MARRYING MY BROTHER'S ENEMY

We Are All The Same

Charles POV

"What are you suggesting?" I massage my temple. It's been a week , still there is no report about the jerk Jeric Garcia.

"Maybe we should try the authority.." Karlo, who is from the organization's responsible for the armaments section suggested. I cut him off.

"Good thing you were on the phone. I may be punching your fuckin face right now." I clenched my jaw, I am surrounded by idiots.

"Boss, it's been a week but we don't have a lead where to find the bastard. It seems that everyday, we find it hard to find him.."

"Then, try harder! " I stood up from the comfort of my swivel chair. I almost screamed at the man on the other side of the line . "What is wrong with you people huh? First, you want me to involve the authority to help us catch the pervert ? Really, Karlo? The authority would love that." I sigh in desperation.

"We are the f*****g Mafia, who are discreetly working underground because our beloved country, our beloved officers had thought that we no longer exists. Even the enemy would agree to me , what were you thinking?!"

Silent...

"I'm sorry boss, I..."

" Maliban doon na hindi na alam ng mga pulis ang underground activity natin dahil sa mata ng mga opisyal na iyan ay malinis tayo, na legit ang business natin. Do you really think na i-turn over nila ang hayop na iyon kung mahuli man nila ito? Think monkey, think.."

I felt exhausted explaining a point. Pero higit sa lahat, ang ikinagalit ko ay ang katotohanan na hindi pa rin natagpuan si Jeric. That devil son of the gun !

Saan ba siya naroroon! Damn!

" Pasensya ka na boss. We will try harder this...week." he said.

"You better." I turned OFF my cellular phone.

"You won't believe this..." I turned around to face Alfonso emerged from the door, he's holding a newspaper.

I followed him sat down on the couch. I sit across from him. " Here you go." He folded the newspaper and read aloud so that I could hear.

"It is with our deepest sorrow that we inform you the death of our beloved BUSINESS TYCOON, Grandfather, Father and a Husband Mr Eduardo Bagaslo. His passing..."

"Everybody dies Alfonso, what is the difference between him and the beggar on the street." Cutting him off, I leaned my back on the couch. " We are all the same." I added.

Crossing his legs, Alfonso throw the paper on the center table.

" Hmmn...let me see..the beggar on the street has no responsibility to keep. So , beggar's death means nothing . The like of a business tycoon Eduardo Bagaslo on the other hand has a name and reputation to uphold that even his passing means business. Sino nga ba si Eduardo Bagaslo? Hindi ba siya ang ginawang Godfather ng Mafia world ng yumao ang iyong Lolo na si Bernardo Martinez? At ngayong patay na siya, you must be forgetting that you are next in line."

"f**k!"

Normal sa Mafia community ang magkaroon ng Isang Godfather. The Godfather is the one who settles a dispute in every Mafia Family . Like the dispute between the two families in Negros. The Moreno Mafia and the Magallanes Mafia. Dumating sa punto na hindi na sila nagkaunawaan pa sa kani-kanilang balwarte. Sa mga ganitong usapin, pumasok ang maatasan na Godfather ng Mafia para hindi na humantong sa giyera ang dalawang Mafia community.

This is how the underground world is working. Nag-evolve na ang mga lider ng underground world. Gumagamit ng taktika para hindi na masyadong maalarma ang mga opisyal. And at the same time, maiwasan ang pagdanak ng dugo.

But still, may mga kalaban pa rin ang bawat pamilya na kailangn na bantayan ng bawat isa. This is the downgrade part of an organization who live in blood and power. The greediness is overwhelming that even the Godfather himself couldn't settle such behavior. I sigh as I closed my eyes.

" I don't think I can do this..."

"Shut up! Kung maririnig ka ng ama , tiyak na susuntukin ka." Alfonso smirked.

" Hindi malabo na mangyayari iyan, Alfonso. If my father were watching right now. He would think I'm a loser. It's been a week now and still the rapist is nowhere to be found."

" Don't be too hard on yourself man. You are doing everything you could do to find Jeric Garcia and at the same time , you are perfectly doing your job as a Capo."

"And yet, nothing happened! Where do you think that animal go?" I ask Alfonso in desperation.

" I wish I have an answer for that." he said. " And most importantly, I wish Leah would wake up. She's the key to solved this case, if ever we cannot find him."

"No, we must find him before Leah would wake up! I want to punish him. I want him dead.." I hissed.

"Then accept the position as the Godfather of the Mafia World. Your connection will be limitless and your power has no limit. Who knows, accepting the position would lead to finding Jeric. What do you think?"

My eyes lit. " You know, I didn't make you my right hand for no reason." I tap his back.

" My pleasure.." he smirked. '" Although, you must prepare yourself for combat."

I knitted my brow. " What does it mean?"

"Jenny.." he whistle.

"s**t!"

He laughed. " All her life, Jenny is waiting for you to propose. But you cannot afford to marry her because for you she will be a liability. Having a wife means weakness." he eyed me. " And yet , you marry your enemy's sister."

" You know damn well why I have to marry the girl." I said quietly.

"I know, good luck explaining that to your girlfriend." he laughed again.

Si Jenny Bagaslo ay apo ni Eduardo Bagaslo, the Godfather of the Mafia World, who just passed away. Matagal na akong kinulit ni Jenny na lumagay na kami sa tahimik but I refused. I was too busy to consider the idea , lalo na ng namatay si Daddy.

Other than that. I saw my father tremble in fear when his enemies are using my Mother, Leah and I to get even to him. That is why I don't like the idea of building a family.

Wala naman akong problema Kay Jenny. Mula din siya sa matapang at mayamang pamilya ng mga Bagaslo. May breeding at maganda.

" It's been half a year , do you think wala pa siyang nakitang boyfriend sa America? I don't believe that crap." I laughed ." Jenny is a beautiful woman, imposible naman na walang magkagusto sa kaniya doon sa Amerika."

"I'm sure marami, but she has her eyes only for you. Hindi lingid sa kaniya na may mga babae ka, from time to time." he shrugged his shoulders. " But, she knows, when you are going to settle down- it must be her."

"But I won't settle down and you know that.."

"Gaya nga ng sabi ko, goodluck na lang sa iyo. Malalaman at malalaman din ni Jenny na may asawa ka na. So, you better tell her the truth." he smirked.

I don't have to tell her. I only married that young girl to spite his brother. I only married her just so I can do whatever the hell I can do to her body and get away with it because I'm her husband.

Hindi ko na kailangan na magpaliwanag pa Kay Jenny. Besides, I was clear to her before she went to America. I am giving her the blessings to find another man that is deserving for her love.

Kaya lang, my late father and the former Godfather, Mr Eduardo Bagaslo, silang dalawa ang may gusto na hahantong kami sa kasalan.

" What about if you... divorce her." Alfonso suggested.

"You're kidding right?" I laughed.

Pero seryoso si Alfonso ." Hindi, I'm serious."

" Alam mo, bakit kailangan may gagawin ako? Jenny doesn't have to know about Kimberly. And even if she does..." I stopped.

"See?" Alfonso raised his hand. " Women are hopeless romantic. Ayaw nila na may extra at kasalo sa boyfriend nila regardless of the reason."

"Forget about women. I don't see any problem here " I said. " By the way, when will be the next meeting?" I changed the subject.

"Well, that would be in Eduardo's wake."

When Alfonso left, I stayed in the office waiting for Kimberly. I told Aling Martha that I wanted to talk to her. I know I shouldn't be talking to her. She's here because she's Jeric Garcia's sibling. I wanted her to suffer as much as Leah does.

I was so furious to see her touch my sister's hand. I was fuming mad of her audicity to roam the mansion and entered at my sister's room.

But when Kimberly went out. nakita ko na gumalaw ang pinky right finger ni Leah . I was surprised to see it. Naigalaw niya ang kaniyang daliri and I wonder how and why.

Kinakausap ko rin naman araw-araw si Leah. Pero wala akong reaksyon na nakita sa Kaniya, baka nagkataon lamang ang nangyari.

Bagama't wala namang mawala kung papayagan ko si Kimberly na puntahan si Leah sa kaniyang silid. I remember Doctor Minerva's statement. " As for now, hindi ko masasbai na may improvement ang sitwasyon ni Miss Leah . Kumpleto naman ang kaniyang gamot. And we could always ask for a miracle. But talking to the patient is good. Alam mo ba na ang mga taong nasa coma ay nakikinig lamang? Naririnig nila ang mga pag-uusap ng mga mahal nila sa buhay na nakaharap sa kanilang vegetative state . Kaya, mas mainam na kausapin ang mga pasyente , in that way...mapapadali ang kanilang recovery. Who knows.."

Kaya gusto Kong makausap si Kimberly. Maybe I can arrange for her to visit and talk to Leah. I did this only for Leah.