Alvin, the head guard assigned to watch over the properties of Mr. Te in Chara Islands, also held the task in rotating the men to different areas. Despite the cruelty, the unfair policies, and the withdrawn privileges and benefits a worker should have, Alvin remained loyal. His loyalty came from his sincere and personal conviction that he should do his duty as required of him, regardless of what he only got in return. He believed that God in heaven sees everything, and in His own time, He will make everything right and reward him for all the sincerity and dedication he attributed in this job.
The anger that was slowly building inside his heart due to the oppression of Mr. Te was not enough to wash out his guilt in attempting disloyalty from his duty. He was guilty that his wife got swayed by Ryan's offer to have their sick children brought to a doctor. He felt guilty for accepting the salary increase behind his employer's administration. He knew that Ryan was manipulating them behind his father's back. Though he understood and appreciated Ryan's generosity and thoughtfulness, for him, it was still wrong to go against the current administration. In his opinion, Ryan should settle his matters with his father and not do an underground movement against him through his people.
While the meeting went on, he sat at the back and listened to everybody's sentiments. He could never refute against them because they were right; they had suffered long enough. The greatest responsibility lay on him, and he could not imagine the retribution he would get from Mr. Te for his betrayal. He then sent a message to Mr. Te's most trusted bodyguard, the one who carried out his commands to all of them under security management.
_____
Meanwhile, in one of the prison buildings...
"Sir, Dr. Jullien is here again for your another dose," one of the jail guards approached Mr. Te while at the living room, watching his afternoon news broadcast.
Holding a magazine with his left hand, and a cup of coffee in his right, he glanced up with creased eyebrows. "Dr. Jullien?"
Before the guard replied, Jullien's voice interrupted them. "Uncle! How are you?"
Mr. Te's brows further creased in a puzzled look. He adjusted his glasses and stared at her before replying. "Forgive this old man, dear. I have already become forgetful lately."
Jullien let out a sweet smile before she looked down and smirked. "You are just tired, uncle. When we age, we usually have sleeping problems, and lack of sleep can cause grogginess. Thus, we tend to become forgetful."
"Yes, yes, you are right," Mr. Te nodded before he gave her a quick and confused stare. "How can I help you, my dear?"
Jullien laughed and bent down to kiss his cheek. "Uncle, I'm here to give you another dose of your anti-aging regimen."
Mr. Te slapped his forehead and sighed. "Sure, sure, how can I forget. Come here, dear. Sit down beside me."
Jullien pulled out a chair and placed it across Mr. Te. She then opened the small kit she brought with her and pulled out a set of alcohol swabs. After disinfecting the injection site adaptor and preparing the solution, she looked up smiled at him.
"Is everything ready, uncle?" Jullien asked before she uncapped the needle and started pushing the plunger of the syringe.
"Ready for what?" Mr. Te pulled his brows close together again.
"For the wedding."
"Wedding?"
"Yes, uncle. Ryan and mine's wedding."
"Ryan?"
Jullien's lips curved into a broad grin, but before she replied, a man's voice broke into their conversation.
"Sir, I just received a call from Isla Uno to inform you that the people there are rising against you."
Mr. Te's head started to ache in his confusion. What were these people talking about? He stared at his bodyguard's face for a long while, trying to fathom the sense of what he was talking about.
The bodyguard stared back at him, wondering at his strange reaction. Is he sick?
After a long while of waiting for his answer, he decided to give him his ideas. "Sir, how about going to Isla Uno with my team to settle the commotion there?"
With a look of doubt and frustration, Mr. Te replied. He got frustrated with himself that he couldn't recall even names and places that sounded familiar to him. To avoid further shame and disappointment, he feigned impatience on the matter.
"Go and do as you please."
"Sir, do you want me to smite them out in the same way you did with the rest of them?"
"Definitely."
"How about the elderlies?"
Elderlies? Who are they? He stared at the bodyguard and pretended he was thinking about what he would do. To save his pride, he dismissed the topic by deciding for the doom of his parents.
"Don't spare anyone. Go now!"
______
Dressed in a black windbreaker, a man's wig, and a pair of dark sunglasses, Shiela followed Joey through a hotel's motorboat. She did not follow close, but through her binoculars, she could see him well. Yanyan, who Joey was following, was rowing miles ahead of him. That made her happy and relieved to know that he was safe. Just a few more deep breaths, and she could already have her son. Her secret tailing was only her alternative plan that in case Joey and Ryan would fail, she would be there for a silent rescue.
Not leaving her eyes from the binoculars, she also saw the fishing boat. The moment Joey would find out where Yanyan and his grandparents were kept, Mr. Dioko's men were there on standby to back him up. The only obstacles they had were the sensors and security cameras that Mr. Te's men placed around the premises. Their highest hope lay only on the success of Ryan to win the men's hearts in their favor. In that way, they no longer have to execute a bloody fight.
As Shiela adjusted her binoculars, a hazy outline of boats from two opposite directions caught her eyes. Her heartbeats thumped faster as suspicion grew inside her. Could it be Mr. Te's men?
She then noticed that Yanyan turned abruptly around and moved past Joey and the fishing boat. However, Joey's boat continued moving slowly on his route plan, and so did the fishing boat. She knew that it was part of the plan to conceal their true intentions. If they failed to follow Yanyan this time, then they could go there the next day. What's more important was that they already have the idea where they were possibly hiding.
With her heartbeats in her throat, she nudged the boatman who was waiting for her instruction. Pointing to the other side of the island, she yelled against the loud sound of the boat's engine.
"Let's go to the other side!"