Chapter 260 - Home In Molave 6

With his line of work, Dr. Charles was sure he would find a way to know the sources of Myrtle Shade's special formula. Yet, knowing that this would only feed the hunger of those who are craving for more evil transactions, he always came up with alibis. While it was true that invading the Te's privacy was difficult, Mr. Te was also known as a dangerous man. Adding to the hindrances was the tight security of the Chara Islands as, like Madani's, it was monopolized by the Tes. Aside from that, the family got the full rights of security and confidentiality as they were the leading manufacturer of regulated drugs and that their laboratory was in the area.

What surprised him the most was the apparent connection between Ryan and Dr. Jane. Oblivious to her, his growing affection for her started when he got a crush on her while they were still in college. They went to the same university, but unfortunately, Jane was always aloof to everybody, and her world rotated only around her books. He knew about her relationship with Hayri as her best friend, and he himself could attest to the fact that there was nothing more between them aside from mere friendship.

However, his father had him married to a distant relative. He started to forget Jane and focused on his married life, business, and profession. Sadly, when his wife was about to deliver their son, she died due to an incident initiated by Markus Madani.

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Under the cave beneath the thick foliage of the huge trees in Molave heights, Charles checked the black metal box that he and his partners were working on. Some of them were the nuclear physicists of the original Madani clan, designing types of lightweight bombs they would plant in the fault line beneath the Madani Islands. They did not create hydrogen bombs with millions of megatons, but the types of a bomb that would be enough to cause tectonic earthquakes to chase away these monster leaders from their zones of abundance and wealth.

"Markus, this is for you!" laughed Charles as he ran his fingers on the sleek surface of the bomb. "And Riza, this is for the justice I promised on your deathbed."

"Charles," a voice behind him and a tap on his shoulder jolted Charles from his plan concentration, "are you ready for this? How about your son?"

Charles knew that this project to kill also meant their death, but until now, he couldn't think of a better idea about where he should place his child. His fingers went to touch the pendant lying above his chest. Dr. Elson Madani, his trusted cousin leading the group of nuclear physicists, followed his eyes on the sparkling diamond in velvet shade.

"Your discovery on velvet diamonds will only go to the greedy hands if you won't be able to find a diamond-hearted woman."

During his search for more minerals on one of the islands, his forefathers bought, Dr. Charles discovered the velvet diamonds. Since he was an only son, and most of his cousins were followers of Markus, he could never entrust his only child to them. Elson, who was his only cousin who sided with the right, pledged him his loyalty, and so if in the process Charles would die, he would also die with him. They did this, not only out of their hatred of the inc.u.mbent government but in the name of their family, who worked hard for the beautiful legacy of the Madani.

A blazing red light and a vibrating sound made them look up into the surveillance monitor. It was their way of monitoring the possible invaders into their hidden laboratory.

"It's a group of horse riders from the resort," Elson commented after glancing at the monitor.

"Yes."

"Dad, look. My teacher!" butted Kyle who also ran to see who was on the monitor.

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When the silver lining of the sky started to break, Charles hugged his son Kyle again. Kyle was already in the brink of crying but he tried so hard to hold back his tears.

"Son, I will be watching you from a distance because the farmers are already awake. Do not  forget my number because even if you lost your phone, you could still reach me, okay?"

"Yes, dad, as long as you promise to visit me," the child's voice started to crack but he pulled his brows together to keep himself from crying.

"I will. That's a promise."

"I will not cry anymore?" Lifting his eyes to look at his father, Kyle's eyes started to get red, but he held his breath this time to stop the tears. His dad always reminded him to be brave and he should show him that he was.

"My son is brave, right?" Charles smiled as he hugged his son again for the hundred times. He already wanted to give up and cry, but he didn't want his son to see that his courage was wavering. He didn't want him to be afraid. He had already succeeded in preparing his mind for his new home, where he could have peace and freedom. This may be only temporary, but in his heart, he knew it could be forever. If luck is on his side, he could also chase his long time dream- to have Jane in his life. According to his source, she broke up her engagement and remained single as of this moment.

At precisely four in the morning, the men who accompanied Charles had already placed their sacks at the back of their horses. The farmers also started to come out of their huts and built fires on their make-shift stone stoves to cook their breakfast. Kyle just remained sitting down on the bench, hugging his backpack until Issa came out of the house and saw him.

Issa stood frozen on the ground; the memories and that overwhelming feeling when she saw Ajie on the bench way back when he was yet a child, came back. She stared at him, and the boy also stared back.

"Boy, are you alone?" Issa said when she finally recovered from her deja vu. Looking around before the boy could answer, she saw no one.

She was about to ask again, but the sound of a coming car stopped her. Soon, she saw Dr. Jane coming out and walked towards them. Her eyes immediately fell on the boy who sat at the bench, wrapped in a black windbreaker and a cap on his head.

"Boy?" Jane called out as she squinted through the dark. The surroundings were still pitch-black, and the flickering light of the lamps was the only source of light illuminating them.

"Teacher?" Kyle replied, and he immediately jumped down the bench and ran towards them. Stunned, Jane stopped from her tracks and stared at the boys with a look of disbelief.

"Kyle? Is it you? I can't believe this," Jane exclaimed, thinking about the dreadful things Hayri told about the group called, 'The Velvet Fighters'. Who would ever expect that one of her students was the son of the rumored faceless Mr. Blacksmith?