17 The Family Emblem as a Birthmark

SEAN LOCKHART

I don't know what's happening around us anymore but all I know is that since Aviana left and Ace woke up from the hospital. Everything changed. Wait. That's not right. Let me rephrase that, since Ace met Aviana everything changed. The world that we thought was peaceful became a world of darkness. War is inevitable, a war between powerful individuals that only fights for fame, money, and status.

A week already passed. Tomorrow, every family will officially announce the next boss of each mafia. I'm nervous but in the end, we can't refuse or escape from this since death will find us all.

I looked at Ace and he's just blankly staring at the dancing floor. For no particular reason, he seems to be out of this world. Ever since he has been discharged from the hospital, he doesn't talk much and always staring at nowhere. We are here at some club, trying to cool off our minds. There are just so many things happening around us. Also, this party for the mafia family will be held tomorrow. Our schedules are full and I want to take a break right now.

"Ace..." I called. He looked at me.

"Let's go?" I asked. He looks bored, it's too obvious. He stood up from his chair without giving a word. I was right. I just followed him and so both of us proceeded to walk away from the club.

When we finally arrived at the parking lot and got in his car, I suddenly remembered something. I want to investigate it quietly and on my own only but until now I still can't find what is the reason why Aviana has that kind of birthmark.

"Ace, let's head towards your parents," I suggested. He looked at me first, probably he is thinking why I would like to meet his parents and at this time? However, he just nodded as an answer.

He is not living with his parents anymore. He prefers to stay on a condo. I don't know what is his reasons but this is a good opportunity for him to visit his parents. It's also been a week when he decided to leave their mansion.

A few minutes later we finally arrived. Tita welcomed us and she told us Tito isn't home to welcome his son's return. I looked around the house and everything changed. Even though I just occasionally visit here. I can tell that a lot has changed. I noticed also that there are so many men standing inside and in front of the house. Seems like they're highly alert from their enemies. I guess this is the reason why Ace left. He's sick of this. Well, who can blame his parents?

When we were finally in the living room, Tita offered us to sit. A moment later, the maids served us with some beverages. I looked at Tita and she just smiled at me. She's glad that I brought Ace here.

"Tita. We came here because Ace wants to visit but also, I want to ask you something." I started to talk.

"What is that?" She asked while sipping from her drink.

"Well, I noticed someone." I paused and looked at Ace because he still doesn't know about this.

"But I think that it is impossible." I just said and sat properly.

"Tell me." Tita suddenly said seriously. I decided to not ask her anymore or else this will make them confused. Since that I, myself am confused about what I found out but damn Tita looks terrifying with those eyes looking at me.

"Well, Tita." I paused and looked at her again but she's just still looking at me with those eyes. Here goes nothing.

"What if I saw someone with a birthmark of your family emblem? What does that mean?" I asked. Hence, I was startled when Tita's glass suddenly slipped from her hands. She was surprised by it. The maids helped her to clean the broken glass, then she looked at me after that.

"What d-did you say?" She asked.

"I said-" but Ace cut me off.

"If you saw someone with a birthmark like our family emblem, that means he or she is a family-related. Are you sure it's a birthmark, not a tattoo? It's very rare for people to have a birthmark with red color in their skin." He stated. I froze. I am sure that it was a birthmark. It's not a tattoo.

"Well, that someone could be a great descendant of our ancestor," Tita added while wiping her clothes because some of her drink was spilled at her dress.

"A great descendant who can inherit the Family's ability. You already know that Sean." Tita said and my eyes widened after hearing those words.

"Why is that?" Tita asked.

"Well... Nothing." I said and just awkwardly smiled at them. Ace noticed me trembling and that made him glare at me. He noticed that I'm lying.

"By the way Tita why did they became fiancés when both families are enemies?" I asked out of curiosity and to change the topic too. Tita flinched from my question.

"I don't know either. I just know that Mr. De Lave wants Ace to marry her Granddaughter and we agreed to that in exchange for them being our ally. You know how the mafia world works but, in the end, we've been played." Tita explained.

"Now where did you saw that tattoo?" Ace suddenly asked so, I looked at him. There's no point in lying anymore. He will ask and ask until I spill the answer, so here it goes.

"I just saw it in Aviana's body," I said and I noticed that the two of them froze from where they were sitting.

"W-what do you mean?" Tita asked trying to calm herself.

"That can't be." Ace said as he slammed the table. Just as I thought this is too confusing for them, especially to Ace.

"MOM WHAT DOES THAT MEAN!" Ace now shouted.

"I don't know okay! I don't know!" Tita said and stood up but she suddenly fainted.

"Tita," I called as I run towards her.

I immediately carried her towards her room. I noticed that Ace followed us while talking to someone on the phone. I think he called the doctor of their family. After I put Tita in her bed, Ace suddenly pulled me and pushed me to the wall.

"What the fuck are you talking about!" He asked irritated.

"I'm telling the truth," I said.

"You know that we tried to kill her. I saw it Ace! I saw what I saw." I said to him and that made him step back, long until I heard him laughing like crazy.

"So, she's my sister is that it?" He asked.

"I don't know okay," I answered. He looked down and refused to look at me in the eye. He seems disappointed.

"Leave first, I'll stay here." He said. I had no choice but to walk away.

When I was finally outside the house, I started to walk to get into the main road. I didn't bring any phone with me. I can't call any taxi cab. Damn it! I didn't bring any car too since Ace suddenly showed up in front of our house and insisted to go to a club. Just how lucky am I?

I proceeded to walk in this very dark place when I felt like someone's following me. I immediately looked behind me but there's no one there. I must be imagining things. I continued to walk but faster now. I don't feel anyone following me but I can hear footsteps coming nearer and nearer. I looked behind me for the second time but then again there's no one there.

However, when I was about to walk again. I almost fainted when I saw someone standing right beside me but I managed to point my gun. Like what the fuck! This person was wearing a white dress and her hair is very long. Damn! I'm trembling like crazy. I should run now, right? I was about to step back when that person started to speak.

"How is he?" The person asked. The voice seems familiar. It's not a ghost. I slowly put back my gun and walk in front of that person to see who it was and thanks to the light of the moon I finally see this person's face.

"Aviana?" I asked but she didn't answer me. I noticed that she looked at the moon. She's creeping me out, ever since I saw her at the hospital. Besides, I still don't know what is she and why does she have that kind of ability?

"Tomorrow." She started to talk.

"Take care of him for me." She added and walked away. What does she mean? And that made realize, what will happen tomorrow?

Aviana, what are you planning to do again?