Chapter 263 - Home In Molave 9

Mr. Lopez grew worried as he listened to the conversation. Of all people, why would Mr. Blacksmith choose Jane? This was the first time they had gone to this place. Could this mean that Mr. Blacksmith was stalking on them? He was always apprehensive about any youth organizations because it still turned out that, aside from the good cause as their front, they always had an underground movement.

"Darling, of all the places in the county, why must Mr. Blacksmith  follow you here?" Jane's mom voiced out what  Mr. Lopez had been thinking about.

"I really don't know, mom. I am happy though that Kyle is a former student in Beautiful Haven."

Everyone fell silent as they all got lost in their thoughts. If Mr. Blacksmith sent Kyle to her school, it meant that Mr. Blacksmith had a deeper intention. It could mean he had a long-term plan brewing a long time ago.

"Jane, I think, he knew you a long time ago. You could have met him at a university or somewhere-" Joanna started to state her analysis, and because she was a psychologist, everyone jumped into her conclusion.

"I think so, too, and perhaps, he has a crush on you!" squealed Cherry, her outburst seemed out of the situation.

Everyone froze for a second, but after realizing she could be right, they all burst out into a round of laughter.

"And I am curious about his love story," Cherry added. Only she could insert a joke amid a serious conversation.

"Cherry, stop it," irritated, Jane stopped her, but it ignited Cherry's thrill further.

"Hayri, what do you think?"

Sour as a cream his heart may turn, Hayri forced himself to smile and reply, "Could be." 

"How could all of you be so dirty-minded? Who knows if he went through something, forcing him to leave his child to me randomly?"

Before anyone could answer, Kyle and Chloe came back running. Cherry picked up her opportunity the moment it presented itself.

"Kyle, can auntie ask something?"

Kyle nodded without saying a word.

"What does your dad say about leaving you to teacher Jane?"

"He wants me to be safe."

"Why does your dad choose teacher Jane? How  long did he plan on leaving you to her?"

Kyle felt it was something his dad didn't want him to tell anybody, but seeing the sea of faces looking up to him, he felt pressured.

"Every time dad helps me with an assignment, he shows me his phone with teacher Jane's photo and tells me that someday, she will become my mom."

A shudder ran through Jane's spine, and she rubbed her skin to ease it. He saw Hayri's mouth dropped open as he stared at Kyle with an empty gaze. To end the topic, she stood up and asked permission to use the bathroom.

Leo also stood up, and Issa followed. "We should also be going. The delivery truck will be here any minute. I will be sending the sacks of corn to the mill." 

"Let me help, Tay," Ajie offered, glancing at Hayri, who still held the baby. Allie still had morning routine to do, including Chloe's usual routine and she wouldn't be able to carry on without him.

"Don't worry, son. We can help in the care of the baby," Mrs.Lopez offered as he understood Ajie's unspoken request.

"Thanks, auntie. I also want to help uncle Leo."

Soon, Ajie, Andrew, and Hayri helped in lifting the sacks of corn to the delivery truck while the delivery boys received and arranged it. It didn't take long to empty the barn because the male farmers also helped.

Gathering at the side of the road to rest, Hayri saw a pile of three sacks, and he went over to sit down on top of it. Others followed, finding themselves a rock or tree stump to sit on it. Leo approached them later as he helped Issa in carrying the bottles of cold drinks for them.

"Uncle, I think you have forgotten to include these sacks," Hayri asked, pointing the sacks using his bowed head.

"No, that is already milled I ordered the delivery staff to bring. Those are for the boys."

"Boys?" Ajie wondered what he meant because he saw how Leo distributed the farmers' share of the harvest.

"A group of young boys is living deep down the ravines. One time, I received a letter from them, informing me that they harvested some of my crops for their food consumption. Since then, I always give them a share of the harvest."

The three young men stared at each other in utter shock. It meant he had been feeding them for a long time already. They all concluded silently that the group might be the insurgents led by Mr. Blacksmith. His code name was familiar, but nobody knew the person behind the pen name yet.

"Uncle, are they bothering the people?" Hayri wanted to know if there was also an underground movement coming from the famous "Velvet Fighters".

"I never heard any incident before. Aside from that, only a few of the farmers know about them."

___

Returning later to the resort to prepare for the next activity, Ajie and Hayri saw a car stopping at the entrance. After giving them a short glance, they ignored it and proceeded to the small gate for the people's entrance. A few minutes later, the guard opened up the gate, and the car entered. Three men came out and walked straight toward the reception area.

"Miss, I would like to book three rooms for three days," they heard one of the men talking to the receptionist.

"Here, sir," in her warmest smile, the receptionist handed them a catalog so that they could choose their type of accommodation.

Ajie and Hayri stared at each other. Without an open sharing of their thoughts, they unintentionally felt something odd towards the guest. They sauntered and tried to eavesdrop. However, Hayri slumped on the couch in front of the reception area and heaved out a deep sigh, pretending he was tired. Ajie followed and sat next to him, observing his next move.

Spreading his arms on the couch, Hayri closed his eyes. Having nothing to do, Ajie picked up a magazine and scanned the pages, observing the men through the corners of his eyes. Then, he saw one of the men turned and stared at Hayri for a long while. Ajie could guess he was in his early thirties, possessing a commanding aura.

"Louis Dioko?" 

Hayri opened his eyes, and the man's smiling face greeted his eyes.

"Markus Mandani!"