CHAPTER002
1158 Words
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Four long years have passed since everything changed. My twins recently celebrated their third birthday. We gave them the names Prinz Elias and Prinzessin Lina. Pregnancy wasn't easy. I had the weirdest food cravings and constantly puked. Fortunately, Greta Lindner was always there to support me and bring warm soup or crackers.
Lina pulled my shirt while I was dozing off.
"Gewa cookies, please, Mommy?" As usual, she mixed up "gawa" when she asked.
She had sparkling, wide eyes. It nearly made me laugh.
"Yes, mother! "Pamamihan po ha!" Like his sister, Elias jumped in and said "pamamihan" rather than "paramamihan.".
I grinned and shook my head. I could understand every single one of their ridiculous words. I made sure they could speak Tagalog even though we now reside in the United States. They made an effort, but they weren't always correct.
"All right! However, let's start with some kisses and hugs.
Like little rockets, they charged at me.
They gave me a tight squeeze and exclaimed, "Mommy, I love you so much!"
"My little peanuts, you have my undying love."
They laughed and let go.
"All right, Mommy is going to begin baking right now."
"Yes, sir!" Lina gave a little chirp.
Elias smiled broadly.
Lina sat on the counter and watched me stir the flour and eggs as I began to remove them.
"You know what, Mother? On your computer, Kuya Elias opened a few files. They appeared incredibly significant.
I ceased to stir.
"Elias?"
He peered out from behind the refrigerator. "Mom."
Already guilty, he cast a downward glance.
"What did I say about that?"
He spoke in a tiny voice. "Avoid touching your files."
"But you did it anyway?"
"I didn't intend to! I just made a click. And then, Mommy, I noticed this. Money is missing. from your business.
My chest constricted.
"What makes you believe that?"
"This is it. I'll demonstrate.
He hurried to the laptop and opened it. Folders containing Philippine business records were displayed on the screen. He opened them one by one while I knelt next to him.
A figure appeared on the screen that was far too large to be typical.
What on earth? For what duration has this phenomenon been occurring?
"And observe. It all ended up in Herr Kaufmann's account," he continued.
I was filled with nausea.
"Send me those files right away, Lina, sweetheart. Then give your godmother a call and instruct her to give me a call in half an hour.
"All right, po!" She yelled and ran off.
They truly believe that I am a moron, don't they? playing the entire time behind my back. However, they mishandled the wrong individual.
I was so absorbed in my thoughts that I failed to notice Lina was no longer by my side.
"Mommyyyy!"
"What?"
"Lina leapt from the tree!"
"What? Lina!
I sprinted outside after dropping the oven mitts.
She was on the ground, wiping her knees of dirt.
Her eyes were low as she whispered, "M-mom." She felt guilty once more, just like her brother did.
How many times have I warned you against climbing trees? And don't ever leap from them!
"But, Mum—"
"No buts!"
She remained silent, her head lowered.
I couldn't even act surprised. I was the one who taught that child her attitude. I was a member of Dunkelmond, which is the type of group you don't discuss aloud. Then I founded Schwarzer Engel with my own organisation and a set of guidelines.
One day, they sent me on a final mission.
Weiss Konrad.
It was my responsibility to murder him. I wrote a letter to his mafia-connected father. However, I didn't. I was unable to.
Instead, I fell in love with him.
I walked out of Dunkelmond. I will always remember my leader letting me go. I also moved away from Schwarzer Engel. With him, I hoped to start a new life.
I had Lina and Elias because of that life.
However, he destroyed everything. He cheated on me with my best friend, Marlene Berger. My stomach still churns at that betrayal.
I knelt in front of Lina and said, "Mommy doesn't want anything bad to happen to you or your brother." "I experience more pain when you suffer harm." Recognise?
"Yes, Mother. I apologise.
"My little storm cloud, I forgive you."
I gave her a firm hug and a forehead kiss.
"Tante Patin is on the phone, Mom!" From the window, Elias shouted.
"Coming, sweetheart. And I appreciate what you showed me earlier. But please, don't hack anymore.
He nodded, but it was clear from his smile.
That boy possesses both my abilities and his father's curiosity.
I took the phone.
"Greta?"
"You seem out of breath."
"Your godchild leapt from a tree."
“Once more?!”
"She is grounded."
She won't remain confined for very long. They won't both.
She was not mistaken.
"You still wish to check the funds of your business?"
"I must. Kaufmann has been squandering funds. The files Elias discovered contain all the details.
"What a genius that child is."
"I understand. He is my genius, though. mine.
She laughed, and I heard it.
"So, what's the strategy?"
"I want to freeze the accounts." Face him.
"Are you certain? Do you wish to avoid waiting for legal action?
"No. He won't anticipate it from me.
"Liesl, exercise caution."
"I always am."
"Liesl..."
That time, I didn't respond.
I returned to the kitchen after the call. It smelt like the cookies were about to burn.
"Mom!" The cookies!"
"You got it!"
Just in time, I took them out. They turned golden brown and had a hint of crunch around the edges. Excellent.
Lina gave a clap. "They smell wonderful!"
I replied, "Because they're made with love."
"With butter," Elias continued.
We all chuckled.
Who would get the largest one caused them to quarrel.
"Stop fighting!" I cautioned.
"But I was the first to see it!"
"No, I did!"
"I made them. I reached for it and said, "I get the biggest one."
They let out a gasp.
"Injustice!"
"Absolutely unjust!"
"You will live."
Passing the cookies around like some kind of family secret, we sat on the floor.
Lina rested her shoulder against mine.
"Mom?"
"Well?"
"Will Herr Kaufmann be imprisoned?"
"Perhaps. But you shouldn't worry about that.
"May I be of assistance?"
"You did that already."
They both grinned.
I was unable to tell them everything. I'm not ready to reveal everything just yet. But I'll tell them who I truly was when they're older. I will share my experiences and actions with them. I left everything behind.
They only needed to know I was here for now. alongside them. And I had no intention of leaving.
I would deal with the thief who stole from me tomorrow.
I would like these little sticky hands and chocolate-stained smiles tonight.
I would be prepared for any storm that came my way.
- Writer
