa ‘kin? Dahil ba madungis ako at pangit? 'Wag kang mag-alala hindi ko ipagsisiksikan ang sarili ko sa pamilya niyo. Alam ko namang diring-diri ka sa ‘kin!" galit na sumbat nito.

    “So you heard that... it's not what you think. Hindi ako nandidiri sa’yo," he plainly answered.

    “Eh ayaw mo nga ako maging kapatid ayaw mo na narito ako," she pouted. “Hindi ako ganoon ka tanga. Alam ko naman na iniiwasan mo ako eh.”

    Izaac just chuckled over her childish antics. Cute rin pala magtampo ang batang ‘to.

     For the love of God Izaac menor de edad ‘yan! Don't tell me you're attracted to her!

    Damn. Did he really think she was cute? He should probably blame the alcohol. Ang bilis yata umakyat sa ulo niya ang ininom.

"It doesn't mean that I don't want to be your brother that I don't like you. It's just not that simple." Ginulo na lang niya ang buhok nito.

"Hah? 'Bat ang labo mo hindi kita maintindihan." She looked puzzled.

"Wala. Matulog ka na nga baka sakaling tumangkad ka pa ‘di iyong iiyak-iyak ka rito sa labas. Hayaan mo, susubukan kong maging mabait sayo." Like an obedient child she complied.

Hmmm… my obedient little Sunshine. Oh Izaac you are so screwed.