June of 1993

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

After parking his car he walked into the restaurant then took a seat when Clara came in with her daughter Soledad. "So you know what to say when your cousin gets here just speak to her to get her to see reason alright. I will wait by the bar oyete, we need this to go right" Clara says to her daughter, "I heard you mami I got it" Soledad replies sitting down and waiting for her cousin.

When Xelia walks in smiling when she sees him as he waves "Hola hermana" Hiroto said getting up and kissing her on the cheek. "Hola Hiroto como estas" Xelia says hugging him as they separate then pulling out her chair for her "Bien Como están los niños" he says sitting down.

Fixing his suit jacket "They are getting big, the twins are 11, CJ is going to be 6 and Ronaika is gonna be 4 soon. How about you? I saw Koko. He looks good ,Emalaquis. I mean Melky was really happy to see him" she replies as he looks at her strangely.

"What was that about? '' he questioned, shaking her head "Long story compadre, long story" she says shaking her head. "Dime Xelia, their father, is giving you problems because pero let me know now" Hiroto said seriously. As the waiter put the water on the table and poured them a glass "Thank very much" she replies with a courteous smile.

With the man nodding and walking away as Hiroto looks at her "Que paso" he said, "ay mi madre they are at that age you. Where they are asking questions, okay long story short they saw their father with his wife and his other kids.

Celebrating their brother's birthday and you know they felt away and they ask me why doesn't he come when we celebrate our birthday. We invite him all the time whatever, whatever you know I don't want to tell them their only kids you know. So I guess he heard his father's wife say something along the lines that he shouldn't have that name.

That name was for their child not his cuero to his father. Like I'm some Cuero anyway he heard it so now he refuses to be called Emalaquis he wants to be called Melky. And he wants us to change his name to Melky Jose Tavares- Molina that's when he saw Koko and I guess he was crying.

But he didn't want to seem like a baby but he was upset and Koko brought him home and told me that Titi he was upset. I could tell he was crying at some point so after some coaxing he told me what happened and in true Tavares fashion I wanted to go knock her on her ass. But then I just didn't want the drama so I told them that I would take them to the big house and will stay there for a while.

Anyway tell me about the kids and Josefa" Xelia says, " Do you need me to have a talk with him because of me and Hotaru. Will have a nice chat with him and I'll send Grissy to talk to that bitch of a wife of his" Hiroto said, with her waving it off. " No it's fine, honestly we made it okay for him and Elisabeth so it's okay they have two parents that love them very much. Now about you" she says as he nods knowing how she could be but he will talk to Manolo when he gets there.

"Okay the kids are fine, Katana got a pre proposal, Kaiya just wants us to hurry up and move to the states. Yoshi is good. I mean the boy just shot up there. You know, Hiro doesn't want to leave. He has this girlfriend that he's crazy about.

He and Kaiya go at it like cats and dogs. Josefa always has to play referee all day and by the time I get home. Nobody wants to start their shit because Papi is home and Koko he's a lot calmer since he's been back but Josefa's worried.

About what will happen once he sees them but I'm not. I think he will handle himself well" he said. Rolling her eyes Hija de gran puta, Melky hates that girl to him. She's the reason that Koji and Hiro left so he doesn't like and he lets her know.

Every time he sees her, anyway I saw Koko looks good but I understand how Josefa feels because I would too have it been my son" she says. As he chuckles "Koji is okay now Alejandro says he can get the machinery but he needs Cesar's help and now we know you saw him.

And he's probably thinking about you because you said he stared at you but we need you not to draw any attention to yourself hermana okay. Let him think but don't give him reason to pay you any mind okay and I know it's easier said than done. Because you look so much like your mother if you have to change your hair or something but it's temporary he's not seeing the end of the year.

So you don't have to worry about him oyete it's being handled so just focus on the money and the who's ,that's it. Now let's order some food so we can eat. Now I spoke to your brother. He should be here soon" Hiroto said when Clara spotted him smiling. Not knowing that he already saw her when she entered with her daughter he also knew about her niece dating his son.

As Lissel walks in and spots her cousin " Dime prima whats up" she says giving her cousin a kiss on the cheek and sitting down. When Soledad smiles as Lissel inwardly rolls her eyes Primita y K'' she says as Lissel looks at her " Okay what's up because last time I checked you weren't talking to me. and you haven't for what since February so digame why now" Lissel says.

"Ay Lissel because you know why" Soledad says, getting agitated, "Why becasue I told the truth about Tomas. You're mad with me over Tomas I told you already he and I were just friends" she says, "Okay pero you know the lies you told about him" she insists.

"What lies I got it from his mouth directly it's why he left because they were trying to force us to get married. It was nothing that he nor I wanted and you know that but you're engaged to someone I thought you loved" Lissel says.

As her cousin crossed her arms Did he really tell you that '' Soledad asked as the tears set in her eyes making Lissel sigh. "Yes he did multiple times and I wasn't being a bitch okay I did what my friend asked me to do for him. I told the truth whether people want to believe it that it is on them so how about you tell me what's really going on" she says.

" I was in love with Tomas. He was my first and I was his. I mean I care about Alonso but I don't love him like I should. Because I thought it would be me and Tomas you know so when you told me I couldn't believe it and I thought you had betrayed me" she said.

"You're my cousin why would I do that to you I wouldn't i'm not built that way" Lissel replies. "I know that now Lisse but I couldn't turn off how I felt you know so that's why I wanted to meet with you and talk things out and to say i'm sorry" Soledad says. Reaching over and grabbing her hand and holding it as Lissel nods her head "It's fine tell me how you really feel are you gonna go through with the wedding to Alonso '' she says.

"Yes I have to Lissel, do you understand how much money my parents have shelled out already ? No, no I can't do that my mother would be furious" she replies. "So you stay with someone you don't love so you won't piss off your mother" she says, shaking her head "I don't want to talk about this anymore Lisse.

Tell me about you and Roberto are you excited" her cousin says, "disculpe que me and who please Soledad. I can't stand him and I m…... .was all she got out when she noticed her aunt at the bar "What happened Lisse '' her Soledad said.

Shaking her head "nothing anyway he's who my mother wants me to marry not me, now he and I can't stand each other Sole. And I can't be with a man that is gonna disrespect or make me look stupid on the regular" Lissel says, deciding not to tell her. Shaking her head because now she realized what Taichi meant about seeing everything when Soledad saw her mother approaching Hiroto.

Making both her and Lissel's mouth drop meanwhile "Hiroto y quien es esta" Clara said looking at Xelia. Who looked at her "Hiroto, meiwakuna no?" Xelia says, making him laugh, "Hai, tashika ni soreha nikutai o motte koko ni kite imasu. Kanojo ga don'na detarame demo josefa no hana o kosuru koto ga dekiru yō ni sawaide kudasai ( Yes indeed it is in the flesh and coming over here too. Be noisy so she can somehow rub Josefa's nose in whatever bullshit she assumes)"Hiroto said.

"Hmm hello Xelia and who are you? '' she says looking at the woman strangely, "Hi Clara Urena Hiroto and I are very, very, very close. And who are you to him by the way? '' she says, "I never said who we were to each other. Which isn't any of your concern" Xelia said when Soledad rushed over, "Mami what are you doing here Hi Mr. Nakamura '' she said.

Making Hiroto shake his head as Clara stepped closer to Xelia which made him get up from his seat "Ms. Urena who I am with and what I'm doing is none of your concern" he said annoyed.

Running her hand across his arm making him move away"I begged to differ. I knew you didn't love her and you were looking for a specific kind of woman hmm. I always knew I was right now. I'm sure we can work out something that is mutually beneficial for the both of us verdad" she says, going to touch him again.

But he stepped back even more annoyed "Look I have tried to be respectful to you but you will not disrespect me or my family again do not touch me. Oyete I've already told you that your behavior is inappropriate.

I am telling you don't do it ,because I am a married man Xelia. I apologize for the stupidity ,waiter, can we get our food to go? '' Hiroto says. Xelia shook her head"it's fine Hermano I'll tell Cesar to give you a call and kiss Josefa for me" Xelia said shaking her head as she got up and grabbed her purse.

"You're mad because I caught you and I found out your dirty little secret. It's okay mi amor I don't care just not whoever she is because I'm more of a woman than her or that woman you claim to love " Clara says. " Mami you're making a scene and Lissel is watching you" Soledad says in a hush tone making her mother turn around eyes wide realizing that she had blown her cover.

But there he was at 6 '10 and well over 300 pounds, all muscle and she had to have him if he wasn't playing hard to get , to prove that he was only into his wife but here he was with another woman. "Coño umm Lissel mi sobrina como estas" she said, making Xelia turn around to see her making her look at Hiroto then back to Lissel then chuckled.

As her and Hiroto walked away all Lissel could do was sigh relief that Xelia didn't tell on her"I have to go" Lissel says storming out of the restaurant "Lissel, Lissel ven her aunt called after her.

She had never been so embarrassed watching her aunt try to hit on someone else's husband because she thought she deserved him more than his wife. Taichi was right, she needed to learn to read the room and people's intentions better, something that she was working on.

San Cristobal, Dominican Republic

Hiroto and Josefa's house

As she plucked at the weeds in her garden when a man stood there clearing his throat "you are blocking my light" she says never looking up. "Well Hermana I'm not moving" Alejandro said with a big smile making her get up jumping to hug him "Oye Mira Alex" Josefa said with a smile. With him squeezing her tight then kissing her on the cheek "How are you, how's the kids?" he says as they pull back.

"Everyone is good, what about you please tell me you've decided to finally settle down" she says, with him waving it off "Hermana why must you and Milagros go there all the time. I just haven't found the right one like you guys have. My time will come. And I will repopulate the earth with the Villnefa name"he says with a big grin with his older sister shaking her head.

Alejandro Ricardo Villnefa- Deleon was 6 '1 light skin green eyes just like their father. "How are you, Hiroto isn't home yet he went into the city to speak to Xelia" she says, "Yeah Im good I told him I would need Cesar's help. I know he was in the Navy so he can get in with me. I know Hiroto was a marine so I can have them help.

So how's it going with Koji and the Hotel because I know Hiroto spoke to him about having the Celebration there" Alejandro says. "Everything is going according to plan, Johnny was able to close everything before Koji got home and they finished everything else when he got here.

They will be doing the soft opening soon but Griselda and Laurana will be the figureheads Koko doesn't want the limelight. Which I understand" Josefa says with her brother looking at her "And how do you feel about it Josee about your kids going into the family business" he says. "I trust my husband Alex because I know he will not stir our kids wrong and I know how this works.

I've known this since they were younger. I knew what kind of man Hiroto was when I married him. There is no turning back now and I loved that boy he was. And I love the man he is that has not changed at all but every now and then I still worry when I see them in training and I realize they will be okay. Question is are you okay with this' ' she says making him scoff "Please Joseey I'm not a squeamish man I knew this just like you did.

Or did you forget that I was there? I know what is at stake and he deserves all of it" he answered that's when Josefa saw Carmen watching. Shaking her head " Come inside the puta from across the street is watching and she likes to run her mouth. And encourage her sister to hit on my husband because they think she's the one for him" Josefa says with a raised eyebrow.

As her brother looked at her then sucking his teeth "Fuck her Jossey Hiroto loves you" he said making his sister sigh. "I know this Alex but they are those Trujillo followers you know the great whitening and I have no energy to fight stupidity. When I know for a fact that their actual father is just as dark as me but they pretend that.

They are this European white pure breed whatever that is which is sad because her youngest is into Koko. She doesn't know that I saw them together and if that wasn't enough Xelia told me she saw her at the big house. When they were dropping off all the meat and stuff to go into the deep freezer but I kept my mouth shut and let the ignorant woman run her mouth" she says. "Why would you do that Josefa you're too nice to those ignorant women '' Alex says, "Because when I saw them Koko looked happy and after his run in with her and her puppet older son I will let go.

Karma will run its course because my boy is handsome and charismatic. I know how this is gonna go Hermano so I'll just watch. You know I was worried at first with him , Yenny and her husband but now I don't have too" Josefa says. "Especially her showing off her child that she tried to make his before he left '' he says as they walked into this house.

So Carmen couldn't see who got upset. She had to tell her sister this was her chance to snag Hiroto becasue the maldita cuero was unfaithful. She thought to herself as she watched Josefa go inside the house with the strange man before she saw Koji pull up and park then get out of the car. As the woman smirked she knew what she had to do she was going to bring to help her sister get what she deserved.

Brooklyn, New York

Joe sat on the couch with Rolando helping him clean his guns and Yolanda wasn't home yet Ramona was upstairs with Clara. "Oye check dat pot dere so" Jose said to his son who nodded his head and got up to check "¿De cuál estás hablando papi?" he asked. " The one with the rice stir it see if it's done yet" his father says, "Okay nah Papi its not" Rolando says coming back inside the living room . When the doorbell rang making him stop and go to answer the door "Who is it" he says when they heard the girls running downstairs.

"I got it Rolo" Ramona says groaning when she saw what her father was doing as Clara pushed him back "yeah we got it primo" she said. Making her father and brother look at them strangely "Mona who's at the door" her father asked, "it's for me don't worry Papi. We're not going outside" she replied trying to move her brother from in front of the door but he wouldn't budge. When the person rang the bell again "Excuse me Rolo Papi tell him to move" Mona said, "Why can't your brudda open the door" Jose says with his thick panamanian accent.

"I mean I got it Papi he can go on you know" she says as her father looked at her and his niece "What boy at the door Rolando opened up the door" he said still cleaning his gun. As Rolando opened the door to find two teenage boys standing there "Ahh umm hel…Hel… Hello Mr. Cordero '' the boy said.

Swallowing hard, making her father look at them then the boys Well don't just stand there come on in you letting all my cool air outside" the man spoke. With the boys coming in "Have a seat" Rolando says, "It's really not necessary these are our friends Cliff and Julio they go to school here in the neighborhood" she says.

"Where you does know them from you doesn't go to school out here" Jose said, "Umm si..si… sir we work at Pathmark '' Cliff spoke. "So what you does pick lickle girls dem only 13 how old are the two you" the man says putting the gun back together. " Umm sir we are both 14 I'll be 15 in December and he'll be 15 in October" Julio replies shaking his head at his friend.

"Papi, they are here to help with my science project" Ramona said with a smile making her father look at her. "Okay Beibī, kiwotsukete ne, anata ga hitobito o jikken-dai to shite tsukatte iru koto ni tsuite watashi ga dono yō ni kanjite iru ka shitte irudeshou ( baby be careful you know how I feel about you using people as test subjects) " Jose says in japanese.

"I know Papi, I know, come this way guys" she says with a smile sticking her tongue at her older brother. "Be careful, you know I will cut it out, '' Rolando said, going back to the sofa and helping his dad continue cleaning the guns. "Ayo shorty you dad have mad gats just out there like that" Cliff says, "oh look who found his voice" Clara says.

"Was that some scared tactics shit" Julio asked, "What do I need scare tactics for and no it wasn't my dad cleans. His gun collection every week I didn't know he would be doing it today I was upstairs in my room. Since we got home from school" Mona said when she heard the phone ring.

Clara picked it up from the basement wall "Hello good evening Cordero residence oh hey Elle what's up. Umm nah we're getting ready to do that project with the guys we met umm okay will call you back later" she replies. "What did Ellie want?" her cousin asked, "Oh she just wanted to shoot the breeze you know Soshite kanojo wa sore ga umaku iku ka dō ka shiritai to itta ( and she said she wants to know if it works)" Clara says. Making her cousin smile "It's got to Prima this gets up in the big leagues" Ramona replies as her cousin nods and leads.

The boys into the basement "Are they doing what I think they are doing Papi?" Rolando questions looking at his father who never looked from cleaning his gun. "We have to see if it works dem girls and your uncle have been working nonstop on this so we have to see"Joe spoke.

Big Jose Cordero as everyone knew him as was the oldest of four kids he became the father figure at 14 when his father passed away. Joe stood 6 '10 and 305 pounds and him both of his brothers were tall. His father was a big man. Everyone called him El Gigante. Because of his size they were kind of well to do because of his grandmother who was a mulatto american woman.

And she fell in love with Rodolfo Jose Cordero III "El Gigante" but anyone who knew him, knew he was a gentle giant, he loved his kids, they were everything to him. Because he himself only had one sister who had passed away when they were younger. So he instilled in Joe early that he was always his brother's keeper and to Joe and his siblings their father was a giant among men until he died of cancer.

As quickly as they found out he was gone in a matter of months that made Joe step up he had to be the man of the house. And so he did ,his mother remarried once but the man thought he was gonna hit their mother and live to tell it that was the first time Jose Rolando Cordero Jr killed anyone. He could still remember it like it was yesterday, he was 17 years old and he had come home to hear them arguing.

Then his mother screaming sent him and his younger brother Ramon into the house to find the man beating their mother. Which sent Joe in a rage telling his younger brother to take their mother out the house when he attacked the man viciously.

As he mother screamed for him to stop which Joe couldn't after seeing his mothers face that held black and blues on her light honey brown skin. When the man said that his mother was nothing but a black man's whore that sent him into a rage making him choke the man.

With his bare hands watching the man try to fight him off was a joke. The man was 6 '0 and 180 pounds and he was no match. For the 6'7 and 250 pounds that Joe was at 17 but just the look in his face as he took his last breath. With no care he buried the man in their backyard that's when his mother put him on a plane to the United States.

A year later he joined the United States Marines and got in with the help of his grandfather just to get Joe away from his new family. So they wouldn't know that he had black grandchildren he could pass for a white man and he didn't need Joe ruining that for him.

He had got Jose an apartment in Manhattan that was fully paid for Joe quickly found his own way. When he made two friends in basic training by the name of Ediberto Dela Rosa jr and Calogero DiSanto. Joe enjoyed taking a life but he would never tell anyone that he just let people try him most people had common sense.

Not to his size said it all but Ediberto and Calogero were no chumps that's why he respected them. Ediberto stood 6'4 and Calogero was 6' 3 they became close friends then he met the person that would change his life. She was a 5 '8 medium brown skin petite woman who wasn't afraid of him by the slightest and she challenged him every day.

And he fell in love with her and slowly his sibling and his mother came to the states and he was whole again. Yolando Gallardo bore him four children and a little girl that had him wrapped around her little finger. And his mother never remarried again she said she only had one great love and he gave her the greatest love of all.

That was her four children who gave her grandchildren who she loved more than anything. She thought she had more love in her kids and grandkids. Gloria Toussaint Cordero became quick friends with Estrella Dela Rosa then Rosita DiSanto, Constanza Morretti and lastly Hidemi Nakamura and Vilma Ana Villanefa.

All six women were small, well -spoken, beautiful regal and classy sophisticated women who bore legacies that were unmatched. When the phone rang with Rolando answering it"Oye, ¿qué sopa Tío? Sí, él está aquí espera" he says passing his father the phone".

"Oye ¿qué sopa Loco '' Joe said when his facial expression changed making Rolando stop what he was doing "Oh you mean somebody does follow she coño man what Hiroto says" he says. As his wife walked in "Papi what happened" Rolando questions as his father put his hand up to stop his son so he could listen to Manolo. " ¿Qué sopa'' Yolanda questions, looking between her son and husband Rolando shrugged.

"Tio Manolo called he sound vex, that's all I does know" Rolando answered. Jose snuck his teeth For precaution sake tell her to go to the big house man oye then we need more people dem. Who else is going okay I think we need more people there man do you need me to come down there coño like I said do you need me to come down with you. Fine hermano just let me know okay later" he says hanging up the phone. And slamming his hand on the table "Mi amor ¿qué sopa" his wife said, shaking his head as he sighs.

"Xelia thinks that the guy made her because someone may have been following her but she's not sure" Joe replies. "Are her and the kids okay? '' Yolanda asked, "So far yes but we need her at the bank. She's been there for years and she's got their trust. But It means nothing if this man has made her because she looks just like she mudda but he said he's leaving in a few days.

But Hiroto said he will take care of everything right now as far as Xelia '' he says, "Okay but relax I know how you guys are about her. Right now we have no reason to be worried. They are fine. Hiroto is there and I know for a fact that Caesar is not going to allow it. Anything to happen to his wife, okay just breathe calma"she says Xelia was like a little sister to all of them. And she was sweet to everyone who's ever came in contact with her so the thought of someone trying to hurt her was absurd.