Chapter 246 - The Islet Mystery 62

Still lost in anger and frustration, Marco, the head guard, looked up and found the armed men coming up to the islet. With guns aimed at them, he and his men raised both their hands as a sign of surrender. Ryan and the island guards followed, and he even saw the guard staring at his phone.

"What does my father say?" Ryan asked, wondering how his father reacted to the news.

Marco gave him a quick stare before stuttering a reply. "He-he doesn't recognize me anymore and even hang up on me."

"He doesn't recognize you? That's weird. How long have you served him?" Ryan replied with a scornful mirth. Still oblivious about his father's dementia, he took this as a bait to gauge their stand.

"I notice this slow change on him a few days ago. You should let him see a doctor," Marco suggested, as finally, he lifted his eyes to look at him. He knew Ryan was there from the beginning, but he ignored him, knowing his father's loathing on him. He also knew that despite his father's hatred, he was his only son, and as expected, all that Mr. Te had, would go to him. And he also expected that next to his father, he would be their coming boss.

"If that's the case, my father is no longer capable of running his business, so it is only fair if you also give your allegiance to me as his heir."

Marco did not reply. He remained looking down, waiting for what more he had to say.

"I want an absolute change in the administration. I want to stop all the oppression, the illegal transactions, and all the faulty practices under my father's governance. If you don't want this kind of administration, you are free to go."

The rest of Marco's men looked up at him, wondering if he was true to what he said. They had been working under his father for many years, and a change of the administration sounded unrealistic. Ryan could not blame their skepticism; they had survived too long under his father's wicked and cruel dominance.

Ryan started to lay out some of his father's faults that he wanted to correct. He also pointed out some of his abusive strategies in dealing with projects, or with the people working for him. And lastly, his cruelty against the people who did wrong at him.

"If you agree to my plans, show me your support by releasing to me the two old people and the child you keep in this place."

A sudden commotion rose among them as they began discussing among themselves the pros and cons of each situation. Ryan, as well as the police officers, listened to them as they agreed or argued to each thought they brought up. 

A few minutes later, Alvin stepped forward and spoke up his concern. "Sir, how can you assure us of our safety? While your father lives, he still deserves our loyalty because we pledged it to him. We are afraid of what he can do against us."

Ryan cleared his throat before he replied to his anxious audience whose eyes were glued on him.

"Give me more time to settle things out before I take full control on the rein. Who doesn't want to end their suffering? Who doesn't want a better environment where everyone is free and happy? Who doesn't want a change in the administration where everything would be in its proper place?"

Ryan's word pierced into their hearts, causing the awakening of their self-pity for being in the bondage for so long

______

Yanyan stuck out his ear, and he heard the explosion. He further shivered in fear when he looked out and saw that aside from the guards c.o.c.king their weapons, he saw those armed men on the fishing boat. He ran fast to his grandparents and, with quivering lips and trembling knees, relayed to them what was happening outside.

"Ma, Pa, let's get out of here. I have discovered an exit which the guards don't know yet!"

"Where do we go?" Yanyan's grandmother asked, her heart racing also in fear.

"I'll bring you to my friends. I know where they live!" Yanyan replied, his eyes glowing in the dark. He put off the kerosene-lit lamp the moment he heard the chaos outside.

"Yes, Ma. He and his wife even asked me to visit you. They said they want to help us and even offered to send me to school."

"Really? Just when did you meet these friends of yours?" asked Yanyan's grandfather, whose tears flowed instantly at the sound of hope he heard from his grandson.

"They visited Isla Uno. Do you still remember the food I brought you last week? They gave it to me!"

Yanyan's grandmother reached out her hands and grasped her grandson's face. "Son, whoever they are, accept their offer. Go with them if you see they are sincere. We want you to get out of this place. We would be happy to see you in school someday."

"Really, Ma? You want me to get away from you? Who will bring you food? Who will take care of you?"

"Just tell your friend to help us get away from here and bring us to an institution that will take care of old people," Yanyan's grandfather replied, relishing on the tiny hope Yanyan shed on them.

"Okay, Pa. Let's hurry up while the guards are distracted now. I'll bring you to Sir Ryan."

"What do you say?" the elderlies asked in chorus, startling Yanyan.

"Yes, Ma, Pa. His name is Sir Ryan, and his wife's name is Ma'am Shiela!"

The elderlies froze for a moment as they stared at each other in the dark. Lost for word, the old woman trembled while an idea spurted on his husband's mind.

"Boy, hurry up! Don't wait for us. Go now and find them. Tell them we are alive. They are your parents. They must be looking for you," urged Yanyan's grandpa, his voice now shaking for joy, followed by an uncontrollable sob.

Yanyan got dumbfounded at the news. He stared at them in disbelief as many questions floated in his young mind.

"Yanyan, let's talk about all these next time. Go now and find your parents!"

Yanyan moved and began to run, propelled by his grandparent's command. Yet, while he was running, his thoughts were on the old couple. What if the guards outside do harm to them? What if the guards take them away and that he would not see them again?