Empire

Family Chaos

They are quietly eating dinner when Clifford broke the silence.

"When was the last time we ate together?" He asked.

"Five months ago, I think." Klaro answered.

"Why are you late, Ash?" They all looked at the man peacefully chewing his food.

"Tatianna had many things to do. I waited for her." He answered.

"Magsasarado na kasi yung Library kanina, Tito. You know my finals is near I have to work my ass off." Tatianna defended.

"Tatianna is graduating this year. What do want as a graduation gift, darling?" Mara asked her.

Tatianna's face lit up when Mara said gift. Tatianna love gifts most especially when the gift is a ticket to Greece, her favorite place.

"A ticket to Greece will do, Tia." She happily answered.

"Then a trip to Greece it is."

Tatianna is so happy. The four adults didn't raise their children to be luxurious. They raised them in a world that is normal for them.

Ashton is a graduate of pre-law in Unibersidad ng Pilipinas. Klaro is a Business Administration graduate in Ateneo de Manila University. And the youngest, Tatianna is currently a graduating student of Unibersidad ng Santo Tomas, BS in Computer Science.

Their children had a normal life even they had an Empire behind them. They graduated safe, special thanks to Mara and Enzo who works for the Security Group of the family.

"What's with the sudden dinner, dad? We won't have a sudden dinner for nothing." A straight forward question from the oldest child.

The adults cleaned themselves before facing the three. Mara was the one to talk.

"As you all know, we are old already, so are you. Tatianna is graduating, Klaro, you are to engaged with car racing, very dangerous and this grumpy Ashton had enough of wines and scotch, time to stop. So, we decided to back down from the positions and give them to you."

"What? You still have 2 years, Ma." Klaro was already frowning.

"Bawal early retirement? You see, we are sick of this, young man. I am working my ass for the empire for already 30 years and I am 48 already. Give your oldies the rest we deserve." Celeste whined. Mara just chuckled and so is the two men.

"We decided to have some honeymoon-"

"Dad." Ashton cut what Clifford wanted to say.

"What? The reason why you only have one sibling on both side is because we adults doesn't have time to make a whole basketball or volleyball team." Clifford defended that made Ashton and Klaro scoff.

"We already decided about it and you can't do anything. Klaro doesn't have anything to do with his life. Tatianna is graduating, she needs to prepare for the Empire." Mara stated.

Tres was kept in silent because they know they can't escape with it anymore. It was their fate to be the next in throne for the Empire.

"As long as the Empress and Emperor is alive you will still be in your place but you will rule their throne already." Mara added. "Enzo, you talk about their positions."

Enzo just nodded and bringing out his iPad.

"As stated in the rules and regulations of the Empire. The direct descendant from Lacsarrera will be handling the whole Empire, but if there are 2 or more descendants the oldest shall take the biggest business and so on." Enzo looked at Ashton.

"The Herrera Law Firms is the largest in the Empire you take that, Ashton. You will train for 3 months before going to court." He looked at Klaro next.

"Klaro will serve in the Business industry with 2 months of training. He'll be handling the Lacsamana Enterprise."

"Why is the Law Firm the biggest?" Klaro asked. "Isn't the Enterprise the biggest?"

"When it comes to riches and income growth, the Herrera Law Firm is the biggest. They have many big investors from different countries. They are Lawyers of Europe, Asia and North and South America while the Enterprise is only in Europe and Asia." Celeste answered.

"What will be my position?" Tatianna asked. Everyone waited for Enzo but he sighed before answering.

"You are assigned in the Underground Businesses of the Empire."

The two adult women looked at Enzo with a glare. Tatianna just looked at her father in disbelief. They all know the dangerous things that is happening at the Underground. It was a business of black market, killings, assassination and any brutal events.

Celeste scoffed before leaving the table. Mara just sighed before leaving the table and finding Celeste.

Mara found Celeste by the pool with her feet dipped in it.

"Wine?" Mara asked. The other one just nodded before receiving the wine glass.

"We both tried raising Klaro for the underground to save Tati in the cruel world of the underground society but we failed miserably, Mara." Celeste's voice cracked while talking.

"Di ko ba alam diyan kay Enzo at ang tapang niyang ipadala si Tati sa baba kahit alam niyang delikado." Celeste.

"Actually, there is something we found out that made Tatianna fit the underground business." Mara.

"What is it?" Celeste.

"The record of the underground fights tells us that Tatianna fought plenty of times there. She is part of the biggest gang in España." Mara sighed.

Celeste stood up and walked inside with heavy feet. She is huffing when she reached the living room.

"We are going home, Tatianna." Celeste said firmly.

"Mom?"

"Just please, Tatianna. Let's go home." Celeste's eyes are closed not wanting to be scandalous.

Mara whispered to the two men what happened. Enzo sighed while Clifford just looked at his ex-wife. Too much information made Celeste's patience snapped.

When they reached home Tatianna is still in shock from the sudden decision. They were silent sitting in the living room. Celeste had her eyes clasped close while Enzo sits beside his wife with no emotion.

Tatianna can't help but get nervous.

"Part of the biggest gang." Celeste scoffed. Tatianna's palms became sweaty when she heard what Celeste said.

There are secrets that are not ready to be told. But there are mysteries that should be unfold.