Mother's Love
Keifer's POV
I woke up with a tears in my eyes. Even in my dream, the impact on me is still heavy.
"Keifer..."
Her voice. My Mom's voice, it hunts me. I tried to get up from lying down. But pain immediately kicks in.
"Damn it." Ierez 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 lost it because of my overwhelming anger.
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 made 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.
For so long, I wished to hear her voice again. 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 touch her belly.
She's pregnant?
I wipe my tears and look at her. I stared at her, trying to figure out the possible time or date the video was taken.
The way she looks, it's like she's pregnant with Keiren. Her belly is huge, about 8 to 9 months. She's a bit chubbier compared to her usual appearance when it was just me and Keigan as her children. Proof that this could indeed be the time when she was still pregnant with Keiren.
But why? Why at that time?
"I'm sorry for giving you a huge responsibility. You're still too young to go through 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 it was against my will, I agreed, especially after they explained everything to me."
I got confuse. I knew they're arrange marriage but what does she mean "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 serious tone.
Is there still something 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're just 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 continue. "...and that fortune is the root of the problem. Your father knew there was a huge amount of money waiting for him when your grandfather died, and because of that he tried to kill his own father..."
I'm not surprised by what I heard. He can kill anyone he wanted for the sake of money.
"...he failed. That's when your grandfather started taking steps. He decided to name all his assets and liabilities to the first born child of Kaizer. But there was a problem—with so many women your father was involved with, they couldn't keep track of which one might have a child..."
"...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 into marriage? Just because of that fucking money. Is money more important than life? They asked Mom to sacrifice her life just for that damn money.
My fist clenched. I wanted to stop the video and burn this whole place down. Mom suffered so much because of that man, all because of my grandfather's request.
But I couldn't do it. I still wanted to see my Mom.
"...Kaizer, your Dad joined a Mob but this is no ordinary mafia group. They are the master mind of every illegal operation in the world. In order to be part of them your Dad have to invest a lot of money—we're talking about 100 million here."
That's why he tried to kill Grandpa. He's out of his mind.
"...Your Dad didn't stop trying to get to Grandpa. Even after we were married, he never stopped. Until your grandfather gave up and let his son do whatever he wanted. What Kaizer didn't know was that all his papers were already arranged, transferring everything he had to his first grandchild."
"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.
"If he gets his inheritance and all the Watson money, the entire Watson Family will lose their resources. Including the people they help, like my family. The schools, hospitals, and livelihoods that your grandfather supported—all of that will be gone."
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 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 sacrificed their own lives. For my grandfather and for the Watsons.
Does that mean I'm supposed to do the same?
That's it! I understand it now. Grandpa didn't leave me his wealth as an inheritance. He left it to me to protect it from the same way they did to Mom.
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, as if this was an enormous problem.
Please don't tell me...
"Your Dad has a child before you..."
Damn!
I rubbed my face in frustration. So it's true that that monster had a child before me. I thought it wasn't real because we couldn't find any lead on who it could be.
"...your Dad or the elders will use that child if you don't get to them first. You need to find them, and if necessary..." She closed her eyes briefly. "...kill them."
My jaw drop 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 it, there's a chance that they'll kill you and your siblings." A tear fell from her eye.
I understand.
She just wants to make sure that we're safe. Even until the end, she's still thinking of us.
She wipes her tear and took a deep breath. "...I don't have a clue where to find that child but I know someone who has. The mother of your friend Aries, Gema Fernandez."
What does Aries' mom have to do with this?
"Talk to her and ask her about your Dad's child."
But why her? Why is she the one I need to talk to—Angelo.
Everyone says we're similar in our actions and appearance. Even our personalities sometimes aren't too far apart.
Could it be—no! Impossible!
That only happened because we practically grew up with him. Besides, he himself said he knew his father but never got the chance to talk to him because he's already buried underground.
So it's impossible for him to be the one! He's not the child Mom is talking about.
Mom force 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 no longer a headache to your friends."
How I wish your here with me. Maybe you could've helped me during the time Percy and I got into that accident. Maybe we wouldn't have ended up in the situation we're in now.
If you were here, I'd want to introduce her to you. The girl who's messing with my mind. I imagine her talking to you and smiling. Having cute conversation about us.
If you were here, Mom, I'd tell you how karma came back to me. How I fell for her without even realizing it. How she drives me crazy with her antics. How she curses like she's always picking a fight. How she makes me lose my mind 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 use to love me..." She said that stop me.
Love? He loved my Mom? That guy knows nothing about love. In that situation, he still loved Mom? I can't believe this.
"...but I never love him back. That's probably 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 hurt you. You wouldn't have been taken away from me, Keigan, and Keiren.
Mom smile as if she's smiling directly to 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 slowly started to fade. I did what Mom said. On my right side, a light turned on, but it wasn't very bright. Just enough for me to see the door and a small monitor beside it.
I approached it and read what was written on the screen.
'Scan the barcode.'
And there was a small arrow pointing to an infrared light at the edge of the monitor.
What barcode?
I glanced at the remote in my hand. There was no barcode attached to it. I checked the card too, but I couldn't see any barcode.
I flip it over and froze when I noticed a silver color.
It was gleaming under the dim light, unlike the gold print at the front. I moved it around and noticed the faint lines. I think this is the barcode.
I scan it through the infrared light. The screen displays suddenly change.
'Read the code.'
What code?
I don't understand anything from this process. All I know is I need to see the vault. No one told me there'd be a process like this.
I let out a sigh. I can't believe I have to go through all this. My head is starting to ache.
I looked at the card in my hand again. I had to hold it up in the dark just to read the gold print. I memorized it before stepping back in front of the monitor.
"Love is not free, it's the most expensive thing in the world. It cause more than a life and you're paying it without realizing it."
I paused to think about what I just said. What's the connection of Love in this?
The display on the screen changed again.
'State your name.'
I hope this is the last one. My head is really hurting from all these steps I have to go through.
This must be the only bank that uses a ton of processes. 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 seemed to come from the monitor. I was about to mess with it when I heard the lock of the door. It automatically opens and the vault door show's up. It opened on its own too.
When I peeked inside, the lights slowly started to turn on. I slowly stepped forward, one foot at a time.
I ran my fingers through 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.
Gold, not money, was inside the vault. And this wasn't just any ordinary vault. It was a room, bigger than my room, and it was full of bars of gold.
They were neatly lined up. Each stack of gold bars had a number. I thought it was just gold in here, but as I walked around, I saw other things inside.
A table full of diamond, 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 piles of gold. 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 all of this, I have to protect too.
My knees are melting. I can't protect this much gold. What am I supposed to do with it? Where would I even use all this?
I need to think carefully about whether I'll accept all of this.
I stood up and walk toward the door. When I stepped out, I immediately faced the monitor beside the door. I pressed the button labeled 'Close,' and the vault door automatically shut, followed by the opening of the exit door.
I immediately walk 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-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 fucking pressure me!" I shout and walk faster.
I reach the gate and immediately approach Mr. Ryder who's patiently waiting. He was just standing by the car, slightly leaning against it.
"Keifer... What happened?" He ask.
Honey came out of the car and approach me.
"I want to go back to the hotel."I said and get inside the car.
They both didn't say a thing. They also got in and didn't ask anymore.
I keep myself in silent. I'm starting to have an headache.
I might be going crazy from thinking too much.
Almost half an hour past before we reach the hotel that we stay in.
I got out of the car before them and also went into the elevator first.
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 already open.
I took a step back but someone push me inside. I'm about to fight 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's the current CEO of Watson Enterprise. He claims the position before someone else does. I don't know if I should thank him for that but I knew he will not 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 smirk. "Now, shall I visit your girl? Or we can settle everything here?"
I clenched my fist. "Don't you dare."
"I will, you know me."
"Your son of a b*tch!"
He suddenly laughs like he's enjoying watching me getting furiously mad.
"You're turning into a beast. You must be in love."
I look at him confusedly. "What do you mean?"
He smirk. "It's a family curse. Once a Watson fall in love, he turn into a beast."
I laugh bitterly. "That's a fvcking myths."
"But half true. Just look at you and your Father. Both of you are the living proof."
Nonsense! That was just hearsay from people back then. What they called family curse. It was so stupid. They say a Watson shouldn't fall in love because he becomes weak.
"I don't care about that curse." I said and point out my finger.
"Leave!"
"Don't test me Keifer. Give me what I want!"
I stared right back at him. He knew I had no intention of speaking.
He's asking for the vault password. He won'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 felt nervous.
No! No! Not Jay-jay.
Out of nowhere a man grabbed me from behind. Another man shows and punch 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 breath and stand properly, they decided to stop and leave me like that.
"This is your first warning. The next one will be for your girl." My cousin said and leave along with his man.
I couldn't fight back because they caught me off guard. I really thought Jay-jay was his target.
I need a plan. They can't drag Jay-jay into this. She can't get hurt because of me.
I have to make sure her safety. I have to protect her.
But how? How will I do that when I'm too far away from her.