Innocence Is Ignorance
Cheska gasped, finally awake together with her racing heart. She touched her forehead, sweats running down to her temples and to her body. She’s sweating even her room is airconditioned and she’s not wearing thick clothes.
She sat on the bed and brushed her jet black hair.
“What…was that…”
What’s weirder about that dream is Lorenzo’s and Kenneth’s appearance. Why would she dream about them? Was it because she’s with them last night?
She clenched her chest, eyes are closed. She can feel her heart sinking and when her fingers brushed against her cheeks, it’s wet. S
he thought it was her sweat but when she touched her eyes, even that part is wet too.
“I’m…crying…?”
She let out a deep sigh. She feels like crying more…she wants to cry but she can’t. If her heart is sinking that means she’s in pain.
But why? What’s with that dream?
When she got outside her room, she’s finally done with her morning routine. Right where she’s standing, she immediately smelled Joshua’s cooking.
Her tummy growled, starving.
“Thought I still have to wake you up,” said Joshua as soon as she stepped into the kitchen.
She still hasn’t any word yet he already knows she’s there. She still wonders how he’s doing that. He’s observant even if he isn’t looking.
“I woke up from my dream...”
“A dream?” he threw a swift glance. “Tell me about it?”
She rested her chin at the palm of her hands and pouted. “I…forgot. You should have asked me as soon as I open my eyes.”
“You’re inside your room.”
That makes sense.
“I can’t remember. But I remember it’s painful. Perhaps a nightmare? I was crying too.” she held her chest again. “And up until now, I can feel my heart sinking. Perhaps it’s just hunger. I’ll forget it once I’ve already eaten.”
“Patience.”
She didn’t wait for long. She came at the right time since Joshua was about to finish their breakfast when she went inside.
They’re now eating their breakfast silently and peacefully. No one tried to break the ice since Joshua seems cannot be distracted. He’s looking at his iPad making Cheska frowned more than five times in a minute.
“You’re still doing that even here? I thought you’re on leave?”
“When did I say that? I only said I’m going home.”
“Why are you here then? If you’re still not finished—are you here because I’m alone?” her voice slightly raised. When Joshua didn’t speak, she’s sure she’s thinking the right thing. “I told you I can handle myself, right? You don’t have to—"
“Is that why an underage girl like you is still outside at midnight? Specifically, at the casino?” he looked at her, making her pout. The irritation she felt to him didn’t even last for long. At some point, unfortunately, Joshua has a point. “And business matters don’t end. If I don't go home until it's done, you won’t be able to see me ever again. I doubt you want that.”
She only made some random faces while hearing the chastise.
She really can’t feel her superiority as an older sister to him. He is always the higher one to her.
As said before, she’s the baby in their house. She’s being taken care of cautiously that they won’t even let a single fly lands on her wonderful fair skin.
According to the majority, it’s always the girls who think and act maturely than boys—even if they’re younger.
She’s not convinced of that because of Joshua, a younger boy who is more matured than her. Only a selected few men are granted with a 'not-so overwhelming' mindset.
“Oh right. I told you what I have learned, didn’t I? The one you and mom didn’t tell me?”
“It’s just better for you not to know.”
“Then why did you put me in that university?”
Joshua only looked at her, leaving that question unanswered. He only sighed to it and returned his looks to the iPad. “Tell me what you learned. I’ll fill up the rest—if there are still some.”
Her eyes slightly sparkled. She drank first before speaking. She might get choke while talking—just being careful.
“I learned about the existence of the three worlds; Outside World, Underground World, and Mafia World. I know their difference too and the summary…Outside World is the only normal world and the rest are abnormal. Underground is silent but dangerous. Mafia World is cold but deadly. Outside World is simple and…simple?”
She fell silent, looking at her brother. She blinked repeatedly, waiting for his response.
Joshua had to avert his gaze only to see what is happening and what made her stop. But she’s just looking at him like a…dog waiting to be fed.
Then he realized what she wants.
“The additional information is for later. Finish your story first.”
“That’s it.”
His brows furrowed. “That’s it? That’s all you know?”
She nodded with slight confusion. Joshua sounds disappointed.
“You said a lot. That’s not even ‘a lot’. You only know the primary information.” he finally let go of his device and gave his sister his full and undivided attention. He raised his pointer finger. “First, our world has a sub-world, it’s called the business world.”
“Who leads that world?”
“It’s the Lees.”
“Huh? I thought they’re Mafias? What are they doing there? Invading it?”
“No, ‘invasion’ is the rudest term. More like ‘helping’. Lees are the key for the business world to keep up. When the business world is finally stable, they’re going to leave. They’re rich. I mean really. Compare to us, we’re still poor.”
No comment. She has no comment on that.
So Lees are helpful? They help if they can.
In Joshua’s stories, they’re like angels.
But from Lorenzo? They’re like…devils. He’s not just mad at them. He loathes them.
Now she wonders, what made him feel that?
Did the Lees do something to him?
“And going to the other world is fine. It’s not against the rules. After all, the Underground World and Outside World are open worlds.”
“Open? Worlds?"
“Anyone can enter but of course with the notice of its leader.”
“Then what is the Mafia World? Close world?”
“Yes, no person can enter that world. No one can. You have to be a Mafia by blood for you to enter their world.”
“That’s unfair? They can go to other worlds but they can’t go to theirs?”
“Even the people from the Underground and Outside don’t want to be part of their world. So, it’s not that unfair. It’s even a gift.”
“Why?”
“That’s better to be left unsaid.”
“Oh right,” an idea came across her mind. “They said being innocent is the best choice when it comes to the Mafia World. They’re that deadly huh?”
He only nodded at it. “Back to the business world, it is composed of different companies which include our company—Park Company. So far, we’re part of the top five.”
“Who’s the rest?”
“First, Lees. Second, Parks. Third, Youngs. Fourth, Montereals and last, Hans.”
There’s a smug look on her face. “Next to Lees huh? What an accomplishment.”
“Yea…” he sipped at his chocolate drink. “They’re strong and rich because their company is owned by a mafia.”
“Then why are we at second? There’s no way our family is part of the Mafia World, is there,” she chuckled, finding the idea amusing.
Joshua paused. “…our company is doing good. That makes us second...”
Cheska only nodded to it, that makes sense to her. She returned her attention to her breakfast.
Her eyes darted at the knife beside her plate. She remembers once again the dagger from last night. Her heart pounded again.
Joshua only watched her silently. He silently cursed himself.
That was…close.
“Our company and the Garcias are the only companies from the top six that aren’t owned by a Mafia. Garcias are on the top six.”
She wondered. “Lees…Youngs, Montereals, and Hans…now that I keep hearing their names, I realized how they scream power and dominance. Or I’m just imagining it?”
“They’re indeed powerful and much powerful on their world.”
“How about the Youngs? I heard they’re number two in Mafia World. I’m surprised they’re number three and below us in the business world.”
“Oh, that? Yes. What about them?”
“Nothing. I just heard something about it. Their master is like…the youngest one in the Mafia World?”
“He became a master at the age of ten perhaps? I think he’s now about…twenty?”
“That guy is twenty? Unbelievable!”
That’s a big surprise for her. Lorenzo doesn’t look like he’s in twenty at all. He looks younger than that.
“Yea…that’s why he’s famous. The youngest master that the Mafia World ever has. Unlucky for him, his mother died at a young age. He had to take over in order for their legacy not to fall. They’re number two so it’s a big waste.”
She is not expecting that one. She didn’t expect his mother to be dead.
Why she hasn’t thought of it anyway? Of course, there’s a reason behind his early leadership. Of course, something came up.
How stupid for not coming up with that idea earlier.
Thank heavens she hasn’t mentioned anything about his mother or any topic connected to her. Surely, it’s a sensitive topic for him—just like her mom to their dad.
“They’re below us in the business world since they’re not really trying to reach the highest rank. The mafia companies are just in the business world to serve as a pillar—there is no need for them to fight for number one. If it has finally stabilized they can finally leave the business world at the hands of our world’s businessmen.”
“You two are so much alike,” she looked at him after almost a minute of being silent. “You had to take over at a young age because dad died.”
“Tch,” he frowned. “Don’t compare me to a Mafia.”
“Oh!” her eyes widened with her gaping mouth. “He said the same thing! He’s a Mafia but he doesn’t like to be compared to them—to Lees.”
“What?”
“Yes. I don’t know either—”
“You talked to him? When?”
“He’s the guy I was with last night. He’s also my classmate.”
His jaw dropped and stared at her in surprise. Is she joking?
He hopes she’s joking. She spoke about it as if it’s a natural thing to be in contact with a Mafia.
She said it naturally as if it’s not even bothering her.
“You,” his voice became strict. “You stay away from them.”
“You don’t need to tell me that,” she said with a scowl on her face. “We agreed not to talk to each other ever again. We’re strangers now so you can be at ease.”
Of course, he will never be at ease after hearing that she’s sharing the same class as Lorenzo. The stressful idea made him massaged his temples.
Did he choose the right thing of putting Cheska in that place?
“A question by the way,” she added, replacing the topic about Lorenzo with something new. “Before, you don’t want to tell me a single thing about our world and now you even volunteered. Why?”
He put Cheska there on purpose and Lorenzo might be an obstacle to reach that purpose. But one guy shouldn’t be a problem, right? Things might still go according to his plan.
Right?
“Innocence is ignorance,” he simply answered. “Innocence is a gift at the same time a curse. Too much ignorance can lead you to danger. It’s time to fill you up with things you need to know. And with those…”
He paused for a while, eyes remained on her hazel brown eyes.
“…you can finally help yourself.”