5 Chapter 3

IZAAC'S POV:

"I'm hoping you're back in the country because you're ready to lead LSF."

Kakatapos lang ng dinner and I was right. That kid earlier this afternoon was the one my father rescued.

Well I'm here at Dad's study. Kailan niya ba ako titigilan tungkol sa position ko sa LSF. Lorenzo Security Force, the most recognized private security agency in the country. We have a wide range of service from intel gathering, item retrieval, to security personnel, you name it. Among all these our forte is still undercover operations.

Yes government agencies do recognize our force but only elite people can access our service. We operate in the shadows and yes, WE. I'm one of the LSF agents I was born into it actually.

My father Arturo Lorenzo found LSF back in Italy. He was the head of the first generation brotherhood of elite fighters and marksmen. Now, he is pestering me to take the position and be the Leader of the 2nd Generation.

"How many times do I have to tell you it's not gonna happen Dad?" iritado talaga ako basta ito ang usapan. Ilang taon na rin kasi niya akong kunukulit tungkol dito but I've always said no. I'm here to take my place sa shipping company but I'm not relieving him in LSF.

My father came from one of the most prestigious clan in Italy but he settled here in the Philippines after he met Mom. My mom is Filipino-British but she grew up here. Everything went complicated because of LSF and the result was my mother's death. People like us can't afford to love someone. That was the greatest lesson LSF taught me.

"Alam mong sooner or later you have to take my place. At some point in time I have to retire son. Kanino ko pa ito iiwan kundi sayo lang and it's about time that you learn some sense of responsibility," Dad said while massaging his temple.

"Okay. Pag-iisipan ko but don't expect me to say yes sooner than later. Just please get off my face Dad," malamig kong sagot.

"What happened to you, son? We used to be seeing eye to eye but ever since your mother died, you became distant," he said.

"Why? Was I supposed to be enthusiastic and cheerful after seeing Mom die in my arms?" I sarcastically asked. My fists clenched involuntarily.

Damn! I don't like where this conversation is going.

"I loved your Mother with all my heart. You know if I could have taken her place I would have!" medyo tumaas ang boses ni Dad. Both of us tend to lose our cool basta ito ang usapan.

"Whatever. It's not like it matters now. On the other hand that kid you brought home, don't you think she's too young for you?" pag-iiba ko ng topic.

"It's not like that. I'm taking her in. Wala na siyang mapuntahan I tried to pull some strings to find out if she has other relatives pero it turns out wala talaga. That poor kid doesn't even have a birth certificate hindi man lang siya na register ng legal. Plus she has a heart of a warrior given the right training she has a promising future," mahabang paliwanag ni Dad.

"So that's it you just found her somewhere and you decided to train her to be one of us? She's a minor and of course she'll just nod to everything because she has no other choice!" I don't like the idea of having Sunshine as an LSF agent and I don't fucking know why. Hell. I just met that kid.

"What I'm trying to say is I will be raising her. She'll be part of the family. It's up for Sunny to decide if she wants to be an agent or not. I'm processing everything para maka catch-up siya academically and I'm also looking at possibilities of making her a Lorenzo legally," Dad explained.

Something about what Dad said irked me. Ano raw? Is he planning to adopt that kid? She'll be legally part of the family like a sister? Oh hell no!

"Bullshit! I won't let you stupidly put her in this family! She will not be my sister if that is what you're thinking," I said while clenching my fists. Sa hindi mapaliwanag na dahilan hindi ako mapakali.

"It's not your decision to make Izaac," he said just before I walked out on him.

I need a drink.

I went down to the bar downstairs and poured myself a drink tsaka dinala iyon sa gazebo sa likod ng bahay. It was a peaceful ambiance, the man-made falls by the lake made such a relaxing sound. Kabaliktaran yun ng nararamdaman ko.

I was about to sip my scotch when I saw a figure sitting on the grass. It was Sunshine. Nanginginig ang balikat niya and I heard her sob. Is she crying? Mabilis niyang pinunas ang luha niya nang makitang palapit ako. I sat next to her on the grass.

"Hindi ka lang pala tatanga-tanga, iyakin ka rin," I blurted out though that was far from what I wanted to say.

I looked at her and saw her pretty face. A lone tear shines in the moonlight. Maganda naman talaga siya. Even if her hair was cut really short, behind the bruises and cuts hindi maitatangi na maganda siya. I wanted to run my fingers on her cheek but I tried really hard not to.

"Bakit ba ang laki ng galit mo sakin? Dahil ba madungis ako at pangit? 'Wag kang mang alala hindi ko ipagsisiksikan ang sarili ko sa pamilya niyo. Alam ko namang diring-diri ka sakin!" galit na sabi niya sa 'kin.

"So you heard that... it's not what you think at hindi ako nandidiri sayo," I plainly answered.

"Eh ayaw mo nga ako maging kapatid ayaw mo na nandito ako," she pouted and damn she was cute.

For the love of God Izaac menor de edad yan! Don't tell me you're attracted to her! sigaw ng isip ko. Damn. Did I really think she's cute? Ang bilis naman ata umakyat ng alak sa ulo ko.

"It doesn't mean that I don't want to be your brother that I don't like you. It's just not that simple," ginulo ko ang buhok niya.

"Hah? 'Bat ang gulo mo hindi kita maintindihan," she looked puzzled.

"Wala. Matulog ka na dun baka sakaling tumangkad ka pa. 'Wag kang mag-alala susubukan kong maging mabait sayo," and like an obedient child she complied.

Hmmm.. My obedient little Sunshine. Oh Izaac you are so screwed.