**Keifer's POV**
I woke up with tears in my eyes. Even in my dreams, the weight of it all still clung to me.
"Keifer..."
Her voice. My mom's voice. It haunts me.
I tried to sit up from where I was lying, but pain immediately surged through me.
"Damn it." I whispered, massaging my aching head.
I glanced at the time on my wristwatch. It was 1:04 AM. I had only slept for a short while, but it felt like an entire day.
I lay back, forcing myself to sleep. I needed strength. I felt like I lost everything because of my anger.
As I closed my eyes, my mom's face appeared.
"Keifer, if you're watching this, it means I didn't make it to your 18th birthday."
Her words made my tears fall again.
Mom...
Her eyes looked so sad. My knees suddenly grew weak. Seeing her speak like this made me long to see her again. It almost felt like she was still alive through this video.
I had wished for so long to hear her voice again. Her voice when she called my name, her voice when she sang lullabies to me and Keigan, and her voice when she said "I love you" to me.
"Mom... I miss you so much." I whispered through my tears.
"I'm sorry, my Keifer." she said, and I noticed how she gently touched her belly.
I wiped my tears and looked at her. I stared, trying to figure out when or where this video was taken.
The way she looked—she seemed to be pregnant with Keiren. Her belly was large, about 8 to 9 months. She looked slightly heavier than her usual self when she had me and Keigan.
This could very well be the time when she was pregnant with Keiren. But why? Why during this time?
"I'm sorry for giving you such a huge responsibility. You were too young to bear this, but we had no choice" she continued.
She took a deep breath. "My family owes a lot to your grandfather. When he asked me for a favor, I never hesitated to say 'yes' because that was the only way I could pay him back for everything he did for us."
She forced a smile. "They asked me to marry your father. Even though I didn't want to, I agreed when they explained everything to me."
I was confused. I knew about their arranged marriage, but what did she mean by "explaining everything"?
"I will explain everything to you. After hearing this, it's up to you whether you'll keep the money or give it away." she said seriously.
Is there more that I don't know? I thought Mr. Ryder had explained everything to me.
"Watson family is connected to the Royal family of England. They're not officially recognized for some unknown reason, but that didn't stop the Watsons from rising. Your great-grandfather was an explorer with significant contributions to various museums." I blinked in shock. I had never heard of any of this.
"…He left a lot of fortune to your grandfather when he died..." she continued. "…and that fortune is the root of the problem. Your father knew there was a huge amount of money for him when your grandfather passed, and because of that, he tried to kill his own father…"
I wasn't surprised by what I heard. My father would kill anyone for money.
"…He failed. That's when your grandfather started taking action. He decided to name all his assets and liabilities to the firstborn child of Kaizer. But there was a problem. With so many women in your father's life, they couldn't track who might have his child…"
"…That's why they came to me and my family. I didn't know what to say, but they explained everything to me."
So, they pushed her into marriage just because of money? Was money really more important than life? They asked my mom to sacrifice herself just for that damn fortune.
My fists clenched. I wanted to stop the video and burn the whole place down. My mom suffered so much because of that man and my grandfather's wishes.
But I couldn't do that. I still wanted to see my mom.
"…Kaizer, your father joined a mob, but this wasn't just any ordinary mafia. They were the masterminds behind every illegal operation in the world. In order to be part of them, your father had to invest a lot of money—100 million, to be exact."
That's why he tried to kill my grandfather. He had lost his mind.
"…Your father never stopped trying to kill your grandfather. Even after we were married, he never stopped. Until your grandfather gave up and let him do whatever he wanted. What Kaizer didn't know was that everything had already been arranged. All his assets had already been transferred to his first grandchild."
"No lawyer showed up at his funeral, which made Kaizer suspicious. I did my best to ensure he would never find out why he didn't receive his inheritance."
Mom looked directly at me—or at least, it felt like she was looking straight at me.
"If your father ever gets his hands on the Watson fortune, everything will be lost. The Watson family, everything they supported—the schools, the hospitals, and the businesses—they would all be gone."
A lot of people depend on us. So, is that why my mom fought so hard for that money?
"Keifer… this isn't just about the money. It's about the other people who supported and believed in us. My family and I tried our best to protect you and every single property that will one day be yours."
Mom and Uncle Sin—they sacrificed their lives. For my grandfather and the Watson family.
Does that mean I should do the same?
That's it! I finally understand. My grandfather left me his fortune, not as an inheritance, but to protect it the same way Mom did.
This is not just about the money.
This is about protecting the people around the Watson family.
"Oh my God…" I whispered to myself.
"But there's one more thing you should know. You must take action before your father and the elders find out." Mom said seriously, and her eyes were filled with concern.
Please don't tell me…
"Your dad has a child before you…"
Damn!
I was furious, almost erasing my face. It's true that the bastard had a first child before me. I thought it wasn't true because we couldn't find any leads about him.
"…he will be used by your father or the elders if you don't beat them to it. You need to find him, and if necessary…" She blinked quickly. "…kill him."
My jaw dropped because of what she said. I couldn't believe she was asking me to kill a person. I didn't know my mom was capable of something like this.
"If you don't do it, there's a chance he'll kill you and your siblings." A tear fell from her eye. I understood.
She just wanted to make sure we were safe. She was still thinking about us until the end.
She wiped her tear and took a deep breath. "…I don't know where to find that child, but I know someone who does. The mother of your friend Aries, Gema Fernandez." What's Aries' mom got to do with this?
"Talk to her and ask her about your dad's child." But why her? Why her?
Everyone says Aries and I have similar mannerisms and looks. Sometimes, our personalities are also alike. Could it be? No! Impossible!
That happened because we grew up with him. Also, Aries said he knew his dad, but never had the chance to speak with him because he was already buried.
So it can't be him! He's not the child my mom's talking about.
Mom forced a smile and took another deep breath. "I hope you and your brothers are alright." She smiled sadly.
"…Maybe you have a girlfriend now. I hope she doesn't give you too many headaches." How I wish you were here with me. Maybe you could've helped me when we got into that accident with Percy. Maybe we wouldn't have ended up in this situation.
I wish you were here. I want to introduce you to her. The girl who keeps messing with my mind. I imagine her talking to you, smiling, having cute conversations about us.
If only you were here, Mom, I'd tell you how karma came back to bite me. How I fell for her without realizing it.
How she drives me crazy with her nonsense.
How she curses like she's always in a fight.
How she makes me crazy and also makes me cry. 😢🥹
I want to protect her. I want to protect my life, my world… my Queen. She's my everything. 💞❤️
"Just to be fair, I want you to know your dad used to love me…" She stopped me with those words.
Love? He loved my mom? That guy knows nothing about love. And he loved Mom? I can't believe this.
"…but I never loved him back. Maybe that's why he became like that with us. If I were strong enough, I would've never allowed him to hurt you." No. If I were stronger, he wouldn't have hurt you. You wouldn't have disappeared from me, Keigan, and Keiren.
Mom smiled as if she were smiling directly at me.
"I'm leaving everything to you now. The card you got along with the remote is your password." I looked at the card I received earlier. Now that I'm in the dark, I could read it clearly.
"Press the end button now, Keifer. It's time for you to decide." The video began to block out slowly. I did what Mom said. A light on the right side of me flickered, but it wasn't bright enough. It was just enough to see the door and a small monitor next to it.
I approached and saw what was written on the screen. 'Scan the barcode.'
There was a small arrow pointing to an infrared light at the end of the monitor. What barcode?
I looked at the remote I was holding. There was no barcode. I looked at the card, but I couldn't find a barcode
.
I flipped it over, and then I stopped when I saw silver. It was gleaming in the weak light, unlike the gold print on the front.
I moved it around and noticed the lines. I think this is the barcode.
I scanned it through the infrared light. The screen displayed suddenly changed.
'Read the code.'
What code?
I didn't understand any of this.
All I knew was I needed to find the vault.
No one told me about this process.
I sighed deeply. I couldn't believe I had to go through all this. My head was starting to hurt.
I looked at the card again.
I had to position it in the dark to read the gold print. I memorized it before returning to the monitor.
"Love is not free; it's the most expensive thing in the world. It costs more than a life, and you're paying for it without realizing it."
I paused for a moment, thinking about what I just read.
What's the connection of love in this?
The screen display changed again.
'State your name.'
I hope this is the last step. My head was really hurting from all of this.
This was probably the only bank that uses so many steps. Other banks just need an account number or ATM card.
"Mark Keifer Watson." I stated my name.
Out of nowhere, a robotic voice, like Siri, spoke.
"Welcome, Mr. Keifer."
It seemed to come from the monitor. I was about to fiddle with it when I heard the lock on the door. It automatically opened, and the vault door appeared. It opened by itself. I peeked inside, and the lights slowly turned on.
I stepped in slowly.
I combed my hair back. I'm speechless. I don't know what to say.
Now I know why my relatives are dying to have this. There was gold, not money, inside the vault. And this wasn't just any vault. It was a room, bigger than my own room, filled with gold bars.
They were neatly stacked, counted. I thought there was only gold, but as I walked around, I saw more things. A table full of diamonds, jewelry, and cabinets full of antique vases and plates, which I think are worth more than a million. This is what treasure looks like.
I sat on a pile of gold. It was so cold. It sent shivers down my skin.
I still couldn't believe it. This is what my mom died for. And now I have to protect it.
My knees were weakening. I couldn't protect all this gold. What would I do with it?
I need to think carefully about whether I should accept all of this.
I stood up and walked toward the door. When I stepped out, I faced the monitor next to the door.
I pressed the 'Close' button, and the vault door closed automatically, followed by the opening of the exit door.
I walked quickly to the exit. My eyes were temporarily blinded by the light.
"How was it?" Uncle Sin asked, handing me a bottle of water.
I rejected it. "Not good. I don't know what to do."
"Relax… You still have time until your birthday." I looked at him in disbelief. "My birthday is next month."
He smiled. "So? You have a month to think." A month isn't enough to think. I need more than that. I'd prefer a whole year.
"I don't even know what to think." I said and began walking toward the tunnel.
"Keifer." Uncle Sin called. "You have to think wisely."
I turned to him. "Don't f***ing pressure me!" I shouted, walking faster.
I reached the gate and immediately approached Mr. Ryder, who was waiting patiently. He was standing by the car, slightly leaning on it.
"Keifer… What happened?" he asked.
Honey came out of the car and approached me.
"I want to go back to the hotel." I said, getting inside the car.
Neither of them asked any questions. They both got in and said nothing. I kept silent. I was starting to get a headache.
I was about to lose my mind from all the thinking.
Almost half an hour later, we reached the hotel. I got out of the car first and headed straight for the elevator.
I didn't wait for anyone. I wanted to be alone.
I stepped out of the elevator when it reached my floor. I was about to open the door when I noticed it was already open.
I stepped back, but someone pushed me inside.
I was about to fight back, but I saw a very familiar face inside.
"What are you doing here?" I said flatly.
"Don't play stupid with me. You know exactly why I'm here." My cousin, Clyde, answered.
He was the current CEO of Watson Enterprises. He claimed the position before someone else could. I wasn't sure if I should thank him for that, but I knew he wouldn't give up easily.
"You'll get nothing from me. You can leave now." I said, removing my coat and tossing it to the nearest chair. He moved his hand forward and showed me a picture.
I froze.
It was Jay-jay.
He smirked. "Now, shall I visit your girl? Or shall we settle everything here?"
I clenched my fists. "Don't you dare."
"I will, you know me."
"You son of a b****!"
He laughed suddenly, enjoying seeing me so furious. "You're turning into a beast. You must be in love."
I looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"
He smirked. "It's a family curse. Once a Watson falls in love, he turns into a beast."
I laughed bitterly. "That's a f***ing myth."
"But half true. Just look at you and your father. Both of you are living proof." That's nonsense! Just rumors people spread. What they call a family curse. It's so stupid.
They say a Watson can't love because they become fragile.
"I don't care about that curse." I said, pointing my finger. "Leave!"
"Don't test me, Keifer. Give me what I want!"
I matched his stare. He knew I wasn't planning to speak.
He wanted the vault password. He won't get it. I'll make sure of it.
His brow furrowed in anger. "You asked for this. I'll make you pay." He tore up Jay-jay's picture.
Suddenly, I felt nervous.
No! Not Jay-jay.
Out of nowhere, a man grabbed me from behind. Another man appeared and punched me in the stomach. They didn't give me time to react and hit me again. They kept hitting me until I couldn't take it anymore. Unable to breathe or stand properly, they finally stopped and left me there.
"This is your first warning. The next one will be for your girl." My cousin said and left with his men.
I couldn't fight back because they caught me off guard. I thought they were targeting Jay-jay.
I need a plan. They can't bring harm to Jay-jay. She can't be hurt because of me.
I have to make sure she's safe. I need to protect her. But how? How can I do that when I'm so far from her?