Passions Uncovered

Chapter 19

Author Note

Hey, guys sorry for the long break in between chapters both my boys have been sick. My youngest with RSV and Double ear infections. But just in time for Thanksgiving, I finished chapter 19 for you. Hope you enjoy the latest chapter. 

12 years later- Vacation in South Korea

We found Chao-Xing who became my 17-year-old foster daughter 12 years ago during a raid at a warehouse. Where they had held her as a captive with 20 other young women. You can't even tell she was once a scared and frightened little girl. Right now, she is down on the waterfront with my twin nephews. The twins were in matching swim trunks and my daughter was wearing a bikini.

While they played amongst themselves, the adults enjoyed some much-needed time alone. We grownups sat on the beach with our cocktails in hand soaking up the sun's rays. Watching the scene in front of us brought back a few of our unforgettable childhood memories. It was like our past was unfolding in front of us. I glanced over at my brother and Bianca, the loving way he held her in his arms as she leaned back against him brought a smile to my face.

Who would have thought when I first met her, she would end up becoming my sister or that we become so protective of her? It seemed like the kids were following in our footsteps. The closeness these three youths shared was stunning. When I brought Bia Zhao Xing home for the first time all those years ago, we realized they shared a bond nobody could destroy.

The clouds darkened as the moon rose. I saw the twins standing on either side of Bia Zhao Xing each with an arm flung across her back, watching the waves hit the shore. As Bianca and Angel gathered our belongings, putting them in the trunk. I called for the 3 kids, telling them to climb into the car so we could head back home.

The music played softly in the background as Aries and Dante talked in low voices. Now and then my nephew glanced down at Bia Zhao Xing with a smile on his face. Just by looking at Aries and my foster daughter, you can see the beginning of young love brewing. "Hey, Uncle Vince, when do you plan on getting married?" Dante asked from behind me. I turned around to face my nephew. "Why does it matter if I get married or not? I could always just live with the two of you and have you guys take care of me for the rest of my life" I laughed at the look of horror on their faces.

"The boys are right though, Vince. Now that you are raising Bia Zhao Xing you need a wife to help. Or she will turn out more messed up in the head than you are. When you think about everything, that's happened over the years. Mia has been an enormous support for you and Bia," my brother Angel said from beside me.

"To be honest. You guys, I plan on proposing to her this weekend. Who wants to help me plan the engagement party?"

As we were in deep conversation during the ride back I began to notice how Angel would be checking the rearview mirror. Every time he glanced in the mirror we would speed up. I turned my head to look behind us only to see a car ramming hard into us. The kids in the back screamed and Bia Zhao Xing buried her head into Aries's neck. Shots rang out from the cars surrounding the Vehicle we were riding in.

Angel slammed his foot on the gas pedal while weaving in and out between the other cars on the road trying to get away from the volley of bullets rushing at us. Unexpectedly 12 black SUVs with open windows encircled us. Heavily armed muscled and tattooed Chinese men dressed in expensive tailored suits climbed out of the park vehicles, raising their guns at the people who were already firing at us.

Amid the ongoing situation, the twins and Bia Zhao Xing got of our car getting low to the ground I watched as they made their way to the trunk of the car and got their firearms each one taking cover and firing into the crowd. It only took seconds before the men who had first started the assault on us sped away. Six of the men who had stopped to help us walked over to where we stood to see if anybody was hurt. Bia Zhao Xing ran over up to me and stood in front of me arms spread open in front of her almost like she was my shield. I squinted my eyes at her and flipped her on the ear.

"Little girl, what the hell do you think you're doing? You do realize there are more of them than you and they're taller than you."

"No dad you've watched over and protected me all this time now it's my time. Nobody and I mean nobody puts their hands on my family."

The men standing in front of us started to whisper amongst themselves in hushed voices all the while watching my daughter like a hawk. I looked at Angel and Bianca to see if they were watching the same scene. Angel just shrugged his shoulders he had no clue either. One of the guys turned and ran back to one of the parked vehicles. And knocked on the rolled-up window before long it started to roll down slowly, he lowered his head whispering to whoever was on the other side.

The door opened with a jerk as the person inside climbed out. In contrast to the men standing around him in black suits, this man stood over 6ft tall, with long black hair pulled back into a ponytail. He was dressed all in white and walked with a dominating aura. A beast among men. The closer the man got you could see some similarities to Bia Zhao Xing. I stood watching the stranger walk closer with tears running down his face. But when I stepped around Bia to keep the man from her the circle of men who had been surrounding us closed in even more.

A lite tap on my shoulder got my attention turning my head I saw Bianca shaking her head telling me to stay put and not do anything we may regret later on. At that moment Bia spoke up again and the words she said made my heart launch in my throat. "Appa, is that you?" Her tightened voice choked out. She ran into his waiting arms. I seriously hope I don't lose my daughter. What my parents taught me growing up had just become to pass. Life really does have a way of throwing curveballs your way. 

Here is a question to ponder while drinking your hot chocolate. 

How would you feel if you were in Vince's shoes having found and rescued the little girl at 5 years old just to turn around you guys are saved by her birth father and family.