Chapter 73: Marco Junior's Father

The wind blows as softly as the seashore ravishing waves delved into the sand dunes. The spirit of placidness belongs to the trees surrounding the bench, where Benjamin Gustilo was waiting for Marco Junior. At the far end of the park, the black Mercedes Benz was silently parked with nothing to see of the car's exterior. Not to be seen the interior by people who have nothing to do with it.

Ben Gustilo still sitting at the bench looking straight at the water fountain that exudes its colors and rhythm for ten minutes. He glanced sideways to the left and saw the handsome man approaching him, "Hello Papa Ben, I am late." He bear-hugged Papa Ben and kissed his hand. "Waiting for me...long time Papa Ben?"

"Naaahh, how are you?" Papa Ben smiled the usual way for his grandson. "How's your vacation or something you fixed in the Philippines?"

"I am fine Papa, and I think, I know exactly what I want in life."

"Great son, even if it's fine for you, is there any problem or problems I could possibly help with? Personally or anything?"

"No, Papa Ben, I can handle myself and I want to drive my own love and life."

Ben Gustilo looked at his grandson's facial expression and study the emotional reaction, "Well, if that's the case, will you listen to me very carefully then?"

"Yes Papa, you told me in the phone that you have an update for me? I mean a good news?"

"Yes, Marco Junior, since.. .before you left going to the Philippines. I knew that your Billionaire father was here in Shanghai, China." Papa Ben still studying Marco Junior's reaction and continue, "They built fastfood business conglomerate here in Shanghai and the whole of China. They penetrated the modern Chinese sentiments about fastfood and business as a whole. Well, lots of modern business-minded Chinese accepts the American way of eating and doing business through the different kinds of fastfood outlets."

"So, Papa Ben, why are you telling me this now? And what's your point?" Marco Junior frowns from what he heard.

"You know son Marco, I am in the business world of the Chinese Chamber and I know the ins and outs of the international business world. Frankly speaking, he is your father, a wealthy billionaire and I suggest, that you could utilize yourself personally and your education through your father? I mean, you know, I have grudge for him because of your mother Danielle. He has five children from other woman named Ayah Isabel, and two children from your mother Danielle."

Marco Junior's face changed when he recalled what happened to his mother. And, the pain was still inside his heart, even though Hershey Harus pacified it during his stay in the Philippines.

"Another option that if you could join forces with me to make them pay for his sins towards your mother? You knew that his wealth came from your mother! A revenge is needed Marco Junior!!" Papa Ben hysterically spit the venom inside his heart.

"You know Papa Ben, I want to study Law this coming semester. And, your suggestion is far from my newly formed outlook in life. Papa, where is Shaira, my sister?"

"Shaira is in the Philippines, as what I heard the other day from my informant. She managed her way to become an actress, in the Philippine movie industry, and as always, attending social gatherings. She is living alone in her apartment, and of course, in Bacoor, Cavite subdivision."

Marco Junior moved his head pointing to the sky to pacify the things that suddenly deluge his mind, "Papa Ben, is there any solution or ways that you and my father could be in unity for the sake of our future?"

"Marco Junior, because of the pain inside my heart for a long time, I could not control now, that he is here in our place of refuge. Why I lived here after that incident and you lived your own, while you are still in high school? I developed my sense of becoming one of the Chinese Top Official here in Shanghai because, I want to take revenge to your Billionaire father!!"

"Papa Ben...I understand your sentiments and feelings..."

Papa Ben Gustilo stood up suddenly and walked towards the black Mercedes Benz. Marco Junior looked at him but his heart began to feel the pain. Papa Ben left him at the bench alone, without saying another word.

Marco Junior sat at the bench for another half hour to think about the situation of his grandfather, his father, and his family, Hershey, Emily Reyes, and the Law course for his education. The remnants of the past still haunted Benjamin Gustilo and willing to avenge the death of his mother Danielle Gustilo.

His conscience told him other things otherwise, very messy, and other things to pursue the pain inside, very excruciating, but deep inside of him, a Hell.


Marco Fernando Senior POV

"Oliver where were you yesterday? Why you did not call me? Why Oliver? Answer me!!!" I shouted at Oliver when the latter did not say a word. Oliver just keeps his mouth shut when I was fuming mad at him. A never-ending event when I was losing my temper. But, sometimes different attitude needs a different reaction.

"Sir Fernando, please stop this kind of attitude, I don't like to be shouted at...and...and...you do not own me!! I've been with you for a long time now, but you still don't trust me? Why?"

"Oliver, You have a mission yesterday that needs to be monitored by myself, and you need to call every now and then. Why not calling me, where are you?"

"I finished my job yesterday, around Shanghai, and my report is on your office table. Read it first before shouting at me, okay?"

"Oliver, you knew beforehand our job and mission here in Shanghai, and we need to deliver to the Americans to the best we could. We have restaurant businesses to manage and at the same time, produced positive results."

"I know it Sir Fernando and I am doing my job very well. I think, I've done so much for our organization, and, for you too."

"Have respect for me for whatever we are doing and for our future. Isn't it that's your mission in life too?"

"Yes Sir Fernando, I apologize for my behavior Sir?"

"Okay, apology granted." I looked at him with much pleasure and a smile on my face, "How's your partner Janet Liang?"

"We are okay Sir and she's quite clingy, but, still, doing her job. She submitted her report to you...in your office table Sir."

"Good, I will visit your condo at the second floor today when I finish my office work, okay?"

"Okay, Sir Fernando, Bye!"

"Bye, Oliver, keep safe always."

Oliver left me with much hope to go on with our mission in Shanghai. I sipped my coffee and directly went to my office to read Oliver and Janet's reports. The given reports state mainly of a man named, Benjamin Gustilo and his comprehensive details about his lifestyle. His job, business, friends, and other remarkable events took place in Shanghai, China.

Benjamin Gustilo was recruited to his job, by his brother who resides in Shanghai for more than twenty years, and who has an influence in the Food Industry. Ben Gustilo came to Shanghai after his daughter Danielle Gustilo died. He brought Marco Fernando Junior to Shanghai after Marco Junior finished high school in Bacoor City, Cavite, Philippines.

After sorting the reports and my thoughts, I sat motionless thinking of my past with Danielle Gustilo. I lit a cigarette looking at the ceiling and blow the smoke continuously. The feeling of being in the past subsides as I sipped my coffee. I stood up and looked outside my window, looking at the far end of the city, where tall buildings competed for their height beyond modern human civilization. The grandeur of Shanghai is molded by the dream of any Chinese residents who value life as the primary human devotion.

I walked slowly to my office again, reread the two reports, thinking of something to work on, and after five minutes, I dressed in casuals going to the second floor where Oliver and Janet lived.

I knocked three times and Janet opened the door and smiled at me.

"Good morning Janet, where's Oliver?"

"Come in Sir Fernando, have a seat. How are you Sir?"

"I'm fine and you?"

"Great Sir Fernando! I already submitted my report."

"Yes, Oliver told me, and thank you!"

"I want to talk to you and Oliver."

"Okay Sir, I'll call Oliver."

XXX