Chapter 30 Last full day
1517 Words
Because of the diligence and persistence of Lucio, the clean-up and disinfection of the estate were speedy. His family was able to move back to the mansion less than a week after the incident happened.
"Thank God we are back!" Aria exclaimed happily after getting out of the car.
"Of course, this is where you should belong," Lucio told Aria.
"I am so happy, but I am going to miss my routine when I am in the farmhouse. I would love to cook for our family," she said in a low voice as they entered the door.
The triplets are so excited as they rush inside the mansion.
"Kids, take it slowly!" Lucio advised the kids.
According to Selda, Alexander and Keila aren't home. They left last night without saying where they were heading.
"We are glad you are back!" Selda said, smiling.
"Thank you for taking care of everything, Selda, and for working hard to make things easy and quick for all of us," Aria said gratefully.
"You are always welcome, Madam! Would you like to go to your room or is there anything I can help you with?" Selda answered.
"No, don't bother. You must be tired. We can take care of ourselves. We will go down to have our lunch whenever we want to," Aria told Selda.
If Keila and Alexander are not around, she takes her chance to serve as a wife to her husband and a mother to her children.
"Okay, Madam, let me know if you need anything," Selda replied.
"I will," Aria assured Selda.
The couple went ahead to their room to enjoy some fancy time together. They forgot about the triplets and that they had become more engaged with each other.
"Sweetie, I am returning to Manila tomorrow. I guess we will not be having any more trouble while I am away," Lucio uttered.
"I hope so. Sometimes, I can't help but be scared when we are not together. You and the kids are the only strength I have got. I wish you would always be here with us," Aria said.
"I wish I could. I know you understand the reason, right?" Lucio asked.
"Yes, I do. Of course, I know why. I just wish you could, that is all," Aria answered.
"Always remember that I love you and no matter what happens, I've got your back," Lucio assured Aria.
Aria just wants to cuddle and can't let go of her husband.
"Wait, where are the kids?" Lucio recalled.
"I didn't know," said Aria, and she got up from the bed.
She goes out of the room and begins to look for the children.
"Selda, have you seen the triplets?" Aria asked Selda, who had passed by their room.
"No, aren't they with you?" Selda replied, confused.
"I forgot about them. Where did those guys go?" Aria cried while worrying.
They begin to check every corner and ask the other house helpers.
"I have seen them go that way," the chef informed Aria.
"Where are they?" Lucio butted in.
"Let's go, search for them. The chef said they had gone this way," Aria voiced out nervously.
Aria grabbed him to give her some support. She feels like she will lose consciousness at any moment. They take the path to the library. Nobody was there.
"Kids, where are you?" Aria called.
Pure silence. It is so deafening.
"Lucky, Fortune, or Charm?" Lucio continued.
"Where do you think they are?" Aria asks her husband.
He shakes his head since he does not know at all.
"Where is their usual playground?" Lucio urges Aria to share.
"In the playroom and the study room, however, I have checked the place and they aren't there," Aria answered.
"I will deal with these kids later," Lucio said, agitated that they couldn't find them.
They looked everywhere, from the deck to the poolside, on the terrace, and all corners of the house, but to no avail.
"Stop that Lucky, please!" the voice said.
The couple overheard the noisy, tiny voices. They were in a rush to check where it was coming from.
"Lucky enough. Your Mom and Dad might be worrying at this time. You should come upstairs," Alexander ordered his grandsons, who were still in the game and naughty stage.
The couple couldn't believe that the kids were in the working station of the Head Master. He never allowed anyone to get in there. He dislikes being distracted.
Lucky reasoned out that "Grandpa, Mom, and Dad won't be mad. We are not going anywhere."
Lucio stepped into their conversation.
"Guys, why did you not ask for our permission? What did I tell you?" Lucio interrogated the children.
"Dad, we are just right here." Lucky seems so awkward with his answers.
"Yes, you are just here, but you did not tell anyone. Did I tell you to inform us before you do something?" Lucio added.
"No, you did not tell us, Dad. What you have told us was to listen and behave. That's what we are doing. But you did not teach us to inform you before doing anything," Lucky explained.
"Alright, alright! You are so one of a kind. Next time, listen, behave, and inform. Is that clear?" says Lucio.
"Yes, Daddy!" the triplets answered in chorus.
"I didn't know you weren't aware that they were here," Alexander said in his introduction.
"No, we forgot about them. And we thought that they couldn't go to your home office. Besides, Selda said earlier that you were with Keila and did not go home last night," Lucio explained.
"We arrived after you. We didn't have a chance to welcome you back. But, what's important is that you are here safe and sound, and I am delighted," Alexander said.
His room was on the ground floor, and it had a secret passage to the basement, where he does his rituals and activates the black power.
"I will be in Manila starting tomorrow. Anything you want me to do first before my flight?" Lucio asked his father.
Alexander guaranteed his family's safety.
"Thanks, Father! I hope the triplets did not cause you any trouble," he replied.
"No, not at all. They are just playing while I am also doing my stuff. It's normal for the kids to be naughty and playful. That's what they'll miss when they grow old," Alexander answered eagerly.
"Great! I have to take them with us for now. I want to treat them somewhere special before I leave. Would you like to come?" Lucio asked.
"Just enjoy your family time. Keila and I have tons to do. You go!" Alexander replied with no hesitation.
"You little naughty guys, come with me. Daddy has to deal with you first before we go anywhere else," Lucio told his sons.
Keila and Alexander have been so full of thinking about the ways to make their offering to the Asra to empower the black magic for them to sustain their wealth and power. Asra is the one responsible for safeguarding the black magic and it has to be strengthened as its powers start to weaken after the long thirty years of protecting the black magic. It serves as a thick glass wall, forming a barrier to not let anyone enter or disturb the working magic. Alexander is having doubts about what he is going to offer. It has to come from his blood. A real Moreau, however, will be hard for him since he was fond of the triplets and he loves Lucio so much. He can't even take Keila as his offering because she has been his loyal ally. They have been talking and preparing for that special occasion while clearing the bothering signs of nagging black powers. He was aware that the appeal of the black termites on his premises was going to happen, but it came out too early. He felt relieved when Asra accepted his offer to give him thirty days to prepare for the special offering, and he agreed. That lessens the presence of the black termites all over his house until they disappear through the black magic. He did his rituals and sturdy planning every day in his most sacred place, the basement. Its entrance was near the library. It is unknown to everybody aside from Reyes, who has known him all his life. Everybody would have thought that it was just a plain mirror shaped like a door, but it was indeed a door. It was his sole entry in front, aside from the other secret door before the garden to his home office. There is a CCTV camera installed all over the mansion with the knowledge of the people who live there. However, they had no idea that it could also be viewed inside the dark basement. He could see from there how everyone was doing when he turned his back. He had seen how Aria took care of her family. However, Alexander did not find it fascinating. He doesn't want to meddle with such lame issues, but he does not disregard the idea that she was doing something behind him.
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