Mother's Love
Keifer's POV
I woke up with a tears in my eyes. Even in my dreams, the impact is still heavy on me. "Keifer..." Her voice. My Mom's voice, it haunts me. I try to get up rom my bed. But pain immediately kicks in. "Damn it." I whispered while massaging my head. I look at the time from my wrists watch. It's 1:04 AM. I slept for a short time but it feels like a day. I lay back to force myself to sleep. I need strength. I feel like I've lost it because of my sobrang galit ko. As I close my eyes and sleep again. My Mom's face shows up. "Keifer. If you're watching this, it means that I didn't make it to your 18th birthday." She said and my tears start to fall. Mom... Her eyes look so sad. My knees suddenly feel weak. Seeing her talking now makes me want to see her so bad. I feel like she's alive because of this video. I've been wanting to hear her voice again for a long time. Her voice when she calls my name, her voice when she sings a lullaby for me and Keigan and her voice when she says 'I love you' to me. "Mom... I miss you so much." I said between my tears. "I'm sorry, my Keifer." She said and notice how she touches her belly. She's pregnant? I wipe my tears and look at her. I stared at her and wondered what time or date the video was taken. The ways she looks, she looks like she's pregnant with Keiren. Her belly is huge about 8 to 9 months. She's a little fatter than her natural appearance when Keigan and I were just having a baby. Proof that this could be the time she was still pregnant with Keiren. But why? Why that time? "I'm sorry for giving you a huge responsibility. You're too young to bear this but we have no choice." She took a deep breath. "My family owes a lot from your grandfather. When he asks me a favor I never hesitate to say 'yes' because that's the only way I can pay back from everything he've done to us." She forced a smile. "They ask me to marry your father. Even though I don't like it, I agree, especially when they explain everything to me." I got confused. I knew they're arranging marriage but what does she mean by 'explain everything'. "I will explain to you everything. After hearing this it's up to you if you're going to keep the money or give it away." She said in a serious tone. Is there anything else I don't know? I thought Mr. Ryder had explained everything to me. What now? "Watson family are related to the Royal family of England. They are not recognized for some unknown reason. But that didn't stop the Watsons from rising. Your great grandfather is an explorer with a big contribution to the different Museum." I blink my eyes. I am completely dumbfounded. I never heard these things before. "...He leaves a lot of fortune to your grandfather when he died..." She continued. "...and that fortune is the root of the problem. Your father knew there was a lot of money for him when your grandfather died and because of that he tried to kill his own father..." I was no longer surprised by what I heard. He can kill anyone he wanted for the sake of money. "...he failed. Your grandfather started taking action . He decided to name all his assets and liabilities to the ï¬rst born child of Kaizer. But there is a problem, with so many women your father is becoming, they can't monitor who among them can have children..." "...that's why they talk to me and my family. I didn't know what to say but they still explained to me everything." So they forced her to get married? Just because of that fvcking money. Is money more important than life. They asked Mom to sacriï¬ce her life just for that little bit of money. My ï¬st clenched. I want to stop the video and burn this whole place down. Mom's suffering with that man was so great just because of my grandfather's request. But I can't. I still wanted to see my Mom. "...Kaizer, your Dad joined a Mob but this is no ordinary maï¬a group. They are the master mind of every illegal operation in the world. In order to be part of them your Dad has to invest a lot of moneyâ€"we're talking about 100 million here." That's why he tried to get Grandpa. He's out of his mind. "...Hindi kumaat ang mo na tangkakan ang mo Lolo. Kahit kasal na kami he never stops. Until your grandfather gives up and let his son do whatever he wants. Ang hindi alam ni Kaizer, naka-ayos na lahat ng nya na naglilipat ng lahat ng meron sya sa una nyang apo." "No lawyer shows up on his funeral which gave Kaizer a suspicion. I try my best to make sure that he will never know the reason why he never received his inherits." Mom looks at me or the camera but it feels like she's directly looking at me. "When he gets his inheritance and all the Watson money. The entire Watson Family will lose their resources. Even those they support, including my family. The schools, hospitals and livelihoods that your Grandfather built. All that will be lost." A lot of people are depending on us. Is that why Mom fought so hard for that money? "Keifer... This is not just all about the money. This is also about the other people who supported and believe in us. My family and I tried our best to protect you and every single property that will soon be yours." Mom and Uncle Sin. They sacriï¬ced their own lives. For my Grandfather and or the Watsons. Does that mean I should do the same? That's it! I understand it now. My Grandfather left me his wealth not as an inheritance. He left it to protect me in the same way Mom did. This is not all about the money. This is about protecting the people around the Watson Family. "Oh my god..." I whispered to myself. "But there's another thing you should know. You must take an action before your father and the elderly know." Mom's eyes were serious and it seemed like a big problem. Please don't tell me... "Your Dad has a child before you..." Damn! I washed my face in so much irritation. It's true that that animal had a ï¬rst child before me. I thought that wasn't true because we couldn't ï¬nd any leads on him who he was. "...your father or the elders will use him when you don't get ahead of them. You need to ï¬nd him and if you need to...." She closed her eyes quickly. "...kill him." My jaw dropped because of what she said. I can't believe she's asking me to kill a person. I didn't know my Mom is capable of something like this. "If you don't do that, there's a chance that he will kill you and your siblings." A tear fell from her eye. I understand. She just wants to make sure that we're safe. She's still thinking about us. She wipes her tear and took a deep breath. "...I don't have a clue where to ï¬nd that child but I know someone who has. The mother of your friend Aries, Gema Fernandez." What does Aries' mother have to do with this? "Talk to her and ask her about your Dad's child." But why her? Why am I talking to herâ€"Angelo. Everyone says that we have a lot in common in our actions and looks. Even our mannerisms sometimes seem to be inseparable. It's not possibleâ€"no! It's impossible! It just happened because we almost grew up with him. And besides, it's also because of him that she knew her Dad but she never had the chance to talk to him because he was buried underground . So it's impossible that he's the one! He's not the child Mom is talking about. Mom forces a smile and again took a deep breath. "I hope you and your brothers are alright." She smiles sadly. "...Maybe you have a girlfriend now. I hope you're not a headache for your friends anymore." How I wish you were here with me. Maybe you helped me when Percy and I had an accident. Maybe we haven't reached our current situation yet. I wish you were here, I want to introduce her to you. The girl who's been bothering me. I imagine her talking to you and smiling. Having a cute conversation about us. If you were here Mom, I would tell you how karma got back at me. How I fell for her without realizing it. How she makes my head hurt because of her antics. How she curses like she always has an enemy. How she drives me crazy and how she also makes me cry. I want to protect her. I want to protect my life, my world....my Queen. She's my everything. "Just to be fair. I want you to know that your Dad used to love me..." She said that stopped me. Love? He loved my mom? That guy knows nothing about love. In that situation, did he still love Mom? I can't believe this. "...but I never love him back. Maybe that's why he became like that to us. If I'm stronger enough I will never allow your Dad to hurt you." No. If I'm stronger enough, he wouldn't have hit you. Keigan and Keiren wouldn't have lost you . Mom smiles as if she's smiling directly at me. "I'm leaving everything to you now. The card that you got along with the remote control is your password." I looked at the card I got earlier. Now that I'm in the dark I can read it clearly. "Press the end button now Keifer. It's time for you to decide." The video gradually blocked out. I did as Mom said. The light on my right side came on but it wasn't that bright. Just enough or me to see the door and a small monitor next to it. I went over and looked at the screen. 'Scan the barcode.' And there was a small arrow pointing to an infrared light at the end of the monitor. What barcode? I looked at the remote I was holding. There was no barcode on it. I also looked at the card but I couldn't see a barcode. I flipped it over and was stopped when I saw something silver in color. It was glowing in the weak light unlike the gold print at the front. I moved it around and noticed the lines. I think this is the barcode. I scan it through the infrared light. The screen displays suddenly changed. 'Read the code.' What code? I don't understand anything from this process. All I know is that I need to see the vault. No one told me there was such a process. I sighed. I can't believe I have to go through all this. My head was starting to hurt. I looked at the card I was holding again. I had to stand in the dark just to read the gold print. I noted that before returning to the monitor. "Love is not free, it's the most expensive thing in the world. It causes more than a life and you're paying it without realizing it." I thought for a moment because of what I said. What's the connection of Love in this? The display on the screen has changed again. 'State your name.' I hope it's too late. My head is really hurting from the amount of things I have to go through. This is the only bank I know that uses a cumbersome process. Other banks only need the bank account or ATM card. "Mark Keifer Watson." I stated my name. Out of nowhere a robotic voice like Siri speak. "Welcome Mr. Keifer." It looked like it was coming from the monitor. I was about to move it when I heard the door lock. It automatically opens and the vault door shows up. It also opens on its own. I peeked inside and the lights gradually turned on. I slowly stepped my feet inside. I combed my own hair. I'm speechless, I don't exactly know what to say. Now I know why my relatives are dying to have this. The vault was gold, not money. And this wasn't just any ordinary ault. It was a room, bigger than my room and it was full of bars of gold. They were lined up neatly. Each layer of gold was numbered. I thought it was just gold but as I walked around I saw the rest inside. A table full of diamonds, jewelry and a cabinet full of antique vases and plates which I think caused more than a million. This is what treasure looks like. I sat down on one of the gold clusters. It was so damn cold. It gives shivers to my skin. I still can't believe this. This is what my Mom died for. And I also need to protect all of this . My knees are melting. I can't protect this much gold. What am I going to do with this? Where am I going to use this? I need to think carefully about whether I'm going to accept all of this. I stood up and walked toward the door. When I came out, I immediately faced the monitor next to the door. I pressed the button labeled 'Close' and the vault door automatically closed and the door opened. I immediately walked toward the exit. My eyes were slightly dazzled by the light. "How is it?" Uncle Sin while handling me a bottle of water. I rejected it. "Not good. I don't know what to do." "Relax... You can still think until your birthday." I look at him in disbelief. "My birthday is next month." He smiles. "So? It means you have a month to think." A month is not enough to think. I need more than that. If possible I want a whole year. "I don't even know what to think." I said and start walking toward the tunnel. "Keifer." Uncle Sin called me. "You have to think wisely." I face him. "Don't cking pressure me!" I shout and walk faster. I reach the gate and immediately approach Mr. Ryder who's patiently waiting. He's just standing next to the car and leaning slightly. "Keifer... What happened?" He asked. Honey came out of the car and approached me. "I want to go back to the hotel." I said and got inside the car. They both didn't say a thing. They got in too and didn't ask anymore. I keep myself in silent. I'm starting to have a headache. I'm probably going crazy thinking about it. Almost half an hour past before we reach the hotel that we stay in. I got out of the car ï¬rst and was ï¬rst in the elevator. I wait for no one. I want to be alone. I walk out of the elevator when it reaches my room floor. I was about to open the door when I noticed it was open. I took a step back but someone push me inside. I'm about to ï¬ght back but I saw a very familiar person inside my room. "What are you doing here?" I said in plain tone. "Don't play stupid with me. You know exactly why I am here." My cousin, Clyde answered. He is the current CEO of Watson Enterprise. He claims the position before anyone else does. I don't know if I should thank him for that but I knew he won't give up the position easily. "You'll get nothing from me. You can leave now." I said while removing my coat and tossing it to the nearest chair. He moves his hand forward showing a picture to me. I was stunned. It's Jay-jay. He smirked. "Now, shall I visit your girl? Or we can settle everything here?" I clenched my ï¬st. "Don't you dare." "I will, you know me." "Your son of an a*tch!" He suddenly laughs like he's enjoying watching me get furiously mad. "You're turning into a beast. You must be in love." I looked at him confusedly. "What do you mean?" He smirked. "It's a family curse. Once a Watson fall in love, he turn into a beast." I laughed bitterly. "That's a cking myths." "But half true. Just look at you and your Father. Both of you are the living proof." That's nonsense! That's just what people say. What they called a family curse. It was so stupid. They say that a Watson can't fall in love because he's becoming fragile. "I don't care about that curse." I said and pointed out my ï¬nger. "Leave!" "Don't test me Keifer. Give me what I want!" I looked at him in unison. He knew I wasn't planning to speak. He was asking for the password to the vault. He wouldn't get anything. I'll make sure he never will have it. His eyebrows furrowed in anger. "You ask for this. I'll make you pay." He said and ripped Jay- jay's Picture. Suddenly I got nervous. No! No! Not jay-jay. Out of nowhere a man grabbed me from behind. Another man shows up and punches me in the stomach. They didn't give me time to think and hit me again. They hit me multiple times until I can't take it anymore. Unable to breathe and stand properly, they decided to stop and leave me like that. "This is your ï¬rst warning. The next one will be for your girl." My cousin said and left a long time with his man. I couldn't ï¬ght because they shocked me. I fully thought Jay-jay was his target. I need a plan. They can't sympathize with Jay-jay here. He can't be harmed because of me. I have to make sure her safety. I need to protect him. But how? How will I do that when I'm too far away from her. +