Chapter 2 — The Ordeal

Sunlight passed through her face as she woke from a dreamless sleep. As she hurried to stand up, the pain just below her shoulder blade immediately consumed her. She looked at her hand and something already covered it, a white linen. Memories of last night’s events got vivid in her mind.

“Fucking hell,” she cursed under her breath.

“Good morning, mi amour (my love).”

Turning around, her father, who was sitting comfortably on the red couch across from her bed, startled her.

“P-Papa,” she nervously replied as she leaped and kissed both of her father’s cheeks.

Realizing that she was already wearing her black nightgown and her wound was already cleaned, she thought that her assistant, Elizabeth, must have helped her in all of this. She went back to her king-sized bed and sat on it, crossing her legs.

Her bedroom was enormous, with pink curtains and big chandeliers. Glass windows faced her, displaying the panoramic view of the city they lived in. Skyscrapers also greeted her every morning, while the occasional glittery skies waved hello at night. There was a grand comfort room as well, with an enormous tub and a glass cabinet of her collection of expensive wine and perfume.

“I passed out last night. My apologies,” she meekly said as she faced her enigmatic father.

“It’s okay. Getting the seal was quite exhausting. Does it still hurt? It usually burns during the first three days.”

She unmindfully touched her new imprint, which was still sending pain on her skin. “I’ll be lying if I’ll say no.”

“Take some pain reliever, hija,” the Don replied. There was a brief exchange of silence between them as the Don continued to sip his tea. Tiffany then stood up to look herself in the mirror. Then she turned around and examined her burnt imprint.

“I like it though,” she eventually said, addressing Don Arnulfo. “It makes me feel you are indeed a part of me.”

Don Arnulfo stiffened, but then eventually recovered. She knew her father was aware of her special affection towards him and to his work. And she smirked to herself as she saw him looking so uncomfortable. The Don, later on, stood up and carefully placed the cup of tea on the glass table beside him. His masculinity and his white hair showed how focused he was in his endeavors.

Someone cannot easily fool the Don. He was a clear picture of an experienced and serious man. He didn’t like to forgive easily, but he was always a believer that a man should do certain sacrifices.

With steady steps, he walked towards his daughter and rubbed his thumb on her cheek. The latter smiled at the gesture.

“I idolize you, Papa,” she said as she gazed at her father’s face. She noticed wrinkles on his forehead and some grey hair on his mustache.

“And I adore you, unica hija,” her father replied “You look exactly like your Mama.”

“She wouldn’t approve of this,” she said, chuckling. Taking no heed of her comment, the Don walked back to the couch and revealed a brown Manila envelope.

“This is your assignment.”

Tiffany opened it and dragged a picture of a man from the envelope. She studied him, then decided that he must be in his mid-30s.

“He’s handsome. Am I marrying him?” she said, wrinkling her face. The old man let out a throaty chuckle.

“And why did you arrive at such a conclusion?” he asked, amused.

“Well, that’s what happens in movies—”

“He is a threat to our business and the brotherhood. He is an assassin, and he is very good at hiding. But the good news is, we have just finally located him. That’s where you are going, hija. Right now, he is currently making a lot of moves that have recently affected our chains of businesses. It is your job to stop him.”

“So, what do you want me to do with him?”

“Eliminate him. All the things that you need to do with your mission are inside that envelope. Read it, then pack your things urgently.”

Her eyes popped in surprise.

“Urgently? And why is that?”

“You’re leaving tonight. You are going to the island of Southern Isla, a place somewhere in the Visayan region. Breakfast is ready. Prepare yourself,” he replied seriously, before he turned to leave.

Tiffany eyed her father before she stared back at the photo.

“Poor man,” she whispered to herself. “The Alphas have already decided your destiny.”

She then fixed her eyes on the window. She’s now thinking about her mother and the future that awaited her.