Chapter 148: Do I Know You? (3)
Mark was so troubled. Little did he know that the family he was linked with have such a story. Nevertheless, he believed the goodness in his woman. Ever since they met until the time they got together, she has been reminding him that she honored her words to him. He has also proven that he was the first man in her life. That was a great comfort and pride for him! Somehow, no matter how seemingly careless and.independent his woman is, she still kept herself pure and focused on what she wants.
Mark's problem now was how to have his woman return to him and spare that brother of hers if worst comes to worst. He hoped he didn't need to be so drastic to make him surrender to the government.
Mark sighed and slowly got up from his study feeling worried and desperate of his woman. He went to his bedroom and watched the downloaded video of them in her office before he finally fell asleep.
The next day was Saturday. Mark went early to the headquarters and gave an order for an all-out random search to all establishments and thorough investigation of all suspicious entities in the South City. Also, he ordered surprise raids to all warehouses and factories with suspicious substances stored and produced. All check points were to be on red alert. Every vehicle has to be stopped and opened for inspection by the police authorities.
It would be impossible for impostors and bad elements of society to get away unless the authorities themselves let them off intentionally.
After giving those orders in the morning, Mark called his grandpa to let him know he will fly home to pick him up and fly to the Northern Province. Mark flew in his army chopper to B City in the afternoon and was able to land at Arevalo mansion at three o'clock. His grandpa was waiting for him when he landed. Mark took a quick late lunch and a short rest before they continued to fly to the Northern Province.
About almost five o'clock in the afternoon, Dave and Mark landed on the meadow near Greg Law's yard. It was as refreshing as always and the gentle afternoon breeze seemed to calm Mark's anxious heart and. clear his crowded mind.
He breathed in long and deep before he hopped down from the chopper. Dave followed afterwards and they lingered a while in the meadow before their attention was carried towards the houseyard where a tall slim figure stood with both hands clasped at his back. His head was bandaged with red woven native cloth which only respected tribe elders were allowed to use.
"Greg! It always feels good to be here! How have you been?" Dave said as he approached Greg with a nod.
"Uncle!" Mark nodded on the other hand. He was somewhat unsure how to address his supposed father-in-law.
" You're here again. I hope you're not here to bring me more headache!" Greg turned as he lead the two to the bamboo benches outside the kitchen pad.
"How have you been? What's that bandage on your head?" Dave knew that old folks who wear this were either going to a tribal occasion or were sick. But since he knew that Greg attended a church, it only means he is just not feeling well. That maybe why he is at home this early. 'So this tough man also knows how to get sick!' He smiled at the back of his mind.
"These children are dragging me early to my grave. I can't do much for them anymore." Greg sighed as he sat down on his carved wooden chair.
Dave found himself envious of Greg's throne. He realized that subconsciously, he was coveting that carved chair as he imagined himself surrounded by wonderful children happily talking about everything under the sun. What a wonderful feeling would that be!
"I am not surprised that your children are as strong willed as you Greg. After all, their genes are from you!" Dave smiled.
Greg contemplated for a while before speaking.
"Well, that's true. And it is just best that my daughter decided not to tie herself with your family. She might cause you more trouble than good." Greg said almost muttering to himself.
Mark heard it clearly and blood rushed to his heart that it pumped so loud and fast. His face darkened and his fists were itching to pound wild in fury. 'Did this old man know how much I am suffering inwardly just thinking about his daughter? Is he underestimating my ability and power?'
Mark gritted his teeth and breathed through his nose then looked up to the blue skies to calm himself first.
"Uncle..." Mark spoke in a deep serious voice. " I'm so sorry that things ended this way but I will do anything to find your daughter. I admit she is indeed smart and clever that she has not left any trace of her whereabouts. Although I suspect that your son Niel knows about her plan." Mark said confidently.
"I did not know about my daughter's plan. It was you guys who planned everything leaving her in vagueness. Why? Dont't I not have the right to know my daughter's real situation? So even if I know where she might be now, I would not interfere in her decision unless she comes home and asks my advise. But right now, she has not sent any message about her whereabouts." Greg said instead.
"Greg, I haven't heard before that you have a son called Ivan. Where is he by the way?" Dave spoke seeing that his friend turned indifferent.
"Don't ask me what you already know! Isn't that your job? Tell him to come home and bury me! Then he can live his life however he wants! That useles son!" Greg said angrily. His voice trembled as he breathed heavily.
Dave shook his head and tuned to Mark giving him the sign to speak about his plan.
"Uncle, is Niel around? I want to talk to him also." Mark started.
"He will probably be here in a short while." Greg replied lazily. His head was throbbing. Since his daughter disappeared and after Ysabel's wedding, he felt his health starting to deteriorate. He lost appetite and he hardly slept causing him to become vulnerable to sickness.
Indeed, when Dave saw him a while ago, he seemed to have lost vigor and his voice were no longer crisp and sharp.
" Uncle, I want to talk with you about your daughter, brother Ivan with Niel around. I also want you to know that no matter what happens, I will not give up on your daughter." Mark said firmly.
" I'm too tired to argue with you young people. I just wish you can leave me in peace!" Greg leaned his back on his chair crossing his legs elegantly as he always did.
Mark, in his assertiveness, took this as Greg's blessing for him to continue pursue his daughter. Although she was his to begin with, he still wanted to confirm if the father of his woman is still in favor of him. Well, it doesn't matter anyway. He will fight for her all the way.
Not long, Mrs. Law and some of the children who have gone to the farm with their mother arrived. Although they were surprised to see the two uprightly seated visitors in front of their father, they did not utter anything. They hurriedly took Grace's daughter away to play while Grace took time to cook for dinner. Mrs. Law joined the three men after a short while.
Just as Mark was about to ask where Niel is, the tall rugged young man emerged with a big bundle of firewood in his shoulders.
THUD!
Neil dropped the bug bundle of firewood near the fire place just right at the back of Dave. With that loud thud, the ground seemed to have been shaken a bit that Dave and Mark turned their heads in shock.
Niel jumped a bit upon dropping his load. Looking at the two stoic visitors, he gave out a dry smile and said meaningfully, "Oh! I thought I was going to see my sister back." then strode to leave like he didn't see anyone.
Greg was furious at his son's blatant disrespect of his visitors but he held his anger. He will later deal with this young man! Although s a man, he understood the challenge set by some brother siblings upon their prospect brothers-in-law. Niel wasn't an exception especially that his older sister pampered him in his school needs.
"Niel, your brother Mark needs to talk to you later. Come back quick!" Greg said weakly.
"Brother what? Do I have another brother again that I didn't know about?" Niel scratched his nose looking at his father's weak figure as if trying to cheer him up.
"I don't care if you know him or not! Just go and get rid of that stinky smell and quickly come back!" Greg slowly sat up straight.
However, Niel took his time longer than everyone expected. Little did they know that he sneaked at the back of the main house and went up the hill where he called his 'missing' brother and sister. When he returned, dinner was already served and eveyine but him were around the dining table. He silently took his seat and nodded to his father and to the visitors before he silently started eating.
"Papa, by the way, before I forget, let me remind you that my graduation is near. You can'tpp afford to be sick like that on my graduation day. It's just more than month to go!" Neil's baritone voice suddenly dominated the minor random discussions around the dining table.
Greg looked at his son meaningfully. He knew that he just wanted to distract his attention from worrying about his missing favorite daughter.
"And if I will not get better, what will you do?" Greg asked lifting his eyeglasses which were now dropping loose from his face.
"Well, I can only be proud of myself if nobody's there to applaud me." Neil smiled a cunning smile.
"We'll talk about this after dinner. Don't go anywhere Neil!" Mrs. Law spoke from the other end seeing that her husband was too tired arguing with his son's nonsense.
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