Chapter 269 - El Sandrios (2/2)

”Shu? I beg your pardon.”

”Shu.” Ma Roma said, ”And yes, I like your father. That's why I agreed to help you.”

Suyin stared at the woman long and hard. She was wearing old military trousers, the one with holes in the knee. Matching it with a green shirt and boots. Coupled it with a black leather jacket and an army pouch at her waist, made her look like she's prepared for emergency combat.

”You have guts to admit it on my face. Beware, I won't be a good stepdaughter if you have any long-term plans.”

That made Ma Roma smile, ”Ah, I know how to fix brats. Besides, I always wanted a daughter. Sadly, your dad had long rejected me.” It was Suyin's turn to smile, ”Ah, you smile. And it's a beautiful one at that.”

Suyin thought to change the subject, ”Is my disguise that bad you recognized me in a single glance?”

”No. I recognized you the way you were looking at that picture. Your eyes, only a woman can carry this love.” Ma Roma pointed at the picture, ”Your son?”

Suyin nodded.

”Cute. I won't ask why you left him behind and is now heading for a dangerous country, but for his sake, let my son accompany you. We are the people of El Sandrios, and know the country like the back of our hand. It will be helpful to you.”

Suyin squinted her eyes, ”What's the catch? Why are you so eager to jump in between an ongoing civil war and help me? Don't tell me you are a saint, willing to sacrifice your son for a stranger. And it's definitely not just because of my father. Come to the point.” She had doubts from the beginning when Ma Roma didn't take a second extra to help Suyin cross the border and that too without asking anything in return.

Her doubts confirmed when Ma Roma pursed her lips, breaking the eye contact.

”Just tell her.” Suyin's head snapped from where the voice came. A man was standing facing the ocean. His face wasn't visible to her eyes because of the darkness. From how long he wasn't standing there? She didn't even notice.

”T-They have my youngest son in captivity. We have inquired about you, you are a prominent figure in your country, have connections with United Nations Human Rights Council, and many other people in power across the world. This visit of your can't be a simple one, otherwise, you won't be going there secretly with no doc.u.ments.”

”Oh, so you people want to use me to find your son.” Suyin again reached for the dagger, ”What if I say no?”

”With you or without you. I'm still going there.” The man answered, gave a hand to his mother, ”We have acc.u.mulated enough money to search for my brother again. If failed, we will again start from scratch, save money, and go for the seventeenth time. And trust me, it's a win-win for us. Your avatar won't be able to keep you alive in that chaos. You need help.”

Ma Roma glanced at Suyin. Suyin knew she wanted to say something, but decided against it.

This would be their sixteenth attempt to search for her lost son!

”There's no guarantee I will be able to locate your son or be helpful in any way,” Suyin said, ”Besides, I'm a selfish person. I won't stay there for another second after the completion of my mission.”

”We are ready.” Ma Roma grabbed Suyin's hand. ”With your help, we can broaden our search. At this crucial time, any news of my son would be enough for me. Just any news.”

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