CHAPTER 2A - L'AMOUR D'UN PÈRE

What really is bothering the new Chief General?

“I’m sorry Anselmo…..I was just being preoccupied nowadays.” Answered the latter to the former who just smile, not reaching his eyes.

“No I don’t buy it, Domingo…..tell me really what’s been bothering you? We have been friends long enough, I know what you feel……..now tell it to me straight….I am here my friend.” Assured Mr. de Castro to his best friend…..tapping his back, comforting him as his reliable friend who is willing to hear

The new Chief General face palm…..his friend is right, he really has a deep problem that he carries and harbors alone.

He is a man for crying out loud, but this is too much for him to bear alone…..he feels defeated and he desperately needs a helping hand.

“The truth, why I called you is that….” Dragging his true intention towards her best friend….trying so hard not to show his vulnerable side.

“Hey, Domingo…..I know what you’re thinking, you know me……I’m not a judgemental person. Thinking, that showing your weakness to me would make me see you as frail. Think again, my friend.” Assuring the man in front of him......talking to him soothingly, careful not to provoke his friend. Showing your vulnerability doesn’t mean your weak it probes that you are just human.

Chief General Domingo Ramos, smiled widely at his friend…..nodding his head for understanding.

“I know dear friend…..but sometimes it scared me to know that I can be lost also in this world we are into. But this is different Anselmo…..... if it only concerns me…..I can handle it…..I can even face death with open arms…..but……..but…….this is about my family…..and I can’t forgive myself if something happened to them.” Holding his emotions, laying his all-cards to his best friend. He has nothing to lose, but to gain a solution. This is about his family he's talking about, he can’t take this situation for granted.

He's been receiving death threats the moment he became the Philippine General in Chief…..but he just throws it to the gutter thinking that’s normal…..you can’t please everybody.

Either way there always two sides to the coin. But as long as you’re doing your job right, there is nothing to worry about.

But it will be a different game when her daughter is involved……her only daughter is being targeted, then that’s a different story…………this is really a crucial matter.

Even Rhian didn’t inform him about these ongoing treats of hers……..he just overheard it accidentally when he is visiting her daughter at her office, inviting her for a father and daughter bonding moment, which is having lunch together……..trying to reach out to her.

But then it revealed to him fortuitously the situation of her only daughter…..

The reason why her daughter’s demeanor became unrecognizable because of the circumstances she’s been experiencing on a day-to-day basis……..….and as the day passes it getting worst and worst.

Then..........he understands why his daughter’s behavior changes drastically………

It’s just to prevent them from worrying about her…........

Hiding the fact that she’s living in a dangerous situation, caught between her father’s places of power.

How he is so blind, for not noticing it immediately.

“I know and I understand…....…. Domingo, I’ve been in this situation before and I know we have different circumstances and problems that have been encounter but safe to say, the feeling is mutual…….either way Domingo, we are just human, we are not perfect we always made a mistake. That’s why whatever it is that burdens you, I am here Domingo, and as much as I can I will help you whatever problem you are carrying alone now.” A very long and emotional assertion of his friend.

The present Chief General looks up to his friend with hopeful eyes and without words that being uttered to each other……they smile, knowing that they will pass this predicament.

“Oh well…..” Shaking his head he stands up from the couch their seating on and went to the minibar…….preparing a drink for his friend and himself as well.

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They already explain to her the incident that her Ninong Domingo needs help for……the reason her father was there in the first place and her………who is tagging along with him

“Can you handle it dear?”

Asked the godfather to her goddaughter…..with pleading eyes.

“I know it’s not in your league of expertise, but I don’t have anybody to trust this situation, only you and your father.” Added the new Philippine General in Chief……..again with a hopefulness that show’s in his duo's sad and tired eyes.

Looking at her god-father……who she adores- since she knows him, with a smile.

“Uncle you don’t have to worry……even though this is far from my line of work……I assure you with my own life to watch over this person.” Holding the hand of General Ramos with assurance and confidence.

“I’m so sorry dear and even you were involved in my problem. I know this is not your concern and you are so busy in your career and here I am adding to your worries. The pressure that you encounter…..the harassment as well, it’s just that…..I’m so desperate. I’m putting this huge burden on your shoulder dear and since you have a background in handling hand-to-hand combat especially in riffles then safe to say you are my guy…... I mean woman.” Heartedly express by the general.

He doesn’t care if he looks so vulnerable right now……but he rather is looking like 'It', than gambling the life of a young being he deeply loves most.

“This is not a burden uncle……in fact I’m flattered knowing you entrusted her to me.” Acknowledge the young surgeon to her god-father.

“But remember dear, as we have talked a while ago…….you have to be discreet in watching her……I know this responsibility I entrust you is difficult, moreover this is new to you. You also have to be in the shadows.” A little bit apprehensive, the new General in Chief has to believe the capability of his god-daughter…….she knows Glaiza can protect his daughter.

Yes, it’s her daughter, whom he wanted to be protected by this young woman in front of him.

His daughter, who’s been avoiding him two weeks after she came home from Germany where her daughter gets her Mastered Degree in Architecture.

Since that day her daughter transferred to her new purchase condo……..

Since that day she merely visited them in their own house.

Since that day her demeanors change drastically…….

Since that day she became a stranger to him.

The 'DAY' her daughter receives different types of death threats.

IS THE DAY SHE TRANSFORMS.

He knows her daughter was thinking about their safety and he can’t bear knowing how stressful this treats that his daughter receiving.

Thinking that anytime her life will be taken just like that.

“I understand uncle……...don’t fear, this is just a piece of cake, take this as a done deal already.”

Assuring Glaiza to the General, who is now smiling ear to ear and showing a more peaceful appearance…….unlike earlier when her father introduced him to her.

“Oh…dear, thank you…….thank you so much.” Hugging the young de Castro with so much respect, appreciation, and love.

L'AMOUR D'UN PÈRE (A FATHER’S LOVE)