Who is the Mafia

SECOND TIE

The flight from Regina to Madrid in dad’s large cabin jet took seven hours and by the time we landed at the airport, we immediately travelled by car to Antigua casa de Salvador. Three hour ride from airport to old house made me get some more sleep and rest before our arrival.

I opened my eyes and saw familiar array of large old Indian laurel trees.

“Mena? Dear we’re almost there, freshen up.”

I did as what mom told me, soon enough we are in front of the wrought iron gates. Our car stopped and a laser scanned the token by the hood of the car, it stopped and automatically opened as the laser light turned green indicating confirmation.

The car drove off past the front yard filled with Seville orange trees, by the end before the circle path stands two big old ficus trees that give shade until half of the fountain in the middle. The car finally stopped at the front of the old house. We only got used to calling it ‘old house’ when it’s actually bigger.

Antigua casa de Salvador is built during the 1800s by the power and dowry earned by Miguel Ver Salvador with his spouse, Vittoria Svea y Fuego who is a royalty at that time. Vittoria’s father did not approve of Miguel to be his husband back then because he is poor and cannot give a proper life for Vittoria, then he worked hard and become wealthy by his hard work. They are the one who establish this casa and the family’s traditions.

The house is mostly built with stone and few woodworks were added by generation after generation who design the house with originality as a mark of their time, there are no major constructions made ever since it’s built in the 18th century. One thing that they change is the carved woodwork that hangs in the entryway made by the chosen successor/s themselves. Arsenio Vered Huelgo-Salvador and Melisende Svea Galvan-Salvador made a beautiful begonia flower woodwork as a symbol of them two.

We walked to the main door of the house which opened and we’re guided inside by two servidora to main hall, while two other servidor get our luggage inside our rooms.

Chatter and laughs can be heard outside of the hall, mom and dad entered first as I follow. Set of eyes landed on us with different stare intensities. We walked towards abuelo and abuela who sits comfortably at the two antique family chairs with carved design and family surname ‘Salvador’ carved on it as well. It was made as the same time as all other antiques of the family right before the construction of the house is finished.

We kissed on their diamond rings as sign of respect and abuela patted my head. She motioned for me to come close, I did crouch down to my knees and she hold both my hands.

“You have grown so much since the last time, look at you blooming as a beautiful lady.” She beamed happily, and looked at abuelo.

“Our nieta is growing well, Maajida and Maximus is taking good care of her I can say.” Abuelo smiled fondly to his wife and to dad and mom. He looked at my direction and nodded.

I smiled at the both of them and stood up from the ground to sit at my seat by the end of the room, which means I have to pass the glares and fake smiles again. What a sight. Why are they so like I am the biggest threat of their life? Or so I say threat to what they really wanted, the successorship of the title, the wealth, the power, and the access to all family’s most prized possession.

Mom and Dad sat at the front row while I sat at the second, for the record, I don’t like the way they arranged the seats at the meeting room I may say. The room is big enough to accommodate half a hundred people with two feet radius away from each other. Our chairs are at least three to four feet away from one another, in equal proportions.

Abuela raised her right hand to Felicia’s direction, she’s the most trusted employee by my grandparents. She handed abuela’s vintage leather notepad.

“Los cuidados,” she started, “Mildred.”

Mildred Vaes Salvador-Tuñon, first born. Have four children, one girl and three boys namely Valentina Svea Salvador-Tuñon, Rozwell Vared Salvador-Tuñon, Arthur Vared Salvador-Tuñon and Rex Vared Salvador-Tuñon. Also grandchildren, Rupert Ved Tuñon, Ruin Oly Tuñon,and Rhea Oly Tuñon. Married to Rinaldo Tuñon, also first born of Tunon family that’s been known for centuries.

“Si,” she stood up from her seat.

“Rinaldo, Valentina, Rozwell, Arthur, Rex, Rupert, Ruin, Rhea, complete.” She finished their attendance call.

“Matilda.”

Matilda Vaes Salvador-Baylen, second born, have four children, all boys namely Maynard Vare Salvador-Baylen, Maoz Vare Salvador-Baylen, Martin Vare Salvador-Baylen and Edward Vare Salvador-Baylen. Grandchildren, Zamiel Baylen, Adira Mionne Baylen, Almeria Mei Baylen. Married to Joseph Baylen, one of top 10 richest in Asia.

“Si,” just like tia Matilda she stood up and started theirs. “Joseph, Maynard, Maoz, Martin, Edward, Zamiel, Adira, Almeria, complete.”

“Maajida.” It’s mom’s turn.

Maajida Vaes Salvador-Costas, third born, have only one child, that’s me. Philomena Svea Salvador-Costas. My father, Maximus Costas married mom by promise ring a month after they met and got legally married few years later.

“Si. Maximus, Philomena, complete.”

“Arsenio Jr.”

Arsenio Vered Salvador Jr., fourth born, have three children named Maya Celine Salvador, Arsenio Vered Salvador III, Jordan Vered Salvador. Married to Louisa Jones, a top notch rich person and a model from Las Vegas.

“Si. Louisa, Maya, Arsenio III, Jared, complete.”

“Azeil.”

Azeil Vered Salvador, fifth born, have three children named Philip Vered Salvador, Junko Rosa Salvador and Alexandrine Eve Salvador. He married Jane Lee, an ABA, Australian-Born-Asian who travels around everywhere and loves mom’s cooking.

“Si. Jane, Philip, Junko, Alexandrine, complete.”

All five of them took a seat once all of them is finished.

“With our family completed, here we shall start the preparation.”

Complete, preparing.