Chapter 3: The start of the misery
"That is what happened. After that incident, I felt eyes in the shadows watching my every move. I know someone is observing me and it creeps me out. From my daily activities, going to the comfort room, making my coffee, and even received empty text messages. But I cannot tell anyone, I am afraid they will be implicated by my action," Because of the years Luke spent on the battlefield called 'politics,' he was already immune to concealed surveillance.
He knew, at that time, that only a matter of days is what it takes for everything in his life to change.
These matters should be confined to his loving and supportive wife, Theresa, however, due to the sensitivity and delicateness of the situation, he was forced to hide it and mulled it over himself. Living and waking up every day for the past few days was taxing for Luke, both in mind and flesh, for every time he was with his family, he was lying.
"You should have told me, Luke. We did promise as a husband and wife, in sickness and in health, remember? I did not marry an idiot man." Theresa exploded on this particular idiosyncrasy state of his husband.
"You do not understand. I could lose everything but you. Our children are not meant to experience this. They should have a better life. Maybe if I have found another job before, we could have evaded this calamity." The fear ate Luke every time.
It is his family that he worries about the most. They are his source of strength and joy. Without them, he is but no one. Not a counselor, not a husband, not a father, and not a man.
That is why he regrets everything. He regretted that he had investigated and tried to gather evidence. He regretted not thinking things thoroughly.
It is true, they, that you will regret everything in the end.
All of these are heard loud and clear by Martin. He is afraid. Who will not be afraid for their life?
He processed all this information and thought about the possible implications if the people of City O would learn about this. If they could shed light on this, then their security will be good as safe.
'What if Dad makes those papers as evidence to the court to shed into light the bad deeds of Councilor Bing?' He thought to himself.
With this idea, Martin pushed the door and made his presence felt.
"Dad, what if we contact Auntie Beth? Isn't she working at XYZ Media Company?" Martin said with conviction as he felt that as the eldest son, he should have a say in this conversation whether what to do or how to do it.
Besides, it is also his' and other sibling's future they are talking about.
"We can cooperate with big names of the media and expose to the people of City O that the councilor they voted is a woman with shadowy dealings to people of unsure origins."
The couple was startled to hear their eldest son speaking of things he has no clear understanding about.
The couple looked into each other. They are proud that they can count on their son. But this situation is very special.
They can't let their son bear the responsibility of ensuring the safety and lives of the entire family.
As Luke thought of a plan to somehow bear to light the secret of Councilor Bing and at the same time ensuring the safety of his family, he doubted whether he should tell his wife and son another piece of the bad news he learned that very day.
But seeing that every piece of information shared is a speck of hope in resolving whatever comes, he knows what should be said.
With strong determination, Luke told them that very afternoon, he wanted to talk to his friend, Deputy Carlos, about the operations of Raul and Councilor Bing. While he was walking towards the building fifty meters away from his office, due to the deep thought he was having, he did not realize a white SUV moving towards him haphazardly.
"Luke! Watch out!" shouted a voice with concern behind him.
Only then, Luke was able to luckily evade the near-death experience in a hair's breadth.
Turning his head back, lips still pale and eyes slightly dazed, he realized it was Deputy Carlos, the person he was supposed to talk to, who has saved his life. Luke tried to get up and with the help of Deputy Carlos, his limp knees were able to secure his footing. They were friends for a long time. A simple nod is what it took to convey his 'Thank you.'
He knew that the van was a part of the 'secret' threats and surveillance he is experiencing.
Without further wasting his time and letting Deputy Carlos ask anything, he told him the whole truth—the bogus dealings of Councilor Bing. The worried voice and puzzled face of the Deputy were instantly washed away. He did not have any question nor even a hint of formulating one.
He was just there, standing still, no ripples of emotion, looking straight to the eyes of the man who helped him countless times that both the fingers of hands and feet cannot quantify.
After deliberating, Carlos said shortly, "Stop all of your actions. Do not pursue any of these... ANYMORE. This is far more complicated and darker than you think. Promise me, my friend." His now grim face made Luke assess the new situation in a new light.
'He is right. Councilor Bing alone could not easily do all these without someone higher than her. Cleaning all the possible left traces as well as... whistleblowers.' Then, it all dawned on Luke. He looked seriously at his long-time friend, before Carlos was been the Deputy and endorsed by Councilor Bing, he was her father's bodyguard.
How could he forget that piece of information!
Though still shaking from the side-swept, Luke managed to stand straight as his arrector pili muscle contracted caused his hairs to stand on end.
With his pallor lips, he mechanically smiled, thanked him, and said goodbye.
He turned around and walked briskly towards his office. But in just a few steps he took, he heard the Deputy's warning, "She has a connection to a Senator... soon you will know." Carlos's voice was modulated to the point that only two of them can hear it.
His sense is tingling. Not like Spiderman, but more like 'run for your life' tingling.
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Unknown to Luke, after seeing him walk inside the building of the City Council, Deputy Carlos dialed a number. Instantly, it was answered by the same domineering deep sharp voice, "Will he cooperate with us?"
Reminiscing his past actions, Carlos knew that Luke will find means and ways to make this matter known to all.
After a few moments, he exhaled a turbid air and spoke succinctly, "He won't." He knew Luke is a man of honor and he despises anything to do with illegal. Despite his friendly warnings, he already anticipated the possible results.
"Then you know what to do." Without waiting for a response from the deputy, the line was cut. Carlos felt guilty but he knew what to do. For his family, for his little princess Nina and her long-awaited wheelchair, as a father, Carlos will do what he must do.
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Theresa only knew one person that is associated with Councilor Bing and a strong candidate for the Senate in whole City O, "You mean, Congressman Rafael Lazaro?" She sweated upon saying this name. At that very moment, she knew that her lux perception has deviated from what she originally expected. The idea of a great scheme passes her intelligent mind.
Looking at his parent's expression, Martin now understood the severity of the situation. Congressman Rafael Lazaro is a powerful businessman. His name was a legend in their city. It was said that Congressman Rafael came from a poor household but after turning twenty-five years old, he was able to become the richest businessman in the city.
'Maybe all riches he got was not through legal sources,' Martin speculated. There are rumors about how he was able to procure such wealth in almost an overnight, that it was not through legal means, but it was forcefully suppressed. Those who are talking about it are found missing the next day.
As the lightning flashed through the slits of the curtain, silence loomed inside the room. The only sign of understanding in these three people is their worried eyes and ashen face. For they knew, that this will be the start of change.
When Luke was about to share his formulated plan with his wife and son, a screeching of wheels can be heard outside their gate. Luke and Theresa's eyes instantaneously aligned. Their children.
Luke thought that maybe they will be given a long time to prepare. But reality says otherwise.
Luke run to the living room, locked and barred the doors as well as the windows, carried his two other children, and went back to the bedroom with the dog.
Meanwhile, Theresa and Martin packed all necessary things they needed; clothes, canned goods, legal papers, etc.
In a few minutes, the household of five gathered back at the bedroom. Luther and Annie are visibly puzzled and Rufus is barking nonstop after entering the bedroom.
Luke thought of going out through the window. Pass by the tree and exit the door in the backyard, this is his plan. But before he could tell his family and gather them around to start evacuating, his younger children started talking.
Children will always be children.
The young minds of Luther and Annie do not know the severity of their family's situation. "Mom, why are we all here? Is it about my birthday? Can I eat cakes tomorrow?"
The sixth birthday of Annie was something the whole family prepared for almost a month now. She was their little princess. But with what is happening, that plan was already crossed their minds.
"No sweetie, we are going to travel far away. You like to celebrate your birthday with Mickey Mouse, right? Maybe we'll also go to Disneyland," Theresa was frightened, but her children needed a comforting mother rather than a tense one.
Before Annie could voice out her excitement, the family overheard a muffled gunshot from their front door. "Bang! Bang!" And another two shots of a gun were heard. With lucidity still in mind, Luke told his wife and children to hide.
'Shit!' Luke could not help but cuss for the first time.