I took a deep breath in, nervous to knock.

I'd had the time of my life travelling, but something told me that this would be my last destination. I'd met so many people and made so many new friends. It's funny how social I've become in the little time that I've spent away from home.

I even changed my hair, cutting it into a pixie cut. If Fifi saw me, she would die from disbelief. She's tried for years to get me to be adventurous with my hair, but I've always been terrified. It was in Italy when I decided screw it, let's do it!

I haven't found my calling just as yet, but I still have hope, especially now that I was in the city of love and lights. I feel like there's no better place to find inspiration than Paris. I mean, it's freakin Paris!

However, my trip took an unexpected turn when I met an old man at the market. He was struggling to breathe, and after helping him, he asked for my name, which I gave. I learnt that he's a friend of my father's.

I called my father to confirm this, and it turns out that it's true. I also learnt that the old man lives alone, something that didn't sit well with me, especially with how sick he is. He cannot afford to be alone, which is why my father and I agreed that he shouldn't be.

Which is also why my crazy self was outside his door with my bags.

"London?" he said, surprised when he saw that I was the one who'd just knocked.

"Good afternoon Mr Diaz," I said with a smile.

"What are you doing here? Come on in," he barely managed to say, opening the door wider.

I walked in, bringing my bags along with me. "I've come to stay with you."

He laughed a little. "Have you now?"

"Mhmm! A sick person like you cannot be staying alone," I pointed out.

"I have a nurse who checks in on me every week," he argued.

"That's not ok. You're too sick for a weekly check up. You need someone to live here with you," I countered.

"There's no arguing with you, is there?" he asked amusedly.

I shook my head. "Nope! You'll be wasting your time and you're already too sick to argue with me in any case."

He shook his head, laughing. "You are definitely your father's daughter."

"Funny you should mention that since he also agrees that you shouldn't be alone," I informed.

"I know. It's the only reason you're standing here defending your cause so valiantly," he teased.

"I'm glad we're on the same page. Where am I sleeping?" I asked.

"There's a guest bedroom down the passage," he replied.

"Fantastic! Have you eaten?" I questioned.

"I was on my way to making myself some soup when you arrived," he responded.

"Soup? Mr Diaz you need to eat solid foods. You're already so weak," I scolded.

"Something tells me that you and I are going to have an adventure," he said, once again amused.

And he was right.

I settled into my room before heading to the kitchen to make us food. Once we'd eaten, he told me stories about the life he's lived. I learnt that cancer is what was killing him, and also that he didn't have long left.

"What about your family? Have they come to visit?" I asked. It was night time and we were sitting out on the balcony, watching the night sky as we drank tea.

"My family is spread out across the world. We were never close to begin with. I, myself, only have one relative that I truly care about, and that is my grandson, but I don't think he will ever come to see me," he said sadly.

"How come? Doesn't he care that you're sick?" I asked.

He frowned. "I've made many mistakes in my life, but the biggest one I made was treating my grandson the way that I did. The last time I saw him, I told him that he's the greatest disappointment our family has ever had. I was speaking from a place of anger because he just refused to stay on the right track. I felt like I was getting nowhere with him, so I lashed out and left the country, leaving him with my estate in the States. When I die, he will get everything, and I fear that having that much money will truly be the end of him. I am not disappointed in him. I just wish he could see the potential I see in him and become the man I know he can be. I wish I could let him know just how much I love him, but I may never get to."

I was sad listening to him. You could hear the heartbreak in his tone, and I couldn't help but strongly dislike his grandson a little. The man clearly doesn't understand just how much pain he's put his grandfather through, and that's just selfish.

"I'm sure fate has something in the works not only for him, but for you too. Things will turn out the way that they are meant to," I comforted.

"I believe in that every single day. What about you sunshine? Is there a special man that owns your precious heart?" he asked.

"God no! I don't know if I've truly been in love. I mean, there's a guy I was seeing but I broke up with him shortly before my trip because I just didn't feel anything with him anymore you know?" I told him.

"You want the magic," he said knowingly.

I nodded. "I know that most people believe that things like that are only found in books, but I mean, is it so bad to believe that true love exists? There are people who can attest to the fact that it does. No one said it would be easy, but at least it exists. I want to still feel butterflies years down the line. I want to be able to be in a room filled with people and smile at my soul mate because he's the only one who could make me smile in that way. I just, I want it to be an adventure, a once in a lifetime experience."

"Well sunshine, I for one believe that it's possible. I had it with my wife before she died," he commented.

"What happened?" I asked.

"She was killed in a car accident along with my son and our daughter in law," he informed.

I held his hand. "I'm sorry for your loss."

"I accepted it a long time ago, but my grandson never did, which is why he behaves the way that he does. He was only twelve when they passed, and he's been angry since. I've tried everything to get through to him, but as they say, sometimes you just can't help someone who won't help themselves," he said.

I couldn't have agreed more with him. Our nights on the balcony became a tradition in the short month that I was here. We would talk for hours into the night about different things, and I told him my deepest and darkest secrets, ambitions and fears.

Unfortunately he was getting weaker and weaker by the day.

I was surprised when the house phone rang one night considering the fact that it hadn't in the time that I'd been here. "Mr Diaz' residence, hello?"

I was met by silence, which I found strange. "Hello?"

"Uh, hi! I'd like to speak to Mr Diaz please," a deep voice requested.

"And who should I say is calling? He's very weak right now," I informed.

"Tell him Cuba's calling," I replied.

Cuba?

I couldn't stop my giggle. "The country or a person?"

What? Mr Diaz has lived one hell of an adventurous life.

I was relieved when the person I was talking to laughed too. "A person."

"Ok, please hold on," I said before taking the phone to Mr Diaz. He sat up, violently coughing before taking the phone from me.

"My son," he wheezed.

Silence.

"I'm proud of you Cuba, and I know I haven't always expressed that, but I am. I love you so much my son. I only want the best out of life for you," he barely managed to say.

Silence.

"Alright son. I will hold on as long as I can. I love you," he said. He waited a few more seconds before handing me the phone.

"Was that your grandson?" I asked him.

He nodded, giving me a small smile. "He's coming to visit me."

"Did he say when he's coming? That way we can prepare for him," I suggested.

He shook his head. "He only said that he's coming."

"Oh, well we must keep you healthy long enough for you to see him," I said warmly.

He reached out and held my hand. "Thank you sunshine. I do not know what I did to have an angel like you come into my life, but I am forever grateful."

"Aaaaw old man, you don't have to thank me. I'm more than happy to be here. You've helped me so much," I told him.

"And so have you. Have you made up your mind about your business idea?" he asked.

I nodded. "I have, but my parents are going to be furious with me. They may not even give me the money."

"Then I'll give it to you," he said.

I shook my head. "I cannot possibly accept that. It will look bad in any case."

"It's my hard earned money London. I should be able to do with it as I wish," he said, breathless at the end.

"Rest old man. We'll talk tomorrow," I said as I covered him with the blanket.

"You need to stop running away from your dreams and your true self sunshine," he said lowly before closing his eyes.

This old man reads me better than everyone in my life except my best friend. If anything, he reads me in the same way she does. It bothers me, but at the same time it doesn't. He's taught me a lot not only about life, but about myself too.

The following day, his nurse came to visit and she did the routine check up. She took longer than normal, which had me worried. Based on the grim look on her face when she left his room, I was probably onto something with my worry.

"What is it?" I asked anxiously.

"London, I don't know how to tell you this, so I'm just going to come out and say it. He doesn't have a lot of time left," she said.

I felt my heart sink to my toes. "How long?"

"He'll be lucky if he makes it through the week," she said sadly.

I felt the tears rush to my eyes. I'd come to care greatly for him, and while I knew this was coming, I didn't expect it so soon, especially since he could leave any one of these days. I felt myself getting dizzy and took a seat.

"I am so sorry. I know that you've come to care for him," she commented.

"I can't believe that this is it for him," I whispered.

"Spend as much time as you can with him. Does he have any other family?" she asked.

That's when I remembered Cuba.

I got up and ran to the phone. I called the last number that dialled the phone, but I wasn't getting anywhere. It was frustrating me because I needed to tell Cuba to get here as soon as he could before he wouldn't be able to talk to his grandfather ever again.

"What's wrong?" the nurse asked me when I let out a frustrated cry.

"I can't reach his grandson. It keeps sending me to voicemail," I replied.

"Just leave a message for him," she suggested.

I did just that before walking her out. I went to check on Mr Diaz and found that he was asleep. I cleaned around the house before starting with dinner. My thoughts were a million miles away as I thought about what my life would be like when I headed back home.

I'd been able to avoid having to deal with everything back home. I tried getting in touch with Fifi countless times, but I realized that she'd get back to me when she was ready to. I'd spoken to my brother and parents a couple of times, but that's it.

Now that my vacation time was drawing to a close, I wasn't sure what that meant. I had a business idea in mind, but my family would never finance it, which sucks, but I guess I get where they would be coming from.

I tried to reach Cuba once more, but it was still leading me to voicemail. I was getting impatient, frustrated and angry all at once. All that this dying old man wants is to see his grandson for the last time, and this man is nowhere to be found.

"Sunshine, please call my lawyer and have him come over here tomorrow," Mr Diaz requested once he was done eating dinner. He was too weak for us to sit on the balcony.

"Alright, I will, but I have a favour to ask you," I told him.

He nodded. "I'm listening."

"I know that you're weak, but I've tried to reach Cuba the whole day and I'm not getting anywhere. I'm afraid that he's not going to get here in time, and then he'll never know what you wanted to tell him, so I was thinking that we could take a video of whatever you want to tell him and I'll make sure the video gets to him," I explained.

Tears rushed to his eyes. "I would love to. You are such a heaven sent angel."

"Not even," I said, blushing.

"I pray that my grandson finds a woman like you who will change his life and take care of him the way in which you've taken care of me," he said.

"I will pray for that too," I said softly before getting the phone ready.

It was quite the long message, and not only because he had to catch his breath a couple of times, but because he had so much to say. He was crying at some point, triggering my own tears. By the end of the video, you could tell that he'd bared his soul and said everything he hoped his grandson would ever need to hear from him.

"Thank you once again London," he whispered.

"You are most welcome Mr Diaz," I said, tucking him in. He closed his eyes and I kissed his forehead before leaving the room.

I went over to the phone and dialled the number I found in the telephone book. "Francois speaking."

"Hello Francois. My name is London and I'm currently taking care of Mr Diaz. He asked me to call you and ask you to come over tomorrow," I told him.

He sighed. "Is it almost time?"

"His nurse said he'll be lucky if he makes it to the end of the week," I informed.

"I had meetings tomorrow, but this is important, so I'll be there as soon as the sun rises," he said.

"Thank you. I'll open up for you when you arrive," I said before hanging up.

Because it was important, I tried Cuba again, but still, nothing. A part of me thought that perhaps he didn't care, but I knew that wasn't the case. Mr Diaz had already told me that the phone call from Cuba was already a big step for him.

So I highly doubt he changed his mind.

This led me to worry a little about the man. For all I know, he's not here yet because something has happened to him. Just the thought filled me with dread. News like that would definitely speed up Mr Diaz' farewell to this world.

His heart wouldn't be able to take it.

"Baby girl, it's very late," my father's voice came through as he answered the phone.

I sighed as I sat on the couch. "I'm sorry dad, but I just wanted to let you know that it's time."

"How long does he have?" he asked knowingly.

"A couple of days if he's lucky," I informed.

"Your mother and I will leave on the next flight there," he replied.

"Alright. I'll see you guys then," I said.

We stayed on the phone a little longer before hanging up. I decided to call it a night and headed to bed. The next morning, I was up early, ready to open up for Francois. The man is a man of his word because he was at the door at six, two minutes after my phone had said was sunrise.

"Good morning Mr Dubois. My name is London Simmons and it's lovely to meet you," I greeted.

"It's lovely to meet you too Miss Simmons. Is he awake?" he asked.

I nodded. "He woke up a few minutes ago and said you should go straight to him."

"Thank you," he replied before heading in the direction of Mr Diaz' room.

I left them to talk, and they spoke for about three hours before they were finally done. I had no idea what could've possibly taken that long, but I asked no questions. Instead, I made sure that they had food after their talk.

"London, can I talk to you outside?" Francois requested.

"Sure," I said before we went outside.

"This is probably going to be hard to do, but Mr Diaz would like you to be the one to handle his funeral. He knows that not a lot of people will attend to begin with, but he would like you to handle things. Also, he'd like to be cremated, so there will be no need to arrange a coffin," he informed me.

"He wants me to handle things?" I asked, surprised.

He nodded. "You have no idea just how much of an impact you've made in his life. He trusts you more than he's trusted most people in his life, family included."

I was stunned, but I knew what I had to say.

"I'd be honoured," I replied.

"Great! I'll help you wherever you need help, so just call me when you need anything," he added.

I nodded. "I will."

We headed back inside and sat with Mr Diaz a while longer before he fell asleep again. When he was asleep, Francois excused himself. He'd only managed to reschedule half of his meetings, so he had to attend to the ones he couldn't move.

For the rest of the day, I tended to Mr Diaz who was going in and out of sleep. There was a moment when it was very touch and go, but he fought on. He whispered that he was holding on for Cuba, and my heart broke at that, especially since all my efforts to reach his grandson were failing.

The following day, late in the afternoon, the doorbell went and I went to answer it, hoping it was Cuba. "Mum? Dad? You guys are here!"

"I did say we're coming. Were you expecting someone else?" my dad asked.

"It's not that I'm not happy to see you, but Mr Diaz is expecting his grandson, so I thought it was him at the door. He's trying to hold on, but I don't know how long he can and I cannot, for the life of me, reach freaking Cuba!" I said, breathless at the end.

My mum hugged me. "Honey, breathe. I didn't know you were this attached to the situation."

"What do you mean?" I asked. She reached out and wiped my tears away.

"The last time I saw you this frustrated was the first time we found out Fifi's mum was dying," she said softly.

I sighed. "It's just so sad. All he wants is to see Cuba, and every time I look over at him, I don't know whether he'll wake up or not. I'm just so scared."

"We're here for you baby girl," my dad said as they both hugged me.

We pulled apart before heading to Mr Diaz' room. "I thought those were your voices. What are you doing here?"

"We're here to see you Ricardo. Did you really think we wouldn't?" my mum scolded.

"I guess I should've known now that your daughter's here," he said breathlessly.

"So this is it huh? This is what you've wasted to?" my dad joked, making Mr Diaz laugh before he coughed violently.

"Dad," I scolded as I helped Mr Diaz sit up.

"Sorry," my dad apologized.

"The two of you have done a mighty fine job with this one," Mr Diaz told my parents.

"Thank you. She's our princess," my mum said proudly.

"You should trust her. She knows what she's talking about and she knows what she's doing," he told them.

My dad scowled. "Why does it sound like there's a deeper meaning to your words?"

"Just trust her, especially you Jeremy," he said before closing his eyes.

Mr Ricardo Diaz died that night.

I can't remember the last time I cried so much, and even through my tears, I tried to reach Cuba. It sent me straight to voicemail like all the other times and eventually I just stopped trying. I had to reign in my emotions anyway.

I had a funeral to organize.

I'd already started putting things together after Francois had told me about Mr Diaz' wishes, so it was a case of following up on everything. I had the list of people I had to tell, and it was hard, but I managed to get through it.

I arranged for the funeral to be three days later, hoping that Cuba would appear, but alas, he didn't. We went to the church to have the service there, before we all headed back to Mr Diaz' house for lunch.

"That was a beautiful thing you had to say about Ricardo," Mrs Felucca told me. She is Mr Diaz' neighbour.

"Thank you. He was an amazing man," I replied.

She nodded. "That he was."

"Excuse me Mrs Felucca, but I'd like to speak to Miss Simmons," Francois told her.

"Of course," she said before I headed outside with him.

He handed me an envelope and a box. "Ricardo wanted you to have this. He was too weak to write, so this is in my handwriting, but this is what he wanted you to know. I'll leave you to read the letter."

I sat down on the bench and put the box aside. I opened the envelope and pulled out the letter before reading it:

My dearest London, my sunshine

If you're reading this, then my time is up.

You once asked me why I call you sunshine, and it's because that's what you were in my life. You came into my life when my days were darkest, and you brought sunshine with you, and for that, I will forever be grateful.

It pains me to have to say these words in a letter for I wish I had more time with you. I wish I had met you when I was healthier so that I could've shown you some of the best secrets in life. I wish my grandson could've had the opportunity to meet you.

I know that as you read this letter, my grandson didn't show. I don't know how I knew he wouldn't, but I did. I'm saddened by it, especially because of all your efforts to reach him. I thank you for that. It's been a long time since anyone has cared for me the way in which you have.

But this is not what this letter is about. This letter is about getting through to you. You are an amazing person London, and I wish you could see yourself through my eyes. You know that you have potential in you, potential to make a difference in the world.

I know you worry about what others will think, especially your parents, but I believe that you need to branch out on your own and find your own place in this world. You worry that you will disappoint them, but in the process you are disappointing yourself.

I know you didn't want me to fund your business, but I'm stubborn like that, so the money is already in your account as we speak. I believe in you London Simmons, and I can't wait to watch over you from heaven and smile as I watch you become the force I know you can be.

Remember that you will never go anywhere without the courage to do so.

Also, never stop believing in true love, and when it comes, don't be afraid of it. Trust me, it will scare you. You may not even believe that it's it, but just trust your heart. It does exist, and I believe that you will find it. Just never stop believing in it.

PS I want you to put on the dress and shoes in the box and go out and have some fun. Do not spend your time crying for me. Instead, celebrate my life and what little bit of time we had together. Live your life to the fullest. That, London, is my greatest wish for you.

I love you sunshine.

Ricardo Diaz

I smiled and cried as I read through the letter a couple of times. I missed him already, but I knew he was looking down on me, probably smiling also. I would make him proud, if not myself, then for the part of him that believes so greatly in me.

I headed back inside the house and mingled with everyone until late at night. My parents helped me to clean up before they headed out to their hotel room. I just wanted to be alone for a while, and a while turned out to be three days long.

I was having a harder time that I thought I would to let go, but eventually I'd packed my bags, ready to leave. My flight was the following morning, so I only had one thing left to do. I headed over to the box. Inside was a beautiful sleeveless white dress and silver heels.

I took a shower and got ready for a night out. I didn't even get to make new friends in Paris, except for Mrs Felucca's niece Anastasia. She agreed to go out with me and I was actually excited to have a fun last night out.

"I promise I'll make you proud old man."