Chapter Four
Late at night, Thomas meets Alex In the
woods, under the darkness. Alex's eyes are
hard as he listens to Thomas concerns.
"He is asking more questions, Alex.
Desperate to know the truth. I can't keep
lying to him." Thomas whispering.
"You are not lying to him. But
protecting him. Leonardo made It clear,
that until he is ready. Lucas must remain
in the dark." Alex coldly uttered.
"How much longer can we keep him
in the dark? He is strong enough to face
the truth!"
Alex cut him off. "Strong enough, maybe.
But wise enough? No. The moment he
learns about his father's empire, the
enemies will come for him. He is not ready
for that. Do you understand?"
"Maybe it's time to pay him a visit yourself
after a long time." Thomas mumbled
"I will, when Leonardo says so. For now just
keep lying." Alex lashes out.
Meanwhile, Lucas overhears part of their conversation from distance, but not
enough to understand the full context. His suspicion deepens.
Lucas finds himself in the village
marketplace, where a group of corrupt
officials have been harassing the local
farmers, demanding higher taxes. Lucas
steps in, his fists ready for a fight.
"You have been stealing from these people
long enough. Get out of here or I will make
sure you never return." Lucas uttered,
clenching his fist.
"Who do you think you are, boy? Some farm
boy with a big mouth. This is non of your
business. You better stay clear." one of the
officials uttered, with a dangerous look.
"It's my business now. Why not come and
test the fist of a farm boy." Lucas uttered,
with a frown crossed his face.
Lucas being a great fighter was fast enough
to dodge the punch Thrown at him. Then
quickly sent His fist on the right cheek of the
official. Sending him back some yard away.
The others where quickly alerted by the
force in which the official fell.
Drawing the attention of the crowd. The
crowd cheer him up. In seconds Lucas
Sent the others flying in the air with his kicks.
One of them spouting out blood from his
mouth Uttered, with heavy breathing.
"You think you can stop us. this isn't your
fight boy. we will be back for you."
But Alex who always go dark to do
the dirty work, to make sure Lucas is safe.
Without Lucas knowing.
He sent some thugs to go warn the
officials to stare clear from Lucas.
As he walks back home, he runs into Alex,
who's been watching him fight from afar.
"You are back again. You have been
watching me all my life, but you never
explain why." Lucas mumbled with concern
In his voice.
"I told you. Watching you is just me doing
my job, Lucas." Alex calmly intoned.
"Watching me is not a job! Why are you
always here? Why does uncle Thomas act
strange when you are here.?" Lucas uttered.
Alex looks at Lucas with a hard gaze,
contemplating whether the boy is ready
to hear the truth, but decides against it.
" There are things you are not ready
to understand yet. But trust me, Lucas.
Everything is for your protection ."
Alex mumbled. Fealing overwhelmed
with emotions.
"Protection me from what?
"Your father's legacy." Alex mumbled.
" My father? You know him?"
" I know more than you think, Lucas. But
you are not ready to hear it all."
" Enough with this not ready garbage!
I'm ready. I want to know the truth. Lucas
angrily intoned.
Alex stares at Lucas, torn between his
loyalty to Leonardo and the boy's right to
know the truth.
Finally Alex speaks, but only reveals part
of the story. "Your father is a powerful man,
but with that power comes enemies.
He sent you away to protect you. And I have
been tasked to watch over you. That's all
you need to know for now." Alex mumbled
With satisfaction in his eyes.
"So my life has been a lie, all this while."
Lucas calmly intoned.
" No. It's been a shield from the beginning."
Back at the farmhouse, Thomas sees the
growing tension in Lucas eyes. He knows
the boy is on the verge of discovering the
truth.
"What ever they are hiding from me. I will find
out. No matter what." Lucas thought, with a worrying look crossed his face. This time,
being curious to dig out the truth.