CHAPTER TWO- Measured by gold

The family is gathered 'round the table as I sit on a chair on front of the prepared tea. I assume that the family is very excited except for Uncle Rick, Hermione, and Markus. I lit a cigarette and smoked. The treasure was already transferred to "The neverland" and is now safe. We are now waiting for the chairman of the NCHM.

Uncle Rick sat down the other chair while the family stood around the room leaving one chair available.

"Billy and his men are already on the 'Neverland'. The treasure is now safe." Rick.

"You trust these men?" I said.

"I trust Billy with my life." Rick.

"Yeah. His men?" I said.

"They are relatives too." Rick.

"I assume Jack and Brian?" I said.

"Yeah with some of your cousins. I did what you told me. I never told them about the contents. They are very curious about the thing we want them to guard. But I trust that they wouldn't touch it" Rick.

"Billy was a soldier. He won't." I said as I smoke.

I looked at Mathilda.

"So. Mathilda. Where are they?" I asked.

"We were too early to prepare.."Mathilda interrupted as Dan entered the room.

"Javier, they're here." Dan

"They are 20 minutes early?" Mathilda.

"Let them come in." I said.

We saw two well-dressed gentlemen arriving through the door. The first one aged about 50 while the other aged 30. And although they look good, these people belong to the organization that killed dad. I looked at them and never blinked.

"Good day, Javier." The old man said.

"Come in." I said.

They entered the room.

"Everybody, out." I said.

"What?" Mathilda.

"But Jav." Dan.

"I knew it." Hermione.

I looked at them. And they forcibly gave me an agreeing face then went out leaving uncle Rick, Me, and these two gentlemen on the room.

"Alright, first of. We only have 3 chairs available. So, one of you would need to stand until the meeting is over. So, who would it be?" I said.

"I think, the kid." Rick.

"It's up to you, old man." I said as I look at his eyes.

The old man looked at me with a pissed-off face and sat down the chair as if he knew that I'll roast them.

"So, what do you want?" The old man.

"Oh sorry, forgive my manners. I forgot to introduce myself. I am Javier and this is my accountant and head of my bookkeeping office, Uncle Rick." I said.

The old man smirked.

"All of a sudden you have a book-keeping department? We already know you, we made our research. You are a family of coal-makers. Your family head is this man named Daniel Gama. But I don't see him. So, I presume that what's written in this record is false and that you head this family, Javier." The old man.

"You know, I always becomes amazed whenever I see an old man with a good memory. I'll never lie, you impress me Mr. Calvin." I said.

"How did you know my name?" The old man.

I looked at the man he is with.

"And this right here is Mr. Jonathan Denver. 34. Head of the security council at the NCHM. Fascinating, right uncle?" I said.

"Yeah." Rick

Calvin smiled.

"I'm impressed." Calvin

"Oh, we are not here to impress you." Rick.

Then all of a sudden, they looked pissed again.

"I wanna know what you want." Calvin.

I took another smoke.

"Well, if you ask me. I want a big house, lots of car, a good wife, and maybe lead the largest business in this town. How 'bout you, Uncle?" I asked

"I'd be okay to own a farm, you know? Maybe export goods." Rick

"If you called us just for stupidity, you need to tell us now. Because we do not want to waste our time talking to coal-miners who just want to play with fire." Jonathan.

I looked at Jonathan.

"And yet, here you are." I smiled as I made an eye to eye contact with him.

Jonathan forced a smile and said "I think, it's time to go, Mr. Calvin."

"Hey Javier, you are scaring the lady. We are here to discuss business, remember?" Rick.

"Oh, sorry. Forgive me, Mr. Calvin. My memories are not that good as yours, you know? Coals, smoke, exhausting work." I said.

Mr. Calvin forced a smile.

"I understand." Calvin.

"Mr. Calvin. I'll be direct. We found the Flor De la Mar contents." I said.

Mr. Calvin chuckled as well as Jonathan. They do not believe me.

"You see Mr. Calvin. I did not lie when I told you that I wanted to have a big house, cars, and all that." I said as I took the golden lizard from my pocket and put it on the table.

The gold caught their eyes.

"Based on it's structure and appearance. It is a 22K gold. A fine one." I said.

I handed the figure to Mr. Calvin.

"Where did you get this?" Calvin.

"As I said, Flor De La Mar." I said.

Uncle Rick took another smoke.

"The Flor De La Mar was a big ship carrying treasure with a huge amount of value. It was headed towards Portuguese. But sadly, it sank. So, it is very impossible that it is found on land." Calvin.

"What is history, but mere theories about the events unseen. I would rather believe the story of my father." I said.

"I'm listening." Calvin.

"You want to hear a story? (I looked at Jonathan) You want to hear a story?" I asked.

"It is true that the Flor de la Mar was headed to Portuguese for the King. But my ancestor, Estavao De Gama was unfortunately the captain of the ship. He wanted the treasure for himself. So, he took part of it, buried it somewhere for his wife to find. He set sail maneuvering a ship guarded by 55 guns. He knew that we wouldn't come back. He purposely sank the ship for the public to know that the treasure is gone, sank beneath the cold ocean. But the truth is that, the treasure was buried. But his wife knew that Estavao died right before she knew that there was a treasure for her. And because of love, she killed herself with a knive. One stroke in the heart then the information in the letter she just read suddenly sank in. But when she understands, she was on her last minute. Her son found the letter. Kept it for generation. None of my next ancestors understand the code written on the letter, until my father. He found the buried treasure and re-buried it somewhere. Then shortly after dad died. I found the treasure." I said.

Jonathan looked confused while Mr. Calvin looked amused.

"That explains your last name." Calvin.

"My last name is my last name, Mr. Calvin. And I am currently looking for an explanation about my dad's death." I said.

He moved close to me.

"And do you understand, that what you dug is history?" Calvin.

"Yes, that is why I also understand that beneath Jonathan's coat is a pistol loaded with ammunition. And that Jonathan is ready to kill." I said as I look at Jonathan's face.

Uncle Rick smoked confidently.

"You, rich people, think that you can always fool us." I said then look towards Mr. Calvin. I smiled.

Suddenly, Mr. Calvin and Jonathan became serious.

"Sadly, if you shoot us now, you only get that lizard." I said then moved close to Calvin.

"The treasure is not here." I whispered to his ears then leaned at my chair again.

I smiled and left the two gents silent.

"So, shall we discuss the price?" I asked.

A silence occurred then Mr. Calvin spoke.

"Hmm. Base on this gold's appearance…" I interrupted Calvin with a chuckle.

"What's funny?" Jonathan.

"Nah, I just sensed that you will put an absurd price. I know you people. What made you think that you'd decide the price?" I said.

Calvin stared at me.

"You think you are smart?" Calvin.

"Do you think I am?" I asked.

Uncle Rick smirked.

"We found some 500-year-old gold coins numbering to twice a thousand. Every piece weigh 35 grams. What do you think would be the price?" I asked.

"This guy is fooling you, Sir." Jonathan.

"Oh, sorry. I thought that your job is to keep Mr. Calvin safe. And I think he is safe, Jonathan." I said.

A silence occurred. It's incredible how these powerful people hold their anger.

"I say $50 per piece." Calvin.

I looked at Uncle with a bright face.

"$100,000 for 2000 coins eh. That's the price of a 500-year-old treasure and the death of more than 3 people." I said.

I looked at a space.

"Now I'm thinking of just keeping it. Bury it again maybe." I said.

"Then you decide the price." Calvin.

I looked at Calvin.

"A thousand per piece." I said.

"You are dreaming." Calvin.

"I guess I am." I said.

"That's absurd." Calvin.

"The I'll sell this to the Commission on History Preservation." I said.

Calvin looked me in the eye and made a pissed-off smile.

"I guess you really is a smart person. Although I do not understand why this Rick is just here sitting at that chair saying nothing."

"A thousand per piece. Or I sell to the CHP. I need your answer, now." I said.

Calvin remained thinking for about 40 seconds.

"You have no idea what you are doing." Calvin.

"I have an idea. Why don't you go out my house now? Because I need to make a call" I said

Calvin leaned his back and looked at Jonathan. Then he looked at me.

"Saturday, Tresvor road. 12:00." Calvin.

"Saturday, Kalin Convention. 12:00. I don't wanna sell my gold by entering your lion's den." I said.

"Kalin Convention it is. Who will be with you?" Calvin.

"My lawyer and my private army." I said and smiled.