Chapter four

David 

Feels good to be back home after  five years. 

Refreshing. That's the feeling I have as Cole  drives through the gate that leads us to the great Delavega mansion. 

I can't say there are changes, since the last time I was here. Guards and servants everywhere, as usual. As a home of a syndicate family, they must always be alert. No one knows the hour. And I know my father must have people out there plotting for his life… The electric fence is still intact as I left. The small resting shade on the side, my spot, looking better than I left. I know the swimming pool water is warmer than I left, and when I'm done with my business of the day, I'd love to have a night swim. 

Men in black suits, I can see them at every door, alert. I really missed home. 

They must have prepared a feast for my arrival since Cole called like an hour ago to inform them of my second arrival, as the first one had failed. 

I didn't want a grand entrance.My mum usually makes a big deal of it. I tell her not to, but she never listens. I hate such , it always seems dramatic and that's why I had lied about my arrival time at the airport, the last time they asked. 

I know I have an issue at hand but I need to clear things with my parents first. 

"My boy," my dad calls out as soon as I enter the living room where they're seated, with my mum. They have visitors. They must be in a business discussion or something . I don't know, the legal ones or the other ones. 

A man and a woman who seem almost my parents' age. 

I don't want to strain and recall who they are. My dad does business with so many people and by now, he must have expanded his empire. My mum on the hand, looking prettier and younger than her own age. She now has her brown hair curled. And it's not the first time I notice that my dad has taste. I must have gotten that from him. 

"Look at you," she says as she happily moves towars me and pinches my cheeks smoothly, before pulling my head closer to her and giving me a warm hug, after that, shuffling my hair, like a small boy. 

"I missed you so much my sweet baby boy," she adds. 

"Come on Mum, I'm all grown now." 

"Yes, but you'll always be my baby boy." 

My dad on the other hand doesn't have much to say. 

"David," the other woman calls out.

"We just heard you were coming back home. Good to see you again."

I have no idea who they are. Business  persons? No, not really. They séem to know me very well. Family friends, maybe. 

"David, meet Mr and Mrs Banes," dad does the honor of introduction. Banes! Wait, I've heard that name before. And I know where I heard it from, just a while ago. Doesn't take a genius to join the dots here. So, how are they related to Maria Banes, the woman I'm about to make, searching for her as my main agenda. 

"Friendship between the Banes and the Delavegas goes way back. It's a long line of history." dad adds. My dad was always focused on my academics and sending me to boarding schools. I think this is why I don't know most of his friends and he always kept me away from his business. This one seems a deeper understanding. 

I notice how this couple look humble and so submissive towards my parents. 

Well, I've seen some of  dad's friends, one or two, maybe during my holidays when they came to see him , and they are not always as humble as this. 

But they're still the ones who sired the snake who's agenda is to ruin me. 

I'm not spilling the beans now. Let me keep everything between Cole and I for now. Until I get to the bottom of this. 

"You're home, just in time for lunch," my mother interrupts the introduction before I can say anything. 

We're all headed to the dinning table after a short while. 

Nobody is asking me about yesterninght. 

Maybe they will, while in the middle of the feast. I'm hoping that by the time my dad finds out, the situation would be gone, and by situation, I mean Maria…

I've always had a low appetite, since I was young, that's why the numerous, variety of foods on the table doesn't excite me. It doesn't surprise me that my mum made sure there was a feast prepared after word came out that I was on my way. 

Every one takes their seats at the table, where dad takes the masterchair  and mum, right next to him on the right. I sit next to him on the left and Cole follows, beside me. The Banes sit right opposite my seat, but next to mum. 

From there, I'm taking their features as I imagine how their daughter looks like. 

The features she might have inherited from them.  It's definitely not the heart, they seem so humble to have a traitor for a daughter. I'm taking their feature in every glance I make. I don't want anyone to notice this. 

The man is bald, with strange golden eyes, bushy brows and musculine too. Damn! Making me question mine, as I look at my chest. I need to start working out again. 

I wonder what features Maria takes from him. 

"Is everything okay darling?" mum has already started with this again. I can't keep reminding her of my age now. 

"Yes, I'm just glad to be back home, after so long." I defend. 

"They made spring rolls too, your favorite," she says, pointing at  the plate right next to me. 

She knows my eating habits and she just has to force me to it. But I'm not a child anymore.

I look at Mrs Banes, who seems to be enjoying her meal. 

She has long, brown hair, straightened. 

Blue eyes. The kind that I like.

I'm not sure if I can figure out how their daughter would look like. 

I don't want to imagine more as my agenda is to get answers from her and finish her off if necessary, nothing else. Dad wouldn't hesitate either, if he found out about this. Which is why I'll do what I have to do. 

"Son, why didn't you show up at the airport yesterday as you had planned?" my dad asks unexpectedly. I thought that was over. 

Cole almost chocks his food and I look at him, he knows it's a warning. 

"I missed my flight," I answer without thinking hard. 

"Since when does David Delavega miss his flight?" my mum asks sacarstically. 

"I taught you better than that," adds dad. 

Am I going to get away with this, with only a slap on the wrist? Who are they and what have they done with my parents? 

"On the plus , if an enemy had a target on your back, they surely missed it."...But they didn't. She didn't. How she managed to plant that gun into my belongings, I don't know. She must be a smart one. I have to find her. 

I don't want them to notice that in deed there's an enemy. And the makers of the enemy are right here, dinning with us. 

But wait, do they have an idea of their daughter's schemes?  What if they are in it too? After exchanging small talks with mum and dad, answering the innumerable questions parents have for their children who have just arrived from studies overseas, there's a weird silence for a while. I finally pop one of the questions that's been running through my mind

" So, Mr and Mrs Banes, what brings you home today? ," I ask, not minding protocol. Not thinking about any consequence or how it might sound. They couldn't be here for my home coming. No way. My dad shoots a glare at me, as though he's surprised by my confidence. 

"Their daughter, Maria, our legal counsel has been missing since yesterday. We haven't heard from her." 

I'm joining the dots as dad explains. 

"We were also hoping she was home, with them. It isn't like her to disappear in thin air." 

"Hmmh," I let out a scoff and Cole gives me a  glance. 

"She's been one of our best workers for  the two months she's worked for us,  very impressive by the way. 

Dad has nothing but positive things to say about her. If only he knew. Maybe it's because her parents are here, dining with us. I know I'm about to prove everything wrong. Poor Mr and Mrs Banes. 

She must have gone missing after planting the gun. Maybe she thinks her plan worked. 

Maybe she thinks she has destroyed me. 

Little does she know, what it takes to destroy a Delavega. 

" I'm so sorry to hear that," I say. That is meant for the Banes. I definitely don't mean it. "Have you tried calling?" 

"Straight to voice mail," answers her mum. 

"That's bad," I 'sympathize.' 

We're in the middle of the conversation when Cole's phone rings. He excuses himself. 

Something feels suspicious, so I decide to follow him. 

"But you havent eaten this," mum call out. 

"I need to use the rest room, I say as I leave the table. 

Cole is the hallway that leads to the living room and I don't hear what he's saying exactly as he's speaking in a low tone. 

" Is that Maria, "I interrupt." Where's she?". 

I'm about to ask for the phone when he hangs up.