I looked at Anthony from across the table and he shot me a consoling smile.
“I’m sorry if---“
“Now I see what you mean when you said that Drew was a family friend.”
I just stared at him.
He looked at the food set in front of us and helped himself.
“Uhh yea.” I said, and tried to act casual. I took a serve of the dish closest to me and stuffed it inside my mouth. If he only knew. Drew is family.
We were silent all throughout the meal.
Just as we were about to join my Mom and Drew in the living room, his phone rang.
After a few seconds of listening, he said yes to the caller and hung up.
“I have to go, Drei.” He said almost regretfully.
“Okay. It’s getting late too. Drive safely.”
Mom and Drew waved him goodbye as we passed the living room. I walked him outside.
“Thanks for the evening,” he said as we got out of the front door.
“Why are you thanking me? I’m the one who’s supposed to thank you.”
He shrugged, and I almost laughed at the gesture. It was so out of character. In school, he was
always prim and proper, polite and all the qualities that a typical nice guy has.
I was about to say something when I felt something wet on my shoulder. Then on my arm, and
on my face.
“You better get inside, it’s raining,” he nodded toward the house.
I looked up and saw raindrops slowly falling from the sky.
I nodded. “Drive safely, okay?”
“Wil do,” that appealing smile spreading on his face as he opened the door.
I turned and started trotting toward the house.
I heard the engine come to life as I reached the front door. I turned and saw his car leaving the
driveway. I remembered those scenes in the movies where the one left behind waves at the
back of the moving car. Drivers can see that, their eyes are on the road! Smiling at the
ridiculous thought, I entered and smacked at someone’s chest.
I rubbed my nose.
“Smiling to yourself, eh?” Drew wore that irritating smile again.
“I am not,” I denied.
“My little niece is in---“
“STOP!” I shouted at him, just as Mom appeared.
“Drei,” her tone that of a scold.
“Sorry.”
“I was teasing her, Lea. It’s okay,” Drew assured her.
An awkward silence hung in the air as we entered the living room. I suddenly felt like I wanted to
run upstairs to my room and call it a day but I knew that would be a bad idea. Mom was home
too rarely that I couldn’t waste even a minute away from her.
Drew and I seated on the couch and Mom on the separate, shorter sofa.
“I have something to tell you Drei,” Mom said. She was obviously not in the teasing mode
anymore.
I listened intently. I glanced at Drew and by the look of his face, I knew he was already informed
of this.
“When I called Anthony’s parents, I learned he’s not the guy you think he is.”
I felt my eyes grow wider as I waited for my mom to continue.
She sighed. It was as if she was struggling for the right words.
“He knows the victim.”
At first, I didn’t know what she was talking about. And after a few seconds, realization kicked in.
“Okay.” I answered ignorantly.
“You don’t understand.”
I raised my eyebrows questioningly.
“The victim was once a member of the syndicate. He was a high-ranking official and he
suddenly wanted to withdraw from the organization. That’s why he was kil ed.”
I struggled to keep up with what she was saying.
“Your Dad was within the vicinity that night and he heard someone pleading. He followed the
noise, trying his best not to let his presence known. But his phone rang, which gave him away.
The members saw his plate number that’s why he got traced.”
I stared at my mom intently.
“You know how he died, don’t you?”
I nodded stiffly. “How did the victim have anything to do with Anthony?”
“I hope I’m wrong Drei.”
I narrowed my eyes in confusion.
“But Drew told me that Anthony’s surname is---“
“Tierro,” I finished for her.
She was silent.
I gasped.
“So the victim’s also a---“
“Tierro.” She repeated what I just said.
~
Chapter 16
“I recognized his mom’s voice over the phone.”
I stared at my Mom, waiting for her to continue.
“You know his Mom?”
“His parents,” she corrected.
I heard Drew yawn as he sat beside me. If this was any other situation, I could’ve snapped ‘bed
time?’ at Drew but this time I couldn’t bring myself to do so. The situation was difficult than I
thought.
When my Mom realized I was too puzzled to speak, she continued.
“I attended the funeral of her husband’s brother.”
I processed the words.
“Anthony’s uncle?”
She nodded. “He was the victim.”
Anthony’s uncle was once a high-ranking officer of a syndicate? I couldn’t believe it. Who
could’ve thought…
“You cannot let him know this, Drei.” Her voice broke my train of thought.
I blinked. “Anthony? You think he doesn’t know yet?”
“Way back at the funeral, his mom told me so. But I don’t know now.”
“It’s safest not to let him know, Drei.” Drew said sleepily.
I nodded, still lost in thought.
My Mom stifled a yawn and I realized the two of them must be tired.
“Why don’t we all rest now? It’s been a long day,” I said to them.
They agreed and we all headed upstairs. After giving her a goodnight hug, my Mom headed to
her room, and Drew and I went to the opposite direction. When he stays for the night, he uses
the guest room just next to my room.
“Good night Drei,” he gave me a one-arm hug.
“Good night Uncle Drew,” I teased. He scowled at me and entered the room.
~
Saturday was family day for us. Mom stayed with us the whole day. Since my ankle needed
some rest, we decided to find something fun to do just within the premises of home. Mom and I
baked my favorite chocolate cake. The boy in Drew was reincarnated, as he was doing boyish
things while we were busy in the kitchen. He could’ve enjoyed a movie in the living room, but
instead, he bugged Mom and I while doing the cake which he will also be benefiting
