18 The End of a fruitful love

While Rafael was away from the town, he made a trip to purchase various items for Kanna and Monica. In his absence, Muro, Marla, along with some of their assigned bodyguards from Innovare were left to look after the two siblings. Given the past incidents where attempts had been made on their father's life, Innovare took responsibility in providing comprehensive security measures for not only him but also his entire Marino family. Amidst an engaging conversation among Muro and others present at home, Rafael hastily entered inside being slightly breathless before realizing his siblings' presence.

"Dad and Jiena are driving around town," Rafael mentioned.

"Please close the windows," Marla instructed the couple, who promptly complied.

"I think they may have followed us," Muro remarked, preparing for a potential confrontation.

"I share that suspicion as well," replied Marla, retrieving her concealed blade and fastening it to her wrist.

"We must leave this place before they locate us," Kanna urged while hurriedly packing their belongings.

"I will fetch the car," offered Muro.

"We can head to Nueva Vizcaya."

"What is our purpose in going there?" asked Marla curiously.

"Do you remember Ompong? The bandit?" Muro attempted to jog his sister's memory. "He is Charee's uncle." informed Marla after recollecting.

"I see now; you intend on seeking his protection?"

"Yes, it would be wise for us to make certain sacrifices if necessary." concluded Muro as he climbed into the car along with his siblings.

----

The quartet departed Ilocos Norte, carrying the valuable possessions that Rafael and Kanna had toiled for. Over a duration of twelve hours, Muro and Marla traded off driving responsibilities as they made their way towards Nueva Vizcaya, aiming to safeguard and support Rafael. The vehicle eventually halted on the outskirts of the highway as they awaited someone's arrival. Following an hour-long wait, a person clad in rebel attire emerged from the forest accompanied by a group of ten armed individuals. At this sight, both Rafael and Kanna were visibly shaken and appeared quite pale.

"Don't worry, it's just Ompong," Marla whispered.

"Muro, Marla, I got a call from Charee," Ompong greeted the intelligent pair of Kanna and Rafael.

"Uncle Ompong, my brother and his girlfriend need to find a safe place away from the Fontierras and even Jiena," Muro explained. "I just need a house where they can hide."

"There is a house in Santa Fe that is only about one mile away from our current hiding spot," said Ompong. "However, be aware that the owner of this property has connections with the North. If she happens to be recognized as part of the Fontierra family, it could jeopardize their safety."

"We'll take it," responded Marla decisively.

"Let's schedule for tomorrow morning at that location then," announced Ompong confidently before leaving along with his men.

------

After Ompong and his men left, Rafael glared at his sibling, confused and weary of the offer from the famous bandit.

"Look, we are here to protect you," Muro said, patting his brother's cheeks, "And for this to happen we have to look for ways."

"Dad and Ompong know each other, but he wouldn't divulge any information against you," Marla added, "And besides, this is a northern turf and you it would be better if you are near his area."

"Oh I forgot, you have to change your names, you'll just use your other names," Muro said

"So I will use Kenta?" Rafael asked, prompting Muro and Marla to sarcastically smile at their eldest brother.

"You will not use that porn star name of yours," Muro replied, "Say, Kanna is Roxanne and you will use Jaime."

"Sounds okay" Rafael said before closing his eyes, waiting for the next day.

The next day, they arrived in Santa Fe where Ompong was waiting for them. He had already made arrangements for Kanna and Rafael to have a place to live. Located a few blocks away from the town center and close to a sugar cane farm, this modest shanty would be suitable for the couple's needs while providing an ideal hiding spot. Prior to parting ways, Ompong, Muro, and Marla gathered with the couple and reminded them of their options in case of danger.

"Remember," Ompong said as he handed them each a small whistle, "if you ever feel threatened or unsafe, use this whistle. My men will come quickly to assist you."

Muro added some stern advice for Rafael: "At this point we can no longer help you further. You are now solely responsible for your actions that put yourself at risk while not even knowing how much danger your siblings might be facing because of you."

As they departed from the shanty dwelling, Marla offered one final message: "But please do keep in touch wherever life takes you."

-------

After five months had gone by, Rafael found employment once more, this time as a farmer on a hacienda. Both he and Kanna worked tirelessly to provide for their household; while Rafael labored in the fields, Kanna took it upon herself to open a small store in their modest rented shanty. On a bright and sunny day, with little Monica at her side, Kanna made way towards the location where Rafael spent his days working after purchasing various supplies for their humble abode.

"How is work?" Kanna asked, wiping the sweat off her partner's forehead.

"Doing well," Rafael replied, planting a gentle kiss on his infant daughter's cheeks. "We should get going," Kanna responded, leaving her husband at work. From a distance, a bald man named Baldo observed the couple with an intense desire in his eyes. Surrounded by bodyguards, Baldo was one of the sons of the haciendero that Rafael worked for.

"Boss, are you interested in Jaime's wife?" one of Baldo's bodyguards questioned him.

"I want to meet her; she still looks attractive even after having a child," Baldo continued to stare lustfully at Kanna.

That night, Rafael was walking in the plaza when he saw a van following him. He stopped and faced the vehicle, leading to Erina stepping out of it.

"Erina," Rafael said as she hugged him.

"How did you find me here?" asked an astonished Rafael.

"I used my dad's connections. I'm so glad to see you," Erina replied with a smile.

"Go home," advised Rafael firmly. "I'm tired and don't want you trailing behind me." "But Rafael..." began Erina before watching him speed away, leaving her disappointed and frustrated.

As Rafael made his way towards his residence, he observed a pair of individuals stationed in front of the house. Shortly after, cries for assistance echoed through the air as Kanna's voice filled Rafael's ears. Reacting swiftly and instinctively, he sprinted towards their home with unwavering determination, only to find himself confronted by two obstructive men.

"Why you," Rafael exclaimed, quickly drawing his pistol and opening fire at the guards. He successfully eliminated them, then rushed into the living room where Kanna was being forcibly held by Baldo, who had begun engaging in inappropriate behavior towards her. Reacting swiftly, Rafael grabbed hold of the assailant and delivered a powerful blow that incapacitated him. This created an opportunity for Kanna to escape with their sleeping daughter. However, at this moment Baldo retaliated by punching Rafael back, igniting a fierce altercation between the two adversaries. The confrontation escalated as they dragged each other outside the house while Kanna helplessly watched her valiant defender's struggles unfold before her eyes. In a swift and decisive move, she grabbed the firearm belonging to Rafael and aimed it at Baldo's head. With one pull of the trigger, she ended the life of this depraved individual in an instant.

"Oh no!" Kanna exclaimed in terror upon realizing her mistake. Rafael quickly came to her side and embraced the young woman, attempting to calm her down.

"Go get Monica," Rafael instructed Kanna urgently, "we need to leave this place." As they glanced outside their house, they noticed five parked cars which immediately raised suspicions of imminent danger. Instinctively sensing a threat, Rafael retrieved his pistol and submachine gun.

"Take Monica somewhere safe," he directed Kanna with urgency. Without wasting any time, she sprinted away while Rafael sought cover near a large rock. In turn, Kanna followed him closely and took shelter behind him. Suddenly, both of them heard a familiar voice.

"Kanna, Rafael, my children. Where are you?" the man exclaimed loudly as he fired a shot into the air. "Stop fooling around and come out!"

"Dad," Kanna whispered softly. Rafael directed Kanna towards a nearby hut and she obediently followed his command. After ensuring that the woman was safely concealed, Rafael emerged from hiding to confront Albert.

"You sly troublemaker! I can't believe you've been hiding here all this time," Albert said with disdain in his voice. "Tell me, where is my daughter?"

Rafael responded with silence, assuming a defensive stance as he pointed his pistol at Albert. With intense determination in his eyes, Rafael held his ground while a group of men emerged from the nearby hut. They tightly held Kanna in their arms as she fought to break free.

"Let me go!" Kanna cried out desperately. In an authoritative tone, Albert ordered Rafael to lower his weapon or risk both of their lives being taken away. Overwhelmed by disbelief and anger, Rafael spoke up,

"I can't believe you would do this to your own daughter," he said bitterly. "You truly are devoid of any compassion." Albert retorted coolly, "Well, if we look back at what your father did once before... I'd say he was even more heartless than I am."

"Drop your weapon!" Albert demanded, leaving Rafael with no choice but to comply. The Fontierra patriarch approached him with a grin and proceeded to physically assault him by punching him in the face and kicking his stomach, causing Rafael intense pain. Fueled by anger, Albert grabbed hold of Rafael's hair and delivered an uppercut while berating him for thinking he could escape. Rafael lay on the ground, crawling amidst bruises that covered his body and face. As Albert prepared to inflict further harm by delivering another kick, Kanna intervened desperately in an attempt to protect her beloved from her father's violence. However, she was forcefully pushed aside; undeterred, she crawled toward them with determination as she shielded her flame of love against the anguish caused by witnessing Rafael being beaten at hands of his own father's foe."

"Please, spare him!" Kanna pleaded desperately to her unforgiving father. She was forcibly pulled away from Rafael while Albert's henchmen ruthlessly assaulted the young man with a barrage of punches and kicks. With tears streaming down her face, she called out Rafael's name as she helplessly witnessed his excruciating pain. Despite his battered face stained with bruises and blood, Rafael managed to summon enough strength to lift his hand in an attempt to defend himself against the relentless onslaught. In that moment of despair, Albert aimed his pistol at Rafael intending to bid farewell forever when suddenly the hut where Kanna had taken refuge along with their child exploded into fragments.

Monica!" Kanna cried out in terror, witnessing the devastating explosion that engulfed the entire hut. She soon lost consciousness from the shock and horror of it all.

"No, Nooooooo!" Rafael's anguished cry echoed through the chaos as he stumbled backward uncontrollably. To his left, a sudden group of armed men appeared seemingly out of nowhere and encircled Albert and his bodyguards.

"What just happened?" Karl gasped in disbelief as he surveyed what remained of the explosive blast. His attention shifted to Albert, who stood motionless with fear while Karl positioned himself behind him holding a pistol but keeping an eye on Rafael.

"Dad, I'm so sorry," Rafael managed to utter before succumbing to unconsciousness amidst tears streaming down his face.

"If only I had arrived sooner when you hadn't suffered yet," Karl regretfully admitted to his son.

"Do you really believe that killing me will prevent my family from seeking revenge?" Albert defiantly questioned

"Well, if you want, we can both face the possibility of death here. I have no fear when it comes to dying," Karl declared calmly amidst the sound of gunfire. The sudden shots caused everyone present to seek cover and at that moment, Karl instinctively scooped up his wounded son Rafael and took him to a safe corner for protection. Still holding Rafael in one arm, he skillfully aimed his pistol towards Albert with his free hand and fired several rounds into Albert's legs and buttocks. This piercing action elicited pained yells from Albert as agony surged through him.

Karl quickly ran towards the helicopter while being struck by a bullet that pierced through his abdomen and hands. Despite this injury, he retaliated by firing at the bushes with precision due to his extensive experience in urban warfare and espionage. Reaching the helicopter where Tiffany and Chuck were already waiting, they were suddenly confronted by someone familiar who unexpectedly attacked Karl and Rafael. The powerful assault caused Karl to drop his son on the ground.

"When did you become an expert in ambushing?" questioned Karl as he realized it was Fernando behind the attack, confirming suspicions he had harbored for some time.

"Why are you surprised?" Fernando questioned the Marino patriarch, launching an assault on Karl as he lunged at his wounded body. Unrestrained in his attacks, Fernando took advantage of Karl's severe injuries to inflict punches and kicks upon him.

"What's wrong? Weren't you surprised by my gift when I blew up that hut?" Struggling to fend off Fernando's advances, the Marino patriarch sought shelter beside a nearby tree. Exhaustion coursed through his battered form from both physical exertion and the gunshot wound inflicted earlier. Determinedly, he retrieved a hidden blade secreted within his wrist and slashed at Fernando with it, causing him to tumble down the hill. Seizing this opportunity, Karl made a quick escape into the waiting helicopter alongside Rafael while their comrades followed suit."

While attending to his abdominal wounds, Karl continued to lose blood and began experiencing a gradual blur in his vision. Eventually, he lost consciousness due to the severity of his condition. Conversely, Rafael remained unconscious throughout this ordeal at the chopper.

------

The following day, Rafael awoke in the hospital bed. He found himself alone with no one to converse with. As he emerged from his bed, a rush of memories flooded his mind: their hiding place for their daughter had been obliterated and Albert had physically assaulted him. Intense panic consumed Rafael as he yelled out in hysterics, desperately calling for Monica and Kanna. Eugene and Casey swiftly entered the room to soothe him and gently guided him back into bed.

"Rafael, please calm yourself," reassured Eugene, "You are safe now."

Concerned about the whereabouts of Kanna and Monica, Rafael posed the question anxiously. "Kanna is presently staying with her family; she has been placed under psychiatric care due to the trauma she experienced," answered Casey sympathetically.

"Ompong continues to search tirelessly for your missing daughter." Inhaling deeply before delivering distressing news, Eugene revealed that Raphael's father was currently in critical condition. Upon receiving this unexpected information within seconds Rafel became numb.The quivering lips caused tears welled up in his eyes.

"Please bring me to him," Rafael pled, and Eugene and Casey conceded, leading him to the presidential suite. There lay Karl in a hospital bed, unconscious and with tubes down his throat. "Oh Rafael, thank goodness you're safe," Riko breathed. Seated by her husband's motionless body, Julio cautiously approached his brother's figure in order to administer an alleged sacrament.

"How is dad?" questioned Rafael as he held onto his father's hand.

"He is currently stable but still under observation," Riko replied softly. "However, it would be wise not to wait until the last minute before considering organ donation cards."

"Mother!" Kyoko scolded sternly.

"If word got out that Karl is on the verge of crossing over into the afterlife, we could all face danger," Gustav warned ominously; Riko regarded him intently.

"It will pose complications if he doesn't recover soon enough," Tiffany declared anxiously.

"Given that we are all present, let's go ahead and unpack Karl's instructions," proposed Arjan as he opened an envelope. This action would only be undertaken in situations where he is unable to maintain control or if there has been some unfortunate mishap. It was specified that his responsibilities abroad will now be assumed by Tiffany, who serves as his deputy, along with Jamie acting as the youngest member of their team. Furthermore, Kyoko is set to assume leadership at Innovare while Arjan, Antonio, and Czar will rotate in managing the organization on Karl's behalf. Gustav and Charlie are expected to take charge of the underground operations."

Simon, another acquaintance of Karl, obtained the letter and read it once more. The correspondence states that the Marino corporation is entirely possessed by each of my offspring: Arianna, Alexandra Nozomi, Juan Rafael Antonio, Kyoko Anna, Bianca Krystal Theresa, Jasmine Claire, Maria Concepcion or Mako, Karl Junior or Muro, Maria Karla or Marla, Lorraine, Rina Azalea, Kazuki, Takeru Matteo, Gaku, Jessica Faye Allister,Natalie Natsume,and Sahoko." These are the names listed. Additionally,I have bequeathed the remaining part of Villa Nirvana to my brothers and sisters : Admiral Francis Marino , Cardinal Julio Marino , Helena Marino-Tang, Katrina Marino-Saenzz , Riria Marino-Hashimoto and Akiko Marino-Gunma"

"What will become of me?" Riko inquired with shock. She was alarmed to discover that her name had been omitted from the list of assignments, which signified a loss of trust on behalf of her husband. Arjan explained the potential consequences:

"If he assigns something to you, what will happen to the children?" Tiffany chimed in, adding that one reason for this concern is that any harm befalling Riko would put their kids at risk.

"So just take a step back and keep an eye on him," she advised calmly. Riko's gaze fixated upon her unconscious husband lying before her; his message was unmistakable within the letter clutched tightly between his fingers. Searching for solace amidst uncertainty, she reached out and gently clasped his hand as if hoping it could provide some answers.

"If you're going to die anyway, I will definitely inherit the loot," she whispered to her husband, causing Karl's eyes to widen and take a deep breath.

"You won't be taking anything from that loot!" Karl exclaimed firmly while gripping his wife's hands. "Karl!" everyone gasped in shock. However, within seconds, Karl lost consciousness again, prompting the doctors to rush in and revive him as his vital signs were now unstable. With medical intervention, they managed to stabilize his condition momentarily for him to utter one word.

"Bi Ma," murmured Karl before losing consciousness once more.

"Oh yeah, he was supposed to personally eliminate Bi Ma tonight," Arjan reminded the group.

"Who is this Bi Ma?" Jiena asked with curiosity.

"Fernando's assistant," Tiffany explained, "He knows Fernando's whereabouts. Unfortunately, Fernando defeated your father yesterday."

"I'm willing to go and take care of Bi Ma," volunteered Rafael despite his injuries, generating laughter in the hospital suite.

"That individual isn't just some ordinary target that can be easily disposed of," Gustav cautioned tearfully.

"Rafael, Be aware that this person is incredibly cunning." Jamie warned.

"Even those of us who possess such knowledge have been unable to capture or kill him."

"Well then, let's give it a shot", said Riko decisively. "Jiena will participate in the operation while Tiffany oversees its progress".

"So make sure you're prepared because we'll depart at eight o'clock tonight", Jiena instructed her brother confidently.

----

At a luxurious residential area, Armand Almeida and Bi Ma, the leader of the Chinese Triads in the Philippines, were hosting a party. The main purpose of their gathering was to celebrate Karl Marino's injury during an earlier conflict. As midnight approached, Tiffany, Jiena, Rafael (names) alongside the Chief of Police took cover in the basement. Shortly after twenty minutes had passed since they entered hiding, reinforced heavily mansion experienced intrusion as both police forces and NBI launched a raid on it. Inevitably clash between them erupted ,forcing group quickly abandon their hideout n order understand former occupants targeted building sabotaged state-of-the-art security technology.

After ten minutes, their team arrived at the dining area where Armand Almeida and Bi Ma were located. However, the three individuals managed to flee. Rafael, who regained his senses after being attacked, chased them into the kitchen and towards the garden where he apprehended all three of them attempting to make a getaway. In a swift reaction, he drew his pistol and shot Bi Ma as he attempted to escape.

"Albert! Armand!" Bi Ma cried out as Rafael approached him.

"Your friends have abandoned you," Rafael said casually.

"You scumbag!" Bi Ma yelled, spitting directly at Rafael's face.

"It's done, Bi Ma," replied Rafael nonchalantly.

"No, it isn't over yet!" retaliated Bi Ma.

"Paquito, Dr. Bayo, Qui Xin and Fernando from the Triads will come after you."

"Nah, they'll just move on," said Rafael dismissively while pointing his pistol at Bi Ma.

"Kill me then," challenged Bi Ma to his assassin's dismay. Jiena asked with a cold indifference, "Who is the Dragon Lord? Where can we find them?" She continued her cruel interrogation by pressing down on his gunshot wound in an attempt to extract information that he resisted giving up.

"I will never reveal that to you!" exclaimed dying Maima who dared defy until death struck him when prompted abruptly by a shot fired straight into his heart.

Tiffany and the others swiftly reached the location to find Rafael standing before Bi Ma's lifeless body. Tiffany inquired about Armand's whereabouts, to which Rafael replied that they had managed to escape. As for Bi Ma, when questioned by the NBI director, Rafael explained that he had attacked him with a knife and was thus fatally wounded. However, regarding the Dragon Lord's location, Rafael admitted his lack of knowledge. While gazing at Bi Ma's motionless form, an expression of satisfaction appeared on Raphael's face as he declared "One threat eliminated."

---Chapter End---