Brother's Secret (4)

I think, its time you need to come back home Mark. What do you think?" Grandpa said looking at me as I cleared my dish.

"You mean home base grandpa? Why do you ask me this all of a sudden?" I wondered as I asked back grandpa.

"No, not now. After finding Fem, I suggest you request for home base assignment so you can start a family. We're already getting bored and all alone here." Grandpa sighed.

"Was that not my plan in the first place? I'd sure fulfill it as soon as possible. South side is a terrible place. Mayor Buk has a lot of skeleton in his closet. I'd have him pinned down first before leaving the South CIty." I said.

We all moved to the living room to continue our talking. Aunty Lina took care of the kitchen. I carried the jar while grandma held a tray of four glasses and a scoop for the rice wine. We sat down while waiting for JP to come down.

In a short while, JP came down in his blue checkered pyjamas. He looked at the jar on the table but didn't react over it. He looked at Grandpa and Grandma as if to ask what surprise was the surprise all about.

"What's the surprise dear Grammie? I'm all ears to you now." He said stroking grandma's grey hair.

"Do we have to surprise you to keep us company? You rarely have time to sit down and talk with us since you took over the Brent's." Grandma feigned a disappointed face then moved to open the jar of rice wine. She scooped into each of the glasses then covered it again.

"Here we go, let's celebrate the goodness of the One above!" Grandma handed us each glass. We all took a sip before grandpa continued.

"I've asked about Ysabel. She is indeed a daughter of Greg Law. So what do you guys do now?" Grandpa said in a not much pleasant tone.

"Is your source reliable, sir?" JP arched his brows to Grandpa.

"Are you asking me that John Paul? How about your source? What have they gotten for you? Pure gossip?" Grandpa's voice came out a little hoarse.

"But here's the thing. This is a highly sensitive information since it involves the identity of a person. Mr. Law does not talk about this openly most probably to protect his children. Ysabel is an adopted daughter by Greg Law. Her mother was Greg's deceased sister and her father was an army who abandoned her after having been recalled to the main headquarters at Central City. Upon giving birth, Greg's sister, Bella, was depressed and abandoned the child inside a toilet. That time, Greg secretly followed her knowing that her sister was not in her stable mind. Sure enough, when Bella entered the cubicle with the baby, she came out without it so Greg went in to find the baby lying on the floor. He took the baby, who was less than a month old, and brought home. That time, Mrs. Law was nursing her four months old baby boy. Their fourth child . Apparently, Mrs Law breastfed them alternately until they were weaned. They were registered as twins under Greg's name." Grandpa narrated with a deep and serious tone.

We were all speechless. We all eyed Grandpa as if asking him to tell us more.

He chuckled and adjusted his eyeglasses upon seeing us uttering no sound at all. He said, " This Greg is sure a great man. Imagine raising 13 Children with his own hand. Three of those children are adopted, Ysabel being one. The ninth was his nephew's son whose mother died of pulmonary heart disease and the last one was her eldest daughters' daughter out of wedlock. Those two are practically his grandchildren but he took them as his children."

"Quite a complicated family story!" I managed to remark.

"But you see, among all his relatives, some are even old bachelors, Greg is the highly respected Law by his neighbors not because he talks much or owns much but because he managed his home well." Grandpa said.

"So have you asked also where that nurse is?" JP smiled for the first time since he entered the house.

"She's just around the corner JP, you were just too busy making money that you didn't bother to exert more effort to look for her. She's renting an apartment near the Bus Station at Central City" Grandpa informed.

"What??? "JP's eyes widened then he squinted them like a toddler.

"I don't know if she's married or not but there was a baby and an old lady staying with her. The informant isn't sure if she is staying with her mother-in-law or just another boarder.

"Then I have to go down with you tomorrow Mark. What time are you going?"

"Anytime as long as I'll be at South City the next day." I said.

"Then we can catch the ten o'clock schedule of bus. I don't want to drive that long." JP said lightly.

"Ha! You operate a bus company and then drive on your own all the way to the same destination with the same route?" Grandma ridiculed.

"Exactly Grammie, you are so bright!" I said patting her back.

"Find it out and dont mess this time around JP. " Grandpa looked at my brother with a stern look.

"I know Grandpa, you want grandchildren don't you? Hahaha! I have a feeling that you have already one!" JP kept his smile all this while. It was my first time seeing him relaxed and all out smiling. The typical cold and domineering CEO disappeared upon learning about Ysabel. Perhaps, just like me, he was also totally in love with her. What a fortune! What a fate! What a way of this so called Love!