Tyrus Greg Rafiq

But lucky me, I only have two and a driver. (chuckles) I beat you sis. It's my turn to say, "you'll get use to it." (laughs)

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"Good evening dad, Ana says you've called for me." Katarina said as she entered in my office.

"I had discussion with Sebastian and Kashmir," I started, referring to her bodyguard and my secretary.

She looked at his direction then looked at me with a worried face, "Dad, if this is about the detour, I promise I didn't mean to break my word, it was just a spur of the moment, and it wasn't even Sebastian's fault, he tried to-,"

Sebastian cleared his throat in attempt to stop her and I let out a sigh.

"I'm afraid it's not about that Lady Katarina." Kashmir said and she was taken aback.

"Oh!" she responded.

I chuckled in my thoughts as I look on how defensive my daughter is, in fear of being scolded by me and reprimanding her guard.

I cleared my throat. "You're about to go back to Scotland so I told Kashmir to arranged four more bodyguards to be in your service."

"Father, that's too much. I already have a reliable one," she said and pointed Sebastian, "and my three attendants at Scotland are pretty much reliable too, and our stable boy." she complained.

"I can't have you out there, miles away from us, unprotected." I argued.

"Katarina that's enough." My wife Khamya said as she entered at the office with our son Greg.

"Kashmir and Sebastian give us a room." I said and they both took a bow and left the room.

"Ate sabi mo masasanay din ako 'di ba, take your advice too." Greg said as he confidently lay down at the couch.

Meanwhile, Khamya's looking at the personnel list. "Even your dad has seven bodyguards when I met him, ikaw pa kayang babae."

"But mom-,"

"Look, this is none negotiable. I asked you to come here to inform you with my decision. Besides if it really bothers you, then they will only be visible when you are at the villa but whenever you are out, you wouldn't even notice them. Only Sebastian would be visible by then." I sternly said.

"Isn't that a good thing, anak?" Khamya said then stood up and pressed her shoulders. "Do this for us, to give us a peace of mind that you are secured."

Katarina sighed, "Fine. I'll do this for you both."

Khamya hugged her and she did the same.

"So that settles it, you'll meet them when you arrive at Scotland. Two of them are Al ashiquis, and two are from Gosiaco's security agency: one filipino-american, and the other is one of their asset in UK. It's better to have someone local too. But the four of them will be taking orders directly from Sebastian as the head of your security detail."

"Hindi kaya magkaproblema, sweetheart? Mas bata pa si Sebastian sa apat."

"The lad have been serving the family longer than the others, well not just him but his entire family and he is an Al ashiqui, so I trust him. Besides, those guards are professional, so I guess there wouldn't be any issue at all. Myco also vouched for the other two, and I trust Myco's judgement."

"Then that settles it." Khamya said.

"Anything you would like to say, Katarina." I asked.

She shook her head.

"It's for your own good, Katarina."

"I understand." she responded in almost a whisper.

Greg suddenly yawned. "Excuse me."

Khamya laughed. "O siya tara na't matulog, inaantok na din ako."

I stand up and walked out from my desk and gently tap my daughter's back. "We'll visit you when we get a chance. Just focus on fulfilling your goals and leave the rest to us."

"Thank you, dad." she responded and finally smiled.

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When we arrived at Stallion Island, we were greeted by Oliver and I was told to go straight to the Peak, the Prince's lare. I bid my farewell to Khamya Rafiq , my wife and let her explain it to the others.

I cleared my throat as I entered in his office.

"So you're finally here after waiting for two days. I thought I was clear that I was adamant to hear the details right away." Prince Rostam said in a serious all business tone.

"I had to fix everything and-"

I was still trying to explain when he laughed, mockingly laughed at me.

"You should have seen your face my friend. I should have told Jumeirah to set up a hidden camera or something. That was quite entertaining nowadays."

I furrowed my brows but of course did not left him out of the matter unscathed, "so you and your woman is really getting into something, quite interesting." I mischievously grinned.

It was his turn this time to form a knot in his forehead. "She is not my woman."

"Oh, c'mon your highness, it's been over a decade that you've been in denial." I added that I swear I could have also taken a hidden camera with me and have his expression recorded.

"Don't go there Emir or I swear I'll forget our friendship."

I laughed. "Then maybe I should have also taken a hidden camera with me."

"You sly conniving creature never even changed one bit despite of having two children."

"And you your highness is still in denial." I retorted.

He smirked and I chuckled then we give each other a brotherly hug. He is like a brother to me and so am I to him, that's why aside from his favorite slave whom I definitely know that it was more than that, only I could confidently retort to him and still left unharmed.

"What about Khamya, the kids and the others?"

I walked near the window. "They are still settling at your guesthouse, my gratitude for your hospitality Prince Rostam."

"Drop the honorifics Emir."

"Then I suggest you do the same, your highness."

He gave me a slitted straight look and I laughed again.

"How are you? It has been a few months since the last time I saw you. And man! You got quite a view here." I said, as I appreciated the refreshing view from his window.

"That's exactly the reason why I relocated my office in this room, the view could help me calmly think."

"Why? Did Jumeirah gave you another headache?" I pried.

He smirked, "she herself is a headache."

I chuckled. "Well you've been together for so long, there's nothing in this world that the splendid Prince couldn't handle."

"She's quite an odd one. Always leaving me puzzled."

I mischievously smiled, "Now look at you, the Prince is getting puzzled."

"Silence Beiron, I didn't call you here to pry on my private matters."

"Well, I'm your friend after all, besides a little sneak of your so called private life wouldn't hurt."

He smirked again.

"So how's the gala?" he asked in attempt to change the topic.

"It was as usual. Except for the fact that there was an attempt of bombing the area," I paused, "that was an information that was not out in the public." I said in a serious tone, all business this time and the Prince leaned on his table, all ears. "There were only four of them and at first I thought it was just an amateur attempt, after all they went down easily in the hands of Myco's son and my daughter."

The prince perked his brows, "your daughter and Myco's son?"

"It was purely coincidental that they went to the rooftop, in which it so happened that these men were setting up the bomb."

"Are they alright?"

I nodded, "they are. The men get arrested, but something was bothering me."

I took something under my coat then placed a number of pictures at his table. Piled it like a fan.

"What are these?" He asked.

"Check the tattoos on the side of the neck. It was too small that nobody could ever thought about it in one look."

He looked at the pictures intently, then after a while, looked at me as if an enlightening dawned on him.

"They were not there to attempt on assassinating any random royalty or high class person in that event-," a tension rushed between us then he stood from his chair and closed the door, I get it, someone might be eavesdropping, someone he don't want to be worried at all. I could only sigh at my friend who now cherishes someone more than his life but of course still in denial. "They were specifically for you." I concluded. "You should be at that event in the first place but thanks to one of Jumeirah's antics, you weren't."

"How did you know it was her doing?"

"I wouldn't be your bestfriend if I don't know you at all." I chuckled. "Your headache just saved your life so give her a little credit."

He was silent for a moment then spoke again, "Is that the reason why the King asked me not to go back to Al ashiq for the meantime?"

I nodded. "Not until we find out the mastermind of that black op militia."

"I'm not a kid who needs to be protected! The king should all the more summon me back to the kingdom, especially when there is an imminent threat going on!" he said furiously.

"I actually agreed with the King this time."

He went closer to me and grabbed the collar of my coat. "I am not a weak Prince who needs to be protected again by the King nor you, my friend! I am Rostam of the lion throne, whoever comes against me will face their demise and be turned to ashes!" he roared like a raging lion. He let go of my collar, turned his back on me, ran his hand on his hair then come faced me again. "I'm not gonna hide like a scared prey, I am going to hunt them down, and you, you're gonna help me with that."

I sat on the nearby couch and let go an exasperated sigh. "I thought so. That's the reason why I sneaked those pictures with me. The King took the original copies, and made me swear that there were nothing left and that I should leave you out of the loop. But I know you are stubborn," he smirked and I chuckled, "so it's better taht you know all the information from me rather than anybody else and at least I'll be aware of your actions, that way it would be easier to protect you, yeah, yeah I know you don't need protection but whether you like it or not, you are the future of the Kingdom and I swore my allegiance to you not on anybody else, so I'll do what I have to do as your subject and as your brother."

He sighed. "Do what you want, I guess I could use some backup."

"Like Batman and robin?" I said.

He chuckled, "we're too old for that."

"It never gets old. We used to watched it when we were kids."

"I wasn't. You're just too stubborn to bring those VHRs in my room and made me watched it. You're insufferable!"

I laughed and he chuckled too.

"Thank you, Beiron."

"Always a pleasure, brother."

"Why are you two so cozy? Mm, Nagdududa na talaga ako."

"Jumeirah! Kailan ka pa riyan?" the Prince asked in surprised well more on frightened to what his woman might have heard.

"Prince ano ba, masakit 'yang hawak mo ha, Emir tulungan mo ako nababaliw na yata ang kamahalan!"

"When?" he roared.

"Chill your highness, kararating lang."

He let her go and she was trying to soothe her own arm. "Ang sakit no'n ha? Hay, makaalis na nga!"

"You impretinent slave! Where do you think you're going?"

"Kung saan 'di mo ako masusundan!" she retorted while walking away from the room.

"As if there is a place you could hide from me! come back here!"

"No! Lubayan mo ako!"

"Not in this lifetime, nor in your next life!"

And that's it, I was left alone in the room while they were both bantering at each other. I guess, that's my cue to leave. I sighed again. "Those two." I shook my head and left.

"Father, I can't go to school again with your goonies." I complained.

"Since when do I have to repeat myself in this house, Greg? It's a NO."

"Next year, I'll be ten dad, not six years old." I retorted.

"Whether you are ten or almost ten, technically you are still a kid." my father answered without even looking at me.

"Calm down di**it. I even have Sebastian tailing me and I'm already in college. Just get over with it, and move on. They will keep you safe." my sister interrupted.

"Finally, someone with sensible mind!" Dad praised. "Thank you, Katarina."

"Father she go to school to a different world so-"

"Country di**it." she interrupted again.

"Shut up little Priss!"

"What did you say? I dare you to repeat it, Greg."

"I said just shut up little Priss, this is so convenient for you because you always have your little boyfriend who can be your bodyguard at the same time so-"

"Shut up moron! He is nothing like that and don't you dare talk to me or him that way!"

"Oh yeah? Then what about-"

We continued to argue with each other that we become too loud and father was also trying to make us stop in which didn't help at all as my sister and I were way too engrossed with arguing with each other that we forgot our father was even there. We didn't even realized that someone came in until we heard someone cussing.

"Silence! Damn it!"

"Language!" My father, sister and I said in unison and we all looked at the source.

"Now I at least have your attention."

"Mom." I said.

"Mother." my sister called.

"Sweetheart." I heard my father uttered.

We all went silent while looking at my mother who was standing by the window with crossed arms and eyeing daggers on us.

"I had a very long day, and I'd like to have some cold bath, and maybe sip my tea in a peaceful night yet here I am, going home to a chaotic house. What's your problem?" she said while gritting her teeth. Oh No.

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"Buenos dias tio Reiven!" bati ko dito ng makarating sa laboratoryo nito.

"Bienvenida de nuevo a nuestra princesita!" sagot nito sabay yakap sa akin. Apparently, I'm the eldest niece sa pamilya Rafiq at Alleje kaya nasanay na ako sa endearments ng mga tiyo at tiya ko. Tulad ng mga kapatid nito, lalake din ang naging panganay pero kasalukuyang nasa Amerika si kuya Rio para ipagpatuloy ang postgraduate studies nito, sumunod din kasi ito sa yapak ng ama. Matalino si kuya kaya naman kahit dalawang taon lamang ang tanda nito kay Akio, ang dami ng mga kompanyang gustong kumuha dito at suportahan ang mga research niya.

"Nabalitaan kong nagbalik ng ala-ala mo." untag ni tiyo Reiven.

"Opo."

"Mabuti naman."

"Gracias tiyo."

"Tumawag sa'kin ang mama mo tungkol sa pinag-aaralan mo ngayon, hindi ako ganoon ka eksperto sa genetic engineering pero matutulungan kita pagdating sa mikrobyo. Bueno, simulan na natin dahil may meeting ako after lunch."

"Sige po!" excited kong sagot.

Namangha ako sa galing ng tiyo ko, ganito pala ito kapag ngtatrabaho, seryoso at strikto si tiyo pero iba ang level kapag nagtatrabaho ito. Lumipas ang ilang oras, napagdesisyonan naming ihinto na ang experiments and lectures, may lakad din kasi ito pagkatapos ng tanghalian.

"Gracias tio por impartir tus conocimientos conmigo. es un honor ser enseñado personalmente por el infame Doctor como tú." pagpapasalamat ko dito sa pagturo nito sa akin.

"No hay problema me alegro de verte Katarina."

Inanyayahan ako ni tiyong magtanghalian pero tinanggihan ko na, sobra-sobra na ang abala ko dito. Matapos magpaalam ay dumiretso na ako sa pag-uwi sa bahay.

"Hay, parang sasabog ang utak ko. Dami kong natutunan ngayong araw!" wika ko sa aking sarili.

Gentleman ka pala, kuya Kiel😅

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Matapos ang usapan kanina ay lumabas kami saglit ng bahay but I doubt bahay pa nga ba ang tawag sa tinutuluyan namin. Naglalakad lang kami ni Jassy, iniwan muna namin sila sa loob dahil nais pa naming mag usisa sa labas.

"Love, why me? Jassy ask me habang naunang naglakad.

Napakunot noo naman ako, "huh? Why you?" Nalilito kong tanong sa kanya.

She look at me and smile, "tinatanong kita kung bakit ako ang napili mo bilang girlfriend mo?"

I smile because of her question, looking at her adorably feels like I'm the luckiest man alive.

"Walang sino mang lalaki ang di ka gugustuhing maging girlfriend." I answer her. She blush because of it so she hide it from my views.

"Loko, specific nga kasi Kiel." Sabi nitong nakatingin sa kanan.

Natawa naman ako saka sumagot na rin. "Maybe because your not a kind of girl who is damsel, you have your gutt, you have this kind of personality na parang katulad ng kay tita Evie. Akala ko nga si Creo ang magugustuhan mo. Remember when we were kids, you always follow what Creo said pero sakin nakikipagsagutan ka." I smile remembering those moments.

She smile because of what I said, "and then?" She ask while listening attentively.

"You are a woman who doesn't need a man beside him. Kaya mong ipakita sa iba na iba ka sa lahat. Sabihin man nilang lahat na ang babae ay may kahinaan hindi rin naman nalalayo saming mga lalaki 'yon. Even my uncles doesn't believe na mahihina ang mga babae, sadyang iba-iba lang talaga ang mga personalidad ng bawat isa. Everyone has their own uniqueness. Depende lang iyon sa kung paano nila dadalhin ang sarili nila." Mahaba kong sabi sa kanya.

"Pero love, may mga taong mapanghusga sa mundo. Naging mahina ka lang minsan tatawagin na nila itong 'a damsel in distress who need a knight and shining armour' na para bang ang perfect nila gayong hindi naman pala." Nakasimangot na sabi nito.

"Believe me love, I'm soft when it comes to all the person I love but I'm not that nice. Nasa lahi na namin ang pagiging cunning, we always tissed and make someone angry but we're good people." Sabay tingin ko sa kamay ko.

"I know love. It's just so hard to believe na sadyang may makikitid talaga ang utak. But I'm thankful na ikaw ang naging boyfriend ko. Di ako nagsisising ikaw ang minahal ko." Sabi nito sabay ngiti sakin.

I blush but I steady my face but I can't win against what I'm feeling, napangiti ako sa sinabi niya at kinuha ko kamay niya.

"I love you, kahit marami man ang humadlang satin, pangako di ako bibitaw."

"Same. Di rin ako bibitaw and I love you too." Then she kiss me on my cheeks.

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After talking to some important people who attended in this gathering, I received a phone call from Gosiaco's son.

"What's the problem, young man?" I asked but it was Katarina who answered. I quirked my brows, nonetheless paid attention to my daughter.

I could notice the unstable tone of her voice, something must have happened although I wasn't sure, I decided not to let my wife knows about it, at least not yet, I don't want her to worry. And so, I made up some excuse and gave a sign to my secretary to come with me.

When we reached the rooftop, a number of security personnels were there, and together with the rising beat of my heart, my eyes immediately scanned the place in search for my daughter. Found her. She was with Gosiaco's junior, whose face was now with bruises. I worriedly looked at my daughter whom I think was also hurt as there were medics who were tending to both of them.

I crossed my arms. "What just happened little Gosiaco?"

He explained everything to me in a short span of time. This man indeed knows how to make use of his hours, but no wonder, with the Gosiaco's line of work and business, briefings for incidents like this would be no sweat.

However what made me taken aback was the fact that my daughter had finally restored her lost memories. Finally! In order to be sure, my secretary called a doctor whom our family have trusted and was able to squeeze us an emergency consultation. For what its worth, we discreetly exited the place so Katarina will be seen by the doctor, for little Gosiaco to make some statements to the authorities and of course to give room for the investigation. Good thing, paparazzi's failed to sniff the incident. I don't want to have our family be seen on newspapers again with these incidents, it's a hassle.

On our way to the hospital together with my daughter and Myco's son, I called Emrei and asked him to take charge for the meantime in bringing the kids and my wife to the penthouse after the party. Well, all is well, the sponsor was able to manage the party quite well that guests did not have a single clue of the incident that happened at the rooftop.

After an hour or so, Emrei and Khamya arrived at the hospital.

"Where is she?" asked by Khamya who now looked so worried. Can't blame her though.

"She's still talking to the doctor but they have already gave me an initial confirmation that her memories are back!" O replied.

Khamya was in awe, and Emrei expressed a cheerful attitude.

"Isn't that a good news kuya?"

"Yes it is."

"What about the Gosiaco boy? Where is he?" asked by my brother.

"He was just in another room, still trying to complete his and Kat's statements.

"So who are those people?"

"That I don't have the detail yet on which organization do they belong to and their goal. But, definitely those bastards were officially subdued thanks to the help of those two.

"Is she okay? Was she also hurt?" Khamya asked in a worried tone.

"A couple of bruises but our girl is strong, she'll live."

"of course." she answered.

"So Marist is with the kids?" I asked my brother.

"She is and their friends were starting to get anxious of the disappearance of the two but thanks to Kiel who was quite skilled in setting the mood lighter." Emrei answered.

"That's good."

After few moments, Gosiaco junior joined us.

"Tito, how is she?" He asked me but it was Emrei who answered him.

"Way to go boy! You yourself have multiple bruises yet you asked about others immediately without any regards for yourself."

He shied away from Emrei's tease.

"She's fine and just finalizing the consultation with her doctor." I interrupted.

He sighed.

This lad, he is for real. I smirked.

"And by the way, I already called your father so they'll be aware of your whereabouts."

He immediately throw a glance on me, "Did my mom knows about it?"

"I think so. She was there when I called myco, and she is worried sick about you."

He sighed again, "well that's how she is. But thank you for saving me the effort to explain it to my parents."

"Boy, you're with us. You're our responsibilty."

"Thank you." he sincerely said and I nodded.

After a few minutes, Katarina came out and the doctor told us everything he observed.

"Well, I guess that's a welcome back then, my favorite niece."

Kat chuckled. "Well I'm your only niece so I guess the former was unnecessary.

Emrei laughed.

Katarina gave her mom a hug, it lasted for a while then she went to me. I smiled at my daughter.

"Ainesh, my little princess."