THE RUTHLESS KING

—Sorento, Italy— "Señorito Esteban!" Kadarating niya lang galing sa kickboxing training nang marinig niya ang tawag sa kanya ni Silas, ang butler nila rito sa Florencio's mansion. Sinalubong siya nito sa malaking entrance ng mansion. "Sì?" he answered and furrowed his eyebrows. "What's wrong?" "Señorito, di tuo padre..." Napalunok ito nang mabanggit ang tungkol sa ama niya. Mas lalong lumalim ang gatla sa noo niya. Bigla rin siyang kinabahan. Five days ago, his father went to the Philippines to visit their family business, their casinos, warehouse, brothels and other illegal businesses. And not only that, he wanted to visit also his long time friend. The Javier Family. Ito ang araw na inaasahan niya na babalik ang ama. "E mio padre?" "Ora è morto." Nanginig pa ang bibig nito nang sabihin na patay na ang ama. His body stiffened upon hearing what Silas said. He tried to steady his posture but he failed. Muntikan pa siyang matumba kung hindi dahil dito na kaagad na umalalay sa kanya. "Señorito..." He felt cold and numb. His father was the only family (blood related) he had. His Fil-Am mom was died when he was 12 years old. Now that he's 18, he doesn't want to be an orphan–no mother and father. "What did you say? My father is dead?" Halos bulong na lang ang tanong niya. "Sì, señorito." Malungkot ang boses ni Silas at halata rin ang panginginig nito. Kumawala siya sa pagkakahawak ni Silas. Naglakad siya papasok sa loob ng mansion na para bang nakalutang. Ang daming katanungan sa isipan niya kung bakit at paano namatay ang isang notorious Mafia Boss? Yes, his father ruled one of the largest Cosa Nostra in the world. He is a well-known Italian-American Mafia Boss. Now that his father is dead, he need to take over his title because he is the only heir. Ngayon pa lang ay nararamdaman na niya ang pressure sa pagiging Boss. For f*****g sake! He just only 18 years old. But what's the difference? His father told him before that sooner or later he will take over the title despite of his age. "How about my father's body?" he asked without emotions. "Already cremated, señorito." He clenched his fists tightly, controlling his anger and temper. He look at him angrily. "Who give them permission to cremate my father's body?" pigil ang galit na asik niya. "His right hand man, señorito." "Roman," he muttered. "Sì, señorito." He gritted his teeth. Mas mapapadali siguro kay Roman ang pag-uwi sa bangkay ng ama niya kung cremated na. Ang kinakagalit niya lang ay hindi man lang siya binigyan ng pagkakataon na makita ang ama sa huling sandali. "Roman arriverà più tardi, señorito," ani ni Silas. "Aspetterò," he said with a cold voice. Dumeretso siya sa malaki at malawak na study room ng ama niya. Sinabi ni Silas na parating na si Roman kaya maghihintay siya rito sa study room. Gusto niya mismong personal itong kausapin kung sino ang pumatay sa ama niya at kung bakit ganoon na lang ito kadali na mapatay lalo na at may kasangga naman itong organisasyon sa Pilipinas na katulad sa kanila, walang iba kundi ang pamilya Javier. He sauntered to the bar area and get a one shot of vodka, and then another shot. He waited patiently. He loves his father despite of being notorious in dealing with his business. Ni minsan ay hindi niya naramdaman na nagkulang ang ama niya sa kanya. His father is always good to him. And in order to pleased him, to return the favor that his father gave him, he study harder and did his best to excell in academic studies. Lalo na pagdating sa trainings niya. He studied different languages because his father said that it's important. Now that his father was gone, it's his responsibility to take care of his family. The La cosa nostra famiglia. Three f*****g hours later. Roman arrived with his father's urn in his hands. "Señorito," he greeted him sadly. He put the urn on the table. He stared the urn for long. He can't believe that his father is already dead. His father is not a cold-blooded bastard the way he treated him, hindi katulad ng ibang ama. Kaya masakit sa kanya ang biglaan nitong pagkamatay. "Chi l'ha ucciso?" he asked if who killed his father. He wanted to know–to get back to the person who killed his father. "The Javier's..." The glass he was holding was broken because of his grip. He shot a deadly glare to Roman who gasped looking at his hand with dripping blood. "The Javier?" He can't believe it. Alam niyang malapit ang ama sa pamilyang Javier dahil kaalyado rin ito ang pamilya. Paano nagawa ng mga ito na traydurin ang ama niya? Javier family is one of the five circles in cosa nostra. Sa katunayan nga ay nangunguna na ang kapangyarihan nito sa larangan ng underground business kaysa sa kanila. "Why?" His voice is calm but deep inside he was fuming in anger. "We just found him dead in the Javier's mansion, señorito." "That's it?" Nakukulangan siya sa impormasyon. "Sì, señorito." "Call a meeting to the council," aniya sa seryosong boses. "Already done, señorito." He get out of the chair and took his father's urn without caring his injured hand, and then he walk towards his father's right hand man. "You failed to protect my father, Roman. You should recieve your punishment." He don't want to sound scary but he saw the fears in Roman's eyes. "Your father was right, you're more frightening than him, señorito. You will be a good successor to your father." Ang takot sa mga mata nito ay napalitan ng paghanga. He gave him a dangerous smile. With his most sarcastic voice he said, "Thank you for the compliment, Roman. Now, be ready to your punishment. You know the rules." He kneeled in front of him and bow down his head. He was like a lost puppy now. "Señorito, Darò mia figlia in cambio della mia vita." Nanginginig pa ang boses nito. "That's what I thought, codardo!" He smirked at him. He's about to go out when he heard a screamed. Roman look at him with fears in his eyes, maybe he heard his daughter's voice screaming outside. "How old your daughter is?" "She's now 18, señorito." Muli itong yumuko. "Young and fresh. Unfortunately, after I'm done with her, she will be put in brothel for the rest of her life, and you?" He look at him angrily. "You will get the least punishment you deserve." Tuluyan na siyang lumabas sa study room. He look at Roman's only daughter, she's crying and writhing from his men holding her tightly. "Lasciami andare!" She's screaming to let her go but when she saw him approaching to their direction she stopped shouting. She stared at him with pitiful eyes. "Did you know what your father did?" "Per favore lasciami andare," she begged. "It's your father's choice. Now, why don't you save your screams in my men's bed tonight? But before that let me taste you first..." He smirked at her. "No! per favore, non farlo! Please..." she begged him, again. But his heart is already numb. He can't feel any compassion and remorse. Instead, he felt anger and vengeance. ***