The Mafia Don's Affection

CHAPTER 2

JOSEPH couldn’t help but shake his head while he was on the balcony and saw Andrew and Austin checking their subordinates. Inutusan niya ang mga ito na magtalaga ng mga tauhan na sasama sa kanila sa Pilipinas. Andrew and Austin will come with him to the Philippines while Monti, as the underboss, will be in charge of everything here in Italy in his absence. May tiwala naman siya kay Monti na gagawin nito ang trabaho nito. At isa pa, mayroon rin si Lorenzo na siyang titingin sa mga operasyon ng grupo nila habang wala siya.

“Don,” Andrew bowed his head to the Don as he approached him, “are the subordinates we picked enough to come with us?” he asked.

“How many?” Joseph asked while reading something on his phone.

“Forty, Don.”

Umiling si Joseph. “That’s too much. Just bring twenty. Marami tayong tauhan sa Pilipinas. May headquarters tayo doon. No need to bring many subordinates.” Aniya.

Andrew slightly bowed his head and went back to their subordinates.

Lorenzo, who had just arrived at the balcony, shook his head. “Those twins are really worried about your safety.” Natawa siya ng mahina. “Even if no one would protect you, I know you could protect your own.”

“Just let them. Kukulitin rin lang ako ng dalawang ‘yan kapag hindi ako nagdala ng tauhan papuntang Pilipinas.” Sabi naman ni Joseph.

Mahinang napabuga ng hangin si Lorenzo saka umupo sa tapat ni Joseph. “Andrew and Austin grew up under your care, and they are still young, yet those Mafia families are already afraid of them. So, you don’t need to go personally when you need to speak with other Mafia families. Those twins are enough to scare them.”

Napailing naman si Joseph. “Edi mas lalo silang matakot kapag si Monti ang uutusan kong makipag-usap sa kanila.”

“Ang sabihin mo mas matatakot sila kapag ikaw mismo ang kakausap.” Sabi naman ni Lorenzo. He sighed. He looked at Andrew and Austin. “Look at those twins, they are very loyal to you.”

Tumango si Joseph.

“Why are you going to the Philippines?” tanong ni Lorenzo. “I know it’s not about the invitation of the Buencamino Family.”

“I just want to take a break.”

Tumaas ang kilay ni Lorenzo. Hindi siya naniniwala sa sinasabi ng Don. “Was it because of the marriage?”

Joseph sighed. “Don’t remind me.”

“So, this trip to the Philippines, how long?” seryosong tanong ni Lorenzo.

“I don’t know. Maybe months or years.” Nagkibit ng balikat si Joseph. “It depends. My parents went traveling. And I will not be safe if my parents come back. You know my mother. Alam kong gagawin niya ang sinabi niya.”

“You’re afraid?” natatawang tanong ni Lorenzo. “It’s just a marriage. You will only marry a woman who can give you an heir, then you can kill her.” Aniya na parang maliit na bagay ang pinag-uusapan nila.

“It’s easy for you to say.” Sabi ni Joseph. “But my mom would kill me if I did that. Enough with me. My sister is going to Sicily for her art gallery. Accompany her there. I promised that Andrew would accompany her, but I will take Andrew with me.”

“Why me?”

Joseph showed a forced smile. “Because only you can make her obedient.”

Tumaas ang kilay ni Lorenzo. “Bakit parang may ibang ibig sabihin ang sinabi mo?”

Joseph stood and tapped Lorenzo’s shoulder. “Accompany her.” Aniya saka naglakad papasok sa loob ng kabahayan.

Napailing naman si Lorenzo habang nakasunod ng tingin kay Joseph. This Mafia Don, what scheme is in his mind again?

Joseph went to his room and packed his clothes. He will stay in the Philippines in the meantime. Ayaw niyang makarinig ng sermon mula sa kaniyang ina kapag dumating ito. Alam niyang hindi ito nagbibiro tungkol sa arranged marriage na sinabi nito. He doesn’t want an arranged marriage, and he is not a fan of that thing.

“Don, may I come in?” Monti knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

Bumukas ang pinto at pumasok ang kaniyang second-in-command.

“Don,” Monti bowed his head before speaking, “a cargo ship will arrive at the port tonight. Your presence is needed for the transaction.”

“Okay. Make sure nothing went wrong.” Seryosong saad ni Joseph.

“Yes, Don. Don’t worry, I’ll handle everything.”

Tumango si Joseph.

“Oh, Don, Mr. Martin is here. He was in your office right now.” Imporma ni Monti bago ito lumabas sa silid ng Don.

Joseph finished packing his clothes before he went to his private office to meet Mr. Amadeo Martin. Amadeo is just the same as his age and is in charge of all their family’s business. The legal companies that his family owns. Yes, his family owns a legal and illegal business. Magkahiwalay ang dalawang negosyo na ‘yon ng pamilya nila. His mother owned the legal companies and his mother’s wealth came from old money. At the same time, his father was a Mafia Don. His parents met unexpectedly and fell in love until he and his sister existed.

Nang makapasok siya sa sariling opisina nakita niya si Amadeo na kasalukuyang umiinom ng tsaa.

“Why are you here?” he asked.

Mabilis na ibinaba ni Amadeo ang hawak na tasa saka tumayo. “Milord.” He greeted.

Umupo si Joseph sa swivel chair. “What is it?”

Pasimpleng ngumiti si Amadeo saka iminuwestra ang kamay sa mismong lamesa. “Milord, I heard that you’re going to the Philippines. So, I came in a hurry to let you sign those papers.”

Bumaba ang tingin ni Joseph sa mismong lamesa at ganun na lamang ang pagbagsak ng balikat niya nang makita niya ang makapal na papel na pipirmahan niya. Having two responsibilities isn’t good. I really need a break. Aniya.

“Milord.”

Napakurap si Joseph saka kumuha ng sign pen. “Why do I seem to have so many papers to sign today?” He glanced at Amadeo.

“Milord, may I remind you that your family owns a multibillion-dollar company? It’s not shocking that you have many papers to sign.” Wika ni Amadeo. “Milord, can I continue my tea?”

Tumango si Joseph at napabuga ng hangin.

Ngumiti naman si Amadeo. “Thank you, Milord.” Aniya saka nagpatuloy sa pagtsa-tsaa.

“Amadeo, tell me, when will I get off of this responsibility?” he asked. “I have many things on my shoulders right now. My sister doesn’t want to manage anything and she just wants freedom. I don’t want my sister to get sad.”

“Milord, why don’t you get married and let your wife take over those responsibilities of yours?” Amadeo suggested.

Joseph answered while signing the papers. “Women are only after my money.”

Natawa ng mahina si Amadeo dahil sa mga naririnig niya noon na tsismis tungkol kay Joseph. Joseph was a well-known heir of Auclair's multibillion-dollar company and many women tried to get him, but he was untamed by them. If the heir of the Auclair Multibillion dollar company was a pleasure seeker, then the Auclair and De Luca family would have long been doomed. But Joseph Alejandro Auclair De Luca is an unpredictable person. He was a cunning man and dangerous. That’s why some businessmen feared him even when they only heard of his name. No one dared to go in his way, or they would be doomed for the rest of their lives.

Joseph finished signing the paper after nearly four. “Done.” Aniya. “I’ll be in the Philippines for the following month. If you need something, call or come to the Philippines.”

“Running away?” Amadeo asked.

Tumaas lang ang sulok ng labi ni Joseph. Aside from running away from his mother, he would check the situation of the Mafia Organization in the Philippines. And he knew his enemy would try everything to kill him.

Inayos ni Amadeo ang mga papeles na pinirmahan ni Joseph and then he left.

Joseph went back to his room and changed his clothes into casual attire. He took his suitcase and left the room. Pagkababa niya sa living room, kinuha ni Andrew ang hawak niyang suitcase.

“Where’s Monti?” he asked after he entered and seated comfortably inside the van.

“He’s waiting at the port, Don.” Sagot ni Austin na nasa tabi niya.

Napailing na lang si Joseph nang makita niya ang katana na naka-strap sa likod nito. Andrew and Austin are twins, but they have different tastes for weapons. Andrew was always using guns, while his twin brother was using katana, daggers, and sharp knives. Hindi hinihiwalay ni Austin ang katana sa katawan nito. Lagi nitong dala ang katana nito saanman ito magpunta.

Pagdating nila sa port, Joseph was greeted by his subordinates.

“Don, our men surrounded the port. No one could sabotage our operation tonight.”

“Good. Where’s the guns?” tanong ni Joseph.

Iminuwestra ni Monti ang kamay sa mga kahon.

Nilapitan ni Joseph ang mga kahon at tinignan ang mga baril na nasa loob nito. He inspected the guns and found that the guns were made of excellent quality. Tumaas ang sulok ng kaniyang labi.

“Deliver it to the Parisi Family.”

“Yes, Don.”

After he had done his job at the port, he left and went to the airport with the twins and his subordinates. He entered the private plane and sat comfortably on his chair.

“Don, should I pour you a drink?” Austin asked.

Tumango si Joseph.

Austin poured a whiskey into the wine glass and gave it to the Don.

Sumimsim si Joseph ng whiskey. Then he placed the wine glass on the table and played with his signet ring. This trip to the Philippines, he knew it would be dangerous.