20 THE 7TH ACCOUNT: THE WHITE ROSE GRAVE 4

Jacob was studying a map at the kitchen table. Angelique handed him a cup of hot tea. "This should keep you awake," she said.

Jacob looked at her and took the tea from her hands. Angelique looked at the map. "Is it difficult to study maps?" she asked him.

Jacob shook his head, "Not really. At first, maybe. But once you get used to it, it becomes easier. Do you want to learn how?"

Angelique gave the map one last studying look and gazed up at Jacob. She smiled, "No, thank you," she answered.

Jacob chuckled, "It's getting late. Why aren't you sleeping yet?"

Angelique's face became serious. "I handed Father his tea in his study," she replied simply.

Jacob placed his hand on top of Angelique's head and ruffled her hair. "What's bothering you?" he asked.

Angelique sighed. She could not hide anything from him. "Well… if you must know… I know you and Father are working on something serious," she began.

Jacob placed his tea down the table after taking a sip and then crossed his arms, "Have you been reading your father's notes secretly again?"

Angelique nodded and widened her eyes, "How could I not? I'm the one who cleans his desk!" she replied then pouted. She looked at him with pleading eyes. "Jacob…"

"Yes?"

"Promise me something… take good care of Father. You have to protect him. I do not want anything bad happening to him. He is all that I have," she said seriously then shrugged, "well you can count you too... on good days," she added.

Jacob chuckled.

"But, I am serious. Father knows some defensive martial arts and can shoot a gun but he's just an accountant. Protect him, alright?"

Jacob nodded and took another sip of his tea. "Of course I will. And I will protect you too. You're my little sister."

It was Angelique's turn to chuckle. "So when is my big brother going to get married?" she asked. Her eyes hinted mischief.

Jacob laughed mockingly. "You first," he teased back.

"You're older!"

"Men can remain a bachelor as long as they want. Women on the other hand become spinsters when they reach a certain age. So, you first," he replied and laughed teasingly.

Angelique narrowed her eyes, "That is what's so wrong about our society. Women should be able to have the same privileges as men. After all, we all came into this world with nothing."

Jacob chuckled. Seeing Angelique's determined face over issues about the government always delighted him. "There, you have to grow up soon and petition the government about women's rights."

"Oh I will. I do not like it when women are being underestimated. I mean, look at you and Father, you can't survive without me," she said then pointed to herself dramatically. "I take care of everything. I feed you, clean up after you…"

"Alright Little Miss… off to bed. You still have early CHORES tomorrow so you can continue taking care of us," he said to dismiss her.

Angelique frowned at him but obeyed, "Goodnight. Have fun with your maps. Don't forget to put the cup in the sink or if you are feeling generous, go wash it yourself," she said then scurried to her room laughing.

When Angelique was out of earshot, Paco came out from his study. "I am going to the judicial courts tomorrow to submit the evidence of General Zalez' corruption."

"Do you want me to go with you?" Jacob asked.

"No need. Did you learn anything from your investigations?"

"Nothing yet but Zaki and Thom are following the money trail."

"Again, tread carefully," Paco warned him.

"You too," he said.

*****

Angelique was humming a tune while preparing breakfast. It was a happy morning. She was more energetic today than most days. She finished cleaning the house very early. The white roses were blooming beautifully. She picked dozens of it and placed them in vases that she put in her room, the living room table, and the dining room.

To add, Jacob washed the teacups last night. She laughed. Jacob will not admit to it but he is such a doting big brother. She knows she would give whoever his wife is going to be, a hard time. Jacob deserves the best!

"Good morning," Jacob greeted her after yawning. "You are awfully in a very good mood today."

"Uh-huh. Look at my roses!" she exclaimed. "Aren't they beautiful?"

Jacob scrunched his forehead, "They look like any other white roses. What's so special about them?"

Angelique shook her head and put a plate of eggs and bread on the table. "They're from my garden, of course!"

"Good morning, my dear," Paco greeted as he sat down on his place at the table.

Angelique greeted him with a kiss on the cheek, "Good morning Father. Look!!! My white roses are in bloom. Aren't they lovely?"

Paco nodded, "They sure are, dearest. How many did you pick?" he asked while he looked around.

Angelique outstretched her arms dramatically, "Dozens and dozens. Could you believe it though? There are more outside. I did not pick them all."

"Then we will have white roses everyday!" Paco responded with equal excitement. His daughter's happiness always brings out his brightest mood.

"I love white roses. When I marry, I want the church to be filled with white roses. I will even convince my children and grandchildren to put my grave beside white rose bushes. That would be lovely," she said and put her head on top of her hands dreamily.

"You will surely live a very long life with that optimism," Jacob smiled at her.

Angelique smiled at them both. Then clapped her hands, "Let's say our grace and eat breakfast shall we? You still have to go to work and I also have classes to attend to," she said cheerfully.

With that, they ate their breakfast. Laughing and teasing and smiling until there was no more food left on the table. Then, they all left the house to go to their respective destinations.

*****

"Captain," Urdel called Jacob. Jacob turned to him. "Paco is outside," he continued.

Jacob nodded. They were at the Naval Office studying documents and battle tactics to use at sea. Upon hearing who his visitor was, Jacob stood up right away to see him. Paco was standing outside the office. He waved after seeing him.

"What brought you here?" Jacob asked.

"I do not wish to eat lunch by myself. Angelique's with her friend, May. Have you eaten lunch yet?"

Jacob chuckled, "Your treat?"

"Very well," Paco replied.

They went to an eating house nearby and ate fish stew and broiled corn.

"Did you just come back from submitting the documents?" Jacob asked. "How did it go?"

"I believe it went well. After reading my report and the documents, they made me wait. They also asked for information about me. It was a long process. I was there the whole morning," Paco answered.

Jacob scrunched his forehead. "That does not sound right," he could not help but say. He could feel in his gut that something was very wrong. But, he continued eating. Then, from the corner of his eyes, he saw a familiar face running to their direction.

Thom was running as fast as he could. Angelique's best friend May was trailing behind him. Jacob stood up right away.

"What happened?" Paco said and turned to the direction of what Jacob was looking at.

"You said Angelique was with May, right?" Jacob answered.

"Yes. Angelique told me they were going somewh--"

"Angelique!!!" May cut them off.

Jacob's eyes widened, "What happened?"

Before May could say anything, Paco ran to the direction of their house. Jacob stayed to hear what May has to say.

"We were about to spend the day today together after classes. We had an early lunch by the bakery and Angelique remembered today was Thursday. So, she bought Mr. Paco some pastries," she said with eyes beginning to well up with tears.

"Then what?" Jacob asked impatiently.

May wiped her eyes, "She did not want them to break so we headed home for a while. I had to go home too because Mother saw me coming and told me to do some errands first… and then… and then," she said while sobbing.

"And then what?!" Jacob asked again, raising his voice. The rest of the people in the eating house looked at them.

May cried, "We heard gunshots! There was a whole lot of them---"

Jacob did not let her finish her sentence anymore and darted back to the house as fast as he could. Thom followed him. When they reached the place, Jacob's eyes widened in horror. He stopped his tracks in shock. His breath getting harsher and harsher as if his chest was about to explode. Then, he heard it.

"ANGELIIIIIIIIIIQQQQQQUE!!!!" It was the most painful scream he had ever heard in his life. He felt as if he got struck by a lightning bolt. He hissed and then he immediately ran inside.

Jacob's tears flowed down his face as he saw the terror before him. The house was a mess. There were bullet holes on the walls, the tables, and the couches. Broken wares and shattered glasses were scattered everywhere and in the middle of the wreckage... lies Angelique... Lifeless in the arms of Paco.

Paco looked up at him. "Jacob, Angelique is gone," he said and wept. His tears did not stop from flowing down.

Jacob could not control his anger anymore. His fists were clenched. He screamed and knelt down. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"

Thom went inside slowly. There he saw the most heartbreaking scene he had ever witnessed-- two strong men weeping and wailing, a sight of a sweet young lady's lifeless body, and her crimson colored blood splattered on the white roses she loved dearly.