6 6 - Rafael 1

As soon as Cody and George stepped on the rooftop, the chopper lent by the Air Force also landed. They were escorted to it by JADE's guards and were warmly greeted by Dale on board.

Since George only met Dale a few times before, she was quiet after exchanging some niceties with him. It was Cody who had more things to discuss with Dale.

After a few minutes, they reached the international airport where Rafa was to meet them. The couple thanked Dale and disembarked.

"I thought you and Dale knew each other."

"Not really. We've met back in college through his cousin and exchanged some messages at times but we weren't close."

"Is that so?"

"What are go getting at, Cod?"

"Love, I've heard he was into you."

"Oh. If that's the case, he never told me."

"Or maybe you were just insensitive?"

"Hey, Mister! I was in school. Relationships were not in my vocabulary back then."

Just as Cody was about to answer, a tall, handsome man with blue eyes suddenly clapped his hands on each of their shoulders.

"Cody, we are sworn brothers but you are not allowed to bully my baby sister."

"Rafael! I thought you we're still refuelling," exclaimed George while shifting to give the man a hug.

"We were just talking about her and Dale, bro," said Cody but Rafael ignored him.

"Since when did I make my baby wait? You are the family's darling girl, after all."

"Since you got yourself a girlfriend?"

"We both know that is not true."

George smiled and linked her arms with Rafa's. Cody was observing them quietly, seemingly out of place.

"You both need to get to Ise soon. Let's go to my jet."

When they have already boarded, George told both men that she intends to rest during the flight.

"You're room is still the same babe," then he turned and addressed Cody. "Accompany my sister first then come find me at the lounge."

The jet was state of the art so a six-hour commercial flight is easily reduced to two. Nonetheless, Georgina was able get her much needed rest before the evening's event.

While she was taking her nap, Cody sought Rafael out and the two had a serious talk.

"Chiong, I can see the extent of your attraction by the way you look at her. I hope you will always take care of her. She went through so much pain trying to endure her first marriage. She shouldn't be in that state again."

"I can't just say I care deeply for her, bro. I have loved her for years but knowing how pure her heart is, I chose to stay in the sideline convincing myself that she is not for me since she was already married."

"Years? How many years exactly?"

"Since I was 21. I saw her from afar the first time. In the next one, it was still at some distance but she already had a family then."

"Then carry on loving her. Cody, I do not know if you would be able to understand how much I care about George but not in a romantic way. I couldn't explain it either. All I know is that the moment I spotted her at the airport back home, I needed to get close to her. I initially thought I had a crush on her but when I went over to talk to her, I felt that she was a child that needed some looking after. But since we are only a few years apart, I started seeing her as a younger sister. Bro, at that time, I told myself that I would harm anyone that hurt those precious little chubby cheeks."

"You never desired her?"

"Never! But I care enough to kill for her if I have to. So bro, I'll be observing you. Don't ever consider doing anything that would bring her pain. If not for her pleading, I would have already killed that moron if an ex-husband of hers."