Quezon City, Philippines
"Hah, it's good to be back in my hometown" Christopher murmured softly, a warm smile spreading across his face as he looked around familiar sights.
"Come on now, Chris, we still have many things to do. Help us carry the luggage out of the car"
Angella, his wife, said while gently helping the kids gather their bags and suitcases. She adjusted her purse on her shoulder and glanced at the tall steel gate, feeling the familiar comfort of normal life.
Christopher and his family had safely returned to his parents' residence after a long journey. They had just finished the tedious bureaucratic paperwork required for their quarantine period at Fort Hood, a necessary step before fully settling back into everyday life.
Before the last day of quarantine, Arthur had spoken with his parents about his condition. They assured him they would continue researching and monitoring his condition once they returned home.
As the family, laden with their luggage, strolled along the brick-paved road toward a magnificent three-storey mansion, its architecture a perfect blend of modern design with antique accents, suddenly they heard a loud, spirited voice echoing from afar.
"Kevin!!" the voice called out, piercing through the calm.
"My lady, please slow down!!" a young maid with a cheerful smile called out with concern, dashing to catch up.
A petite, adorable young lady with a bright, welcoming smile was rushing toward them, her maid trailing behind her. Her eyes sparkled with pure affection and eagerness looking at Kevin
"Oh? Good afternoon, Mr. Christopher and Mrs. Angella," she greeted respectfully, bowing elegantly with grace, as if acknowledging their presence now.
"Good afternoon, Eveline," Christopher replied with a teasing smile, glancing at Kevin, sensing his son was slightly shy in the presence of someone who admired him.
"Good afternoon, dear," Angella nodded and responded warmly to Eveline.
Eveline Inglewelt was the fiancée of Kevin a distant relative. Her family, under the influence of Marshal Edwin, their head family, has arranged their relationship with their parents' consent.
The two had met at a family gathering last year, where Eveline was captivated by Kevin's charismatic manner as he mingled confidently with guests. Younger family members admired him, hoping he would someday become the head of their prominent family.
"How are your parents?" Angella inquired, her voice tender.
"They've been in better health since then, and thanks to Grandma Lucy, our family's business is thriving," Eveline replied gracefully, adjusting her elegant dress.
Their family, the Inglewelt, had established success through manufacturing and producing products for other companies within their factories. Their enterprise had grown rapidly and now possessed worldwide branches.
"I'm grateful you all returned safely from the zombie outbreak," Eveline said, her expression turning slightly confused as she looked at the luggage they carried.
"But… why aren't you calling the maids to carry them?"
"..."
Everyone paused for a moment, exchanging glances.
"We forgot," Christopher admitted softly, a bit sheepishly.
Reminded of the outbreak incident, they had learned not to rely heavily on others, wary of potential betrayal or backstabbing.
As they entered the estate, the maids carrying their bags, they noticed an uneasy tension in the atmosphere. Two elderly men sat silently on the separate coaches, their gazes fixed on each other yet saying nothing.
Only the silence was broken when they heard a calm voice upstairs.
"Oh, Angella, Christopher, welcome back," one of the two old women said warmly as she descended the staircase. She was a blond-haired old lady with a gentle smile.
"How was your trip back?" she asked, her voice kind and caring.
"We're fine, exhausted but glad to be come back," Angella replied, embracing the blond old lady first, then turning to hug the black-haired old lady, her mother-in-law.
"Good to hear," the black-haired old lady responded, smiling softly. "Your mom and I just changed our clothes after asking the maids to prepare some food."
The blond old lady was Jennifer Conwell, CEO of her husband's bioengineering and hospital business, renowned for her leadership and intact beauty that she had never lost.
The black-haired old lady was Lucy Reignius, owner of a successful frozen food company with branches across the globe.
"Thanks, Mother. But… is Dad and father doing..." Angella asked worriedly.
"Oh, they're fine, just dealing with some minor disputes they're reluctant to discuss," Lucy said casually, as if brushing off concern.
"Hey, Rafael, Marco, stop that! Christopher, Angella, and the kids are here now," Lucy said sternly, interrupting a heated stare-off.
The tall, slender man with brown hair was the first to stand. His name was Rafael Conwell, a distinguished doctor with a PhD in biology and biotechnology. He had transformed his family's private hospital into a leading global bioengineering firm that advanced medical technologies worldwide.
"Angella, welcome back," Rafael said expressionlessly, offering a nod.
"I came to check on Arthur, especially since you mentioned he was infected but not showing zombification," Rafael added, his tone professional.
"But first, everyone needs rest tonight. Tomorrow, we'll examine Arthur's condition with a specialized team I've assembled, including expert nurses and physicians," he concluded calmly.
"Thanks, Dad. I really appreciate the help," Angella said, visibly relieved.
Suddenly a voice lashes out menacingly.
"Looks like you are not an emotionless robot, I'm about to intervene in what you say first." A Tanned, muscular, blond-haired old man stood up from his couch with a stern expression; his physique is imposing.
This old man was Marco Reignius, a seasoned Marine veteran who held the rank of 4-star General. Though technically retired from active duty, he chose to step back from Military life to dedicate more time to his wife and grandchildren, valuing family above all.
"I'm not like you, who decided what's good for his kid" Rafael argued firmly.
"Oh yeah? So you are questioning my parenting methods again?" Marco stepped forward, folding his arms as he approached Rafael with an intimidating gaze.
"Or you are still questioning our family tradition?" He added with a challenging tone.
"It is, as it's always been." Rafael fixed him with a cold, dead fish stare as he replied bluntly.
Rafael was proud to have a talented son-in-law managing his hospitals, as their workplace was usually overwhelmed by the countless patients they took care of every single day. However, after Christopher graduated from medical school, he announced his enlistment in the military. When he called on him and asked why, Christopher explained it was a long-standing family tradition. He requested only his father's permission to pursue medical school, as becoming a doctor had been his childhood dream.
"Rafael (Marco), stop it!"
Jennifer and Lucy, witnessing the tense exchange, simultaneously stepped in, trying to defuse the situation.
"I thought you had forgotten this because of Arthur? We're just visitors here to check on Angella and the children, so please, don't make a scene here." Jennifer said, her voice carried a hint of frustration, visibly tired of her husband's ongoing argument with Marco.
"Marco, you are not a child, don't start a fight with Rafael, you know Christopher and his family had just returned, have you no shame?" Lucy said, with a fed-up tone.
The scene momentarily eased while Christopher and others watched with a nostalgic smile, observing the familiar sights.
"Wow, they're not changed at all" Kevin murmured softly.
Angella nodded, her expression thoughtful.
"Well, we're stranded in Pearl City for a few months, even now, I'll not forget what happened during those days."
Christopher looks at his wife with affection, who looks Melancholy, gently placing a hand on her shoulder in a comforting gesture.
After Jennifer and Lucy managed to calm down Rafael and Marco, the family gathered around the dinner table to share their meal. As they ate, they recounted their experiences during the zombie outbreak in Hawaii. With warmth and empathy, they opened up about their sadness, fears, and trauma, reaffirming the strong family connections they've at the moment.