Chapter 84: Anne Rose and Marco Fernando Junior

Marco Fernando Junior POV

"Hershey Chocolate, how are you?"

"Nice to hear your voice, Marco! I'm happy that you called! Yes, it's very exciting and at the same time, grueling time to prepare what I need for my schooling in NYU. You remember I told you about my scholarship? You will pursue your Law study in NYU too?"

"Good to hear about your plan will push through. But, for me, a lot of negative things going on here and I think, my plan is being stalled for the meantime. My father disappeared last week, and I have to stay to help find him."

"What? What do you mean disappeared?"

"He was taken forcefully from his apartment by some men and I called my grandfather Ben about it. He did not elaborate to me why and he said to forget the incident. But, his Personal Assistant Jiyo Kael told differently. I was confused Chocolate."

"Marco, I'm with you and if you want I could travel to Shanghai, just for you?"

"No baby, don't' ever do that. Please bear with me. I have to stay for a month to decipher the situation. Okay Chocolate?"

"Okay then, but I will wait for your decision on what University you will enroll, so that we're together."

"Okay Chocolate Hershey, bye for now, love and kisses, bye!"

I closed the conversation with Hershey and sat on the sofa thinking about the solution on how to find my father. As I began to leave my apartment, another call I received from my grandfather's PA.

"Yes Jiyo Kael, what I can do for you?"

"I want to meet you, it's very important and please for both of us only, okay Marco?"

"Yes Jiyo Kael, where?"

"La Taverna Italian Restaurant at Heilongjang N Road, Kunshan, Jiangsu...pizza is great...with beer..."

"Okay Jiyo, I'm going now. Meet me there."

I hurriedly prepare my important papers and materials, in case I could not get home for how many days? Just my habit of bringing what I thought could help me somehow in case of negative situation occurs.

I went directly to the building basement for my car, but, I was suddenly blindfolded by a man's hand and clipped his hand over my body. I tried to free myself but he's got the skill to subdue me. I was brought to a black car that sped up right away into the main street.

I looked around and we are four inside the car together with the driver. A lady near me in the back seat asks my name in a nice way, and offers her hand, "What's your name handsome?"

I hesitated to answer, but it's been in my blood to answer nicely if possible, "Marco Fernando Junior." I looked at her intently and study her facial features, "Do I know you?"

"I know about you and your father...and your grandfather too." She smiled at me while groping my hand for a handshake. I've got an enormous feeling about this lady beside me. The way she moves and speaks while the car is in motion.

"Marco Fernando Junior, I want you to trust me while we can to find your father, Marco Fernando Senior. You know his disappearance, isn't it?"

"Yes, my lady."

"Just call me Rose Phoenix, okay Junior?"

"Yes Rose Phoenix. How'd you know my family?"

"I knew them because I lived with his children before, and I knew them too, in the Philippines."

"So, you are with my father, in business I think?"

"Yes, and I am the one handling his businesses here in China, the Philippines, Dubai in United Arab Emirates and other countries too."

"Oh, you are so intelligent and business-minded, I think?"

"Since last week, I incorporate my knowledge and information about your Billionaire father and his acquaintances, that's why, today, you are with me."

"But Miss Rose, I have meeting with my grandfather's Personal Assistant at La Taverna Italian Restaurant at Heilongjang N Road, Kunshan, Jiangsu? Can you be with me to talk to him? He said he has very important to tell me."

"Okay, we'll go there and you meet him alone. We disguise as customers near your table, okay?"

"Okay Miss Rose."

The car sped up going to Jiangsu with a mission and possible partnership with Miss Rose. I felt another dimension about her features and attitude. I personally liked her, my intuition said so. I missed my sister Shaira.

The road to Jiangsu keeps my mind thinking in advance about how and why Jiyo Kael wants to meet me. It seems a long road journey for me and for us all inside the black car.

"Junior, here bottled mineral water, take it."

"Thank you Miss Rose."

The car stopped at the street near the La Taverna Italian Restaurant where I open the door carrying my backpack and walk to the nearest place along La Taverna. I saw the black car parked at the other end of the parking area.

I continue walking towards the La Taverna while observing people and structures. I saw the place with décor outside and its signage La Taverna Italian Restaurant. I open the door and observe every angle of the restaurant's interior. I found a vacant table at end of the dining area – a secluded one.

I ordered a Large Italian pizza and a glass of beer, "Thank you." I saw Miss Rose and her two companions seated themselves near my table. They ordered pizza too and beers.

After a while, Jiyo Kael approached me at the table, "Hello, I'm Jiyo Kael, your grandpa Personal Assistant," while offering his hand for a handshake. I looked at him and received his handshake.

"Have a seat Mr. Jiyo Kael."

"Thank you, Marco Junior." He looked at me squarely and observed my facial features. "You have similar facial features with your father. And, I believed that what happened to your father was created by your grandfather Benjamin Gustilo."

"What? What did you say? No, no, it can't be!!" I stood at once but Jiyo Kael told me to sit down and hear him first.

"Marco Junior for how long did I worked for your grandfather? I knew him and his job here in Shanghai. Personally, I am not into his negative dealings, but I was helping him. My conscience suffered a lot because I am a Filipino too!"

I looked at him intently for what he was saying and digesting through my mind.

"Of course, I knew about you and your father too. I was with Benjamin Gustilo for a long time now, and I really wanted to runaway from him. He has million of comrades all over the world, and this incident about your father, is different."

"Why Mr. Jiyo Kael, why different?"

"Because your grandpa told me about your father, what he had done to your mother Danielle. So, this is a revenge thing for him."

"A revenge for my father? I talked to my father before his disappearance, and I knew at once his personality. He's not like that Jiyo Kael.."

"Your grandpa Ben...as what I heard, planning this revenge, because your father was also planning for revenge to him too. Do you believe?"

"So, what can we do to find my father?"

XXX