A
    DIAMOND
             💎
               HEART

Episode 08

~Playlist for this chapter is 'Luis Fonsi ft Demi Lovato - Echame La Culpa' do enjoy 😉~

Fernando's POV

Spending 10 hours in the air just to get here wasn't an easy decision to have made. But you know, sometimes when you need something badly, you'll go any length even if it means climbing a mountain or swimming in the world's largest ocean to get it.

When Antonio had told me where to find Micaela Alvarado, I kicked against going initially. The distance from Madrid to Seoul South Korea was far too much. Just because I wanted answers that I wasn't so sure she ever had, that is why had to travel down here. 

Antonio was pissed at me when he saw my indecisiveness, he even called me a proud guy just because I find it stupid to accept his advice of taking a trip down to Seoul to find an author who wrote just an ordinary book. Sorry I take that back, that book is not an ordinary book, my instinct tells me I have a connection with the writer.

Last night my instinct wouldn't allow me to sleep peacefully, so I packed a few things I needed and had my PA book the next available flight to Seoul the next day. And here I am in the city of Seoul. 

Two hours ago at around 8 pm when I arrived in the city, I didn't have the pleasure of being in the hotel room I had booked. All I wanted to do was tour the city before I return to Madrid tomorrow. 

I walked around the close-by streets of the hotel to avoid getting lost in this city because if I wander off, I bet I won't be able to find my way back. It will be quite unfortunate because I don't know how to speak the Korean language.

It was while I was walking around that I came across a classic club and I stopped to have a look at what the inside looked like. Who knows what their club looks like compared to mine in Madrid? Perhaps they might be one or two things to adopt or maybe they might be nothing at all to adopt.

When I got inside, the music was so loud that it was almost deafening to my ears. I hated loud music which is why I don't go clubbing. Whenever I'm in my hotel club back in Madrid, I always make sure the DJ keeps the volume in check because not everyone in the club likes it noisy but rather moderate.

By the way, the bar is cool in my opinion. Maybe having a drink here won't be a bad idea. I pushed past the horny adults that were busy having fun and made my way toward the bar counter. Just when I was halfway to the counter, I heard an argument from some ladies.

"I can't go there and dance, they are so many people there. You girls already know how much I hate crowded places" a feminine voice yelled.

My head snaps up to the direction it was coming from and I halted and my gaze fell on three ladies standing a few steps away from me, their grip was firm on the lady in their midst. From the looks of it, two of the other ladies were pressuring the lady standing in their middle that was wearing a peach gown to join the dance floor.

Only God knows what these girls are planning, maybe they want to set up the lady in the middle, or perhaps they're bullying her. Staring at them right now reminds me of my friends in high school, it was them who pressured me to accept an invitation I shouldn't have accepted.

"They don't bite Micaela, we're just here to celebrate your success!" one of the ladies by her right-hand side exclaims.

I cocked my head and my brows rose questionably. Did she just mention the name 'Micaela'?

"C'mon, stop being boring and live a little" the lady continued and I grimaced. Did she mention the name Micaela or am I just being sensitive to that name since she's the reason I'm here in this city?

'Oh Fernando, get your mind off Micaela right now and save this lady from these daughters of Eve'. It was my subconscious advising me now. Although ladies are not my friends, I don't wish for this lady to suffer the rape trauma I had suffered and I'm still suffering.

I sigh and took a few more steps forward. "She just said she doesn't want to dance in a crowded place, so let her be" I ordered and my gaze settled on them like it will peel them inside.

My voice was cold and rough enough to cause the three ladies to halt instantly. But wait, did I just interfere in a woman's matter? Oh damnit, I was faster than myself this time around.

The three of them turn around to stare at me. My gaze diverted directly to the lady in the middle. I became slack-jawed when my gaze caught hers.

"I'm sure you must have forgotten what she looks like now, here's a picture of her so you'll know who you're going to search for" flashback of Antonio's voice echoes in my head my mouth flew open.

The picture of Micaela he had shown me looked exactly like the lady standing in front of me. Could fate had brought me here? The only way to find out was to dig out my phone from my pocket and have a glimpse of the photo again.

Just about when I dig my hand in my pocket, I heard "Who the hell are you to interfere in our business?" My gaze narrows to the lady on Micaela's right-hand side.

"Calm down Sabrina, he's my long-time friend" Micaela answered before I could open my mouth. My gaze diverted to her and we both met gaze. It is her reality, she is Micaela Alvarado.

"Longtime friend?!" The two ladies exclaimed and she nods slightly.

"You never told us you have such a cute handsome dude as a friend" the other lady on her left-hand side shrieks giggling.

"Oh Kim, please not right now" Micaela sighed and returned her gaze to me.

This is quite unbelievable, I never expected to find Micaela tonight. I was preparing my mind to meet her tomorrow, not tonight. Isn't this a miracle? I wouldn't have to wait till tomorrow to get my answers anymore, Micaela is right in front of me just like I wanted, and she's going to give me the answers that I seek.

It's quite obvious the universe wants my happiness.  A small smile broke on my lips and Micaela raised a brow at me. I broke eye contact with her and glance at her two friends, I presume. Now I have to discharge them so that I can speak to Micaela alone.

I took a few more steps closer, "Hey, ladies, I'll love it if you two excuse us for a moment, I have something to discuss with your friend. I'll return her to you in a short while".

"What an arrogant jerk! Do you think you can just come here and discharge us like we're nobody? Who do you think you are, huh?" Sabrina or whatever her name is scolded me and I snorted.

"Calm down Sabrina, would you?" Micaela beseech.

"I think you're being so dramatic, Sabri," the second lady added.

"I agree with you on that one, lady in blue. Sabrina is a drama queen, I bet she knows who I am" I scoffed and I heard a loud gasp from the same Sabrina. This girl is trouble, I can tell.

"Oh really? You call me dramatic just because I'm standing up for us?" She hissed at her friends. Within a matter of seconds, her gaze was back at me. "And who the f*ck do you think you are?"

"Enough already miss, I don't have all night to act this soap opera with you, so would you please excuse us for a moment?" I said sending her another shocking gasp.

"Fernando be kind with your words please" Micaela's voice sent a warning signal to me and I respected that. "Please girls, can you give us a few minutes. I'll join you girls on the dance floor when I'm done".

"I thought you didn't want to dance?" I intruded and they all sent glances at me.

"Would you be the one to tell her what to do?" Sabrina asked coldly.

"Isn't it obvious that you like talking to me, huh?" I deadpanned smirking at her and her cheeks blushed but her eyes glared daggers at me.

"Ferd!" Micaela warns locking her gaze with me. Did she say 'Ferd'? No one has shortened my name to that before now or no, I think Antonio has called me that just once since we've been friends. I stared into her eyes searching for nothing but I think I saw something which wasn't clear to me. I blinked and glanced away.

"Kim, Sabrina, meet Fernando Perez my high school friend" she introduced.

"More or less your high school lover?" Sabrina murmurs.

I groaned inwardly. Oh, ladies, they'll always want to frustrate the hell out of you, their energy is so bad. I can't wait to get answers to my questions and leave this place tomorrow.

"You talk too much Sabri, just let them be. Gosh!" Kim retorts and took Sabrina's hand to hers and dragged her out of our sight.

"I'm sorry, my friends can be crazy at times, especially Sabrina".

"It's okay, I'm glad you finally made friends at least" I replied glancing around. It's the truth though because all through high school she never had anyone to call a friend and that was why she was bullied.

When I glanced back at her she was scowling. She turnaround and began walking away from me. Why is she leaving all of a sudden without saying anything to me? "Micaela, wait!" I called after her and she halted.

"What now, huh? Are you here to humiliate me more? Do you wish to tell the whole world how I was bullied in high school? If so, then I'll gladly grant you the wish and collect the microphone from the DJ and give it to you so that you can announce it to everyone here!"

"What are you saying?" I asked confusedly. Why is she speaking to me this way all of a sudden?

"You're asking me what I'm saying? Do not try to play dumb with me Fernando, you already said it and if I give you more opportunity, you'll say it all out" she replied angrily.

"Calm down, would you? What happened? Why are you mad at me?".

"What were you implying when you said I finally made friends, tell me? Weren't you trying to make fun of my high school past?".

"Seriously, Micaela? You think this less of me?".

"I don't think less of you but what you just said got me pissed. You made me feel like I don't deserve to have friends like everyone".

"I'm sorry if what I said made you feel that way but that wasn't my intention, believe me. I was just happy you created a new life for yourself rather than the one in high school".

Jeez! Women could be so sensitive and dramatic. She stared at me and I knew she was still in doubt. For the love of God, this isn't why I'm here, I have important things to think about than her high school life. "Believe me, I didn't mean to offend you with what I said" I continued if my apologies will sink in so that we can get to the main reason I was here.

"Fine, I've known you to be an honest guy so I think I believe you" she replied and I furrowed my brows at her.

"You've known me to be an honest guy? How must you have known me when you were never even my friend but just a schoolmate?" I inquired. My question threw her dumbfounded and she glanced down to her feet. After a few moments of awkward silence, she glanced up at me.

"There are some things in life that are better left unsaid. Come, join me outside let's get some fresh air" she announced and flashed a brief smile at me.

Her reply got me inquisitive about what she meant by that. I wanted to ask her what she meant but maybe right now isn't the time.

"Still thinking about it?" her voice intruded my thoughts and I stared up at her.

"Yeah, I mean no. We can go outside if you want. Lead the way, here's your city anyways" I forced a smile and she nod and led the way out of the club. I guess tonight is going to be a long night.

*A new episode is a slide away!*