It was 5 PM at the airport. Rafael and Sachiko had just arrived from Tokyo after a long trip. Upon leaving the airport, Kyoko awaited them at the bay.
"Kyoko, it's been some time," Rafael greeted his step sister with a cordial kiss on her cheeks.
"Yes, it has been awhile. I missed you too," Kyoko returned the gesture before turning her attention to Sachiko. "You must be Sachiko."
"It's nice to meet you," Sachiko replied politely as she bowed to Kyoko, who reciprocated with a bow of her own.
"The moon is rising, so let's get going," Kyoko informed the couple as they all got into their car together. They reached Marino mansion by 7 PM. As they entered the magnificent estate, Sachiko stood in awe of its beauty and elegance that left her speechless
"This will be your new home," Rafael said softly while Jiena appeared from the library and looked at her twin brother intently.
"Welcome back," Jiena said politely. "Dad and Mom are waiting for you inside."
"I extend my sincerest condolences for your father's passing. You will always be welcomed in this house, consider me as your mother," Riko comforted Sachiko.
"Do not worry, we will ensure that you are taken care of," Karl reassured her.
"Feel free to make yourself at home at all times," added Riko with warmth.
"You have now become a part of our family," expressed Jiena warmly.
"Please guide her to her room," instructed Riko kindly.
"Your father's demise was marked by honor," acknowledged Karl respectfully.
"I am confident he is content wherever he may be," agreed Bianca sincerely.
"Oh, but certainly not as dreadful as being burned alive," remarked Riko abruptly.
"No matter his final state, I believe his spirit has found peace now." countered Bianca calmly
"His soul has found peace," Bianca responded with an academic tone.
"If your father had completed those organ donor cards," Riko remarked sternly.
"While your father was cremated, not all of his remains were fully burned," Karl interjected seriously.
"I'm sure you understand what I mean," Riko playfully added.
Sachiko heard their conversation and burst into tears, causing her parents to be horrified. Bianca scolded them "Insensitive Douchebags!" Taking Sachiko to her room for comfort,
Karl whispered to Riko,"We went too far." Riko nodded in agreement. Rafael poured a glass of whiskey and sat at the desk opposite his late father.
"Why did you ask me to come back?" Rafael asked his father, keeping a professional tone.
"I never expected you to ask that question," Karl replied calmly.
"I want you to begin your training as an executive, just like Kyoko is doing," Karl stated in a formal manner.
Rafael's eyes showed suspicion as he took a sip of whiskey from his glass and cleared his throat. "I thought you didn't trust me."
"Trust has nothing to do with it," Karl sarcastically responded. "You need to be useful because eventually, you will handle the farmlands."
"It's quite insulting if I'm supposed to be an executive but then become someone like those who have been ordered killed." Rafael retorted sardonically.
"The decision for placing you there is mine, but whether or not harm comes your way is up to your choices," Karl answered straightforwardly.
"That makes no sense whatsoever," Riko interjected assertively.
"Exactly." Karl nodded resolutely Feeling frustrated, Rafael let out a sigh and walked out of the room, unable to bear any more of his father's nonsensical statements.
------
At the terrace of the mansion, Sachiko sat on a bench, wiping away tears as Rafael joined her.
"Are you alright?" asked Rafael, his gaze fixed on Sachiko.
"Yes, I'm fine," replied Sachiko, dabbing at her tears.
"You're crying. Is everything okay?"
"Oh, it's nothing important."
"It has been a month since your father passed away."
"The pain of losing him is still unbearable."
"I experienced loss too when I had to let go of the girl I loved because my family disapproved of her father. But with time, I have started to heal."
"Our situations may be different and complex; however ,I am willing to support you through this difficult journey. Together we can face whatever tomorrow brings," said Rafael softly as he held onto Sachiko's hands tightly.
"What do you mean by that?" questioned Sachiko earnestly.
"Sachiko,will you marry me?" Rafael proposed unexpectedly. Sachikos' surprise was evident in her reaction; she became speechless unable to say anything in response
"I'll give you time to decide, my apologies," said the young man.
"I'm still unsure," the woman responded.
"I will assist you, I assure you," Rafael held Sachiko's arms and slowly brought his lips closer to hers.
As they closed their eyes under the shining stars above them, little did they know that Karl and Riko were observing from outside their home during their leisurely stroll.
"Don't be surprised if he has intimate relations tonight," remarked Karl while tying his shoes.
"It wouldn't shock me," Riko stretched her back and arms in preparation for a long walk.
"Do you believe this is an unexpected blessing?"
"Perhaps it is. If it's the only way for Rafael to forget his past, then so be it." "You can be quite heartless at times," Riko chided her husband.
"Not as heartless as you are." Karl replied as they continued on their brisk walk.
-----
At ten in the evening, Jiena and the other girls were already asleep. Karl and Riko remained in the kitchen, enjoying a cup of tea when suddenly the lights went out.
"Did we receive any notice about a power interruption?" Karl asked his wife with concern.
"No," Riko replied. "We can rely on our solar panels."
"It's late at night now," Karl responded calmly. "Let's utilize lunar energy instead."
"You're not serious, are you?" Riko reacted skeptically. "The moon gets its light from the sun!"
"Well, I installed Ely Hung's new invention called the Lunar Energy Converter on our rooftop!" rebuked Karl as he scolded his wife gently.
"We need to fix it together so that we'll have lighting tonight."
"I hope this isn't another one of your crazy inventions," Riko said cautiously.
"Remember when you crashed into two yachts at the harbor? I ended up having to pay five million dollars for each boat."
"That money came from my own pocket anyway," Karl retorted dismissively. "So it doesn't really matter."
-----
On the second floor of the mansion, Sachiko descended from the third floor guest room and hesitantly approached one of the rooms.
"Sachiko, why are you still awake?" inquired Rafael. "Is something troubling you?"
"I have a fear of the dark," replied Sachiko. Suddenly, she was startled by a loud thump coming from the roof.
"Don't worry, it's just our parents fixing some repairs up there," reassured Rafael to calm her nerves.
"May I stay in your room tonight?" requested Sachiko with hopeful eyes. Rafael nodded approvingly and led her into his room.
Despite their attempt to find solace within its walls, they were continually disrupted by Karl and Riko working on the roof outside—a constant source of anxiety for young Sachiko as she tried to fall asleep. Unable to find restful slumber amidst these unsettling noises, Sachiko confessed her uneasiness to Rafael while he gazed at her intently. "I am feeling quite nervous myself," admitted Sachiko softly.
"Take comfort in my presence; there is no need for concern," Rafael reassured her, gently removing the fastenings of her attire. He tenderly kissed her neck and trailed his lips downwards towards her legs, eliciting a powerful sensation that enticed Sachiko to surrender herself to him. In the midst of this intimate encounter, while Karl and Riko worked diligently on repairing a lunar contraption above them, Rafael and Sachiko expressed their deep affection for each other."
---
The next day, Rafael and Sachiko woke up together. The young woman was still anxious and confused, embracing the young man's body as he did the same.
"Did you sleep well?" Rafael inquired.
"Yes, I haven't had a good night's sleep since my father passed away," Sachiko replied with a smile. They both proceeded to join the rest of the family for breakfast alongside Jiena.
"It's lovely to have Sachiko here for breakfast," said Jiena.
"Indeed, she should get ready because we're going shopping today," Riko chimed in playfully, "Who knows? She might become part of our family."
"That will come later, but right now I want Sachiko to feel at home and comfortable." Karl commented while taking a bite of his bread before retiring to his study room to work on pending bills. Jiena and Rafael followed him into the room.
"Dad, Mom took Sachiko, Kyoko and Bianca shopping," says Jiena. Karl simply nodded and continued reading when he noticed Rafael was also in the room.
"What about you, Rafael? What do you need from me?" Karl asked respectfully.
"Dad, I want to marry Sachiko," Rafael asks his father as Jiena raises her eyebrows at him.
"You're rushing into this decision again," Karl replied honestly while reading the documents.
"Dad, I want to make sure she feels secure here. Don't you care that she might be deported?" Rafael questioned earnestly. "I have already submitted an affidavit to the embassy and immigration,"
Karl responded calmly. "Don't act solely on your infatuation."
"Dad!" exclaimed Rafael. "Rafael, Dad is making a valid point. Take some time to consider it," interjected Jiena gently.
"Nozomi, we are lucky that we have Dad and Mom, but Sachiko is different, she doesn't have any parents, and she thinks of me and Rina as her family."
"You will follow what I instruct you and I have planned for you!" Karl raised his voice, "You'll just be as poor as a homeless rat if you do your own way!"
Unable to contain his anger any longer, Rafael stormed out of his father's study room and headed to the park nearby. There, he spotted a woman on one of the swings. Slowly approaching her, his heart started racing.
"Kanna," he whispered softly as she stared blankly at him. He knelt down and gently touched her cheek.
"What have they done to you?" Tears streamed down Kanna's face as she uttered Rafael's name and embraced him tightly.
"Oh, Kanna," Rafael sobbed uncontrollably.
"I never thought I would see you again," Kanna cried while Rafael wiped away her tears.
"What happened? What did they do?" Rafael asked desperately. However, Kanna remained silent in response and continued wailing.
"I'm here now; I promise they will never harm you again," Rafael reassured her with determination in his voice.
"Unless I do so," Jiena muttered, positioning herself behind her fraternal twin. "Guards, escort Rafael back to the mansion."
Rafael struggled and attempted to resist the guards, but Jiena aimed a firearm at Kanna.
"It's quite convenient for you to claim that you'll marry Sachiko, yet it seems that you haven't truly forgotten about Kanna," Jiena remarked. "Either go home or I will shoot him in the head."
Reluctantly, Rafael complied and was forcibly taken back home, leaving Kanna in the park while returning to the Marino mansion. He became uncontrollable and began smashing vases before taking out his own firearm and pointing it at Jiena.
"Are you certain that you can kill me, Rafael?" Jiena taunted her brother mockingly questioning his ability.
"I can indeed, Nozomi," affirmed Rafael.
"Now go ahead and pull the trigger," challenged Jiena with her pistol directed towards Rafael's private area. Upon hearing all of this commotion, Karl rushed out of his bedroom only to be horrified by what he witnessed.
"What on earth do you think are doing!" exclaimed Karl as he stormed into the room snatching away firearms from his children. "Have all lost your minds?
Rafael and Jiena avoided making eye contact with each other or their father, who was filled with shock. Karl shook his head in disbelief and took a seat.
"What on earth is the matter with both of you?" Karl's voice trembled as he spoke.
"He went to meet Kanna, so I brought him back home," Jiena explained casually. "He was acting recklessly and even pointed his gun at me, so I had to defend myself."
"You threatened to harm Kanna, so I'm merely protecting her," Rafael responded defensively, attempting to explain his actions.
"Please stop this," Karl pleaded earnestly. "You shouldn't be fighting against each other."
"And yet you're willing to put us in danger instead," Rafael turned the tables on their father.
"If my intention was to endanger you all, then there would have been no point in rescuing you from your abductors fifteen years ago." Karl answered bluntly. "Until now, none of you truly understand that my aim was for everyone pursue their dreams; however while I am alive, it is also my responsibility guide all of you—a duty that has unfortunately resulted in adverse circumstances which now require me to make amends."
"I don't ask for everything," Rafael stated, "I simply desire happiness. I do not wish to be a part of this world filled with guns, wealth, criminals and senseless nonsense!"
"Don't criticize the person who has supported you," Karl retorted before answering an incoming call from Riko without hesitation.
"Hey, what's going on?"
"Ola, Don Marino," a familiar male voice greeted through the phone.
"Who is this?" Karl questioned.
"It's disheartening that you suddenly forgot about me," the man on the other end replied. "Hello, it's Fernando - the one you nearly killed."
"Oh, so you're still alive," Karl responded sarcastically while his eyes attempted to conceal any tension. "Where is my wife?"
"Just hold on a minute there," Fernando instructed Karl. "She's here along with your two daughters and another girl."
"Release them!" Karl asserted with an elevated tone.
"Fret not," Fernando casually remarked, "If you come to the old pier tonight, I'll release them."
"You're dreaming!" Karl defiantly retorted as he heard Riko's voice on the other end of the line.
"You bastard! Do you really want us all dead?!" Riko cried out in despair.
"Fine, I'll go tonight. Just wait for me!" Karl reluctantly decided.
"In that case, it's settled," Fernando responded before ending the call abruptly. Karl glanced at Rafael and forced a smile.
"Today is your lucky day, Rafael. This is your chance to seek revenge against me. I'm going to fight and possibly die. How does that sound?"
"Don't put words in my mouth," Rafael replied sternly while glaring at his father.
"I should be off now," Karl said indifferently. "You might blame me once again for losing Sachiko."
"Dad, remember that Sachiko isn't the only one who was kidnapped," Jiena reminded him firmly. "Mom, Kyoko, and Bianca were taken too."
"Indeed," Karl responded quietly, keeping a concealed weapon hidden in his coat pocket and legs. "But they are delivered as bundles."
"We will accompany you," Jiena implored her father with determination. "We shall save them."
"It is risky," cautioned Karl.
"We will fight together as one united family," Rafael affirmed, remembering the advice given to them about the importance of familial bonds for success.
"Proceed as you wish." With those words, Karl left the study area and drove off in his car, leaving Rafael and Jiena to devise their own rescue mission, fully aware that their father alone wouldn't be able to handle it without sacrificing himself.