“You have to come back here right now. Mr. Reed is looking for his son. Mr. Reed received a threat again. Both of you are in danger.”Mariko scoffed. “How can you say we are in danger? We are total-”“Someone is following you. Mr. Reed received a photo of you beside the shore talking.” Mariko became alert to what Itsuki had just said.“I’ll call you back. I need to secure the VIP,” she said.Mariko hurried and approached Marcus.“We need to leave, now.” She informed him.There was an urgency in her tone, which made Marcus frown. He followed her through his gaze and looked at her back as she passed by her and walked towards the car that was parked on the side of the street.‘What is happening? Why is she in a hurry?’ he wondered.When Mariko noticed Marcus was not following her, she turned around and hissed.‘Damn! Why is he not following me?! Dammit!’ she cursed under her breath.Mariko came back to where Marcus was standing.“Why are you not following me? I told you, we need to leave
“A Mafia Lord?” His eyes widened as he got shocked by what he had just heard.Marcus couldn’t believe what he was hearing from Mariko. How could his father be a mafia? All this time, he only knew his father as a good husband, a businessman, and a nobleman in the country.“Everyone knows about it. Even your cousin, John. ‘Cause his father, Austin Morris, replaced your father temporarily. But their Mafia didn’t go too well now. So, we think the enemies were after your father. As they knew, the Mafia Lord before weakened.” Mariko explained, which made him clench.‘How can they do this to me? How can they not tell me everything about it? It felt like I was being fooled. As they left me behind in the shadows. And how about my mom… Does this mean my mom died because of my father?’ he gasped.“So, my Mom did not die because of mere carjackers, but from those enemies of my father before?” he asked, which made Mariko nod.“Maybe they found out that your father left the underground world. And f
“How can I not meddle when I am part of why you are in this situation?” he asked.“You are just my subject. Even if you are the reason… like what your father had just said, part of my job is to protect you. And I promised to bring you home, unscratched. Yet here you are, you got home alive with bruises on your face. And aside from that, I told you about your family’s secret without his permission. So, your father has the right to punish me. And I am ready to accept whatever punishment it is. Because I failed my mission.”“But-”“No more buts, Mr. Reed. I have to go. I may not be seeing you again, so goodbye.” Mariko left him in the kitchen and looked for Ethan in the living room.When she noticed Ethan wasn't there, she walked straight to Ethan’s office. She knocked three times before she opened the door. Mariko saw Itsuki sitting in the chair in front of Ethan’s desk. While Ethan was sitting on his swivel chair, holding a glass of liquor.“Sir,” she greeted.Ethan looked at her and
Ethan looked at Mariko before he looked back at his son and sighed. “I’m sorry, son. But I can’t let her train you.” “But why? I think she can make me a better fighter.” Marcus asked. He was acting like a teenager wanting something so desperately, but his parents didn’t allow him to have them. “Permission to leave, Master,” Itsuki asked. “Mariko and I need to go back to our camp.” Ethan nodded, giving his approval as they left. “Mariko, father asked me to give you an indefinite leave from work,” Itsuki informed her while they were on their way to the garage where their car was parked. “Mariko!” Itsuki and Mariko turned their heads as they heard Marcus calling her. They both stopped walking to wait for Marcus as he was approaching their direction. “Please, Mariko. Accept my offer. I promise to be a good student.” Marcus pleaded. He really wanted Mariko to stay beside him, as he trusted Mariko. “I’m sorry, but she can’t do anything about it. I am your Trainor, and that’s final.
Mariko arrived at Tokyo international airport. She saw Mr. Watanabe waiting for her at the gate.“Mariko! It’s good to see you again! How have you been, dear?” Mr. Watanabe greeted her with a smile plastered on his face.“Good to see you too, Master.” She greeted him back.Mr. Watanabe hugged her, asked his chauffeur to get Mariko’s things, and opened the door for them.“How’s the moon castle agency? How’s my son?” Mr. Watanabe opened a conversation as they sat in the back passenger seat. “The agency is doing well. And Itsuki,” Mariko chuckled, “he’s still the Itsuki we’ve known. Womanizer... But he’s doing well and is recruiting more fighters.”“That’s great.” Mr. Watanabe smiled, but his warm smile faded as he remembered the loss of Mariko’s sister.“I heard about what happened to Hana, and I’m sorry I couldn’t attend the funeral.” He sincerely apologized, but Mariko smiled, reassuring him that it was okay.“I understand, Master. I know you’ve been busy taking care of the business.
“You will start living with us after your parent’s funeral.” Mr. Watanabe announced.“But… can’t we stay here?” Mariko asked, but Mr. Watanabe shook his head.“I have a business in Country P. I can’t fly back and forth just to look after you. But don’t worry, kids. I will not sell your properties. And you can visit here anytime you want.” He smiled reassuringly. “You will also transfer schools. You will be transferring to Itsuki’s school.”Hana and Mariko have nothing to do but agreed to his will. He is their guardian now, and their father trusted Mr. Watanabe as they were best of friends. And they treated each other as a real brother.***Back to the present…Mariko came back from her thoughts when she noticed their arrival at her house. She looked up at their Minka (Japanese Traditional House).‘This house… Hana and I used to play here when we were young. It brings me back a lot of memories I had with my parents. This Minka used to be our home. And now, no one lives here.’ She thoug
“You are Hana’s boyfriend?”“You’re my sister’s boyfriend?”Mariko and Mr. Watanabe looked at each other as they asked in unison. They couldn’t believe that the guy in front of them was the boyfriend of her sister Hana. How can it possibly be? Hana didn’t mention her boyfriend to him. Mariko didn’t even know about Hana dating someone. She just found out before Hana died until now. If they didn’t find out about her pregnancy, they wouldn’t know Hana was dating someone before.Lincoln looked at them with a frown, confused.“My sister didn’t mention her boyfriend before. Sorry if I didn’t know.” Mariko said.“It’s alright.” Lincoln smiled weakly and sighed. “Actually, my relationship with her was in awful shape before. We need to keep it secret, so no one would know, especially before my father died,” he explained.“Why? Are your parents against your relationship with Hana?” Mariko asked, which made Lincoln nod.“I see. But how did you meet my sister?” she asked.Lincoln told her about h
JapanMariko started visiting the companies owned by her family. They introduced her as the new CEO of the Saito group of companies. Lincoln Webber accompanied her. And what surprised her, was aside from being her business coach, or a business advisor, Lincoln Webber is also the owner of WL foods corporation.WL foods corporation is a manufacturing food company, and it produces thousands of assorted chips and biscuits all over Asia. She also found out that Lincoln was an adopted child of Mr. and Mrs. Luigi Webber. Mr. and Mrs. Webber died. They gave their company to Lincoln and he manage the business well. Now, Lincoln was one of the top ten richest bachelors in Asia.“I never thought that the person who will be my advisor and the ex-boyfriend of my sister Hana is kinda rich.”Lincoln smirked. “I accept the offer after knowing that you are Mariko Saito, the sister of Hana. If it wouldn’t be for you, I would not accept it.” Mariko frowned.“Why?”“Because you are Mariko Saito. I cheris