Chapter 4 - Chapter Four

Late at night, Thomas meets Alex In the

woods, under the darkness. Alex's eyes are

hard as he listens to Thomas concerns.

"He is asking more questions, Alex.

Desperate to know the truth. I can't keep

lying to him." Thomas whispering.

"You are not lying to him. But

protecting him. Leonardo made It clear,

that until he is ready. Lucas must remain

in the dark." Alex coldly uttered.

"How much longer can we keep him

in the dark? He is strong enough to face

the truth!"

Alex cut him off. "Strong enough, maybe.

But wise enough? No. The moment he

learns about his father's empire, the

enemies will come for him. He is not ready

for that. Do you understand?"

"Maybe it's time to pay him a visit yourself

after a long time." Thomas mumbled

"I will, when Leonardo says so. For now just

keep lying." Alex lashes out.

Meanwhile, Lucas overhears part of their conversation from distance, but not

enough to understand the full context. His suspicion deepens.

Lucas finds himself in the village

marketplace, where a group of corrupt

officials have been harassing the local

farmers, demanding higher taxes. Lucas

steps in, his fists ready for a fight.

"You have been stealing from these people

long enough. Get out of here or I will make

sure you never return." Lucas uttered,

clenching his fist.

"Who do you think you are, boy? Some farm

boy with a big mouth. This is non of your

business. You better stay clear." one of the

officials uttered, with a dangerous look.

"It's my business now. Why not come and

test the fist of a farm boy." Lucas uttered,

with a frown crossed his face.

Lucas being a great fighter was fast enough

to dodge the punch Thrown at him. Then

quickly sent His fist on the right cheek of the

official. Sending him back some yard away.

The others where quickly alerted by the

force in which the official fell.

Drawing the attention of the crowd. The

crowd cheer him up. In seconds Lucas

Sent the others flying in the air with his kicks.

One of them spouting out blood from his

mouth Uttered, with heavy breathing.

"You think you can stop us. this isn't your

fight boy. we will be back for you."

But Alex who always go dark to do

the dirty work, to make sure Lucas is safe.

Without Lucas knowing.

He sent some thugs to go warn the

officials to stare clear from Lucas.

As he walks back home, he runs into Alex,

who's been watching him fight from afar.

"You are back again. You have been

watching me all my life, but you never

explain why." Lucas mumbled with concern

In his voice.

"I told you. Watching you is just me doing

my job, Lucas." Alex calmly intoned.

"Watching me is not a job! Why are you

always here? Why does uncle Thomas act

strange when you are here.?" Lucas uttered.

Alex looks at Lucas with a hard gaze,

contemplating whether the boy is ready

to hear the truth, but decides against it.

" There are things you are not ready

to understand yet. But trust me, Lucas.

Everything is for your protection ."

Alex mumbled. Fealing overwhelmed

with emotions.

"Protection me from what?

"Your father's legacy." Alex mumbled.

" My father? You know him?"

" I know more than you think, Lucas. But

you are not ready to hear it all."

" Enough with this not ready garbage!

I'm ready. I want to know the truth. Lucas

angrily intoned.

Alex stares at Lucas, torn between his

loyalty to Leonardo and the boy's right to

know the truth.

Finally Alex speaks, but only reveals part

of the story. "Your father is a powerful man,

but with that power comes enemies.

He sent you away to protect you. And I have

been tasked to watch over you. That's all

you need to know for now." Alex mumbled

With satisfaction in his eyes.

"So my life has been a lie, all this while."

Lucas calmly intoned.

" No. It's been a shield from the beginning."

Back at the farmhouse, Thomas sees the

growing tension in Lucas eyes. He knows

the boy is on the verge of discovering the

truth.

"What ever they are hiding from me. I will find

out. No matter what." Lucas thought, with a worrying look crossed his face. This time,

being curious to dig out the truth.