The Mafia Don's Affection

CHAPTER 17

“ANDREW, I have information about the guy. I’ll send it to you. Can you print it and give it to Don Joseph?” Pakiusap ni Austin sa kaniyang kakambal.

“Okay, send it to me. Don Joseph was busy right now. Atty. Amadeo just arrived.” Sabi ni Andrew saka siya napangiwi. Don Joseph was busy signing papers right now.

“Thank you, Andrew.” Wika ni Austin. “I have to go. I have something to do in the laboratory.” Nagmamadali niyang saad saka pinatay ang tawag.

Napailing naman si Andrew. Nang matanggap niya ang document na pinadala ng kakambal niya via email, he printed it and went to Don Joseph’s office. Nagdadalawang-isip pa siya dahil alam niyang abala ngayon si Don Joseph. Atty. Amadeo arrived, and he knew that he didn’t come here for vacation. He was here for business.

“Andrew, don’t stand outside. Come in.” Narinig niyang sabi ni Don Joseph mula sa loob.

Binuksan naman ni Andrew ang pinto saka pumasok. He slightly bowed his head to Atty. Amadeo who was having his coffee and having a conversation with Don Joseph.

Tinanguan naman ni Atty. Amadeo si Andrew.

“Milord, Austin sent me this, and I printed it.” Andrew gave the folder to Don Joseph.

Itinigil naman ni Joseph ang pagpirma saka binuklat ang folder. He looked at Andrew. “Okay. I’ll read it now. You can leave now.”

Andrew bowed his head before he left Don Joseph’s private office.

After reading the profile of David Santos, he just shook his head.

“What’s that, Milord?” Amadeo asked. He became curious when he saw Joseph’s expression. He was upset.

“See it yourself.”

Kinuha naman ni Amadeo ang folder saka binasa ang laman. “David Santos? Who’s this, Milord? A new guy?”

Joseph looked at Amadeo flatly.

Amadeo chuckled. “What?”

“Do you believe it if I say that I wanted to kill him?”

Nagkibit ng balikat si Amadeo. “Go ahead. I’m one of the best international lawyers. I will get you out of prison,” he said in a promising voice.

“I’m serious, Amadeo.”

“I’m serious too, Joseph.” Wika ni Amadeo. Yes, sometimes, he doesn’t really call Joseph ‘Milord’. Minsan talagang pangalan lang ang tinatawag niya rito.

Tumango si Joseph. “Fine. I believed in you.” Aniya nang maalala ang nangyari nitong nakaraang araw sa Italy. Monti was put in prison because of his enemy. Good thing that Amadeo was quick to get him out or else Monti suffered inside the prison. “You got Monti out of jail in a short time. He didn't sleep there. But it’s a good thing if you let him sleep in the prison even just for one night.” Aniya saka natawa ng mahina.

Natawa ng mahina si Amadeo saka napailing. “He was your underboss. He does all your work in the Mafia when you are not around. Be kind to him.”

“I’m kind.” Wika naman ni Joseph habang binibilisan ang pagpirma.

“So, why do you want to kill this guy?” Amadeo asked.

“No reason. I just only wanted to kill him.” Sabi ni Joseph saka tinignan ang mga papel na pipirmahan. Tinignan niya ang oras sa relong pambisig. He can finish it on time.

“I know your personality, Joseph. You won’t kill someone without any reason. This guy… is he trying to steal your girl?”

Napatigil sa ere ang kamay ni Joseph. Kumuyom ang kamay niya. “I wanted to kill him. Austin found out that he harassed many women. Even though I am a bad guy, harassing women is another kind of crime.” Aniya.

Amadeo chuckled. Kahit walang malinaw na sagot si Joseph, mukhang alam na niya kung bakit gustong patayin ni Joseph si David Santos. Inilapag niya ang hawak na folder sa centertable saka tumayo. Lumapit siya kay Joseph saka umupo sa upuan na nasa harapan ng lamesa nito. “Okay. You can kill him. I have a friend who was an international lawyer. He resides here in the Philippines. If you get into trouble for killing this man, call me, and I’ll help you.”

Nanunuring tingin ang ibinigay ni Joseph kay Amadeo. “You… I’m not pressuring you to help me.”

“Yes, you’re not. But this kind of scum must not live. You know what happened to my family. If it was not because of your father who saved me, I might already be dead.” Seryosong saad ni Amadeo. “Don’t let this man lay his hand on your woman.”

Joseph let out a small sigh and nodded his head. “I’ve already signed everything. Babalik ka rin lang ba sa Italy ngayon?”

“Let me rest first. Maybe tomorrow.”

Nagkibit ng balikat si Joseph. “Whatever you want. See you.” Naglakad siya patungo sa pintuan.

“Where are you going?”

Joseph smiled. “To see my girl.” Tugon niya saka tuluyang lumabas ng pribadong opisina.

Natawa naman si Amadeo saka napailing. “He sounded like an excited teenager about to see his crush.” Aniya habang natatawa. Mafia Don was really excited about seeing his girl. It was all over his expression. “Will the De Luca Family have a Young Madam now?” he muttered.

Parang magandang dito muna siya sa Pilipinas upang makisagap ng balita tungkol sa nangyayari sa Mafia Don.

Lumabas siya ng opisina ng Mafia Don at pumunta sa kusina. Naabutan niya si Andrew na kumakain doon. “Aren’t you going with Don?”

Umiling si Andrew. “He’s going on his date. Why would I go with him?”

“You don’t want to gossip?” tanong pa ni Amadeo. “This is the first time I saw him being excited and that’s because of a girl.”

Nagkibit naman ng balikat si Andrew. “Austin will tell me anyway.” Aniya. “Help yourself if you’re hungry, Attorney.”

Napailing na lamang si Amadeo saka kumuha ng sariling pagkain. Maraming kasambahay sa mansyon ni Joseph. But he prefers to prepare his own meals. Nakasanayan na niya dahil mag-isa lang naman siyang nakatira sa condo niya sa Italy.

WHEN Joseph went to pick up Iris from her work, Tinignan niya ang oras. Malapit na itong lumabas kaya naman naghintay na lamang siya sa labas. Namulsa siya at tinignan ang mga lumalabas sa gate. Napapatingin pa sa kaniya ang iba.

Natuwa siya nang makita si Iris na lumabas. Tatawagin niya sana ang dalaga pero may tumawag rito.

Kumunot ang nuo ni Joseph nang mamukhaan ang lalaking nakasakay sa kotse na tumawag kay Iris. David Santos, may larawan ito sa impormasyon na ibinigay ni Austin sa kaniya.

“Iris, ihahatid na kita.” David offered.

Umiling si Iris. She politely declined. “Malapit lang po rito ang apartment ko. Salamat na lang po, Sir.”

“Iris, come on. Huwag ka ng mahiya.” Pamimilit ni David.

“Sir—” Handa na siyang tanggihan ang Boss niya nang marinig niyang may tumawag sa pangalan niya.

“Iris.”

Agad siyang tumingin sa pinanggalingan ng boses na tumawag sa kaniya. Kusang gumuhit ang ngiti sa kaniyang labi nang makita si Joseph. Natawa na lamang siya saka pinagmasdan ang suot nito. Joseph was wearing a dark blue long sleeve polo, na tinupi hanggang siko. Naka-tuck in ito sa suot nitong khaki pants. Then he paired his outfit with white shoes. He looked handsome.

“Iris?”

Napakurap si Iris saka tumingin sa boss niya. “Sorry, Sir. Nandiyan na po ang kasama ko. Pasensiya na po.” Aniya saka patakbong lumapit kay Joseph. Nakangiting tumigil siya sa harapan nito.

She didn’t see him yesterday and she kinda misses him. Alright, she admits it. She wanted to see him and now, she was excited that she had seen Joseph.

“Why are you here?”

Joseph smiled and took Iris’ backpack. “Give me your bag. I’m here to pick you up.” Sagot niya. Tinignan niya si David Santos. He showed David Santos the coldest but nicest smile he had.

Nakaramdam naman si David ng malamig na pakiramdam na lumukob sa kaniya nang makita ang ngiti ng lalaking kasama ni Iris. Nakaramdam siya ng kaba kaya naman mabilis siyang umalis. That man… he’s not ordinary. He looked dangerous and murderous.

“You didn’t bring your car?” Iris asked when she didn’t see Joseph’s car.

Joseph sighed and smiled sadly. “I’m broke.”

Hindi naniniwala si Iris pero naki-go with the flow na lamang siya. Tinapik niya ang braso ni Joseph. “That’s okay. Sometimes you need to walk to reduce air pollution. Polluted na ang mundo natin dahil sa mga usok ng sasakyan.”

Natawa na lamang si Joseph.

“By the way, payag ka na lumabas tayo sa Saturday after ng klase mo?” tanong ni Joseph habang naglalakad na sila.

Tumango si Iris. “Sige. Wala naman akong gagawin.” Tugon niya at tumingin kay Joseph. Mas magandang ikaw pa ang kasama ko kaysa sa boss ko. Baka mapahamak pa ako.

“What’s the matter? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Umiling si Iris. “Wala. Don’t mind me.” Kapagkuwan nakita niya ang tindahan ng mga gulay. “Since you’re broke then let’s eat at home. Let’s go to my apartment. Magluluto ako ng dinner natin. But first, mag-grocery muna tayo.”

“You’re going to cook for me?” gulat na tanong ni Maverick.

“Of course.” Ngumiti si Iris. “Let’s go.”

Pumunta sila sa isang convenience store para bumili ng groceries.

“Basket or cart?”

“Just the basket. Hindi naman marami ang bibilhin natin. Sapat lang na iluluto ngayon ang bibilhin natin.” Sabi ni Iris. Napansin niyang pinagtitinginan si Joseph ng mga taong nasa loob ng convenience store lalo na ang mga babae. Well, hindi naman niya masisisi ang mga ito dahil gwapo naman talaga si Joseph.

“Does their stare bother you?” Iris asked.

Umiling si Joseph. “I’m already used to it. Don’t mind them. Let’s do the groceries.”

Ngumiti si Iris. “Okay.”

Kumuha sila ng gulay, chicken and pork meat, ilang prutas saka snacks at softdrinks. Then Iris saw Joseph getting some cookies.

“You like cookies?”

“My favorite.”

“I’ll bake some cookies for you later.”

Joseph looked at Iris. “You know how to bake?”

Tumango si Iris. “I’ll bake cookies later.”

“Wow.” Joseph was amazed. “You’re talented.”

“Hindi naman. I’m living alone so I need to learn more to survive.” Iris smiled. Then kumuha siya ng mga ingredients na kakailanganin niya para sa pagbake ng cookies.

Nang magbabayad na sila, ilalabas sana ni Joseph ang pitaka niya nang pigilan siya ni Iris. “Let me. My treat.”

“But…”

Iris smiled. “It’s my treat.” Aniya saka binayaran ang mga pinamili nila.

Pagkatapos ay pumunta sila sa apartment ni Iris.

Iris cooked while Joseph helped her to wash and cut the vegetables. And then the meats. Iris noticed that Joseph had great cutting skills, very neat. “Do you cook?”

“No.” Umiiling si Joseph.

“Then why do you have great cutting skills? Where do you learn it besides cooking?”

Napatigil si Joseph sa paghiwa ng karne. “Ah?”

Iris smiled. “Nothing. Just continue.” Aniya saka humarap sa kalan.

Joseph looked at his hand. She noticed it. Of course, he had great cutting skills, like Iris said, because he used knives for his training before. Iris saw it. He smiled. Iris had keen eyes. And for him, Iris’ keen eyes are not an ability but a skill.