Chapter 6 || Gamaliel

Philippines, 1962

THE man stood at the door of the bedroom, his arms crossed against his broad chest as he leaned against the ebony frame of the entrance. He was wearing a navy blue police uniform with the police accoutrements: PNP badge on his left chest, shoulder badge with one flower that signified his rank in the police department, nameplate, and other special badges that showed his accomplishments. His dark hair was combed back, his light brown eyes were staring at his wife intently with a loving smile curving at the side of his lips. He was both handsome and smart and his name was Gamaliel Laurencio, the chief inspector of the Philippine National Police.

The woman he was staring at was standing before the triangular shaped Danish style mirror in the bedroom. She slowly turned her body to the side, studying the dress. The dress that she was wearing was a traje de mestiza, made by the famous designer in the Philippines at their time.

Made from the pineapple fibers and silk dyed in a rose-colored varieties, the dress looked elegant and yet staying conservative. The bell-shaped sleeves of the camisa reached the middle of her arm.  An embroidered lace panuelo wrapped around her shoulders, covering parts of her sleeves and connected in her front. The neckline which was slightly covered by the panuelo was curved above her bust, exposing her collarbone. Wide rubies adorned her neck. It was given by him during their fifteenth anniversary together.

Large silver swirls were embroidered by hand which adorned from the bell-shaped sleeves to the camisa which hugged her bust and thin waist. The glittering silk skirt was slightly ruffled and reached her slim ankles. A tail ended just a few inches behind her. She wore her white closed stiletto heels which gave her four more inches for her five foot four inches height. Accompanied by her dress was a rose-colored hat with a design of a flower and her hair was tied in a neat low-bun.

Overall, the woman that was standing before him projected femininity, elegance, and intelligence. Her name was Amara Laurencio, a thirty five year old entrepreneur.

Amara's gray eyes glanced at his standing figure through the mirror and smiled. "Well, hello, handsome."

Gamaliel grinned at her, his charming smile intoxicated her even if they were standing a few meters away from each other. Their eyes held the love that they had for more than a decade.

Amara went to him and he put his arm around her, kissing her cheek. Gamaliel and Amara knew each other since they were a child, and they had known that they were for each other since then. Their families were expecting and hoping that they would end up, and they did. Not because of an arranged marriage but because they were in love.

"You're beautiful today, Amara," he whispered to her ear.

A faint smile showed upon her lips, her long eyelashes brushed against his cheek as they hugged each other. She made no response.

A pair of rushing feet was heard and the next thing they knew, both of them were being tackled by a small body. Gamaliel and Amara looked down and they laughed, seeing a little girl hugging their legs.

"Hello, Maevelline. Ready to go?"

The girl stepped back and stood erect, her feet together and one of her arms on her side. Her right arm raised into a snappy salute and accompanied it with a "Sir, yes, sir!" Her gray eyes twinkled like the stars in the night sky, full of mirth and childhood excitement.

Maevelline Laurencio was wearing a bright pink dress with a balloon skirt and flower designs that Amara bought for her last week. She paired it with colorful beady bracelets and silver necklace.

Amara giggled and she rubbed the girl's light brown hair that was tied in two pigtails. "Are you ready, honey?"

Little Maeve bobbed her head vigorously and grinned. How eerily similar was her and her mother's eyes were, Gamaliel thought to himself as he stared at the ten-year-old Maevelline talking to Amara.

Despite the position he was in, there was anxiety nagging at him every time he looked at Maeve and Amara. He no longer felt safe for them anywhere, except for when they were in this house. For him, the house in Manila was their haven, their protection against the ugliness of the outside world.

"Papa." He was brought back to reality when Maeve grabbed his dangling hand, her small hand burying inside his huge one. "Bernie's waiting downstairs!"

Gamaliel chuckled and started to walk out of the bedroom, followed by Amara. They bounded down the spiral staircase of their ancestral house. The Laurencio ancestral house was the oldest in Manila, next to the Intramuros and other structures made in the Spanish colonial era. It had been preserved by their ancestors and Gamaliel, as the head of the  Laurencio Family of this generation, inherited it.

Halfway down the stairs, Gamaliel stopped. Bernard was playing the grand piano that was at the foot of the stairs, and the melody of Beethoven's Moonlight Serenade echoed through the whole living room. It was just the first movement of the piece, but it was both beautiful and sad.

He stood watching Maeve stand beside Bernard, marveling at her older brother's music. Bernard was only twelve but his knowledge of Beethoven and Mozart was that of an older colleague in music. He excelled in this area since he was five which amazed the whole family.

Upon Amara's presence behind Maeve, Bernard stopped playing. He looked up at Gamaliel, the side of his lips curled in a crooked smile. Maeve clapped her hands together, all the while squealing.

Seeing Amara, Maevelline and Bernard clustered together made his heart fluster. He loved his family. He loved the beautiful Amara. He loved the intelligent Maevelline and he loved his younger version Bernard. He was always afraid for their safety. He had to protect them with his life. At all cost.

Gamaliel moved down the remaining stairs and strolled towards his family. "Let's go?"

Bernard and Maeve raced towards the entrance of the house where the car was waiting for them. Gamaliel put his arm around Amara and walked her after the kids.

"I wished we didn't have to attend the ceremony," Amara stated. There was a hesitation laced in her voice, a smile masked her jitteries within her that only Gamaliel could see through.

"This ceremony is important to our family."

"They will be there, too," she pointed out slowly.

Gamaliel nodded once. "Yes, mahal, they will be there for sure. But then they are everywhere. We need to keep going."

Amara shook her head. She stopped walking and so did Gamaliel. He turned to her and his heart plummeted to his stomach as he saw fear visible on her face. "I'm afraid. Things went dangerous for us when you found out about General Bermonte's relationship with a drug lord."

He cut her off with a hand cupping her cheeks. "I am extremely useful in the ranks of Philippine National Police. I helped the PNP capture those illegal drug operations. They will still need me to fight against illegal drug syndicates." He put his two hands on her shoulders as he finished in a confident tone. "We are safe, Amara. Believe what I say."

The doubt in Amara's gray eyes didn't disappear. "What if they decided to ambush us today, Gamaliel?"

"God forbid, Amara. But if things you say will come true then I swear over that box waiting for me with the flag of the Philippines covering it. I will not let anything happen to you and the children."

Amara forced a smile. He knew it. "I hope they will not cause any harm to our children, love."

The said man smiled at her and squeezed her shoulder before he held the door of the car and let her in.

He will not. That's for sure.

~O~O~O~

ANOTHER achievement to celebrate for the family of Laurencio in the mansion of the Osmeña. The award ceremony went smooth with Gamaliel being awarded the best police supervision of the year for capturing and exposing three of the biggest drug syndicate in the country. Their old friend, Elias Osmeña, hosted the celebration in their house along with the other officials, political and personal friends alike.

Amara was equally famous among the politicians. She was a charming entrepreneur. And they knew her capability to do business in and out of the country. Her prowess in finance was astounding, one of those business names who brought honor and glory to the economy of the Philippines.

The two stood at the center of the gathering, greeted by their friends. They held their usual smiling faces, devoid of fear and full of charm.

Amara's eyes roamed the hall where the party was been organized. Although it was a celebration of a short notice, the Osmeña family managed to pull out an elegant reception in their mansion's convention hall.

The party was in a full swing. The chandeliers were turned on, glimmering across the marble floor of the mansion. Flowers and congratulatory messages were all over the room, and there were many tables occupied by the visitors.

Men were wearing their police celebratory outfits and there were some that wore military uniforms. Some, politicians in particular, were wearing Barong Tagalog.

Glamour and elegance were not only present in the reception but also the feeling of excitement and tension. It was as if everyone was eyeing everyone suspiciously.

Gamaliel stood at the center of the elegant hall. His smile was frozen on his face and his heart was filled with dread.