The Universal Rule for Parents and Their Children

Cj sighed with his eyes closed, trying to calm himself. If he can only smack the perfect explanation for Lorenzo’s mysterious enrollment inside their smart minds, he might have done it already.

“The Lees he’s looking for is a Mafia. The Lees he was with was only a normal family. Please understand it,” he sounds like he’s about to give up. “If you still can’t, perhaps Lee University is a blessing in disguise. Continue your studies and help your awful minds.”

They fell silent, refusing to speak the ‘huh’ word now. Fear went inside their body instantly after hearing Cj’s last sentences.

If they continue to be a fool, their stay at Lee University would be longer than what they imagine. They don’t want that and so, they try to process everything they heard from Cj.

Later on, Ron’s expression has changed.

“Ah! I see!”

“I see I see?” Sean looked at him with pure insult. “You understand it? Or you’re just afraid to stay here for long?”

He’s absolutely talking about himself.

“When was the first time you learned you’re a Mafia?” he asked ignoring the insulting looks and words from him.

“Nine? I can’t remember. Don’t ask me that. Past is past.”

“The Mafia World has a certain rule—the rule for parents and their children. The parents must protect their kids’ innocence until they reach a certain age—which is ten perhaps?” he shot a glance to Cj, asking him for approval. “I don’t know the whole story since I have never been with Lorenzo all my life but I think that rule is the reason why Lorenzo is having a hard time seeing what he’s dying to see.”

“He’s right. It’s because of that rule,” there’s a sound of relief in Cj’s voice.

He has finally calmed knowing that he won’t have to strike his beloved cousins’ heads only to make their minds work. If only they did not forget about that rule, they would understand his complicated explanations quickly.

“When Cheska and Lorenzo were still with us, they don’t know who and what they are. They are just children in each others’ eyes. The only thing they knew was they have to train to protect themselves. No more no less.”

“Now it makes sense why he’s so desperate to take the Underground from us and make it his,” still Ron, the only one who's catching up with Cj. “I believe he did that so he could get more information, am I right?”

“Tch,” Sean looked away with his arms crossed looking like a stubborn child. He hates how Ron’s mind is working while his is still resting pretty and demanding to go home.

“Yea…same as why he’s studying in this school…”

“How did you know all of that? And why you didn’t tell anything to us? We’re part of your group?”

“You did not ask,” Cj answered, stating a fact. “and Lorenzo was my best friend. I know his plans. I know how his mind works.”

“It’s a matter of time now until he reaches what he’s dying to reach. The Underground is his, he might meet uncle Arvin in any days from now.”

Cj shook his head, disagreeing with the idea. “The stories from random people are pulling Lorenzo away from the truth. We are known as an invisible family who cannot be seen by the people. If those stories aren’t existing? His long search would be over in the blink of an eye.

"It’s still hard to assume that he is closer to the truth in spite of being a student here and having the Underground. He needs to remove first the trust he has for our family before he meets his desires.”

The room fell silent. Cj can tell they’re thinking carefully. The soft sound coming out from the air conditioner serves as protection from deafening silence.

After a minute, Kristine looked at Cj with her confused face.

“If Lorenzo grew up with you if he considers you as his second family,” she paused for a while. “…then why is he mad at us?”

Cj’s lips slightly gaped. He wants to answer that question but no words are coming right out of it.

How is he going to answer that anyway? How is he going to explain it in an easy and comprehensible way?

The question remained unanswered until the door suddenly opened. Right there is Sophia with a paper bag in her right hand.

“Here’s the complete set of girl’s uniform,” she dropped it on his desk. Her eyes say it all, she doesn’t like the idea of how she’s the one who received the order when in fact, there are five of them. “And I heard she’s at the girl's restroom…”

Cj checked the insides of it.

When he’s sure nothing is missing, he immediately left his seat and went outside the office without even bothering to say anything to his cousins. They become invisible to his eyes as soon as Sophia went in with the things he asked her to get.

“When it really comes to his sisters…” said Ron gazing at the way where Cj bids his exit.

Andrea and Kristine laughed loudly making the two boys turned their heads in their direction.

At first, they’re wondering what’s with those ugly laughs, but as soon as they see where Andrea and Kristine are looking, they finally get it.

“Vice president who?!” Kristine laughed while her hands are on top of her stomach. She can’t almost breathe because of amusement.

While Andrea is just trying to cover her mouth to avoid laughing stridently and her other hand is on top of Cj’s desk striking it softly.

“Cj must have mistaken. You should be the secretary and not the vice! Is there any position for maids? Servants? Because you looked like one just now! Anyway, secretary suits you the best among the choices so no pressure!”

Sophia’s brow arched. “Huh? Coming from the people who have no contribution to this university? Cj cannot be mistaken for not putting you four in any positions. For sure he’s seeing you all as useless, irresponsible, and helpless human beings."

“Hey! Hey! Hey!” Sean, the one who got affected and hurt the most by Sophia’s honesty remarks interjected. It's like three arrows have stabbed his fragile self deeply. He’s even pointing his finger at her. She only looked at him in a snobbish manner. “You see, I am being silent here! How dare you put me into it?! Let me just tell you, Ms. Secretary, I don’t want to be in this place either!”