Restore the family name
Meanwhile, Stoic and Legacy were Preparing a birthday present for their mother. She thought her children had forgotten and didn’t even bother to remind them. She was even nervous and filled with “what if thoughts…” about tomorrow…
“Cut the chase…. Go Straight to the point… Why did you asked me to meet you here? ” Mark inquired as he unlocked the warm embrace and sat on the chair just besides the one Flora sat on, just in front of the counter..
“What may I offer you?” The bartender immediately came over and requested. Meantime, Flora was dragging a shaking breathe into her lungs as she sat on her seat.
“Just a bottle of water….” Mark answered the bar tender who was impatiently waiting for Mark’s order to be placed. With that said, the bartender turned and walked away, most likely to fetch the bottle of water.
“Bottle water? Wow my son has grown to become such a responsible powerful figure!” Flora muttered to herself. Though she is in her 50’s, she still looked like she was in her 30’s. She looked beautiful in her casual wear.
“Why did you asked me to meet you here ? If not important, I’ll get going….” Mark repeated his question and stated with a cold expression.
“I think your father might still be alive…” Flora said after she heaved a sigh. Then, she picked up her handbag and brought out some photos and a map and a carbon paper that was folded inside the handbag. Once, she was done with that, she placed them on top the counter.
“I have made my research and I think – no – I know your father is still alive…. Look at this photos and -” Flora didn’t complete her sentence when Mark stood up and started walking out. The photos were of a man taken just recently who looked very much like his father or could be his father.
“Why can’t he just listen? Does he have to be stubborn like his father?” Flora said and started towards Mark who was walking out briskly.
“Son!…. Wait for me! Just listen to me … I know I have wronged you by leaving and abandoning you, but as the president general you should understand my plight!” Flora called out to him and wept at the conclusion of her sentence.
“I had no option…. Mummy loved you….. And our family can get back together if we find your father… My husband” Flora furthermore said when Mark paused on his tracks.
He was tempestuous. Didn’t know if he should listen to what his mum had to say or just walk out. All through his life, he had lived knowing he had no parents since he got abandoned, and then his mum showed up one day and the next she claims his dead dad might still be alive …. Claiming with confidence and that their family can still get back together… He started of toward the tree, then halted on the threshold, glaring.
They were both dead to him, until now….
“I’m listening…..” Mark said with an angry tone. He was already few metres out and away from the Claves bar. His mum, Flora advancing towards him from behind.
“Your Dad is not dead. He is imprisoned in a high max prison built on top a heavy body of water….. We can still rescue him and get our family back together” Flora explained. Her hand on his elbow as if to brace him, but he barely noticed. “You understand? We have to find him before- and restore our family name!’
Mark stood there motionless for a long moment, staring at his mother. It was hard not to feel like he was staring at a stranger. His throat felt tight, almost too tight to speak. He glanced toward around, them sighed. “Okay.
“Mark…,” Flora said at last, very softly. “I am so sorry.”
Mark stared down at her hands. She was, he realized, still wearing her wedding ring with dad.
“I never thought I’d see this place again,” Flora went on. Mark stole a sideways glance at his mother and saw that she was looking out over the city.
“I dreamed about it sometimes. I even wanted to paint it, to paint my memories of it, but I couldn’t do that. I thought if you ever saw the paintings, you might ask questions, might wonder how those images had ever come into my head..”
“I couldn’t take you along to the mercenaries abode where I worked all these years because I didn’t wanted lose you and also don’t want you to follow your dad footsteps and become a military officer…” Tears burnt the back of Flora’s eyes as she continued.
With an heavy breath, Flora continued with a question…..
“Can we not restore our families name anymore?”
When Mark heard the question, he became deeply absorbed in thoughts and confused emotionally…. “This family thing…..”
“Well… I have important stuff to handle! Will meet you here next tomorrow by noon!” With that said Mark disappeared into the thin air.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.
Flora clenched her fist tightly as she watched her son leave until she could no longer get a glimpse of him.
*********
When Mark got back to the military base, he went straight to Diana’s place to check how she was doing, but didn’t find her.
“Mum, went out to take some fresh air…” Stoic reported after they embraced and greeted him. They were all acting like they were comfortable with him but are however not; not even a bit.
Upon noticing the worried expression that engulfed his face, Jennifer spoke “There are two national guards with her… for security purposes.. so, don’t worry, mum… I mean your love is in safe hands” afterwards she just chuckled inwardly.
Mark was stunned when he heard that. It was like Jennifer could actually see through him.
“So, You’re getting married tomorrow… And you haven’t done the DNA paternity test on us to confirm you’re out father…. You promised to marry mum and to us, we will become a happy family..” Legacy stated, interrupting the thought Mark was thrown into (she called her mum ‘my love’… But I don’t love her!)
(Sharrap! You do love her) a voice inside of him shouted at him.
“It seems you don’t take threats seriously… We’ll tell everyone you no longer have the silver ring if you don’t call off the marriage before tomorrow and marry mum” Legacy added, he was a little bit cold this time around.
Mark couldn’t believe this little Rugrats are actually trying to blackmail him. But, they’re too small, he thought. ‘They can’t possibly do anything…..” He further said to himself, underestimating what this three little Rugrats are actually capable of.
“Today is your mum’s birthday, are you guys planning a surprise for her?” Mark inquired, in the bid to stall the conversation.