Chapter 5 Shadows of the Past

Gonzales' Mansion

"I want you to keep a close watch on my son in Bayanan, but ensure that he remains unaware of your presence. I want him to lead a normal life there, but I also want to ensure his safety by keeping an eye on him," Evan instructed Simon, his most trusted associate.

"Understood, sir. My team and I will make the necessary preparations to head to Bayanan today. Is there anything else you require of us?" Simon inquired.

"No, that will be all. Just provide me with regular updates, and I will let you know if there's anything else you need to do," Evan responded.

Despite Ethan being far away from the city, Evan couldn't help but worry. He was well aware of Luchess's immense power, and he knew that Luchess would stop at nothing to exact revenge for his daughter.

(Flashback)

"Once you enter the Luchess mansion, don't forget to destroy everything, and most importantly, take the baby," Evan commanded Simon.

He believed that Ricardo would be driven to madness upon discovering the loss of his only daughter. Evan had long desired to ruin Ricardo's life ever since Ricardo had killed his wife during a mafia battle in their twenties.

After several hours, Simon returned with a beautiful baby girl.

"Is this the Luchess's daughter? Don't let her stay here for too long. Take her somewhere safe and arrange for someone trustworthy to care for her. Just ensure that Ricardo never finds her," Evan commanded Simon.

(End of flashback)

Kitty and Shiela were walking towards their classroom when they noticed Ethan, who seemed to be searching for someone or something.

"Hey, is that Ethan? Is he lost? The university isn't that big for him to get lost," Shiela asked Kitty.

"Let's not worry about him. We should head to our classroom before we're late for class. Do you have your assignment?" Kitty inquired.

"What assignment?" Shiela responded, clearly confused.

"You better hurry and start working on your assignment now," Kitty urged, swiftly running off and leaving Shiela lost in thought.

Meanwhile, Ethan spotted someone in the university who bore a resemblance to Simon. He tried to approach the person, suspecting that his father was keeping an eye on him. However, the sound of the bell ringing indicated that class was about to begin.

In the culinary class, Ethan excelled in the discussion, showcasing his knowledge and skills. The professor, Kitty, Shiela, and their classmates were thoroughly impressed by Ethan's talent and dedication to the subject.

As the class came to an end, Kitty and Shiela decided to part ways and head to their jobs. Kitty in the canteen and Shiela ti Mr. Chan's Cafe.

"Wow, Ethan did an amazing job today! I didn't expect him to be so skilled in culinary arts," Shiela exclaimed, still amazed by Ethan's performance.

"I know, right? He's definitely a natural. I'm glad he joined our class," Kitty responded with a smile.

As they bid each other farewell, Ethan continued to wander around the university, determined to find Simon, whom he believed to be his father's most trusted associate. Eventually, he spotted someone who resembled Simon from afar.

"This must be him. I have to approach him and find out the truth," Ethan thought to himself, his determination shining through.

Ethan approached the person cautiously, and as he got closer, he mustered up the courage to speak.

"Excuse me, are you Simon?" Ethan asked, his voice filled with anticipation.

As Ethan approached the person, he realized that it wasn't Simon. The person simply shrugged their shoulders, indicating that they were not who Ethan was looking for. Disappointed, Ethan let go of his focus on finding Simon and decided to shift his attention elsewhere.

With a sigh, Ethan reached for his phone and dialed Danzel's number. They hadn't spoken since Ethan moved to Bayanan, and he was longing for his best friend's company.

After a few rings, Danzel finally answered the call. "Hey, Ethan! Long time no talk. What's up?" Danzel greeted enthusiastically.

"Hey, Danzel! It's been a while indeed. I've been feeling a bit lonely here in Bayanan. I don't really enjoy the life here. I was thinking, maybe you could come and join me? We could have a great time together," Ethan suggested, hoping Danzel would agree.

Danzel hesitated for a moment, contemplating the idea. "You know, Ethan, I've always preferred the city life. Bayanan doesn't really appeal to me. But... for my best friend, I can make an exception. Alright, I'll move to Bayanan and transfer to Bayanan State University. We'll be together again," Danzel finally agreed, his voice filled with loyalty and friendship.

A smile spread across Ethan's face as he felt grateful for Danzel's decision. "That's awesome, Danzel! I can't wait to have you here. We'll make Bayanan our own little adventure. See you tomorrow, buddy!"

With their plans set, Ethan and Danzel ended their conversation, both excited about the new chapter they were about to embark on in Bayanan.

---At the canteen

At the canteen where Kitty worked, she diligently carried out her tasks. Ethan walked in, and Kitty couldn't help but feel a little nervous, recalling their previous encounter where she accidentally spilled food on him. However, she remained professional and greeted Ethan with a friendly smile.

"What can I get you for dinner today, Ethan?" Kitty asked, trying her best to hide her slight embarrassment.

Ethan scanned the menu and placed his order. "I'll have the chicken teriyaki with steamed vegetables, please."

Kitty quickly prepared the meal and served it to Ethan's table. She tried her best to maintain her composure, hoping that the mishap from before wouldn't affect their interaction this time.

Ethan enjoyed his dinner, appreciating the delicious flavors of the dish Kitty had served him. After finishing his meal, he thanked Kitty and made his way back home.

Once home, Ethan took a refreshing bath to wash away the weariness of the day. The warm water eased the tension in his muscles, providing a moment of relaxation. Afterward, he settled down to rest, ready to recharge for the day ahead.

Ethan's peaceful slumber was abruptly interrupted by the persistent ringing of his cellphone. Groggy and disoriented, he reached for his phone and saw that Danzel was calling. He quickly answered, eager to hear from his best friend.

"Ethan! Guess what? I'm on my way to Bayanan!" Danzel's voice exclaimed with excitement on the other end of the line.

Ethan's eyes widened, and a surge of anticipation coursed through him. "No way! That's fantastic news, Danzel! I thought How soon do you think you'll be here?"

Danzel chuckled. "Well, I've been driving for a while now, and according to the GPS, I should arrive in Bayanan in a few hours. Can you believe it? We'll finally be reunited!"

A wide grin spread across Ethan's face as he imagined the adventures they would have together once Danzel arrived. "I can't wait, buddy! We're going to have such a great time exploring Bayanan and making new memories."

Danzel's voice was filled with enthusiasm. "Absolutely! I'm excited to join you in this new chapter of our lives. Get ready, Ethan, because the dynamic duo is about to reunite!"

Ethan laughed, his excitement growing with each passing second. "I'll be ready, Danzel. Safe travels, my friend. See you soon!"

With their conversation coming to an end, Ethan couldn't contain his excitement. He quickly started to prepare for Danzel's arrival, making sure everything was in order for their long-awaited reunion in Bayanan.

Feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation, Ethan decided to prepare a special meal to welcome Danzel to Bayanan. He rummaged through the kitchen, gathering the necessary ingredients and utensils to cook up a delicious feast.

As the hours ticked by, Ethan immersed himself in the art of cooking, focusing on each dish with care and precision. The aroma of spices filled the air, creating an inviting atmosphere in his home. He wanted to make sure Danzel felt warmly welcomed and appreciated.

After three long hours of culinary endeavors, Ethan put the finishing touches on the dishes. The table was adorned with a variety of mouthwatering delights, ranging from savory appetizers to delectable main courses. He couldn't wait to share this meal with his best friend.

Just as Ethan was adding the final garnish, he heard the sound of a car pulling up outside his home. With a wide grin, he hurriedly made his way to the door, anticipation coursing through his veins.

As he swung open the door, his eyes met Danzel's familiar face. They both burst into smiles, their excitement palpable.

"Danzel! Oh boy you made it!" Ethan exclaimed, extending his arms for a warm embrace.

Danzel returned the hug, his voice filled with joy. "Ethan, my man! It's so good to see you!"

With their embrace lingering for a moment, they finally released each other, their eyes sparkling with happiness.

"I've prepared a feast to celebrate your arrival," Ethan said, gesturing toward the table filled with culinary delights. "Let's dig in and catch up on everything we've missed!"

As they sat down together, sharing stories and laughter, the bond of friendship between Ethan and Danzel grew stronger. The aroma of the food mingled with their shared memories, creating an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie.

This was just the beginning of their Bayanan adventure, and with Danzel by his side, Ethan knew that life in this new place would be filled with joy, laughter, and unforgettable moments.

"Hey, you should also transfer to Bayanan State University, where I'm studying. But we'll have to let go of our cars and embrace a simpler life. We'll be taking habal-habal rides when we need to go to school. I don't want people to discover that I'm the son of Evan Gonzales, the mafia boss. We need to blend in and avoid drawing attention. However, that doesn't mean we can't have some fun along the way, if you catch my drift."

Ethan explained to Danzel the adjustments they would have to make while living in Bayanan. Danzel was his only trusted friend, someone he considered a brother since childhood. Ethan felt comfortable showing his vulnerable side only in front of Danzel.

"Oh no! You didn't mention this before. I can't let go of my baby, Danica (referring to his Black Mustang). And what on earth is habal-habal?" Danzel was puzzled.

"Don't you want to experience new things? Habal-habal is the primary mode of transportation here. Remember, we're now living in the province. Do you want Danica to navigate through muddy roads?"

Danzel pondered for a moment, weighing the pros and cons of the situation. He knew how important it was for Ethan to maintain a low profile and stay safe in Bayanan. With a sigh, he finally nodded in agreement.

"All right, Ethan. If this is what it takes to keep you safe and blend in, I'm in. I'll let go of Danica and embrace the habal-habal life. Just promise me we'll still find ways to have some fun here in Bayanan." Danzel said with a grin.

Ethan's face lit up with relief and gratitude. He knew he could always count on Danzel to support him, even in the most challenging situations.

"You're the best, Danzel! I promise we'll make the most of our time here. We'll explore here, but you know we can still party here. I know there's a bar nearby." Ethan replied, a renewed sense of excitement in his voice.

With their agreement sealed, Ethan and Danzel embarked on their new journey in Bayanan. They embraced the simplicity of life, relying on habal-habal rides to get around and immersing themselves in the local culture but still they will partying secretly. Despite the adjustments, their bond remained unbreakable, and they found joy in the shared experiences and adventures that awaited them.

"Since it's already late at night, let's save our exploration of Bayanan for tomorrow. But first, we need to attend our classes and submit your transfer documents to Bayanan State University."

"Yeah, I'm feeling exhausted too. The journey was long, and waking up early took a toll on me. Bayanan is quite a distance from the city, which makes it the perfect hiding spot from the Luchess mafia. Hahaha." Danzel laugh at his corny jokes

"Here's the key to your room. I know it's small, but at least you'll have your own space and privacy."

"Well, I guess I don't have much of a choice, buddy."

Ethan and Danzel went to sleep, ready to embrace their new life in Bayanan, filled with challenges and adventures.