Episode 06

Fernando's POV

After getting back my iPad pro, I stayed up all evening in my room reading 'Shattered Hearts', the more chapter I read the more tensed and suspense kept paving it way to my mind. When I glanced at my table clock, my eyes widened at the time, it was past 2am and I was still awake reading a book. How did I stayed up all night reading a particular book? 'you already know the answer to that question Fernando' my inner voice in my head answered for me. Yeah my subconscious is actually right, I'm still reading this book because it has everything to do with my past. Can such a story be a coincidence? Why do I feel like there's a connection with me and this writer? Does she have anything to do with my past? Antonio is right afterall, I see why he insisted I read this book, perhaps it's the answer to my past. I think we need to find this author and ask her all this questions that is leaving me restless right now.

My gaze returned back to the screen and I swiped through 6pages. When I tried swiping further it couldn't swipe, then my gaze fell to the bottom of the page and I read 'The End of Series1'. Seriously? You mean this book has another series? Why didn't she just end the book here, why write another series? But come to think of it this series 1 or what ever she called it didn't end well. It makes me wonder if the second series is on the next page or something. I glanced back to the page and continued reading people reviews of the book and the ratings was 10million with about 5m comments. "Wow!" I exclaimed.

I never knew people have the time to read stories, I guess not any kind of story, it has to be this particular one. This author must be a pro to have this many reads and ratings. I had few glimpse of the comments and almost everyone wants to read series 2. I guess I'm not the only one desperate to read series 2. I exited the comments section and I clicked on the authors profile, I gape in awe at the figure of followers. "50m followers?!" I exclaimed in alter disbelief.

Suddenly my mind wanders off and so many thoughts of possible scenarios of meeting her in person and getting to know the inspiration behind her story was clouding thoughts. I want to know if she had any connections with my past, this story can never be a coincidence. Maybe I should leave a comment requesting to see her in person? I started typing but then I stopped. "No, no, no, that is going to be so embarrassing and everyone will get to be replying me instead of her". I sat down drumming my fingers on the bed having a deep thought on how to get in touch with her. "Yes!" I exclaimed when an idea struck my mind. "Antonio!" Antonio would have an information on her whereabouts.

I sigh slightly in relief and kept my iPad on the table and lay down on my bed to catch some sleep before work hours. I just hope we find her, perhaps she's going to have answers to my tormenting past that keeps giving me nightmares anytime I think of it.

***

Morning came by so fast without me having enough sleep, despite that, I had to go to my office and examine records of all that is going on in my company and then after that I can pay a visit to the mining site to know how things are going there.

My chef served me scrambled eggs, bacon, bread and a cup of coffee for breakfast before leaving for work. My office was on the 8th floor which was also the last floor of my hotel building. I requested for all the sales record for last week from the accountant and I did some crosschecking. Satisfied everything was going great here, I relaxed and put a call through to my buddy. On the fourth ring he picked up the call.

"Hey buddy, hope your night wasn't terrible like mine?" I half-joked even though it was the truth.

"My night was perfect with Barbara laying beside me and cuddling her all night" he blabbed trying to get me jealous and I snorted.

"Next time I won't bother asking" I replied smiling.

"And I'll just start talking without you asking. That's by the way, I have a feeling your call is about something interesting. Tell me I'm right".

"I guess. Well it's about your author friend, do you know where I can find her?" I asked straight to the point without beating around the bush. I heard a rushing sound sort of an accident and I furrowed my brows and removed my phone on my ear to stare at it and then I placed it back to it position.

"Buddy are you okay? Are you driving?" I asked in panick.

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine, although I almost hit the president's car from hearing such a shocking request from you this morning" he blabbed and I snickered.

"Quit joking Antonio and get straight to business".

"Okay, straight to business. Tell me your request was a joke right?" he said and I frowned at his reply like he was seeing me.

"You should know when I'm joking and when I'm not" came my reply and I sat up.

"Did you read the book?" he asked in an high-pitched voice.

"My question came before yours" I replied.

"Are you really sure you want to get an answer to your question?".

"Of course!" I exclaimed.

"Then answer mine. Did you read the book or not?".

"What difference does my answer make?" I asked dodging his question.

"I don't have time for long talks right now young man, so cut the chase and get to it".

"I read it Antonio! Are you happy now?" I half-yelled and I heard him laughing on his end.

"Yes!" He exclaimed and I rolled my eyes. "How was it? Was it up to your expectations?" he speak so fast that I almost couldn't grasp all he said.

"It was actually beyond my expectations. You were right after all about the similarity between I and the protagonist in that book. This is the most reason I want to meet her perhaps she'll have a clue of my past".

"Are you really sure you want to meet her?" he asked and I paused for a moment to think deeply about it.

"Yes I want to. Do you know where I can find her? I have a feeling she knows something about my past" I answered without any doubts.

"We'll talk about it tonight at your bar, right now I'm heading to the courtroom, my client have a hearing in court today".

"Are you talking about your client Gonzalo?"

"Yes, it's him. I was able to get two witnesses who has something positive to offer in today's hearing".

"Okay, that's fine. See you tonight and good luck on today's hearing".

"Thank you" he said and hung up.

The day went by so slow and I wondered why, maybe is because my mind is bent on getting answers from Antonio concerning that author. The day finally went dark and by 8pm I was already in my private bar waiting up for Antonio. I shut the door closed and locked it to avoid another drama from those horny girls just like the last time. As I sat there waiting for my buddy to arrive, a million thoughts drove into my mind. I thought of the possibilities of finding the author and having her reveal to me that she was the one behind my terrible past. I shuddered at the thought and anger began swelling up inside of me.

A hard pounding on the door startles me from my imagination and I stood up and went for the door. "Hey buddy of life!" My best friend grins widely and we shook hands before he walks in and I shut the door closed.

"Hey man, what's up? You were earlier than expected" I said and took a sit.

"Yes, I didn't have much to do at home and besides today's hearing was a success, I'm having a positive vibe that we're to prevail this case" he grinned widely and took a sit next to me.

"I'm happy to hear that" I smiled and took a sip of my non-alcoholic white wine. I didn't feel like taking an alcoholic wine tonight because I need my head to be straight while I digest the information of that author.

Antonio grab a hold of the bottle of wine and stared at it and he glanced at me with a raised brow. "Really? You're taking a non-alcoholic drink? Can you tell me what changed tonight?".

I groaned aloud at his question and dropped my glass cup on the table. "When would you learn to mind your own business?" I asked in a bored tone.

"When you stop being my best friend which is never going to happen. Now get me a glass of sangria" he said and cross-legged waiting to be served.

"If you're tired of waiting you'll see yourself to the wine shelf and get whatever you want. Meanwhile let's...."

"Fuck off!" he barked at me and stood up heading for the shelf. I chuckled and took a sip of my drink and waited for him.

He came back with a bottle of sangria and a wine glass. "Welcome back" I said in humour and he shot me a playful glare and I laughed. He poured the wine to his glass cup and took a sip of it.

"So what were we saying?" he asked and I heave a sigh.

"Finally, you're ready to tell me her whereabouts. Please start talking we don't have the whole night to ourselves".

"Yeah, that's right. Are you sure you're ready to find her? What if..."

"Really?!" I exclaimed cutting him off mid-sentence and he snorted and took another sip of his drink.

"Alright chill, I'll speak".

"I'm all ears" came my reply.

"She's in South Korea, Seoul".

"What!" I exclaimed with wide eyes staring at my friend in bewilderment and all he did was shrugged in response and smiled. "South Korea???!"

To be continued...

Thanks for reading!

Would Fernando go find the author? Find out in the next episode.