The Mafia Don's Affection

CHAPTER 22

JOSEPH was on the shooting range and having practice when Andrew approached him. “Milord, a call from the Esposito family.” Andrew while showing the screen of the phone.

Joseph placed the gun on the table and took the phone from Andrew.

“Don, the gift was on its way to Esposito’s household.” Imporma ni Andrew.

Tumango si Joseph. “Good.” Then he spoke to the person on the call. “What do you need?” he asked in an icy tone.

“If you don’t want to marry my daughter, we will raise war against our family, Don.” Banta ni Theodore Esposito, ang Head ng Esposito Family.

Hindi natakot si Joseph sa banta ng kausap. He didn’t fear anything even if they pointed guns at his head. And he doesn’t like to be threatened. “And who are you to threaten me? Mr. Esposito, you are known in the underground organization, and you have forgotten who I am and what I am capable of. I prepared a gift for you. I hope you will like it.” Saad niya na sinabayan niya ng pagtaas ng sulok ng kaniyang labi.

“Don, you are the Mafia Don. You are disgracing my family—”

“I don’t care. It’s you who are disgracing your own family. Mr. Esposito, I know what you want. You wanted to climb up higher than you are now. And you will use your own daughter. They said that your daughter was a beautiful woman, but I’m not interested,” Walang emosyon niyang saad.

“Don, this marriage was arranged by your grandfather. Are you going to disobey your elder?” Nanghahamon na tanong ni Theodore.

Ngunit hindi pa rin natinag si Joseph. “That’s exactly why I am disobeying him. He was my grandfather. Just wait for my gift. And oh, by the way, the next time you send someone to kill my woman, make sure that he will succeed.”

The other day, Austin found out about the hitman who was trying to kill Miss Iris. Kaya naman inunahan na niya ito. Austin killed the hitman and now, he was already inside the casket and was being delivered to the Esposito family.

Pakiramdam ni Theodore binuhusan siya ng malamig na tubig dahil sa huling sinabi ng Don.

“And remember to compensate me. The fuel for my private plane cost me a few hundred just to deliver my gift to you.” Nakangising saad ni Joseph saka pinatay ang tawag.

Ibinalik niya ang cellphone kay Andrew. “Any updates from Austin?” he asked.

“Don’t worry, Milord. Miss Iris was safe.”

Napatango si Joseph.

“Milord.”

Naglagay si Joseph ng bagong magazine sa hawak na baril. “Yes?” he glanced at Andrew.

“Won’t Miss Iris get mad once he learns that you have something to do with David Santos’ death?” May pag-aalalang wika ni Andrew.

Bahagyang natigilan si Joseph dahil sa sinabi ni Andrew. Ibinaba niya ang hawak na baril saka napahawak sa magkabilang gilid ng lamesa. Napabuga siya ng hangin. Nahilot niya ang sentido. Iris is an innocent woman. Killing is not her thing, so she might get upset once she finds out that he has something to do with her boss’ death. But he wanted to protect Iris from her boss. Paano na lang kung wala siya, baka napahamak na ito?

“David harassed many women and some of them were teenagers. But they are afraid to speak because he threatened them. Does he deserve to die?” he asked Andrew.

Tumango si Andrew. “He deserved to die, Milord. Moreover, he tried to harm Miss Iris.”

Napangiti si Joseph ngunit walang buhay ang kaniyang ngiti. “Forget it. Don’t mention this when Iris was around.”

Andrew bowed. “Yes, Milord.”

Meanwhile, the Esposito family in Italy received a casket, and inside the casket was the dead body of his hitman whom he sent to kill the Mafia Don’s woman.

“Boss, there’s a note.” Ibinigay ng second-in-command ang maliit na papel sa boss niya.

‘I’m generous. Take this as my warning to you and your family. The next time you try to hurt my woman, I’ll send someone to kill your entire family. Yes, this is my threat to you, Theodore Esposito.’

IRIS was caressing the bracelet that Joseph gave her. She smiled when she remembered their first kiss. Yes, they are officially together now.

‘Marry me.’

Napabuntong hininga si Iris saka napahawak sa noo. Kahit anong gawin niya pabalik-balik sa kaniyang isipan ang sinabi ni Joseph.

‘Marry me.’

She likes Joseph, but it’s not enough reason for her to marry him. Joseph is an ideal man for every woman, a rich, handsome, and elegant man. But she’s not every woman. She’s different. Marami siyang kailangang gawin at kailangan pa niyang mahanap ang kapatid niya. Her older brother was only missing, and she knew, she could feel it, he was not dead yet.

Nahilot ni Iris ang sentido. Oo nga marami pa siyang kailangang gawin pero bakit siya nakipaghalikan kay Joseph at ngayon dalawa na sila. They’re already in a relationship. Iris shook her head. Nagpadala siya sa kaniyang nararamdaman.

Iris took a deep breath. “I’m finished…” sambit niya.

“What’s the matter?” Rose asked.

Iris looked at her friend. “I’m finished. I entered something that I didn’t know if it was good for me or what.” Aniya

Tumaas ang kilay ni Rose. “Does your problem have something to do with your special friend?” she asked, quoting on the air.

Iris sighed and nodded. “But I don’t want to tell you about it.” Mabilis niyang saad bago pa makapagtanong ang kaibigan.

Natawa naman si Rose. “Kung anuman ang nagawa mo, hindi ko naman alam kung ano, panindigan mo na lang.”

Nangalumbaba na lamang si Iris.

Napailing na lang si Rose habang nakatingin sa hitsura ng kaibigan. “You looked like you were in a dilemma."

Malalim na napabuntong hininga si Iris. “I am.”

Nang uwian na, nag-text si Iris kay Joseph na huwag muna siya nitong sunduin. Kahit ngayong araw lang na ‘to. Hindi na muna niya kailangang makita si Joseph. During their first week of relationship, Joseph was good to her. He’s a gentleman and cares for her. She could say he was really genuine, but sometimes, she noticed that Joseph had a different smile. It’s a kind of smile that makes her frozen. Though Joseph never showed it to her, she could see it whenever Joseph was talking with other people.

Tahimik na naglakakad si Iris sa may alley. Napatigil siya nang mapatingin siya sa lugar kung saan niya noon nakita si Joseph. After meeting Joseph, a lot of things happened between them. Ngunit niya alam kung maganda ba ang mga nagyaring ‘yon sa kaniya o hindi. Para sa kaniya sobrang bilis ng mga pangyayari.

Kapagkuwan napatingin si Iris sa tatlong lalaki na mukhang lasing at naglalakad palapit sa kaniya. Napaatras siya at napahawak sa bracelet na bigay ni Joseph.

“Hi, Miss.”

“Ang ganda mo naman.”

‘Mga lasing nga naman.’ Iris thought. Hindi niya pinansin ang tatlong lalaki at nilagpasan ang mga ito ngunit hinabol siya saka hinarangan.

Nakaramdam siya ng takot saka mabilis na pinindot ang pindutan sa bracelet na suot.

“Miss, ang ganda mo. Baka pwede kahit isang gabi lang.”

“Sumama ka sa amin.”

Hahawakan sana siya ng lalaki ngunit may nagsalita.

“Touch her and you will die.” Saad ng malamig na boses.

Natigilan si Iris saka mabilis na napatingin sa kaniyang likuran. Naroon si Joseph at nakapamulsa. Hindi niya mabasa ang ekspresyon ng mukha nito.

“At sino ka naman?!” Maangas na tanong ng isa sa mga lasing.

“Iris, come here,” Joseph said in a soft voice.

Mabilis namang lumapit si Iris kay Joseph.

Joseph ushered Iris to go behind him.

“Hindi na importante kung sino ako. But you scared my girlfriend,” Joseph showed his dangerous smile, “you can’t get away with it.” Saad niya sa malamig na boses.

Pumunta si Iris sa gilid ni Joseph at tinignan niya ang binata. Talagang literal na natigilan si Iris nang makita niya ang ekspresyon ni Joseph. His face was blank. Though he was smiling, his smile was cold and dangerous.

“Joseph…”

Joseph’s cold and dangerous smile was replaced by a soft smile as he looked at Iris. “Tumabi ka muna, Iris.”

“Anong gagawin mo?” tanong ni Iris.

Ngumisi si Joseph. “Bibigyan ko lamang ng leksyon ang mga ugok na ‘to.”

Hinawakan ni Iris ang braso ni Joseph. “Hindi na kailangan. Umalis na lang tayo.” Hinila niya si Joseph paalis sa lugar na ‘yon.

While they were on their way to Iris’ apartment, Iris was sleeping and leaning on Joseph. Joseph took out his phone from his pocket and typed a message.

‘Kill them.’

He was about to send it to Austin, but he glanced at Iris. Natigilan siya nang makita ang maamo nitong mukha. ‘Will you really get mad if I kill those men? They tried to harm you, Iris. But I know you will get mad if you learn who I really am.’

Joseph sighed and deleted his message. He looked at Iris again. ‘After meeting you, I have never been this considerate to anyone. Maybe it was because I love you and I don’t want to lose you.’