CHAPTER 03

Knox gingerly positioned the ice bucket, which held the exquisite brand of wine I had selected, on the marble table. With precision, he extracted the wine from the ice bucket and uncorked it using a corkscrew. Then, he attentively poured the crimson liquid into two wine glasses, one after the other, right before my contemptible father and me. Once Knox finished, my father took the glass, lifting it to his lips and sipping from it.

“This is the gift you mentioned?” he inquired, delicately swirling the wine glass between his thumb and forefinger.

“Vinot Loir, one of the world's most renowned red wines,” I began, keeping my gaze fixed on the wine he was enjoying. “It is crafted from black-skinned grapes that flourish in a limited range of cooler climates. These grapes are notoriously challenging to cultivate. However, when handled with expertise, they yield lighter-bodied wines known for their elegance, complexity, and ability to age gracefully.”

“Hindi na masama para sa isang bote ng alak, I must acknowledge that your gift did not bring me any joy.” sabi nya habang hindi makakitaan nang tuwa sa mukha.

“That wine costs seventeen thousand and nine hundred pesos. It seems that all the guests at today's gathering are enjoying it, including yourself,” I responded, implying a deeper meaning behind the wine choice.

He set down the wine glass he had been holding and regarded me with an emotionless expression. “Hindi ako interesado sa regalong alak sa akin, maraming iba't ibang uri ng alak sa koleksyon ng wine cellar. Mas interesado ako sa sagot mo sa kung ano ang ipapagawa ko sa iyo.”

“Then enlighten me,” I said, briefly glancing at my watch.

Once you take a sip of the wine, Father, your time will begin to tick away.

“I won't waste any more time, Zion. With each passing year, I can't halt my aging. I perceive you as more fitting to succeed me than your brother, but...” he paused, gazing at me intently..

“But, what?” I replied, though in my mind, I counted down the remaining time of his current existence.

“Being a leader has no shortcomings; being a leader cannot entail any flaws that may hinder you in battle. In other words, Zion, you have a weakness that you must eliminate from your life.” sabi niya habang inilalabas ang 9mm pistol at nilagay sa harapan ko.

I glanced at the 9mm pistol he had set before me and then turned my gaze back to him. “Ano ang gusto mong gawin ko? Ano ang gusto mong gawin ko sa sinasabi mong kahinaan ko?”

He locked eyes with me. “Your insane mother... end her life. Someone like her should not endure any more suffering, Zion. Your mother has lost her sanity, don't you feel ashamed of her?”

“The audacity you have to command me to kill my own mother.” I fearlessly retorted.

His gaze intensified. “And your audacity to defy my commands. Don't wait for someone else to take action on your behalf!”

“If that's the case, then it's time for you to disappear,” I calmly replied as I picked up the gun.

“What?” he asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.

“Difficulty swallowing, muscle weakness, double vision, drooping eyelids, blurry vision, slurred speech, difficulty breathing, and difficulty moving the eyes.” Ipinaliwanag ko ang mga indikasyon na kanyang mararanasan sa sandaling ito.

“You...!” he managed to say, and then he attempted to stand up.

Gaya nang inaasahan ay nawalan siya ng lakas para tumayo at bumagsak sa lupa. Sinimulan niyang igalaw ang kanyang kamay at hinawakan ang kanyang naninikip ng dibdib, tumingin siya sa akin na para bang luluha, pero ang totoo ay gusto niya akong patayin gamit ang kanyang matatalim na tingin.

As I observed my wretched father suffer, I felt no sympathy, remorse, or even sadness.

I took a stick of my favorite cigarettes, lit it, and approached my dying father. “Heroin. The wine you consumed was laced with heroin from the very beginning, ever since it arrived here. You urged me to eliminate my weakness from my life, and that's exactly what I'm doing now, father. I am removing you from my life once and for all.”

Father attempted to grab me, but his hand fell limp swiftly, and he passed away completely.

"Ano na ang magiging sunod na hakbang, Mr. Levine?" Knox asked me.

I stood up and said, “Let's inform the others that the person celebrating their birthday today has passed away?”

I picked up an envelope that was on the table, turned my back on my lifeless father, and, before leaving the office with Knox, I grabbed the bottle of wine. With a smile, I poured the last bit of wine onto my deceased father.

In the event hall, I could hear the commotion, but thanks to the goons I had enlisted to serve me, everything remained under control.

“Ladies and gentlemen, today on the birthday of Mr. Amos Levine, his eldest son has something to share with all of you. I kindly request your attention and ask that you remain calm and listen.” Knox grabbed the guests attention and handed me the microphone.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I have an unfortunate message to share with all of you,” I began, holding up the golden black square envelope with the golden viper seal stamp on it. “This item was entrusted to me by my father during a profound conversation. Sadly, after he handed it to me, he suddenly experienced difficulty breathing, leading to his untimely passing.”

“Impossible! That can't be true! My husband is not dead yet!” exclaimed my stepmother.

“To my stepmother, even if you were to strangle yourself in front of me, it would not alter the fact that your husband is deceased,” I coldly stated. “Do you see what I am holding? This is the sole item that acknowledges the new Viper Leader, and by possessing it, I have the audacity to reshape the nefarious organization left behind by my late father.” I explained, feigning sorrow.

“If indeed something unfortunate has befallen your father, it should be us who determine who takes his place, not you! You are nothing but an ignorant bastard!” Mr. Govert exclaimed, and several individuals nodded in agreement.

“Did you kill your father, am I correct?” my stepmother asked, her gaze fixed upon me. “You're insane... just like your deranged mother,” she added with disdain.

I shrugged and looked at everyone in the room. “Listen to me, all of you! I'm giving you the opportunity to voice your opinions. You can acknowledge me as the new leader of the Viper, and raise your hands if you disagree with my decision.”

After that announcement, nakita ko kung sino ang nasa side ko at sino ang hindi. May kumampi sa akin at may nagtaas naman ng kamay nila kasama na si Mr. Govert at ang kapatid niya na stepmother ko na hindi ako tinatanggap.

“Knox, you know what to do with people who are not on my side... eliminate them all, don't let them escape. Completely finish them,” I commanded, accompanied by a smile.