After six years…
Time moved fast—too fast. The once quiet Alcantara mansion had once again come alive with the laughter of children. Lorenzo was now in first grade, while his older sister, Aliya, had just entered high school. Both were students at Diego Institute of Technology School, a private academy in town.
It was midday. The sun blazed high above, and most students waited for their rides inside the school gate. Aliya, dressed in her simple cream uniform, was fixing her things inside her bag, while little Lorenzo played with a toy car near her feet.
The air was calm. Only the hum of passing vehicles and the chatter of students filled the surroundings.
But not far from the gate, a gray van slowly pulled up to a stop.
A man stepped out—black jacket, cap pulled low, his face unreadable. He didn't look like a parent… or a student. Two more men followed, their movements too calm, too deliberate, as if concealing something darker.
They took advantage of the moment the security guard left his post. Aliya didn't notice them at first—until she heard a sharp, unfamiliar voice behind her.
Scene: Inside the school gate.
Man (with a smirk):
"Miss, are you Aliya? Your father sent us to pick you up. Sir Rafael's waiting inside the van."
Aliya (confused, uneasy):
"What? No—no, that's not true. I know our driver. You're not him."
Lorenzo (clutching his sister's hand):
"Sister... I don't like them. Let's go!"
Before they could run, one of the men grabbed Aliya's arm while another lifted Lorenzo off the ground, dragging him toward the gate.
Everything happened in seconds—panic, shouts, chaos. The screams of students pierced the air.
Then—
a black car screeched to a halt by the curb.
From it stepped Don Rafael, furious and unstoppable. Without hesitation, he charged toward the men.
Scene: Outside the school gate
Don Rafael (furious, shouting):
"You monsters! You devils!"
He threw punch after punch at one of the men, rage blazing in his eyes. Another thug struggled to hold Lorenzo, but Rafael's anger was beyond human restraint.
Aliya (crying):
"Papa! Papa! Lorenzo!"
Don Rafael:
"Let go of my son!"
He pulled Lorenzo away and landed a solid blow on the man's jaw—sending him crashing onto the pavement.
Police officers on patrol arrived moments later, arresting the kidnappers before they could escape. The crowd of terrified students scattered in fear.
Don Rafael held his children tightly, his arms trembling. Aliya still shook, holding her brother close, tears staining her cheeks. The fury and dread on Rafael's face said it all—
he would never forgive anyone who dared touch his family.
Don Rafael (softly, yet with burning resolve):
"I will never let anything happen to you… not ever."
The children said nothing. Only the sound of their father's heavy breathing filled the silence. Meanwhile, the suspects were dragged toward the police car.
But in Don Rafael's mind, one question echoed
endlessly—
What if he hadn't arrived on time? Who planned this? And how did they know where his children studied?
As their car pulled away from the scene, Rafael glanced through the side mirror—toward the school they just left.
He didn't know… that somewhere, unseen eyes had been watching them for a long time. Waiting. Plotting.
And the danger was far from over.
That night, the memory of fear still haunted Isadora. She had almost lost her children.
As she watched her husband from across the veranda, she could feel the tension in every breath he took—the hard jawline, the clenched fists, the weight of unspoken anger.
Scene: Inside the grand veranda of Alcantara Mansion.
Isadora (voice trembling):
"Rafael… what if you hadn't come in time? What if—"
Don Rafael (firm, controlled fury):
"I won't let that happen, Isadora. Never."
Aling Aurora (shaking her head):
"God was the one who saved the children. But why would anyone do this? Who would dare target the innocent?"
Don Rafael (deep voice, pacing):
"I have my suspicions, Aurora. This isn't just some small-time group…"
(He stares out the window, eyes cold and distant.)
"There are people who've long coveted the Moonstate Company. And those people… don't give up easily."
Isadora (nervous, hands trembling):
"But… they don't have to involve the children."
Don Rafael (grim, steady):
"If they can't have the fortune, they'll destroy the ones who rightfully own it." (He glances at Isadora.)
"Lorenzo…"
Isadora's eyes drift toward the veranda. A chill wrapped around her chest as if the air itself had turned heavy.
Nearby, little Amara stood quietly by the wall, clutching her doll. She watched the adults talk, not fully understanding the weight of their words—until a small hand suddenly tapped her shoulder.
Lorenzo (whispering mischievously):
"Boo! Gotcha! Hahaha!"
Amara (squealing softly, swatting his arm):
"You scared me!"
Lorenzo (grinning):
"I'm Lorenzo. What's your name?"
Amara:
"I'm Amara."
Lorenzo (playfully):
"Catch me if you can, Amara!"
He dashed off toward the garden, laughter echoing behind him. Amara chased after him, giggling.
But as Lorenzo ran under the sunlight, the strange mark on his chest began to glow faintly—brighter than before. It shimmered like it was awakening… responding to something within Amara.
Scene: The next day, outside Alcantara Mansion.
The morning sun bathed the mansion in golden light. Suddenly, a black car stopped at the gates.
A woman stepped out—Bernadeth, graceful and confident in her maroon dress, followed by her son Carlo, a boy about Amara's age.
From the window upstairs, Isadora watched in quiet shock. Bernadeth hadn't sent any message of her arrival. Her smile was polite, yet there was something hidden behind those eyes—something she couldn't name.
Bernadeth (soft smile, feigned sadness):
"Brother… I'm sorry for showing up like this. I had nowhere else to go."
(sighs, pretending to hold back tears)
"Mother and I fought last night. She told me to leave… so Carlo and I had no choice."
Don Rafael (concerned yet cautious):
"What happened, Bernadeth? Why didn't you call?"
Bernadeth (bowing slightly, masking a grin):
"I didn't want to be a burden. But… we truly have nowhere else to stay."
Isadora (glancing at Rafael, hesitant):
"Maybe… just until she settles things, Rafael?"
Don Rafael (nodding, heavy yet kind tone):
"Of course. You can stay here for now. The mansion is big—and you're still family."
Bernadeth (smiling, a glint of victory in her eyes):
"Thank you, Brother. You don't know how much this means to me."
While the adults talked, Carlo explored the mansion, eyes wide with excitement.
Meanwhile, Amara had just woken up in Aling Aurora's room. She often stayed in the mansion during school breaks—her little escape.
Carlo (cheerfully):
"Hi! I'm Carlo. Mind if I join you?"
Amara (smiling):
"I'm Amara. Sure! Let's build a castle!"
Lorenzo (joining in with his toy car):
"Count me in! But I'm the king, okay?"
Carlo (laughing, playfully saluting):
"Then I'll be your soldier, my king!"
Amara (laughing):
"And I'll be the princess!"
Their laughter filled the grand hall, echoing through the walls of the mansion.
But outside the veranda door, Bernadeth stood silently—watching. Her eyes gleamed, not with warmth, but with hunger.
To her, this mansion wasn't just a home.
It was the treasure she'd long dreamed of claiming.
Bernadeth (whispering coldly to herself):
"What's theirs now… might one day be ours."
Inside, the children's laughter continued—br
ight, innocent, and unaware. Yet behind every smile, shadows stirred. The storm long destined for the Alcantara family… had already begun to form within their very home.