The Mafia Don's Affection

CHAPTER 9

JOSEPH put on his golden half-mask, covering half of his face, and only revealing his mouth before leaving the elevator. Nagsuot rin ng maskara si Andrew pati na ang tauhan niya. Sa loob ng underground base, it was a different world. It was built for those criminals who were hiding from the police.

“This is your first time entering the underground base, right?” Joseph asked Andrew.

Tumango si Andrew. “Yes, Milord. But I heard from the Underboss that he went to the Underground Base in Italy.”

Umiling si Joseph. “Masyado pa kayong bata para sa ganitong lugar ni Austin.”

“Why now, Milord?” nagtatakang tanong ni Andrew.

Ngumiti si Joseph. “As you can see, your brother, he killed without hesitation and I don’t want him to see this kind of place. Baka darating ang araw na ang nasa isipan na lamang niya ay ang pumatay. I still want the two of you to see the world in new colors, not just red.” He sighed. “You can read between the lines, so you know what I mean, Andrew. Your twin brother was naïve. Austin wasn’t suitable for this kind of place.”

Naglakad sila sa hallway.

Andrew could see that the underground base was totally different. Katulad nila nakasuot rin ng maskara ang mga taong nasa loob. Everyone was wearing masks. Some of them were drinking, eating, chatting, gambling and some were having hand-to-hand combat. Napaubo pa siya nang makaamoy siya ng usok ng sigarilyo. Naisip niya na hindi talaga bagay ang kakambal niya sa ganitong lugar.

“Everyone in this underground base was criminals and some of them are high-profile criminals.” Ani Joseph.

“It’s dirty, Milord.”

Joseph chuckled. “Get used to it.” Aniya. “Ganito talaga sa lugar na ‘to.”

Napatango na lamang si Andrew. “Milord, may I ask what we are doing here?”

Tumaas ang sulok ng labi ng Mafia Don. “To meet someone.”

Naglakad sila sa medyo malawak na pasilyo at nakikita ni Andrew na halos gawa sa bakal ang lahat ng mga pinto pati na ang nilalakaran nila. Patuloy lamang sila sa paglalakad at hindi nakaligtas sa mga mata ni Andrew ang tingin ng mga taong nadadaanan nila. Though they were all wearing masks, the look in their eyes couldn’t escape Andrew’s keen eyes.

“Andrew, just relax. No one will dare to attack us here.” Itinuro ni Joseph ang suot na maskara.

Kumunot ang nuo ni Andrew saka tinignan ang suot na maskara ng mga nakikita niya. Tanging ang Mafia Don lamang ang ay suot na kulay gintong maskara.

“This color of the mask is specifically designed for the Mafia Bosses. Silver for the underboss. Golden yellow for the chief advisor. Black for the third-in-command and gray for the subordinates.”

Napahawak si Andrew sa suot na maskara.

Joseph looked at his watch while talking to Joseph. “And for those here in the underground base, whatever color they would like to use except those colors of mask I’ve mentioned.”

“Milord, I’ve been with you for ten years. Pero ngayon ko lamang nalaman ang tungkol sa mga ‘to.”

“You and Austin still have lots to learn about the Underground Organization.” Sabi ni Joseph at tumigil sa paglalakad. Humarap siya sa isang pintuang bakal. Tumaas ang sulok ng labi niya. “It’s been five years, dito pa rin niya matatagpuan ang taong ‘yon.

Sinenyasan ni Joseph ang isang tauhan.

Lumapit naman ang tauhan niya sa pinto saka kinatok ito.

“Sino ‘yan?!” Pasigaw na tanong ng taong nasa loob.

“De Luca.” Sambit ni Joseph. Hindi na niya sinabi ang buong pangalan niya dahil apelyido pa lamang niya ay kilala sa buong Underground Organization.

Ilang sandali lamang ay bumukas ang pinto at iniluwa nito ang isang lalaki na walang suot na maskara. Henry Callahan, a high-profile criminal. He was known for being a dangerous hitman and assassin. Marami na itong napatay na matataas na tao sa gobyerno sa loob at sa labas man ng bansa. Henry Callahan was one of those skilled criminals as he was known as someone who could kill someone traceless.

Bahagyang natigilan si Henry nang makita ang taong nasa kaniyang harapan. Natawa siya at hindi makapaniwalang nasa harapan niya ang Mafia Don.

“Don, it’s an honor to have your presence in my simple abode.” Yumukod pa si Henry. “Come in.”

Pumasok si Joseph kasama si Andrew sa loob habang ang mga tauhan niya ay naiwan sa labas.

Napangiwi si Andrew nang makapasok siya sa loob ng tinutuluyan ng lalaki. Tinakpan niya ang kaniyang ilong dahil sa amoy ng sigarilyo. The smell was too strong for him.

“Young Man, you’re not used to this kind of environment, right?”

Tinignan lamang ni Andrew ang lalaki.

Tumawa ng mahina si Henry dahil sa uri ng tingin sa kaniya ng kasama ng Mafia Don. Tumingin siya sa Mafia Don. “Have a seat, Don.”

Umupo naman si Joseph sa upuan.

Kumuha naman si Henry ng dalawang can in beer sa maliit na ref. Binuksan niya ang mga ito saka ibinigay ang isa sa Mafia Don.

“Is that safe, Milord?” tanong ni Andrew patukoy niya sa can in beer na hawak ng Mafia Don. Wala siyang pakialam kahit nasa harapan pa niya ang nagbigay. Ang mahalaga ay masiguro niya ang kaligtasan ng Mafia Don.

“Don’t worry, even this place was dirty, the food in Mr. Callahan’s ref were clean.” Sabi ni Joseph kaya napanatag ang loob ni Andrew.

Napailing si Henry habang nakatingin kay Andrew. “Young Man, you worried too much. I will never harm Don Joseph. His father will surely give me an excruciating death if I harm him.” Kapagkuwan napansin niya ang kulay ng suot nitong maskara. He looked at the Mafia Don. “Your third-in-command.”

Tumango si Joseph saka tinanggal ang suot na maskara.

“He looks young to be your third-in-command.” Komento ni Henry saka uminom mula sa hawak na can in beer.

Nagkibit lamang ng balikat si Joseph saka inilapag ang hawak na can in beer sa lamesa. He crossed his legs. “Let’s get down to business.”

“Sure.”

“Kill someone for me.” Wika ni Joseph ng walang paliguy-ligoy.

“Don Joseph, you have many assassins and hitmen in your family. They are skillful. Why would you ask for my service?” tanong ni Henry. Every Mafia family has their own assassins and hitmen.

Joseph smiled coldly. “Just name your price.”

Bahagyang kinabahan si Henry nang makita ang malamig na ngiti ng kaharap. Even Don Joseph was calm, but his calmness cannot be taken easily. Don Joseph's calmness can make someone fall on his knees. Tumikhim siya. “Five million.”

“Deal.” Sabi agad ni Joseph.

“Sinong gusto mong patayin ko?” tanong ni Henry.

“Crisanto Llanes.”

Henry snickered. “Oh. Okay. I can reduce my price since I wanted to kill that bastard a long time ago.”

“Why only now?” tanong naman ni Joseph.

Henry smiled as if he had won a lottery. “Of course, I wanted money, so I waited for someone who would hire me to kill him and then you came. Thank you, Don. You know I don’t want to lose.”

Napailing na lamang si Joseph. “Andrew, give him the money.” Utos niya.

Inilapag naman ni Andrew ang hawak na malaking attaché case sa lamesa saka binuksan.

Ngumisi si Henry nang tumambad sa kaniya ang maraming pera. “When do you want him dead?”

“Anytime.” Sabi naman ni Joseph. “But as soon as possible before, the Manzo family killed him.”

“Manzo family? No wonder you hired me. Don’t worry, Don, wait for my good news.” Sabi ni Henry saka isinara ang attaché case. “By the way, just Crisanto Llanes? Not the whole family?”

“His head was enough to warn those families who wanted to fight against me. Crisanto’s head will serve as a warning to them.” Malamig na sabi ni Joseph saka tumayo. “Let’s go, Andrew.”

Muling isinuot ni Joseph ang maskara.

Nang makalabas ang Mafia Don at ang third-in-command nito, saka lamang nakahinga ng maluwang si Henry. Humugot siya ng malalim na hininga. Even if he was a high-profile criminal and he was skillful. When it comes to the Mafia Don, he can’t feel easy at all. The Mafia Don carries a dangerous aura around him.

“But oh well, at least I have money.” Aniya saka tumayo. Kinuha niya ang kaniyang armas upang ihanda para sa misyon niya.

Nang makapasok si Joseph sa van, tinanggal ang suot na maskara saka malalim na napabuntong hininga.

“Andrew, let’s go back. I still have some business to finish. I don’t want to hear Amadeo’s complaint."

"Yes, Milord."

"HE’S SO QUIET.” Ani Rose habang nakatingin kay Austin na kasalukuyang nakaharap sa laptop nito.

"Just let him. It’s his first day of work. Normal lang na hindi pa siya nakikipag-usap sa atin dahil hindi pa siya sanay.” Sabi naman ni Iris saka nginitian ang kaibigan.

“He’s younger than us. But he looks cute, huh?”

Hinampas ni Iris si Rose sa braso. “Huwag mo siyang pagpantasyahan.” Biro niya. “Bata ‘yan. Maawa ka naman.”

Sinamangutan ni Rose ang kaibigan. “Parang sinabi mo naman na may gagawin akong masama sa kaniya.”

Tumawa si Iris. Tumayo siya mula sa swivel chair saka hinubad ang suot na lab gown at face mask. “Halika ka. Tama na muna ‘yan. Kain muna tayo.” Pag-aya niya kay Rose.

“Sige.”

Tumingin si Iris kay Austin. “Austin?”

Agad na nag-angat ng tingin si Austin. “Yes, Miss?”

Ngumiti si Iris. “Sumabay ka na sa amin. Kain muna tayo.”

Umiling si Austin. “I’m not hungry. I’ll better stay here, Miss.” Aniya saka muling tumingin sa screen ng laptop.

Tumango na lamang si Iris saka lumabas na siya ng lab kasama si Rose. Pumunta sila sa cafeteria at kumain. Naalala naman niya si Austin kaya kumuha siya ng pagkain nito bago sila bumalik sa laboratory.

“Here.” Inilapag ni Iris ang pagkain sa harapan ni Austin. “Have something to eat. Baka makasama sa kalusugan mo kung hindi ka kumain.”

Nakita ni Iris na natigilan ang kaharap kaya nginitian na lamang niya ito saka umupo sa sariling upuan.

Tinignan naman ni Austin ang pagkain na nasa kaniyang harapan. Then he looked at Miss Iris. In this world where he grew up, genuineness is rare to find nowadays.