To Love and Avenge

Chapter 2

She looked at her brothers, in the hope that they would stand by her even if she knew that they would obey their dad. She just hoped that they would look through her reasoning. To no avail, both of them certainly didn't agree either, shaking their heads in response.

"Okay." in a low voice, she lowered her gaze to the floor, resigned to them. It torments her to know that they will all refuse to understand whatever explanation she has.

But even so, she was still determined and decided that she would do it in her own way, in any way possible.

His expression somehow softened as he saw that, once again, sadness flashed in her eyes.

"Honey, I hope you don't take our intentions badly. As much as we want justice, we still want you to be safe. And be the daughter you once were." He explained gently.

She nodded in silence to agree while she fixed her gaze on the floor and held back her tears from falling. She sighed. 'She won't always win a word with them unless she does it on her own. All she could rely on was herself alone.' she thought.

So she decided not to discuss this again with them. However, she should have been quick, now that the assailants are still freely roaming around and masked, while her family was at stake.

6 years later...

Time has passed by so quickly since I was able to convince dad about my studying abroad. What they didn't know was that I managed to pull everything as I planned; to be able to be away from them, to carry on with my 'other' plans.

For me, it has to be one way or the other.

I have been in service for a few years now; 2 years of internal training and 3 years of actual work. Thanks to dad and his diligence and trust.

Now, being assigned to an intelligence division, I had taken some extra precautions. One of those was to hide my real identity from the world, even from my own family. No room to slack off.

Guilt always had me, since I had lied to them all the time. Or perhaps, just right until I served the justice that my mom deserved. A consoling reason to justify my actions.

I frown at the thought.

"A! I want you to deal with the situation at hand, and we are running out of time!’’ Roland exclaimed. He has been nagging about this mission and it's been over a week now. And it's starting to get on my nerves. Why was he so eager for me to take it anyway, when in fact he knew what I was up to at all this time?

"My God! What's wrong with you? I told you I'd be on leave after this report. I need to go home. See my family or otherwise, they will be suspicious of me. Why won't you give me a break? As if we are in lack-’’ I responded furiously at him with great disgust. He cuts me off mid-sentence by just waving his hand right in my face.

"Hey, hey, easy there! You perfectly fit in here. And besides, I see no one that I think will be more capable than you are. Why not reconsider? All I'm saying is that it's because I trusted you with your ability. I assumed you would be interested in this case." He paused, eyeing me in disbelief.

"You haven't taken a sneak pick at it, have you?" he said with furrowed brows, while constantly waving his hands as he tried to explain.

Roland, my senior officer, and the one in the higher-ups knew my real identity. He's been helping me out since I told him in the very first place about my plans and the true reasons.

Rolling my eyes in frustration, I leaned my head on my headboard. Rubbing both my temples to ease the throbbing pain.

"What do you think?" I dared him.

"I think... Nah, it doesn't matter, what matters here is that you accepted the case."

"Yeah? Do you think so? "I, later on, asked, raising a brow at him. He sure has another reason for pounding me like this.

"So it's a yes then?’’ he asked with a look of surprise.

Oh! H*ll no, this man sure knows me very well.

"Did I just say yes?" I asked, widening my eyes intentionally at him.

"It's just the same," he responded while smiling widely in a shameless manner.

"What else can I say? You won't give me a choice anyway. But you must promise me, after this, I’ll be having my long break.’’ I said, rolling my eyes.

"Okay, okay... now I'm afraid." he excitedly waved his hands and giggled.

'as if he is.' I thought, sneering at him.

"I'll be going then, additional details will be sent to you not later this day,’’ he said while bidding goodbye. He's now heading to the door while grinning at me as if he had just won a lotto prize.

"You're one sh*t crazy! It does excite you, huh?! You better keep your word, I will surely strangle that neck of yours this time around.’’ I called out, threatening him. However, he just shrugged it off and then laughed hard in response.

Remembering how I ended up here is a bit tricky. It's not as easy as I first thought, but no matter what, I will soon do what needs to be done. The train of thought was interrupted when my phone suddenly rang.

On the screen was 'dad' and his photo blinking as the ringing continued.

I drew a deep breath before quickly reaching out for it, hitting the answer button.

"Dad." I greeted him excitedly.

“Hey there sweetheart,’’ he greeted in response, followed by a long sigh.

I don't know whether it's a relief or he has been burdened.

"Hey, dad. What's up? what's with the sigh?’’ I asked, though confused, I managed to ask in a cheerful manner.

I pour a cup of coffee and gloriously inhaled the aroma of the newly brewed beans, feeling a little lost in the moment. Heaven as always...

And I smiled as I sniffed the aroma of the cup in my hands.

"I bet you’re on your coffee moment?" he asked in amusement, and laughed at the other line that made me laugh too, forgetting the confusion brought by his heavy sigh earlier.

I miss this man so much. This old grumpy man; and it has been a while since I last saw him, that it made me ache inside.

"Oh, what are you now? A fortune-teller? I thought you were a businessman?" I joked at him, but I was answered by a long silence.

A few seconds had passed by with a defeating silence, I asked once again.

"Dad? What's the matter?" Worried at the sudden silence which isn't normal for him when talking to me. I knew something was wrong.

"I just missed you. You've always been away. It seems that you don't like it here." he responded with seriousness in his voice which alarmed me.

"I missed you too, dad. All of you. Don't worry, I'll be home this evening. I'll maybe spend a night there." I said consolingly.

I miss them alright, fair and square, only that I prioritize what my heart desires at the moment.

"A night? Why? Will you be traveling again?’’ he wondered.

"Maybe yes, and no, it depends.’’ I said, still staring nowhere while I absentmindedly continued to stir my coffee. I've been thinking of telling them this, but I guess it will just freak their a***s out. Then we’ll be back to those same old days again. "See you later dad, love you."

"Love you too, dear. I'll send your guards to the airport to fetch you later."

"No need for that dad, I'll be fine." I refused, because, of course, I can take care of myself already.

He sighs, "No Ale, you need them. Bye," then he hang up.

I wanted to tell him that I no longer need them, and I can very well take care of myself, but I know it will do no good. Having a kind of father, you won't stand a chance.

However, they still didn't know that I was in the Philippines already.

At the airport...

Walking out, I looked around and immediately saw the head of security who was now standing nearby, but was busy talking on his earphone while scanning the passengers one by one to look for me too.

Of course, I knew he was still the strict old man I was fond of. I smiled.

"Leo!" I called out, getting his attention. When he looked in my direction, he gestured his men to me. Just then, five men rushed in my direction.

“Miss Ale” they greeted in unison and bent slightly to vow.