The other two Marino Siblings

Six months have passed since the Marinos proudly introduced Monica and Kara to the world. Despite their outward display of happiness, beneath the surface, anxiety continues to cast a shadow over the family. Recent events have only added to this unease, leaving the entire clan feeling unsettled and on edge.

Marie, adorned in a sleek black dress, descended the grand staircase of the opulent Marino mansion. Taking her seat on the plush couch, she exuded an air of poised elegance as she awaited the arrival of her father and siblings. Within moments, Karl emerged from the study room accompanied by Sahoko and Kazuki, signaling the start of what promised to be an eventful gathering.

"I know this has been very hard for all of us," Karl explained, gently holding Sahoko's hand, "especially when you are about to get married and she didn't follow the doctor's medication. It's a difficult situation."

"But she was happy," Sahoko consoled herself, "She was truly happy that you were with her during her last days. Travelling with her was very memorable for her and meant a lot."

"Dad, you were true to your word in telling her that you would be with her for the rest of her life," Kazuki added reassuringly

"Now, we're talking about it," Karl murmured in a deep voice, his words tinged with a somber weight. "Your mom must have been happy on the plane with the two of you when she had that heart attack," he mused.

After a few moments, Rafael made his way downstairs and looked at his father with a deep sense of disbelief.

"It's like you didn't lose a wife," Rafael quipped before silently stepping into the vehicle.

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At the cemetery, the entire Marino family gathered in front of Riho's casket to pay their final respects to the departed Marino matriarch. Sahoko stood beside Karl on his right, while Kazuki was on his left. Arjan and Takako stood behind him, supporting one another in this moment of grief.

Karl's eyes filled with a bittersweet joy as he spoke to Sahoko. "She was at her happiest when she saw you get married," he whispered, his voice tinged with longing. "Other than being by my side for all those years."

Takako nodded in agreement, adding softly, "She was so glad that it was Yukito whom Sahoko got ended up to, too bad , she wouldn't be in the wedding."

As they stood behind Riho's oak casket, Karl let out a heavy sigh. "I would be even more grateful if she had followed the doctor's advice," he murmured regretfully. A pang of sorrow gripped him as he watched the cemetery worker prepare to bury Riho next to Riko Marino's grave.

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At the opulent Marino mansion, a lively gathering took place as the entire clan came together for a sumptuous lunch. Laughter and chatter filled the air, adding to Karl's contentment as he observed all of his siblings and their children in attendance. Afterward, Karl turned to Arjan, and they headed into the stately study room, accompanied by Rafael and Arra. Meanwhile, Monica couldn't resist her curiosity; she lingered behind the door, intrigued by what was unfolding within.

Tension filled the room as Arra's eyes blazed with contempt, directed at Arjan. "Why is the weedman included in this meeting?" she demanded, her voice carrying a furious edge.

"He is the one who has brought us substantial fortune. Why do you question his presence?" Karl countered, fixing a serious gaze on Arra. "He is like a second father to our children and they trust him."

Rafael, sipping from a glass of whiskey, interjected curiously, "So why exactly are we here?"

"I am taking charge of the attack against Emilio Zenari tonight. I will personally see to it that he meets his end," Karl declared grimly. "The protection of our weed business depends on it."

"Why are you sharing this information with me?" queried Arra from behind Karl.

"Because whether or not I confront Emilio Zenari tonight,Jaguar and Marika will strike," explained Karl in an even tone. "And it will leave Rafael and your other children defenseless."

"And what about my other children? What happens to them?" pressed Arra.

"My other offspring can defend themselves; they have their own formidable forces," boasted Karl proudly. "And my concern is Monica, if something happens to me, please take care of her."

"It's my obligation as a grandmother," Arra added, her eyes filled with sincerity and warmth, prompting Rafael to stare at his parents with much confusion.

"I am the father, I am still alive," Rafael complained, raising his voice. The frustration in his tone hinted at years of unspoken resentment. "I am a grownup and yet you are still treating me like I am a child; you treat Muro like a grownup, you treat Takeru like trash—a grown up—and here I cannot decide on my own!"

Karl muttered with resentment, his gaze piercing as he confronted his son. "You wait until I am dead and you can decide everything you want!"

Unable to contain his anger, Rafael walked out and slammed the door, not knowing that his daughter was listening to the conversation all along.

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It was six in the evening at the Marino Mansion, and a sense of quiet tension filled the air as Rafael and Monica silently sat down to dinner. The atmosphere shifted when Monica mustered courage and fixed her gaze on her father.

"I heard you and grandpa arguing," she said with genuine concern.

Rafael's response was low but laden with remorse. "I am embarrassed that you heard our fight. You shouldn't have heard those words."

A maid interrupted their solemn moment by informing Rafael about Kanna being in the living room. This prompted both father and daughter to hastily finish their meal before making their way into the living room.

"Mom!" an ecstatic Monica exclaimed as she rushed to embrace her mother.

"How is my princess?" Kanna joyfully asked while delicately stroking Monica's hair.

"I am all good," responded Monica, relief evident in her voice.

It was just a matter of minutes when a group of men surrounded the mansion and barged into the living room, much to Rafael, Kanna, and Monica's surprise. It was Takeru, Kazuki, and Rina who arrived and went inside Karl's study room.

"What's going on?" asked a curious Rafael as he stared at the armbands of the guards whose skyblue color seemed familiar. "Those uniforms are familiar."

In the next hour, Mako,Nozomi,Sahoko,and Muro arrived and were also placed in the study room. This prompted Rafael and Monica to go inside as well.

"What is going on?" Rafael asked with a furrowed brow.

"Jaguar and Marika tried to ambush all of us," Nozomi replied, her voice edged with frustration. "That son of a bitch."

"But who are these guards?" Rafael pressed further, his eyes scanning the solemn faces around him.

"They're mine," a female voice resonated from the halls, causing silence among the Marino siblings.

There was an air of authority in her tone that demanded attention.

"Jessica, don't tell us that you bought her all the way from Seoul?" Sahoko remarked with disbelief etched onto her features.

"She insisted, I have no choice," Jessica responded resolutely, staring at the lady whose same age as her and also as pretty as she is that men will go baffling over her. "Right, Natsume?"

"I came here to ensure everyone is safe, especially Dad," Natsume added, "Right now, Maya is rescuing from, though he succeeded in killing Emilio Zenari"

Natalie Natsume is the third daughter of Karl and Arisa, following behind her two sisters Bianca and Jasmine. Similar to Jessica and Sahoko, Natsume was conceived through artificial insemination as part of Karl's determined efforts to grow his family. She falls between Jessica and Sahoko in age but shares a passion for music with her older sister. Living in Seoul, she discovered her familial connection only after Jessica revealed it to her.

"It's two in the morning, and Dad and Uncle Arjan still haven't returned from the operations," Rafael remarked as they heard the sounds of a car parking in front of the mansion. They saw armed men in white emerging out, followed by a lady slowly making her way inside the study room.

"Maya," Marla murmured softly, catching her sister's attention.

"What? Are you surprised?" Maya quipped with a smile, gazing at her siblings one by one.

"It's been a while," Nozomi said as she enveloped her long-lost sister in a warm embrace.

"Yeah, I was solving something that Marla couldn't figure out," Maya replied nonchalantly.

"Yeah, yeah, you always manage to outsmart your older sisters," an annoyed Marla grumbled. "Where is dad anyway?" 

"We are here!" Karl replied, and he and Arjan sank into the couch, completely drained. "I never thought I'd spend 4 hours in a brawl," said Arjan. "That might have been my last fight."

"Oh, come on," Karl joked. "It was still enjoyable."

"Enjoyable? You call that enjoyable?" Maya protested. "You two old timers were battling someone your age and his henchman who is younger than my daughter! And they were injuring you!"

"But that's all part of the battle!" Karl argued.

"No, it's not acceptable," Maya raised her voice. "If I hadn't shown up when I did, both of you would be in pieces."

Karl nonchalantly brushed off his daughter's complaint about Emilio Zenari, "At least I survived. That counts for something."

"For now," Marla retorted. "But there are still five more to deal with."

In that moment, Karl paused and gazed blankly ahead. Catching on to her grandfather's fatigue, she watched as he closed his eyes and drifted into a sudden doze.

"He may be in his seventies, but he's not giving up the fight," remarked Monica.

"Fighting their chaos," Maya sighed in response. "Oh dad,"

------ 

Marcella Lorainne or Maya is youngest daughter of Karl Marino and Emi Takanashi, making her Marla's full sister, she was born at the height where her mother was threatened by loan sharks. She was raised by Karl's cousin who adored her so much. Maya was aware of her true identity, but chose to keep distance as she believed that she could have a better life away from the Marino Clan, a belief that succeeded as she became sucessful on her own as a model and as an entrepreneur.

At an early age, she was proved to be exceptionally cunning and smart, consistently outwitting her classmates. She frequently earned the top honors in her class. She inherited her father's demeanor: prim and proper, yet displaying a seemingly aggressive streak when threatened.

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Later that evening, as the city lights of Manila twinkled beneath the vast expanse of the night sky, Monica embarked on a journey to the bustling metropolis alongside her steadfast companion, Kanna. The purpose of their trip? At Kanna's insistence, Monica agreed to accompany her on a quest to reunite with Brian, who had been mysteriously absent for several months.

The longing to see Brian had gnawed at Monica's heart for countless days and nights, a persistent ache that refused to be ignored. With each passing moment, her thoughts were consumed by memories of their shared laughter, whispered conversations, and stolen glances. It was a longing so profound that it compelled her to commit Brian's phone number to memory, a lifeline connecting her to the one she yearned for.

As the wheels of their journey spun onwards, Monica couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and apprehension swirling within her. What would await them in Manila? Would Brian still be the same person she remembered, or had the passage of time wrought irrevocable changes upon their connection? Despite the uncertainty that lay ahead, Monica remained steadfast in her resolve, fueled by the fervent hope of rekindling the flame that had once burned brightly between them.

Upon their arrival in Manila, Monica's heart quickened with each step closer to their destination. The prospect of seeing Brian once more filled her with a heady mixture of excitement and nervous energy. With trembling fingers, she reached for her phone, the familiar weight of it grounding her in the present moment. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, Monica dialed Brian's number, the sound of each digit echoing the drumbeat of her racing heart.

"Are you sure about this, honey?" Kanna asked her daughter, a note of concern tingeing her voice.

"Yes, Mom, I want to see him," Monica affirmed, her resolve unwavering as she awaited a response from the other end of the line.

"Marie?" the voice on the other end responded, filled with a mix of relief and uncertainty.

"Brian, yes, it's me," Monica replied, her voice softening with emotion.

"Thank God you're alright," Brian exclaimed, his words tinged with heartfelt relief. "You just don't know how worried I've been."

"Where are you now?" Monica inquired softly, her voice tinged with eagerness.

"I'm inside my condo unit," Brian responded, his tone carrying a hint of warmth.

"Can I come in?" Monica asked, her heart pounding with anticipation.

"I'll go down," Brian replied promptly before ending the call, leaving Monica with a flutter of excitement in her chest.

"Monica, your father will kill me if he finds this out," Kanna confided in her daughter, her voice tinged with concern.

"Mom, I'm old enough, and I want to spend this night with Brian. I know you'll understand," Monica reasoned earnestly, hoping to convey her sincerity.

Kanna sighed deeply, torn between parental worry and respecting Monica's autonomy. After a moment of contemplation, she nodded reluctantly. "Just make sure that when I pick you up tomorrow, you're already awake," she said with a hint of resignation, trusting Monica to be responsible despite her apprehensions.

As soon as the vehicle departed, Monica stood in front of the building, her anticipation mounting with each passing second. When Brian arrived, she couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions as she locked eyes with him.

"Marie," Brian whispered, his voice filled with a mixture of surprise and affection.

"Brian," Monica responded, her voice trembling slightly with emotion as she rushed into his arms, the warmth of his embrace enveloping her in a sense of comfort and familiarity.

-----

Inside Brian's condo unit, the two lovers finally found themselves in each other's arms after months of agonizing separation. The air crackled with anticipation as Brian's fingertips traced the contours of Monica's face, his touch igniting a fiery longing within her.

With a tender yet urgent passion, Brian pressed his lips to Monica's, his kiss soft at first, then deepening with each passing moment. Monica's senses were overwhelmed as she melted into his embrace, her body responding eagerly to his touch.

Their lips moved in a fervent dance, tongues intertwining in a symphony of desire. Brian's hands roamed hungrily over Monica's body, igniting sparks of pleasure with each caress. Her breath hitched as he trailed kisses down her neck, sending shivers of ecstasy coursing through her.

With trembling hands, Monica reached for Brian's shirt, eager to feel the warmth of his skin against hers. As fabric fell away, their bodies pressed together in a primal embrace, their passion igniting like wildfire.

Their lovemaking was a symphony of sensation, each touch and caress building upon the next in a crescendo of pleasure. They moved together in perfect harmony, their bodies intertwining in a dance as old as time itself.

In the heat of their passion, time seemed to stand still, the outside world fading away as they lost themselves in each other. And as they reached the pinnacle of their desire, they were consumed by a wave of ecstasy that left them breathless and spent in each other's arms.

In that moment, they knew that they had found their way back to each other at last, their love stronger and more powerful than ever before. And as they lay entwined in the afterglow of their lovemaking, they were filled with a profound sense of peace and contentment, knowing that they would never again have to endure the pain of being apart.

---chapter end---