Chapter 5

"This is my right hand, Sereia. He is Santiago Govenn. He's been working for me ever since I entered this world and he could help us with your problem," Zadkiro introduced the familiar man to me.

Santiago smiled at me and offered his hand for a handshake and I didn't think twice about accepting it.

I did not ask further what Zadkiro meant by saying 'since he entered this world', he informed me a while ago what job he does... he's a mafia, however, I did not feel any fear in my body. I shouldn't fear him if I want to make a deal with him.

"He could find my parents for me, am I right?" I asked full of hope.

Zadkiro and Santiago shared a meaningful stare that I couldn't guess. I only gulped and hoped they'd say yes and wouldn't disappoint me.

"I won't say no, but I won't say yes either Ma'am. We still need to gather information about them so we can start investigating. But before that, is it okay if I'll ask you things about them? I hope you don't mind?" Santiago said.

I smiled at him. "I am willing to cooperate, just ask me anything and I'll answer honestly."

I know this is dangerous and it's a huge risk dealing with these types of mean but no one in this world would be willing to help me like they do.

I don't know why Zadkiro is keeping me but I'm sure his reason is deep that he eventually agreed to my unexpected offer.

"I'll leave you with Santiago first Sereia, I need to do something then I'll be back. You can ask him anything and be comfortable with his company," Zadkiro interfered while looking at his wristwatch.

"Thank you," was my only response.

He looked at me for about five seconds and left the room without a word. I guess he is very busy because I caught him looking at his phone and wristwatch many times.

"Should we start?"

My attention diverted to Santiago. He was smiling at me while sitting comfortably on the couch in front.

He looks friendly and I can see that Zadkiro trusts him so much that he assigned him to be here and help me with my concern.

"Yes."

As soon as I said those words, Santiago fixed himself and looked at me seriously.

"Firstly, I want to know how did you end up in that orphanage? I hope you don't mind but Sir Zadkiro informed me about it."

I reminisced about my past for a second, I wanted to make sure I wouldn't miss to tell any information.

"I was seven at that time, my parents said they wanted to have bonding with me since they got busy for the whole month because of work. I can't recall where exactly we went but I know there were a lot of people, it was noisy, and the music was loud. We were walking to watch a dance competition that night but they suddenly disappeared. I was left there... alone. I remember I was brought to the police station but I think nobody claimed me that's why they decided to put me in the orphanage."

Santiago was silently listening to me. He was attentive to every word that I was spilling. I felt like a patient and he was my psychologist this time, but having the chance to talk about my past freely feels so good.

"Do you know what job your parents do?" he asked.

I was curious because I said a lot of things but that's what he mentioned first.

What do they do? They wake up early in the morning and return in the afternoon when it is nearly dark, but they never tell me, or they tell me but I forget.

"I'm sorry I have no idea."

He nodded to my answer.

"I see, were they good parents to you? You seem to love them so much that you still want to see them after you were left alone for how many years?"

Of course, they were. All my life they gave me everything that I need, not only material things but love as well. The warmth of their love is still in my heart and it is my fuel that makes me keep on going.

"No words can explain how good they were to me. You know what Santiago, even in the next life, I'd still wish that they would become my parents. I am so lucky that God gave them to me," I said full of emotions.

"How old are you now? And how many years did you live in that orphanage?"

"I am nineteen now, and I've been there for twelve years. I escaped as soon as I turned nineteen because once I reach twenty and I am still there, I'd be left with no choice but to become like the sisters there," I jokingly said even if it is true.

Santiago chuckled and shook his head.

"Why? Are they strict to you? That's a good opportunity for you, you'd surely secure a place in heaven," he said.

I don't think being a nun is the only way to secure your place above. You could still have one in another way and not all people who serve the Lord would go up. It is not always actions, sometimes, it's the intentions.

"We better move on."

He only laughed and changed the topic right after he noticed the silence that I created.

"Okay then, can you tell me anything that you could remember about your parents? Their name, age, old address? Anything, it's important because we might find a lead using it."

Name, right? Their names.

"My father's name is Oliver Villamor and my mother's name is Kleva Villamor. I don't know their age and address but my father is half Filipino and half Spanish. Both of them have no relatives, that's what I know because I never met any cousins or even siblings of them."

Weird, I only realize now. I've never asked them before because I wasn't interested, I was just a child back then.

"Copy, I'll try to coordinate with our men and ask if they could trace anyone by that name. Do you have pictures of them by the way?"

I shook my head to say no.

"I'm sorry I didn't have any."

"That's okay Ma'am, the details are a big help. We'll stop here for now and I'll ask Sir Zadkiro if we could meet again if ever I need to ask you something."

Santiago stood up so did I. He bowed at me but I spoke up just before he could take a single step.

"I-Is there a chance we could get a lead today?" I nervously asked.

He sighed and looked down. Only by looking at the way he reacted, I know it won't be possible.

"I don't want to give you false hope Ma'am, but don't stress yourself too much because we'll do our very best. Don't think about it and enjoy yourself for today."

I only nodded as he exited the room. Now, it is only me again, I was left in the same room where Zadkiro used to lock me. Luckily the lights weren't dim this time, it was fully open.

I sighed and looked around me.

Santiago is right, I need to relax and trust them. I'd only torture myself hoping and hoping every second.

There were only a few things here, there were no games or musical instruments that I could use to spend my time.

Maybe I should request to Zadkiro.

I stood up and went near the window. I could see the outside of this house again because Zadkiro did not close the metal folds.

From here, I saw Zadkiro's men outside having fun. They were a bit far but I could still see what they were playing, darts.

We have those in the orphanage but the plastic once because the sisters were afraid we might hurt other children. I was never good at it, Devika and I used to play that and whoever loses will treat the winner. I missed her.

What if I play with Zadkiro's men? Besides, I think it is better to have a closure with them if I am going to stay with Zadkiro.

I'm just worried, what if they point their gun at me like they did to Zandrous? I hope not. I am not an enemy. I can't even fight and I am a helpless lady.

I should put my fear aside, not because they are a mafia means they are as bad as I think. Maybe we only misunderstood their character because of their job? Zadkiro and Santiago were both mafias but they're kind, maybe their men are kind as well.

Okay then, I'll play with them.

I ran towards the door excitedly, knowing that Santiago hadn't locked it when he went out.

As I opened the door, I jolted when I saw two men holding a gun standing strictly in front of the door of this room.

"Oh my! U-Uh... Hi?"

They did not answer. Were they robots and were disguised as humans to scare me? But no, they look like a real person.

"Uhm, I am just wondering if I could play darts. I saw the men outside and I wanted to join them. Would it be okay?"

I was very careful with every word that I was saying, I didn't want to insult them because I didn't want to upset them.

One of the men pressed something in his ear, there was a black thing with a wire and I saw something red on it, lighting.

I was silent while looking at them, I thought they wouldn't speak but I gleamed when one of them answered.

"We're going with you Ma'am," one of them said.

Okay!

One man was leading the way while the other one was tailing me. I don't find it uncomfortable being with them because they don't look at me intimidatingly. They only look dreadful because of their gun but nothing else.

It took us almost five minutes until we reached the first floor. I can't recall the directions properly because the house was like a maze to me. If I went downstairs all by myself, it would surely take a whole day before I could arrive.

We went out through the sliding door and there we were welcomed by the noisy men whom I was gawking upstairs a while ago.

There was a long white table on the left side where guns were placed and on the right side, there was a circular table where some men were playing card games.

They all went silent when they noticed my presence. I instantly got uncomfortable because of their serious expressions. I don't know what I should do or say.

What if they hate me and will try to shoot me? Or worse they'd make me a target instead of the darts board?

I paced backward when all of them suddenly stood up like well-trained military and lined up in front of us.

"Good morning Maam!" they greeted in unison.

I looked behind me because I thought they were referring to someone but I saw no one.

"They were talking to you Ma'am," one of the men who accompanied me whispered.

Me? Then why do they need to line up like that? That's... scary.

"Y-You don't need to do that. I was just here because I wanted to learn how to play darts," I shyly stated.

I hope they won't laugh at me. I'm not a sharpshooter and I don't think I could play real darts. I only want to learn and maybe they could help me.

"We'll gladly help you, Ma'am," one of them replied like a robot.

I sighed. They're too serious, they're making me nervous.

"Why don't we act naturally? I'm sorry, I don't mean to offend you but y-you're too stiff? You don't need to do that. I just want to play."

They looked at each other. I can see they're having a second thought, luckily, the man beside me spoke up, the one who was guiding me earlier.

"Sir Zadkiro gave us the permission, but he doesn't want to see any scratches," he stated.

I didn't know what he meant and who was he speaking to but the man's face lit up. They returned to what they were doing earlier and the men who were having darts came near us.

"Hello there Ma'am, it would be nice to play darts with you," a guy said genuinely and handed me one of the darts.

I accepted it and smiled because of the sudden change in their actions. Now, they look like normal people to me, not a mafia which Zadkiro introduced to me.