The Incident in the Past

After a protracted nap, Michael awoke to discover that it was already after one o'clock in the afternoon. He didn't want to go back down yet, so he opened his huge window to look at the enormous garden they have outside, but instead, his attention was caught by the beach.

He can't remember the last time they had a vacation, especially at the beach. His parents are either busy or there is a threat in their lives. Michael fully understands, though. He knows that their parents are just protecting them. Despite that, they all have good relationships with their parents.

While he was staring outside, he heard his bedroom door slowly open. He looked back to see who had opened the door and saw his mother, Minerva, beaming at him.

"Mom?"

"Hi baby! Did you have a good rest?" she asked, hugging him tightly. Minerva's always the sweet and caring mother who never fails to show it. She always tries her best to make his kids feel loved.

"Yes, mom. Actually, I find this place even better than our home back in the city. The view is refreshing. I hope we could stay here a little longer," he answered while staring outside.

Minerva held him by the shoulders and smiled. "I feel the same way. But we both know we can't. Don't worry, this won't be the last time we'll go here," Minerva replied, brushing his hair with her fingers.

Meanwhile, Michael was suddenly reminded of something and thought that this was the perfect moment to ask a question.

"Mom?" he uttered to get her attention.

"Yes? Is there something wrong?" she said, and looked at him with worried eyes when she noticed how bothered he is.

Michael shook his head and replied, "I just have a question I'm hoping you could answer."

"Go on, ask anything."

Michael paused and stared at her in the eye for a second before saying, "Earlier, Granny mentioned your old friends that you came here with."

Minerva was taken aback by what he said and responded, "What about them?"

"Well, I kind of noticed you and dad's reaction after she said that, as if something bad happened. Can you tell me about it?"

For a 13-year-old, he has always been the curious child, just like his brother and sister. Minerva knew that one day he would start asking questions just like Ridger did. But before she came here with her family, she ensured that she was prepared to face the past. Minerva wanted to stop trying to bury it along with the terrible memories. But now that time has passed, she thought it was time to move on.

Minerva smiled at her son and sat on the side of his bed. Then she said, "Come here, son." She tapped the space beside him, asking him to sit beside her.

Michael noticed how her face saddened, and he sat beside her. It makes him wonder if it was okay that he asked that question because he doesn't want to hurt his mom's feelings.

"I'm sorry. You don't have to tell me if it's a secret, though," he mumbled, which made her chuckle.

"It's fine. One of the reasons why I insisted on going here was because I wanted to talk about that too," Minerva answered, staring at an empty space with a crooked smile as if she were reminiscing.

"Your old friends?"

"Yep," she replied while nodding. She looked at the sky outside the window and beamed. "Back in the days, your dad had a best friend. That man was like a brother to him. They met when they were still younger, and he became your dad's one and only family. When they grew up, they worked together, they fought together, and they gave justice together. Their relationship became stronger even after both of them got married. We even joked that we'll have our kids married together," she narrated and chuckled.

Michael's eyes widened and he said, "Who? My brother or my sister?"

Minerva put her index finger in front of her lips and responded, "Shh, don't tell this to them, okay?"

Michael immediately nodded his head and uttered, "But who?"

Minerva chuckled and replied, "Your brother."

"Oh, it might not be an issue with him," Michael said because he knew his brother was not the rebel type. "But what happened, though? I haven't heard about them nor seen them before."

His mother's expression changed upon hearing what he said, and she answered, "It's because... because they are already dead."

"Both of them died?!" he exclaimed.

Michael's eyes slowly widened in shock. "That explains everything," he muttered while looking down at his feet. He couldn't stare into his mom's eyes any longer, knowing how sad she is right now. He didn't know what to say anymore, so he remained quiet.

"Whenever we go back here, your father will be reminded by his old friend and will be left heartbroken. That's the reason why we only came back here after so many years. I wanted to help your father move on too, and he agreed," she said and smiled.

"If it's okay to ask, mom, how did they die?" he queried, his eyes full of curiosity.

In response, Minerva sighed and replied, "They said that the couple died in a car accident, but... your father doesn't believe that. Well, your dad's friend was a police officer, and he has solved many cases and fought big bad people along with your dad back in the day. That is the reason why Geniere thought that their death was not an accident."

"What about you, mom? Do you think the same way?" Michael asked.

Minerva paused as if she were contemplating what to say. It took her a while before she could say, "Well, it's been years and years of investigation, but the case remained unsolved. Your dad has a suspicion of someone, but he couldn't find any proof up until now. If I'd be honest, I'm kind of thinking that we had it all wrong all this time. Maybe they did die in the accident..."

Michael held his mom's hand and said, "What about dad? Does he still remain firm about his suspicions?"

Minerva nodded sadly. "I want to tell him to stop, but he was so sure about it, and he doesn't want to stop until he finds the truth."

"Mom, I think you should keep trusting dad. After all, he was never wrong about his suspicion. Maybe the criminals behind their deaths were just good at hiding their shadows," Michael remarked with confidence. He knows his dad well, which is why he looked up to him. Michael idolized his father; however, he thought that he couldn't be as great as him. He was always in Ridger's shadow and couldn't accomplish anything on his own, making him think he was a failure and a disappointment, even though no one was trying to make him feel that way.

Minerva smiled because of what her son said and replied, "You're right. I should trust your dad no matter what happens. I hate that I doubted him even for a second."

Michael's expression suddenly changed and he asked, "But mom, didn't you say they have kids? Where are they now?"

"Well, supposedly, the kids were with them in the car when the accident happened, but the police didn't find their bodies. But there are sighs that they were there. However, the couple's body was burned badly, so it won't be a surprise if the kids' body was completely ruined since the vehicle exploded and it took time before the police arrived at the incident."

"That's so terrible." Michael could not believe such an accident would happen to his father's friends. "If their deaths were really planned by someone, they must be punished for taking innocent lives."

Now Michael can understand why his father was always so busy. It was because he never stops trying to uncover the truth and give justice to the people he loves.

End of chapter 24