CHAPTER THREE | READING

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Before you leave, the fortune teller reminds you that the future is never set in stone – Erin Morgenstern

BREATHLESS

CHAPTER THREE | READING

EZRA

"How much is the money that we are babysitting for Mr. Cardenas?"

Pinahid ko na muna ang bibig ko ng table napkin bago sumagot sa Daddy ko.

"Five hundred million, Dad. One hundred of it is scattered to three different banks. I also told them that I am coordinating with foundations where we could wash the money. So far, all of my contacts are good. They agreed with the percentage that I will give." Paliwanag ko.

Napangiti ang Daddy ko sa akin at napatango-tango. "How about the other families? Are they good? There's no problem?"

Umiling ako. "No problem at all, Dad. You can rest assured I am handling the business well." Ngumiti ako sa kanya para hindi na siya magkaroon pa ng alalahanin para dito.

Hindi nawala ang ngiti sa mukha ng Daddy ko habang nagpatuloy siyang kumain. Ako naman ay hindi na nagawang sumubo at nanatiling umiinom na lang ng kape habang nakatingin sa kanya. I remembered how my dad was tough before. All of his words were power among us and his people. Basta may sinabi, hindi puwedeng mabali. Kahit nga ako at si Kuya Elian. Si Kuya Elian talaga ang tini-train ni Daddy para sa negosyo niyang ito. Unfortunately, Kuya Elian died when he was in his teens. He went in Mexico for Spring Break and didn't comeback. Sa Amerika kasi siya nag-aaral ng kolehiyo noon. He vanished without a trace. All of his friends came back but my brother was nowhere to be found. I knew how my father was devastated when that happened. Ang tagal din bago naka-recover. Ang tagal din naming umasa na matatagpuan namin si Kuya at isang araw ay uuwi sa amin na buhay. But after so many years, we had to accept the fact that he was dead and would never come back anymore. We didn't able to give my brother a decent burial because there was no body to be found.

Napakarami nang nangyari sa amin. Sure, we were enjoying our lavish lifestyle throughout the years but I am not going to be okay with this. The money we were spending didn't come from clean money. And I know time will come, we will pay for this. I just didn't know when and how.

Inilapag ni Daddy ang mga kubyertos niyang hawak at pinahid ng napkin ang bibig.

"How about the Rozovskys? Are they still trusting their money to us?" Tanong pa niya.

"Yes, Dad. Don't worry, we are not losing our power. They still trust us. Those families knew that we are safeguarding their money and nothing will happen to that. Anytime they need it, they can get it." Sagot ko.

Ang magandang ngiti ni Daddy ay unti-unting nagiging mapakla.

"Don't you think it's time for us to change our business?"

Kumunot ang noo ko. Kay Daddy ko ba talaga naririnig ang salitang iyon? Change our business? Sa kanya ko nga laging naririnig na mahalaga ang business namin na 'to at hindi kami basta-basta makakatakas sa mga pamilyang pinagkakatiwalaan kami ng pera nila.

"Dad, are you okay?" Natatawang tanong ko.

Ngumiti lang siya ng mapakla. "I just had a dream last night about your brother."

Hindi ako sumagot. Lagi namang nananaginip si Daddy tungkol kay Kuya Elian.

"And what did he say this time in your dream?"

Nagkibit siya ng balikat. "Nothing. I just saw him looking at me."

Napahinga ako ng malalim. "Kuya Elian want us to move on. I am doing his job."

Naabot mo na ang dulo ng mga na-publish na parte.

⏰ Huling update: Jan 14 ⏰

Idagdag ang kuwentong ito sa iyong Library para ma-notify tungkol sa mga bagong parte!

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