Chapter 74: The Fernando Family

Marco Fernando Senior POV
(Shanghai)

Janet offered espresso coffee and left me sitting at the sofa, call Oliver in his room, and disappear. My mind still reeling for whatever outcome it may take for this visit. Once I decipher other notions to be molded upon, my decisions will surge high and will evade whatever hopes I could muster. Being a Billionaire makes my life quite easy to subdue any difficult situations and could give positive outcome for my endeavor.

I saw Oliver and Janet approaching me with an open arms smiling and hoping that they are ever ready for my grilling session. My instinct told me to reciprocate them in a manner as my co-equal, in the field of spying.

"Good morning Sir Fernando, I am for your visit. You want some more espresso coffee? Janet will make it for you."

"Ohh thank you Oliver! Janet served me the best espresso before you came. How's your day for both of you?"

"We are fine and great. You want to eat something?"

"No, thank you. I just drop by to ask something for both of you... about the report from you and also for Janet. I read and analyze the reports submitted and quite aware of the situation. But, I am just wondering this Mr. Ben Gustilo. Could you please widen the details about him? Well, I mean of what you know about him that is not in the report?"

"Sir Fernando, he has a grandson here in Shanghai. His name is same as you...Marco Fernando Junior. He lived in an apartment near the Philippine Embassy. He's just arrived from vacation in the Philippines."

"You saw him in person, this Marco Fernando Junior?"

"Yes Sir Fernando, he has a similarity as you with good physical structure and handsome guy."

"I am sure he is my son and this Ben Gustilo...Danielle's father. I met him before in Bacolod City when I was a struggling college student."

"I think so Sir."

"Do you know his place? Can we visit him now?"

"Yes Sir as you wish."

"Today, we will have to visit him and finding something useful at the same time. Okay Oliver, Janet?"

Oliver and Janet positively said in unison, "Yes Sir."

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Anne Rose Gonzales Fernando POV
(Philippines)

"Mother my job is very confidential in nature and I want all of you to understand that." I looked at them with confidence that I managed to dissuade them from whatever action they will take.

No reaction came from Ayah Isabel, my mother, Kent Ian, John Philip, and Danny Robert, all my brothers, who keep their silent while eating lunch. Their faces could somehow show some respect to their elder sister, it's me; respect that my parents wanted them to follow.

"Where is Christine Mae, my beautiful youngest sister?" I asked them again but still the same. "Well, let us put it this way. Let us keep the ball rolling, from my left side going clockwise, okay brothers. Please state whatever on your mind about our father in Shanghai, China? Kent Ian you're the first one to talk. Come on!"

Kent Ian looked at me with much fuzz but definitely, he will, I knew it, "Everybody, you know that we bond every month, but we never have the time to know ourselves personally, as we were growing up. I'm the newly elected Senator of the Philippines, and...and my time keeps on hurting me. You know that for sure, but I will do my share for whatever decision we could take, as a family. I love our father but we never have the courage to talk to him personally and that because he is in Shanghai right now."

"Mother, what can you say about his side?" I said.

"Well, you knew beforehand your father personality and that he loved excitement. Even when you're still young, under the tutelage of an American spy, all of you learned the value of life and family. But, each of you now, have the courage and means to give your opinion about him. That's your father prerogative to work and enjoy his life without us. I think, he can do that without any qualms on us too."

"Yes mother that's what it is and we could unite to talk to him?" John Philip said. "How about teleconferencing with him?"

Danny Robert the younger male gives his side, "John Philip, teleconferencing is not good for personal communication. Our father must be physically present when meeting with us. I miss him brothers and sister, in personal of course."

"So, I think with my present job I could actually meet him in Shanghai. And, I could relay to all of you. Do you accept my proposal boyz? Mother?" I decided this way for them to follow my suggestion, "John Philip, what company you are connected with right now?"

"Sister Anne Rose, it is confidential and quite a hidden project for the government too. But the pay is great!"

"And you Danny Robert?" Anne Rose asked him.

"Sister Anne I'm a businessman and I have my own corporations to take care of everyday."

"Okay brothers, since we are all busy with our career, just submit to me your details; emails, contact number and any information that I could get. I will get in touch with you all, when I am on the field. Please my brothers, this is for our own good and to our parents as well. I know we are still young for our careers, and newly stable for our means to grow and survive."

"Mom, did father told you about his wealth or anything about money?" Danny Robert asked.

Everyone was stunned by his question even Ayah Isabel could not answer the question truthfully.

"Danny, our father is a Billionaire, but he did not relay this matter to Mom. Understood? Do not open up subject matter outside the scope of our discussion." I looked at them through their eyes, each one of them, "Mom has the right to open up this matter not us."

"Sister Anne, I think, we have the right to ask, we are his children by the way."

"Yes that's true, we are five children and we have brother and sister in another woman. We knew this from the start and we accept Shaira Rose to our family circle. By the way Mom, where is Shaira Rose Gustilo Fernando now?"

"We do not know her where, like our sister Christine Mae. And why do we have to include them to our family?" Kent Ian commented with hidden fire in his heart.

"Kent Ian, hold your tongue, and enough!!" I stood up and shouted at Kent. "We are family and we hold on to that, ever!!"

"But why Sister Anne, for a long time, our father did not spent his time with us, and now, we are concerned for him at Shanghai? Why my dear mother, brothers and sister, why?" Kent Ian acid words started to evaporate into the hearts of the Fernando Family. "Educate me my dear mother, if I'm wrong!! My dear brothers, Philip...Danny...?"

"Stop it Kent, stop, please sit down, we have to think positively now, more than ever because of our father's situation in Shanghai. Please refrain from getting the lowest form of communicating each other, okay brothers?" I said in a lighter tone. "Look, our mother has all the pain and sacrifices ever since, and now, in front of her, we are like animals fighting each other? Let's respect our mother please brothers?"

I saw Mom's tears falling on her checks continuously. "Mom..mom..Dante, Joyce..please, our mother needs rest right now."

Dante and Joyce, the two household assistants brought my mother Ayah Isabel to her room. I followed the two assistants to my mother's room and came back to the table.

"Now, brothers, shall we continue?" I looked at them straight into their souls. "Any suggestion, comment or violent reaction? Kent Ian, John Philip, Danny Robert?"

As we continue our discussion, my youngest sister Christine Mae appeared with a smile on her face, "Ohh..how beautiful, we are complete...a reunion Sister Anne?"

"Christine, welcome aboard, and why are you late Sister? Isn't it I told you in advance about this meeting and you promised me to be here on time, that's true Sister Christine?" I asked Christine in a monotonous tone.

"Why Sister Anne, I have no right to be late whatsoever?"

"Don't you forget that our parents gave me the rights to take care of you and our brothers, isn't it Sister? Please respect Christine."

"And why Sister Anne, I have my own life and I have my own decision to make, why bother?"

"Take your sit Christine!!" I shouted at her with fire.


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