#Back story ends
"I could not tell anyone" Lati narrated sniffing. His eyes were gleamed with tears. "After your father's death, Majah still continued with his threats. Fifteen years ago, he kidnapped by mother. That time, the police were making enquiries about the crash after many years. They labelled it as a criminal case after suspecting the plane crashed as a result of an implanted bomb"
Dino still listened attentively, utterly shocked and remorseful. He was ashamed too, of his family, his Father, his Uncle. The reason why he refused to take up his father's company. He knows the company was woven around illegal transactions. But what he never knew is that his father had done more than financial crime. 
Lati cleared his throat before he continued. "This day the DPO of the Liba Police Division, Murrice who is now the Commissioner came to our former base at the Island and this was during the investigation, he visited my office and pictures was taken. Majah happened to see this pictures, and he thought I might have told him something but Murrice came to invite me to his House warming Party. Murrice is Family. He is my step Sister's husband. We didn't even discuss anything about the crash yet your Uncle...."Lati stopped his voice breaking. He was very emotional and couldn't control himself. He was drown in tears. 
"General, General I am so sorry" Dino said moving closer to him. Staring at him, he felt devastated and helpless. He sat closer to him and patted his shoulder. Dino's eyes also was becoming teary. 
"Majah assumed wrongly and kidnapped by mother. He called me via the telephone and invited me over to where he tied her like a thief! He said anything I might have said to Murrice, I should change my statements immediately. Else he would torture my mother till she dies. He kept her there in this abandoned bulding for another two days before he was convinced I didn't discuss anything about the plane crash with Murrice"
His friend Camp watch horrified as Lati narrated his ordeal, Camp likewise is terrified of Majah. The military, the police, they are weary of him, they suspected he is into drug trafficking and other crimes. But they could not convict him. He is dangerous and was rumoured to be involved in a deadly cult which also consists of some top/powerful governmental officials in Liba and beyond. The cult is rotary and more powerful and influenced individuals keep getting indulged. 
"I couldn't tell anyone all these years. I kept those pains in my heart alone. I couldn't fight for my wife's death, I couldn't do anything. Majah threatened he has got his eyes on me always and strangely, I got scared he might just have his way to detect if I utter it to anyone. I did not want my mother to die, likewise myself, but now that I have mentioned it, I wonder what my Fate will be if he finds out" Lati said staring blankly at the floor. 
Dino did not know what to do, whether to beg or just keep mute. What amount of appeal could cover for the pain Lati went through in the hands of his family?
There was an awkward silence for a minute before Dino decided to break the silence. He was stuttering as he stood on his feet right infront of Lati. Abruptly, he went on his knees
"General, I am assuring you that nothing will happen to you. No harm will come to you even though you have mentioned this to me. I will deal with my Uncle. He will regret his actions. I am deeply sorry for their Cruelty. General please" Dino appealed holding his legs 
Lati stared down at his hands. He blinked his eyes and heaved as sigh. He knows Dino Martins is an honorable Man. He is not like his father and everyone knows. But because of so much resentment he has for his family especially his father, he couldn't stand him, who was an offspring of that family.
"Get up" He told him. 
"General, Are you sure?" Dino asked gulping. 
Lati nodded his head. Dino got up and stood on his feet
"I have always known you are a good boy. I knew it from the first time I saw you when I visited your Grandmother's place in Australia. I went with your Parents. You were staying with her then and still a teenager. You radiated a sense of calmness but vigor too" 
Dino stared down to the ground. He was relieved for the compliment
"My late daughter Mitah was always happy with you. But I just couldn't allow it. Deep in my heart many years back, I wished you were not his offspring, that you are not related to him at all. But unfortunately, You are his biological son. Helena's Spirit would never forgive me if I allowed you two get married"
"I understand that General. I can't blame you for it"
"You can't tackle Majah. I doubt anybody can. He is still a desperate sixty seven years old man. Fully active in politics and not ready to retire anytime soon" Lati said
Camp decided to speak after minutes of silence. "this is really a problem. But this kind of horrible crime cannot be kept a secret forever" 
"Infact, Majah still called me last year and extended the threat to my only sister. He said not to forget his warnings. Now he also wants to contest for the Governor of Liba, next year"
Camp scoffed: "He must be a joker"
"I am afraid he is not" Lati uttered.
Dino breathed in heavily as he paced around the sitting room. He halted and uttered he would not allow his Uncle get away with his acts and promised to deal with him with every power he has. He also assured Lati of his safety
"It's not that simple Dino. Your Uncle is a dangerous man if you don't realize that. Plus he has strong backings and.. " Lati was interrupted by the bang of the door. They all turned their heads and discovered the sound had emanated from one of the doors in the house. The Kitchen
"Dad, I want to pee!" Lucas said out loudly from the kitchen as he knocked severally on the door from the kitchen interiors so he could be heard.
"Oh.. Goodness, that must be Lucas. Please let me check on him. Excuse me" Dino uttered rising to his feet. 
Lucas was soon let out of the kitchen. He walked out in quick paces but stopped upon sighting Lati
"Grandpa" He said staring at his grandfather his expression a mixture of guilt, aggrevation  and concern. He stood for a while before he ran over to him to embrace him
"Grandpa, I have missed you and I am sorry I left home"
Lati embraced him tightly, taking a minute before he freed himself
"It's alright. I shouldn't have lied to you about your father too. You deserve to know the truth. But Grandpa didn't mean to hurt you. It's a long story that you will understand better when you are older" Lati said softly staring into his eyes as he held both his hands. 
Lucas nodded before he mentioned he was really pressed and had to use the convenience
Dino leaned towards him "Come on now, Go put your slippers on for the restroom then come back here to Join us" 
"Okay" He nodded as he walked swiftly along to the restroom
Dino sat down quietly before Lati "General, Lucas doesn't have to be with me. He should stay with you Sir. I understand your pains especially as it was caused by my family. You need him most, as a source of hope and consolation for you"
Lati nodded his head his expression neutral. "I will take him with me but I owe you an apology too Dino, no father deserves to be absent in his son's life. I have punished you for your Father's sins for years"
Dino looked down. "If you ask me General, I would say I deserve it" He said with a slight and humourous chortle but he was interrupted by creak of the door. It was his maid, Kojo. 
"Where have you been?! You have been gone for almost an hour" Dino queried him  amusingly and with a bit of fury. 
Kojo paid his pleasantries to Lati and Camp before he responded "There was a long queue at the supermarket Sir. I am sorry"
"Okay. Please go drop the groceries you bought, wash your hands and make some sauce, Would you?"
"Okay Sir" Kojo responded walking towards the kitchen 
Lucas got right out from the restroom and joined them in the Sitting room
"You haven't said hello to my My Friend" Lati queried Lucas raising his eyebrows his glance directed at Camp. 
Lucas said his greetings to Camp politely and smiling brightly. 
"It's good to see you. Lucas. You can go back to sit now" Camp responded to him impressed with his bright smile- which always impressed not only Camp but a lot of people. It always made him more adorable.
*********About thirty minutes later
The Lunch was ready and Dino invited Lati and Camp over to the dining. The meal Varaties looked exotic from the dining view as it comprises of Fried Potato, egg sauce and Chicken which was complemented with starters(apples and grapes) bottles of fruit juice, and Yoghurts. 
Upon Dino's invitation to the Lunch, Lati hesitated initially
"General please,you and your friend shouldn't refuse my Lunch. If you accept to eat, I would be pleased and relieved too" Dino requested
"Hmm. Okay" Lati eventually obliged with a brief smile. "Camp?" He turned to his friend
Camp pursed his lips rising his feet. "Sure... Okay"
They all took turns at the Dining, (Dino, Lati, Camp, Lucas and the Maid Kojo) having a delightable meal. 
******
After the meal, Kojo and Lucas packed the dishes to the kitchen while Dino, Lati and Camp proceeded to the sitting room. 
Lati briefly thanked Dino for the meal, he cleared his throat and uttered. "Before I leave Dino, just as I have spoken about this heinous act of your father and Uncle that I have kept as a Secret for years, I must speak about this too"
Dino asked staring on at him attentively "Speak about what?"