The Presidential Ball was an annual event where businessmen, politicians, religious leaders, and diplomats gathered at the presidential palace.
At seven in the evening, Karl stood in his customary mandarin collar suit, while Riko emerged from the music room in a dazzling red gown. The couple positioned themselves near the reception area, welcoming guests as they entered the hall. Rafael, in a cream suit, and Jiena, in a sparkling gold gown, joined them in greeting the dignitaries.
The guests were captivated by Riko and Jiena, particularly by their warm smiles. However, the focus shifted when the Fontierras and Almeidas arrived. The crowd gravitated toward them as they approached the president. From a distant corner of the reception hall, Jamie and Arjan observed the Marino clan's sworn enemies. The two allies exchanged cautious glances, ready to draw their pistols if necessary.
"Thank you for inviting us, Mr. President," Albert said, extending his hand with a confident smile.
"The pleasure is ours," Karl replied, offering a faint but polite smile to the Fontierras. "Please, enjoy the evening."
As the Fontierras moved on, Rafael stood frozen, his gaze fixed on Kanna. The sight of his former flame brought back a flood of memories and unresolved emotions. It felt like only yesterday when they were inseparable, their dreams intertwined. Now, seeing her by her husband's side, the chasm between their past and present seemed insurmountable.
"It's been a long time, Rafael," Kanna said softly, her voice tinged with a mix of nostalgia and sadness. She bowed her head slightly, a gesture of respect and acknowledgment before turning to join her husband and family at their table.
Rafael watched her walk away, his heart heavy with the weight of what once was and what could never be. The room around him buzzed with chatter and laughter, but he felt like an outsider looking in, trapped in a moment that refused to let go.
-----
The tension between the Marinos and the Fontierras continued unabated. As the President and Don Fontierra engaged in a silent standoff, the guests turned their attention to another arrival – Senator Lean Marco and his wife Sophie. Karl and Riko stood calmly as the senator and his wife approached them.
"Welcome, Mr. Senator," Riko greeted with a faint smile. "It's an honor to have you gracing us with your presence."
Lean spoke frankly to the presidential couple, "I'm just here to meet my opponent in this election."
Karl gazed sharply at the senator and said, "Of course, you really wanted to meet me; I know you want to learn my secrets, don't you?" He then added, "And as if I am seeking a full term."
The senator asked, "Mr. President, I heard that you're the founder of WKP, the nationwide network of pickpockets and heist masters."
Arjan warned the senator, "You better watch your mouth!" Karl then slightly raised his finger, signaling to his best friend to settle down.
"What if we settle this one in a match? I hear you're a skillful swordsman and sharpshooter," the senator challenged the president. Karl couldn't hold back his laughter and wiped the tears from his eyes. "Are you sure about that? Do you really want to challenge me?" "It seems you're underestimating me, Mr. President. I may be a Yale graduate, but I'm a master of Wushu," the senator remarked. "Let's not discuss this here. Perhaps we can do it tomorrow," Karl answered, smirking at the senator. "Unless, of course, you're afraid to face me." "I will expect that challenge," Lean told the president. "After all, it would be an honor to challenge the sage of the Orient." Karl smiled, rolling his eyes as the senator and his wife stepped inside the main hall.
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Meanwhile, Muro and Charee arrived late at the party, likely because the latter had a hard time finding a suitable gown for the ball. As they entered the hall, Jiena approached her younger brother, grasping his arms. "Why are you late?" Jiena asked, prompting Charee to answer for Muro. "It's my fault, Jiena. I had a hard time choosing a gown," Charee whispered. "You should eat your dinner; you might be hungry," Jiena told the couple as a girl approached them."You must be Karl Marino Jr.," the girl said. "And you must be Sofia Marco? Lean and Sophie's daughter, am I right?" Muro inquired. "Yes, I am. It's an honor to finally meet the two of you, Mr. Marino and Ms. Jiena, the daughter of the renowned Karl Marino," Sofia replied. "Please, don't call my father renowned, it's as if you're saying he's deceased," Jiena joked. "Charee, can you help me entertain the ambassadors?" "Certainly," Charee responded enthusiastically, leaving Muro to give Sofia a tour.
The two first went to the reception hall where the portraits of the former president are displayed. The two stopped walking and stared at the portrait of Karl Marino, the portrait that is hung in all government offices. Muro gazes at Sofia, locking his eyes on her long hair, fair complexion and petite body.
"Your father is really one dignified man and you're so lucky you have a father like him," Sofia told Muro, staring at Karl's portrait.
"What's good with my father is he always had time for us, even today, he is one carefree president" Muro answered, Sofia then lowered her head and shed tears.
"You admire your family so much; I've always wanted a happy family," she replied.
"But you have a nice family," Muro said.
"And we have the usual routine of being busy, leaving no time for each other," Sofia uttered, wrapping her arms around the young man. "I wish I could be your perfect girl, if only my father wasn't running for president."
Muro gently detached the lady's arms and smiled politely, "I'm sure you can find a better man, one far more deserving than I."
"You already have a girlfriend?" Sofia asked.
Muro glanced at Charee, who was preoccupied in conversation with the ambassadors. "Yes, I do, and we are getting married."
Sofia sighed and walked away from Muro, entering the main hall where she accidentally bumped into Charee.
"Is something wrong?" Charee inquired. Sofia only gave her a harsh glare before taking her seat.
"What happened?" a bewildered Charee asked.
"Nothing," Muro replied, kissing Charee's forehead. "I am grateful to have you, and I have nothing more to wish for."
"Let's get something to eat," Charee said, her gaze fixed on her boyfriend as they made their way to the buffet table.
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While Sachiko entertained guests, Rafael sought fresh air in the palace gardens, lighting a cigarette. He noticed a lady approaching. "I miss your perfume," Rafael said. "Is there anything I can do for you?" "Nothing," Kanna answered. "It's been so long since we've been together." "How's family life?" Rafael asked. "Honestly, Jude has always hit me and forced me to do things I wouldn't," Kanna replied, shedding tears. Rafael wrapped his arms around her, comforting the longing she felt."You should've told me that before. I cannot let someone hurt the mother of my child," Rafael told her. "I wish our child was still alive." "Do you still love me?" she asked Rafael. "Yes, more than anything else in this world," Rafael replied. Kanna caressed the face of the man she had loved before and slowly leaned in to kiss Rafael. "Let's not do this here, they might see us," Rafael said, grabbing her hand and leading her into the master bedroom.
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The two quickly closed the door of the master's bedroom and laid down, Rafael and Kanna were as wild as an animal, when it comes to bed, nobody could define their wildness in bed, the young man had slowly laid his prey in bed as he strips Kanna of her clothes, the lady wrapped her arms around her former flames neck as Rafael caressed Kanna's smooth silky body. The lady's thighs were already wet when he inserted his.
"It's been a long time since we did this one" Kanna sweetly whispered to her former lover, Rafael in which he responded
"You're still the best Kanna", it was like it was cherry blossoms were all over the place, when they did it. They felt that they had no husband or wife, nor they were in the presidential palace.
-----
Suddenly, all the alarms sounded, blaring throughout the palace. In the dining hall, Charlie quickly took out his sensor device, studying the readings. "An uninvited person has entered the palace," Charlie reported, his voice tinged with concern. "Who is it?" Karl asked, his brow furrowing. "Could they be coup plotters?" Gustav suggested, his eyes narrowing. Karl studied the monitor intently, spotting a man in a similar mandarin collar suit approaching the palace. "This is a serious security breach," Karl said, his voice grave. "Escort the guests to safety immediately," he ordered. Jiena and the others were quickly instructed to usher the guests away, ushering them out of the dining hall. Meanwhile, Karl strode past the reception hall, his strides purposeful, and Charlie jumped onto the table to follow him, determination etched on his face. Unexpectedly, a Fontierra henchman leapt out from the shadows, pointing a sword directly at Karl Marino; however, Chuck, ever-vigilant, kicked the henchman to the side and engaged him in a brawl, protecting the palace and its occupants.Chuck urgently called out, "Mr. President, we must get you to safety immediately. Your life is in grave danger." Karl boasted with a malicious laugh, "I am a wise and powerful sage, and I would fight them all without fear or hesitation."
-----
Karl strode towards the palace garden to confront the coup plotters. He engaged the rebel soldiers in a furious shoot-out, maintaining a dignified composure despite the intense battle. Gazing at a man whose build resembled Sergei's, save for the striking white hair, Karl heard the menacing words, "I have come to carry out your execution, Mr. Marino." "Buddha Cole!" Karl exclaimed with a surprised laugh, "I didn't know you were still alive and leading this rebellion." "You thought I was dead, didn't you?" Buddha Cole asked, unsheathing his sword as the rebel soldiers stepped aside. "Well, now I'm here to make sure you go down for good." Karl leapt forward and struck Cole with his hidden blade, but the attack was swiftly blocked, knocking him to the floor. Undeterred, the embattled president then ran inside the presidential palace, with Cole in relentless pursuit.
-----
At the control room, Charlie, Muro, and Charee had difficulty activating the security devices, as they required Karl's keys. Fortunately, Muro had memorized his father's encryption data, which allowed them to bypass the security measures. Charlie looked at the couple seriously and nodded, signifying that he had granted them authorization to proceed. As they were busy overwriting the codes, Muro felt chilled, sensing the approaching danger. Charee looked at him and asked, "Is something wrong?"
"Someone is coming, and they're running," he answered, and Charlie quickly drew his pistol, ready to defend their position.
"Uncle, it's done!" Muro exclaimed when the door was suddenly forced open. Without hesitation, Charlie pointed his pistol and opened fire on the rebel soldiers, quickly neutralizing three of them.
"Let's run!" Charlie told Muro and Charee. They immediately locked the command center and rushed towards the palace garden. The couple was given a pistol to defend themselves in case they were attacked, while Charlie cleared their way and led them towards the safer confines of the west wing.
As they made their way towards the west wing, Charlie cautiously drew his hidden blade from his wrist, sensing that another rebel was approaching. He tried to take the enemy by surprise, but instead, he was the one caught off guard. To his astonishment, it was Rafael and Kanna, both visibly flustered and with disheveled hair.
"What are you doing here?" Charlie asked, his voice laced with urgency. "The whole place is under attack!"
Rafael stood frozen for a moment, clearing his throat before responding. "Where are you going, uncle?"
He then glanced at his companions and made a request, "Muro, Charee, could you please take Kanna to safety?"
"You take Kanna yourself," Jiena interjected, following close behind Charlie and the others. "I know you've done something. Clean up your own mess."
Rafael had no choice but to obey, as Jiena, Charlie, Muro, and Charee quickly ran towards the riverside. As they approached the stairs leading down to the river, they spotted a group of rebels making their way towards them.
Karl and Cole continued their fierce battle at the riverside. The latter managed to shove the president against the wall, piercing his chest with a vicious blow. In retaliation, Karl unsheathed his hidden blade and lunged at his opponent's neck, slowly slitting Cole's veins before collapsing, catching his breath with great effort.
"I'm afraid I should retire from this line of work," Karl gasped, wincing in pain.
Charlie and Arjan arrived on the scene just in time, quickly helping the president stand up.
"Are you alright?" Arjan asked with concern.
"No, I'm too old for this kind of conflict," Karl answered wearily.
"The rebels have finally been eradicated," Charlie reported, carefully evacuating the president into the temporary shelter for medical attention.
---
The army arrived just in time to quell the rebellion, but at the expense of the Presidential palace being reduced to rubble. Rafael arrived and stepped inside the temporary evacuation area in the adjacent building. Karl had an icepack pressed against his face and bandages on his hand and back.General Varella arrived and bowed to the president as a sign of respect.
"You're late, we almost didn't make it!" Riko scolded the general.
"I was busy trying to choose a suitable uniform, only to be called because the palace has been attacked," Varella explained.
"Relax, since you're late, I'll treat you to your favorite restobar, since I haven't had dinner yet," Karl laughed.
But then Charlie approached him and whispered, "I caught Rafael and Kanna on the way here, and they were sweating, so something must have happened."
Suddenly, Karl's radiant and victorious expression darkened into a stormy countenance.
As he entered the temporary presidential office, Rafael felt tension as his father stared at him provocatively. Varella left to search for any remaining drinks or food, while Charlie and Kenneth secured the doors and covered the windows with curtains. Karl slowly approached his son and embraced him, but Rafael was already shaken and pale."Explain this to me!" Karl raised his voice, showing his son the video of Rafael and Kanna going to his bedroom. The others in the office were astonished.
"Don't lie to me! What are you doing with your life?" Karl exclaimed angrily.
"It seems you're still infatuated with Kanna Almeida," Jiena added, further escalating the situation.
"I'm wondering if you two are really my children. Did you truly come from me?" Karl wondered aloud, his trust in his kids shaken.
"You've raised them all this time, and now you doubt them?" Riko asked, bewildered by Karl's sudden change in attitude.
"Silence! I need to go to the hospital, my hips ache!" Karl exclaimed, asking his friends to help him get to the hospital.
As the guests were escorted to safety, Karl left the scene, leaving Rafael dumbfounded and frustrated by the confrontation.