The Encounter at the Party

Later that night, Marie arrived at the Teodoro residence. At eleven o'clock, she unpacked her things, ready for her departure to Sierra de Oro. Cynthia and Gabo came to her room.

"Take care of yourself, Marie," Gabo said, giving her a warm embrace.

"I will, Uncle," Marie replied, hugging them both. "I'll return very soon."

"We'll wait for you," Cynthia added, her gaze thoughtful as she looked out the window at the television.

"Of all people to take her, it's Jessica," Gabo said, his tone serious. "Could this be the key to her identity?"

"We'll just have to wait," Gabo said. "Mako Marino has called us to return to duty so we can look after her while we continue our work."

"I knew this day would come," Cynthia said. "Another war against the Triads."

The next morning, Marie hurried to the airport, where Jessica was waiting for her. Marie rushed into the lobby, out of breath.

"You're late," Jessica remarked with a touch of irritation. "I told you to come early."

"It was traffic, Ma'am," Marie explained, her gaze falling on Brian standing beside Jessica. "Brian, what are you doing here?"

"I'll be coming with you to Sierra de Oro," Brian said, a determined look on his face. "I asked Ms. Jessica to allow me to join you."

"He really begged to come with you," Jessica said, shaking her head. "I was planning to visit my sister before heading to Korea. Don't embarrass me, okay?"

"I will, Ms. Jessica!" Marie replied cheerfully.

"Oh, that's the spirit," Jessica said as they boarded the aircraft bound for Sierra de Oro, marking the beginning of Marie's new adventure.

Jessica, Marie and Brian arrived in Sierra de Oro. Immediately they proceeded to the City Hall. As the three slowly approached the Mayor's office, employees were standing up trying to see a glimpse of Jessica with some taking pictures and selfies. It was the first time a pop idol stepped foot in their city.

They finally got inside the mayor's office, where Mako, Rina, Kazuki, and Sahoko were waiting for them. Brian and Marie sat behind Jessica. Mako was sitting behind her desk taking a glance at her younger sister.

"It's a miracle you came early for the event," Mako quipped

"I came here to pay you a visit," Jessica answered, "Because I just can't understand why the president suddenly gives an award to the dead."

"They should've given it to Mom when she was still alive," Kazuki lamented, grasping a sigh.

"The saddest thing is that Mom isn't even a politician that they would drag her," Sahoko added.

"Her husband is a politician, her stepchildren are politicians," Rina reminded her youngest sister.

"I am only here because of the charity event, nothing more, nothing less," said Jessica, "I'll say this again and again. I am not interested in politics."

"That's the same reason Rafael and Takeru said," Mako replied, but we'll respect that.

----

It was six in the evening, the Marino siblings went to the 5-star hotel to receive the President's conferment of the Legion of Honor to Riho. Being a former first lady, she is entitled to receive an award, a thing that she didn't receive because her husband died and Charlie died just before she was given an honor. Mako, who is the current mayor of the city, was present and so were Rafael and his girlfriend Karen, Rina, Kazuki, Jessica and Sahoko.

The president stood infront of the podium and delivered his speech, full of praises to the first lady, the late Riko Marino and his predecessor, the late-president Marino, the fact that he tried to defeat the president during elections of two thousand forty, knowing that fact, they wouldn't step aside the suspicion that the President is courting the Marinos to stay in power especially, now that Mako remains one of the powerful politicians in the south, as the president delivers her speech, Rafael couldn't help but turn his head in disbelief of what the president was saying.

"Such plasticity," Rafael uttered.

"Quiet, he's here to give honor to Riho not to hit us again," Mako told his older brother. "Just act like we heard nothing,"

After the speech, the president conferred the Legion of Honor to Kazuki and Sahoko on behalf of their late mother.

"I confer this award to Madame Riho Marino for her efforts in promoting friendship between our nation and Japan, also for her merits and charity for the poor," the president announced after which Kazuki and Sahoko slightly bowed to him before standing in front of the podium to which Riho's eldest son gave a short speech.

"Sahoko and I are so flattered and honored to receive this honor on behalf of our Mom, I am sure that she'll be happy that her efforts have been recognized the way she wanted it to be, surely our Dad would also be happy that despite what is going on in this arena, my Mom is secured of her legacy."

After delivering his speech, Kazuki went down to the stage and greeted his siblings.

"You made the president frown," Rina whispered, "I love it."

Kazuki chuckled and returned to his seat.

----

After the program, the President had a chance to hold a meeting with Mako at the special function room. Seemingly there was a bit of tension, and nevertheless, the two were very cordial to each other.

"Mako, I know there are rumors that your sister will eye for the presidency," the president straightforwardly said.

Mako smirked. "Mr. President, I couldn't tell if she has plans or not, but as far as I know, she is leaning to get the position of CEO at Penthouse Seven, but she's someone who doesn't tell her plans."

"Do you have any plans of seeking a higher position?" the President asked.

"Maybe, I might switch with my sister-in-law or remain as Mayor or I might stay in Tokyo for good," Mako answered, trying to evade the president's sneaky question

"Well, I heard that those celebrities, you know five more girls, claim their kids are your sired by your father," the President told her. However, Mako's face remained stoic.

"I know my father, he is not fond of Filipina girls," Mako uttered "Since Jiena, Rafael and Megan's mother, whoever she is, she's not fond of having a Filipina anymore, it's just so happens that some of us followed his trend."

"Well, the evidence is strong, Mako," the president insisted.

"And what is your purpose in telling this to me and my siblings?" Mako asked, "My dad is still missing, and he is an inch from following Jimmy Hoffa's footsteps. He already denied such a thing, and besides, the fortune that my Mom and dad have earned has already been distributed and others had been consolidated to our company,"

"I see," the president responded. "It's nice talking to you, Mako; I hope we work and see each other sometime,"

"If fate doesn't interfere, then we will," Mako answered, shaking the president's hand.

-------

After the president has left, the Marino siblings went inside the function room and sat down, fuming why the president would say such things in front of the former first lady, some were clinching their fist, while Mako herself was as just as calm as the river.

"What a dick," Mako quipped, sipping a cup of coffee

"Those look in his face when he is trying to say that he wants us out," Kazuki uttered.

"Relax, it's not like this is the first time," Mako told her siblings "Those who claim will never get a share, otherwise if it's from Riho or Riko's blood,"

"So if there is a claimant saying that she or he is a daughter of Mom," Kazuki interrupted.

"Kazuki, respect the dead," Sahoko reacted.

"I remember we have two missing sisters," Rina raised.

"Yeah, Marla's sister, but I don't know where Dad gave her," Mako added.

"Oh please, all of you, shut up!" Jessica raised her voice, "Natsume is in Korea, Maya is in the south, there is no missing child!"

"It's like the nth time that Daddy gave away kids. First it was Jasmine, then Marla's sister, then my daughter," Rafael complained.

"Well, you should remember that your ex-girlfriend's family tried to kill the child," Mako angrily reminded "they almost killed dad saving you and you dare to say those things now that he is dead?!"

"It's just that I am frustrated that I didn't save the child," Rafael answered back.

"Well, you should be thankful that Dad gave away the child before the Fontierras tried to kill her,"

--

It was Five in the afternoon at the Golden Friendship hotel, Brian was waiting at the lobby, staring at the hotel's exit.

"Brian," Marie called from afar to which Brian glanced back and was mesmerized by the gal's beauty.

"You look lovely," Brian murmured, locking his eyes on Marie and her pink dress.

"How sweet of you," Marie replied, "Ms. Jessica lent me some of her designer dresses and this the loveliest garb I have ever seen."

"She thinks that other than that pink cocktail dress, the others looked like rags," Jessica jokingly quipped, walking downstairs towards the function room.

"Shall we?" Marie glanced at her handsome escort.

"Sure," Brian responded and followed their boss.

As the two walked towards the main hall, the lad "You look beautiful tonight," Brian whispered to his date

"I'm only beautiful tonight? So I am not beautiful every day?" Marie asked the young man.

"Every day you are beautiful, but tonight you shine a lot," Brian answered, kissing his girlfriend's hand when he saw his parents and Vanessa going inside the hall, prompting him to approach them.

"Mom, Dad? What are you doing here?" Brian asked.

"We are from Sierra de Oro so we are invited on this occasion," Faye answered her son's question "I bought in Vanessa so that she could enjoy the city,"

Brian's face was full of shock, much as Marie who finally met the young man's father face-to-face.

Moments later, Rafael and Karen arrived, standing beside Jessica who was staring at the guest.

"Did we just arrived on time?" Rafael asked his younger sister.

"Not much," Jessica replied, staring at Karen from head to foot, a few seconds later, Rina arrived, passing by Rafael and stood behind her younger sister.

"Where is Kazuki and Sahoko?" Rina asked.

"They are still entertaining guest," Jessica answered, "Let them be, it's their time to shine,"

It was six thirty in the party was about to start when the guest turned their heads at the entrance, much to Rafael's surprise, it was a familiar face in the past.

"Kanna," Rafael murmured, staring at his former flame dressed in white.

"We've met again, Mr. Marino," Kanna greeted his former flame, "And you must be Karen?"

"And he must be Kenji?" Rafael asked his former flame as to the identity of the man standing behind him.

"Are you stalking me or are you just doing your research?" Kanna answered back, prompting Kenji to go forward and introduce himself to Rafael.

"I am Kenji, nice to meet you." the bald man offered his hand to Rafael.

"The feeling is mutual," Rafael answered with grit on his face.

"We'll go ahead," Kanna said, leaving Rafael and his sisters.

Jessica glanced at his brother's face, as well as Karen's tomato red face and smirked, slowly looking at Kanna and her date.

"Poor little trash," Jessica murmured and left.

-------

Rina was standing with Marie on the leftmost part of the ballroom, the two were looking at the guest, and all of them were socialites and businessmen, society's most influential people.

"Ms. Rina, have you ever experience being poor?" Marie curiously asked.

"Yes, in fact we were selling rice cakes and other delicacies before," Rina answered "Even when my dad became a senator, we still sell food and when my older siblings decided to build a store, I was a waitress and a cook while studying, that is what we've experienced before"

"I really thought you were rich back then," a stunned Marie said.

"We reaped what we sow when we have lost our Dad and Mom," Rina added "It's very sad that they passed on without seeing their dreams for us"

"I'm sure wherever they are, they're happy and proud of all of you" Marie told her boss

"I just wish he'd return," Rina whispered.

----

While Rina and Marie were standing near the entrance, the latter noticed a lady and a young man approaching them, suddenly, her heart started to beat fast like she was in a race, she clinched her fist and sharply stared at the lady.

"Agatha and Edward? aren't they?" Rina quipped

"Well, Marie you're still alive" Doña Agatha uttered, staring at the lass from head to foot "It's been a long time."

"Why you," Marie grinned.

"Doña Agatha, its fancy seeing you here" Rina interrupted, holding Marie's hand.

"Ms. Rina Marino" Agatha greeted the lady.

"Marie, Sahoko and Jessica might need something, go there," Rina instructed the lass.

"But Ma'am," Marie tried to complain when Rina stared at her glaringly, prompting her to leave and went to Jessica's side

"I didn't know you kept that bitch all along," Agatha told Rina in a socialite tone.

"Much as you are keeping our demonic aunt and her associates in your skirt," Rina answered back before turning her back against the lady.

----

Meanwhile, Marie walked into the hallways of the hotel, closing her eyes, trying to relax after seeing a devil, as she walked towards the entrance, she heard someone calling her and when she turned back; it was Edward.

"Oh, shit" Marie uttered and ran.

"Marie!" Edward tried to chase her.

Marie ran as fast as she could in order not be followed by Edward when someone pulled her away and stuffed her mouth..

"Banjo? What are you doing here?" a stunned Marie asked.

"I'm here to save you from the Marinos and Edward," Banjo said "Let go away from here, away from those Mafia."

"No, I will stay here whenever I want!" Marie yelled.

"You're coming with me!" Banjo uttered grabbing Marie's arm, trying to drag her away, when someone hit his head using a steel chair, knocking him unconscious, it was Kara, the girl she met during a fashion show audition, holding the steel chair, looking at the guy mercilessly.

"Are you alright Marie?" Kara asked the lass "Let's get outta here before he wakes up,"

"You are not going anywhere" Marika appeared out of nowhere, blocking their way, the two tried to turn around but Nao, Marika blocked their way.

"What do you want from me?!" Marie asked

"You have something that I have always wanted all along," Marika uttered "Something that your father has right now."

"My father is already dead!" Marie cried.

"Oh, that is what you think!" Marika uttered striking Marie with her bare hands when Rina appeared out of nowhere and kicked her feisty aunt, then punches Nao in the stomach.

"Rina Marino!" Nao angrily yelled trying to attack Bianca again; unfortunately Mako jumped in and blocked the attack for her sister

"What is it that you want you to are really itching to get this girl?" Rina asked her aunt.

"Nao, get that necklace!" Marika ordered her henchwoman; Nao leapt and tried to grab the lass' necklace only to be blocked by Rina for the second time.

"What is going on here?" Rafael and Jessica came into Rina's aid.

"Well, Karl's timid son is here," Marika remarked trying to position herself in a strategic location, trying to figure out how to get the necklace "Do you know how your beloved father distrusted you so much that he chose Jiena to be his successor in the political field and Jasmine on the corporate world?"

"How poor of you, the eldest son being stripped of entitlement, while the other siblings are favoured, you are being outcast,"

"If Dad had distrusted my brother, then he shouldn't have given half of the land in the south, the land that is supposed to be given to you," Rina defended her brother.

As Rafael went near, he noticed the necklace that Marie was wearing

"That necklace....," He whispered as he continued looking at Marie's necklace "That is the same necklace that Kanna and I gave to our daughter,"

As the tension grew, Marika's men surrounded the Marinos, trying to get the advantage in the area.

"Give the necklace or We'll do it the hard way," Marika warned the Marino siblings, Rafael glanced at Marie with a heavy feeling.

"Isn't that the necklace that has the diamond from Madagascar?" Jessica asked, "The one that had cause your husband's death?"

"Now you all knew what I am after off," said Marika when Kanna rushed in "The one who holds the necklace is your daughter Rafael, you and Kanna's daughter!"

That moment, everyone was shocked by the revelation Marika made, Rafael and Kanna were both stunned by the events, no words could express their shock upon hearing the revelation that Marika unveiled.

"Is it true? Marie is my daughter Monica?" Kanna asked everyone, looking at Rafael "Tell me!"

"It's like you need the answers from my little sister, otherwise to Rina Marino," Marika said taking out her pistol "But it's time for one of you to bid adieu!"

However, before she could pull the trigger, a barrage of shots rang out from a far, prompting, Marika and Marino siblings to take cover.

"What was that?" Marie cried in fear, suddenly the events during at Santa Fe flashed into her mind. Slowly, Rafael crawled and cradled her.

After the smoke was cleared, a couple came in slowly and walked towards the Marinos, behind them was a company of armed men. Rafael, Rina and Jessica took a peek, much to their surprise.

"Dad! Aunt Takako!" The three of them wailed.

"Now that you've found out, it will remain with you," Karl uttered, pointing his pistol at Marika, "In your grave."

However, Nao leapt and attacked Takako, causing Karl to assist the other sage, Marika stood up and tried to grab Marie. Kanna, however took a chair and slammed it into Marika's back. Unable to control the situation, Banjo threw in a smoke grenade to allow the three of them to escape.

As the smokes faded, Marika, Nao and Banjo are nowhere to be found. Karl and Takako stood in front of the Marino siblings.

"That was fast," Karl quipped, Rina and Jessica rushed in and tightly embraced their father.

"Where have you been?" Jessica asked.

"Your aunt took me for a vacation," Karl answered, "Of course I was trying to recover,"

"Yes, he was trying to recover from his injuries," Takako answered.

While the two sages stood near the entrance, Kazuki and Sahoko came in.

"It's nice to see yo again, mother-in-law," Sahoko greeted, bowing to Takako, prompting Karl to raise his eyesbrows.

"Mother-in-law?" Karl queried, "Is one of your sons and my daughter getting married?"

"No Karl, my son is gonna marry a daughter of an alien," Takako sarcastically answered, "Of course, my son Yukito and Sahoko your daughter, they are getting married, you don't remember?"

"Remember? Nobody told me about that," Karl complained, "I know they are an item but I didn't know they are getting married."

"Now you know," Takako smiled, tapping Karl's cheek.

"Without my blessings?" Karl asked.

Takako glanced at Karl and smirked, "Are you objecting to the marriage?"

"Well.....no," Karl stuttered, "As if I have a choice in that question."

"But before you celebrate, Marie is missing," Rafael quipped, "My daughter is missing!"

"Not just her, Kanna is missing too." Rina added.

"Now you got to answer that with Ulrich with a pistol in the table," Kazuki added.

The whole Marino clan stood up, staring at each other, awaiting for what is in store for them.

---end chapter--