Land of the Unknown

Secret

Gouyen arrived in Luke's study with a bucket of water, cloth, and a feather duster. No one but Isaac and herself were allowed in the study. Gouyen began to tidy Luke's desk and clean the dust off it. While cleaning, a couple of documents fell to the floor. Gouyen knelt to get the documents but stopped when she noticed something sticking out from a corner. It looked to be a hidden compartment. She debated whether or not she should look into it. Curiosity got the best of her, and she opened the compartment, and a light brown journal fell to the floor. "This is wrong of me, but I can't resist." Gouyen opened it and began to read it. 

The first five pages were about his adventures and ambitions; she was about to stop reading when something caught her eye. "Quinteras Ranch? That's..." The young woman kept reading and saw Laureana's name. Gouyen felt her stomach drop as she realized that Luke knew and had met Laureana. Anticipation and the need to know more overwhelmed her, and when she got to a particular page, the entry was about Emiliano. Her body trembled when reading a couple of entries. "H-How can this be?"

Meanwhile, Luke and Isaac returned to the ranch. Isaac put the two horses away while Luke got inside his home. He saw his wife in the living room, reading a book. Netty noted him and was about to speak to him, but she was ignored. Luke walked toward his study, and when he was about to open the door, he heard a slight noise from his study and immediately went inside. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Gouyen reading his journal. Gouyen noticed Luke, and she dropped the journal but immediately picked it up; tears formed. It frightened her that Luke's eyes widened but was silent as he looked at her. "M-Mr. Luke, y-you are...?"

Luke walked inside his study and closed the door behind him. He slowly walked towards Gouyen and motioned out his hand. "May I have my journal?"

The young woman was surprised at his sudden tone but gave him his journal. She watched him walk toward one of the windows and looked outside. There was silence between the two; Gouyen was getting uncomfortable. However, she gathered her courage and spoke out. "Is it true?" There was no response, but Gouyen could let this pass; she wanted answers. "Emiliano is your son. How long have you known that he was your son?"

"Not that long ago. His employer, John, sent him on a mission to spy on me, but my men caught him. When I interrogated him, that's when I knew." Luke squeezed his journal. "Believe me when I tell you, I never knew Laureana was pregnant with our child."

"Does Emiliano know the truth?"

Luke shook his head. "He doesn't know; he shouldn't either." He walked to his desk and sat on his chair. "I will eventually tell him, but now is not the right time."

She sat in the chair in front of his desk and looked at him. "Why keep the secret?"

"I'm afraid that he will hate me. I lost Laureana, and I can't fathom losing him too. Emiliano is the only person I have that reminds me of her." 

Gouyen slowly walked in front of his desk with her arms around her. She viewed Luke as a mysterious, strong man, but seeing him in his current state made her realize he was filled with pain. "I think she always loved you. I remember her always looking at a golden ring. She told me that someone special gave it to her long ago."

Pain and relief filled Luke's heart. He always tried to look for Laureana and wondered if she still loved him. It didn't matter to him if she hated him; his love for her would never cease. It brought him peace, knowing that she loved him until she died. Their son was in danger of being caught up in a war. "Gouyen, thank you for bringing me peace. Please don't tell Emiliano; it's my responsibility to bear. For now, things have gone to hell."

"What do you mean?"

"Emiliano's employer, John Tunstall, was recently killed by a gang hired by rival businessmen. A war is going to break loose, and Emiliano refuses to leave. I want you to try to convince him to leave the group, and I will find somewhere else for you two to live."

"He is too stubborn!" groaned Gouyen. "But I will still try to convince him otherwise. I can't believe that Emiliano has Charles as a half-brother."

Luke crossed his hands together and thought about Charles. He didn't know if Charles had something to do with planning Tunstall's death. Luke never held love for Charles or believed he was his actual son. The young man didn't have a single trait; there was no connection. That's when he decided to change everything. "Gouyen, give me your word that you won't speak of this to anyone and that you'll try to convince Emiliano to leave the Regulators."

"You have my word, Mr. Luke."