CHAPTER 2

Isang magarang kotse ang pumarada sa harapan malaking gusali. Kasunod nito ang dalawang kotse. Mula sa passenger seat, bumaba ang isang lalaki at binuksan nito ang pinto ng backseat.

Mayamaya pa, bumaba naman ang isang lalaki. The man was handsome and he's oozing with confidence, authority and power. He’s Cassiuz Velasquez, a well-known business tycoon in the business world but a well-known Mafia Boss in the Underground Organization.

The man who opened the car's door bowed to Cassiuz who just stepped out from the car.

Agad na tumabi ang mga bodyguard ni Cassiuz rito na bumaba naman mula sa dalawang kotse.

"Boss."

Tumaas ang sulok ng labi ni Cassiuz at tinignan ang gusali na nasa harapan. He gestured his bodyguard to raise their head.

Namulsa si Cassiuz at pumasok sa loob ng Velasquez Empire habang nakasunod ang mga bodyguard niya sa kaniya. Anim ang bodyguard na sumunod kay Cassiuz habang naiwan naman ang iba sa labas ng gusali.

The employees of Velasquez Empire, seeing their Boss, they slightly bowed their head.

Tuloy-tuloy lang si Cassiuz sa paglalakad hanggang sa makapasok siya sa elevator.

Mark, Cassiuz’ assistant pushed the elevator button.

“Did Lester already come to work?” Cassiuz asked Mark.

“Yes, Boss.”

Napailing si Cassiuz. “Your partner is really an early riser. I haven’t seen him late to come for work.”

Ngumiti lang si Mark.

Nang bumukas ang elevator, lumabas si Cassiuz at naglakad patungo sa sariling opisina.

“Sir.” Bahagyang yumukod si Lester na siyang sekretaryo ni Cassiuz. Then Lester looked at Mark. “I already sent you Sir Cassiuz’ schedule. He has a lot of work today in the Empire so you better not give him schedule about the underground.” Seryosong sabi ni Lester.

Hindi alam ni Cassiuz kung matatawa siya o hindi isa dalawa. Para kasing hindi mag-partner ang dalawa sa paraan ng pakikipag-usap ni Lester kay Mark.

Tumikhim si Cassiuz saka pumasok sa sariling opisina. Sumunod naman ang lima niyang bodyguard at naiwan si Mark sa labas.

“I really envy Mark.” Ani Kiel.

Tumaas ang kilay ni Dan. “Bakit naman?”

“He had a partner.” Kiel answered.

“Gusto mo tayo rin?” nakangising tanong ni Anthony kay Kiel.

Ipinakita ni Kiel ang kamao. “Suntok gusto mo?”

Nagtawanan ang mga kasama nila. Gustong-gusto talaga na asarin ni Anthony si Kiel. Dahil siguro na si Kiel ang pinakabata sa kanila.

Tumikhim si Cassiuz at agad naman na umayos ang tayo ng lima.

“Mark will be taking my post at the underground for this day. I have a lot of work for the Empire so you better get ready now. I heard from Mark early this morning that there are many works and you will assist him.” Cassiuz ordered.

“Yes, Boss.”

Tumango si Cassiuz.

Yumukod ang lima bago ang mga ito pumasok sa connecting door na nasa loob ng opisina ni Cassiuz patungo sa kabilang room kung saan doon ang mga ito nagtatrabaho kung tungkol sa Underground Organization ang gagawin ng mga ito.

That’s when Mark entered his office.

Napailing na lang si Cassiuz nang makita ang ngiti ni Mark. Yumukod si Mark kay Cassiuz bago ito pumasok sa connecting door.

Actually, Mark is his assistant when it comes to his underground business. Lester is his secretary when it comes to his Empire. Mark and Lester are lovers. The relationship of the two is okay with him. Wala naman silang nasasaktang ibang tao. Moreover, Mark and Lester are big help for him. Ginagawa ng dalawa ng maayos ang kanilang trabaho.

Sighing, Cassiuz leaned on his swivel chair.

“Sir, can I come in?”

“Come in.”

Bumukas ang pinto at pumasok si Lester. “Sir, your schedule.”

Tumango si Cassiuz. “Go ahead,” aniya.

“Sir, you’re not free today. You have a lot of papers to sign. At nine AM, you have a meeting with the four CEO of the company about the land that you wanted to improve, the hotels that needed to be constructed, the condominiums that needed to be finish by the end of this month and also, the construction of the manufacturing building. This meeting will take a lot of your time, Boss.  At one PM, you have board meeting. Joining the meeting are the investors and shareholders of the company. Sir, you’re busy today so let’s start working.”

“I’m really busy today. But do I have a schedule for lunch meeting?” Cassiuz asked.

Umiling si Lester. “But if there will be someone who will schedule for an appointment then there will be.”

Tumango si Cassiuz.

Then Lester placed some folders on Cassiuz’ table. “You need to sign it before nine, Sir.”

Cassiuz sighed. “Lunes na lunes, ang dami mong ipapagawa, ah, Mr. Secretary.”

Nagkibit lang ng balikat si Lester saka ngumiti. “Goodluck, Sir.” Lester slightly bowed his head before he stepped out from his office.

Sighing, Cassiuz looked at folders. “Need to sign before nine.” Nagkibit siya ng balikat.

Nasa kalagitnaan ng pagpirma si Cassiuz sa mga papeles nang pumasok si Mark at may ibinalita.

“Boss, one of our warehouses got burned. The suspect is now in our hands.” Imporma ni Mark.

Not looking at his Assistant, Cassiuz spoke. “Tell our men to lock the suspect, I will deal with him later.”

“Yes, Boss.”

“Don’t torture him yet.”

Tumango si Mark. “Yes, Boss.” Yumukod siya at bumalik sa kinaroroonan ng mga kasama.

“What did Boss say? Is he mad?” tanong agad ni Jerome.

“Parang hindi niyo kilala si Boss. He’s always calm. Minsan lang siya magalit pero nakakatakot.”

“Ang minsan na ‘yan ang nakakatakot.” Pagsegunda ni Anthony sa sinabi ni Kiel.

Napailing naman si Nate. “Let’s get back to work, idiots.”

Maliban kay Mark na sanay na sa ugali ng mga kasama, lahat ay tumingin ng masama kay Nate na ipinagkibit lang naman nito ng balikat.

AT EXACTLY SEVEN PM, Cassiuz and his assistants arrived at the warehouse. Pagpasok nila sa loob, lahat ay yumukod kay Cassiuz.

“Where is he?” Cassiuz asked coldly.

“He’s in the cell, Boss.” Sagot ng isang tauhan.

Right, their warehouse has a cell. Doon nila minsan nilalagay ang mga nahuhuli nilang pumapasok sa gusali na pag-aari nila. Cassiuz knew his limit.

“Mark, did you tell the police not to interfere with this?” Cassiuz asked.

“Yes, Boss. Wala na kayong dapat ipag-alala.”

Ngumisi si Cassiuz. He’s a Mafia Boss and he’s doing illegal but he never hurt innocent people. He never hurt those people who is out of his business circle.

Pagdating ni Cassiuz sa selda, nakita niya agad ang lalaki na sumunog sa warehouse nila.

Namulsa si Cassiuz saka pumasok sa loob ng selda. Sumama si Mark at Anthony sa loob ng selda at hinawakan nila ang lalaki.

“Who sent you?” Cassiuz asked coldly.

“Hindi ko sasabihin sa inyo!”

Cassiuz sighed. Hinawakan niya ang panga ng lalaki ng mahigpit. “I don’t like people who were yelling at me when I’m asking them nicely.” Aniya. “Madali akong kausap. Since hindi mo sasabihin sa amin, then,” inilahad ni Cassiuz ang kamay, “I will kill you.”

Nate placed a gun on his Boss’ hand.

Ikinasa ni Cassiuz ang baril at itinutok sa lalaki. “Hindi mo ba talaga sasabihin?”

“Huwag mo akong patayin… sasabihin ko na… si Mr. Del Moran ang nag-utos sa akin. Huwag mo akong patayin…“ Cassiuz shoot the guy on his leg.

“Bring him back to his Boss.” Utos ni Cassiuz.

“Yes, Boss.”

“Sigurado akong malalaman niyang hindi basta-basta ang kalaban niya.” Malamig na saad ni Cassiuz.

Ibinalik ni Cassiuz ang baril kay Nate saka naglakad paalis.

“Anthony, ordered someone to spy on Mr. Del Moran. I want to know his moves and everything he does in the Underground.”

“Noted, Boss.”

Dumeretso palabas si Cassiuz at pumasok sa mini-van. He crossed his leg and leaned on his chair as he closed his eyes.