Once Failed Love in Autumn

Chapter 2: Conicidence?

Rodriguez’ Mansion

After that incident, Venice’s parents pulled her out of that school. Even her brothers immediately took flights back home to see her situation, they even suggested putting the school down. However, Venice stopped them and made a decision for herself. 

She had decided to be homeschooled, and her parents and brothers strongly agree to it. They looked for the best of the best teaching professionals in each subject. Hence, out of all this pampered lifestyle, Venice still felt so lonely and empty. She wanted to discover herself more, not her present self who is controlled by her fear of being judged by the society around her.

“Who is that guy?” A question that repeatedly goes unto her mind. She hasn’t asked his name, the only thing she knows is that He is Daniel

For a year, Venice stayed at home and lost some of her weight ( specifically, 7kg) with her height of 5’3, she’s still overweight but this weight loss brought her more confidence. As she wanted to discover herself and got immense by the dramas she had been watching, she decided to experience the youthful life that she wasn’t able to. Plus, she’s already 18, and at an age young adult age which she can do whatever she wants. 

As she sat on her room’s veranda, her gaze stopped in one specific object: a lion statue in one of their parked cars. SINGAPORE. A place of lights and riches, enjoyment and fun. She immediately jumped out of her chair and booked herself an airplane ticket to Singapore.

“Now, all I need is pocket money,” She said to herself

Before she goes out of her room, she first took a deep breath and confidently steps out of her room going to her father’s office. As the gale touches her skin, she feels goosebumps on the back of her neck. She feels nervous for it is her first time asking her parents about this.

*Knock Knock Knock*

“Father, it’s me Venice” She politely said before entering her father’s office

As she enters her father’s maroon, elegant, and old fashioned offices that is full of books and wines. Her father was sitting on his chair drinking a glass of red wine. He greeted her with a smile, she nervously sat down on the chair.

“It’s new to see you here, My daughter,” Her father said sweetly, she replied with a weak smile “Looks like you’re here to ask something from me” she nodded “What is it? Don’t be shy, Papa will give it to you”

“Well, Papa, I made a plan for myself, I want to go on a recreational and discovering trip.” She shyly explained, her father listened to her with a proud face.

“Well, you need pocket money. Aren’t you?” Her father said which made her smile and nod with excitement. 

He took out a gold card from his suitcase and place it in front of the table. Venice took a glimpse of the card and was deeply amazed. A gold card, which means, it has hundred and millions of dollars on it.

“I was keeping this one for you. Make sure to keep it as a secret to your mother, Okay?” Venice nodded and immediately jumped unto her father’s arms

“Thank you, Papa” She gratefully said and went back to her room to prepare her things.

….……………………………………………………………………………………….

Daniel’s House

“Daniel, are you done preparing your things for tomorrow’s trip?” Daniel’s mother excitedly asked as she enters his room.

He sat down on his bed and pointed at his luggage, his mother smiled with concern and worry. She went near him and sat beside him, she patted his back and lay his head on her shoulders.

“I know you are worried for us. We’re fine here, Son.” She calmly said as she stroke his hair. “You’ve grown now. You’ve done a lot for us, why don’t you try to enjoy yourself as you go on that seminar.” 

“That’ll just be a waste of money, Mother” He exclaimed, his mother looked at him with sadness and guilt “ Look here, Mother” as he holds his mother’s face slowly and faced her “ You’ve suffered more than enough from father, Mother.” 

Remembering the past made his mother’s tears fall down. Daniel’s mother and siblings, also him, had suffered from torture and physical trauma from his Father. Due to this, they had lived in great pain and suffering. When his father was brought into prison, he became the breadwinner of the family and stood in his place.

“I know, but, you have also done a lot for us.” His mother said with a smile, then, she gave him a small brown envelope “Use this, you should enjoy yourself in Singapore, are we clear?” with a commanding tone “Daniel Angelo Garcia, are we clear?” and he responded with a smile and nodded

“Thank you, Mother” he thanked her, then they hugged each other.

….……………………………………………………………………………………….

At the Airport

Venice POV

After fixing myself, I went immediately to the breakfast nook and waited for my father. My mother was surprised to see me in an attire wearing black skinny jeans, brown high heeled boots, a black spaghetti strap shirt, and a latte colored long coat.

“Going somewhere, Venice?” Mama asked, I simply nodded that made her smile “ Oh my.. My princess had grown” she exclaimed which made Venice surprise, so is her father and the maids.

“Calm down, Honey” Papa stopped her. I chuckled at my parents’ childish actions 

“Just goin’ on a recreational trip, Mama” I simply explained, she nodded and pulled out something on her bag.

She pulled out a bundle of cash from her bag and gave it to me. Even Papa was surprised by her action. It is a lot of cash, when I say A LOT, it’s A LOOOTTTT.

“Even though you have your card, it is always better to carry cash,” she advised then passed me the cash. First, I hesitated but then, I took it and thanked her.

After breakfast, they said that they wanted to drop me off at the airport. When we arrived at the airport, people seem to be shocked and astonished by our Aston x6156 car, a limited edition car made by the Aston brand with an approximate cost of $2,500,000,000.00. So, I had no choice but to cover my face before coming out of the car.

Before entering the airport, I first took a deep breath and went directly to the check-in area. I just followed those who had the same flight with me, it’s my first time alone after all.

When I was standing in line on the Business class lane, I seem to see a familiar figure on the 4th line in economy class. A tall, well-built, white complexioned man. Who is he?

While waiting for our departure, instead of staying in the lounge, I entered a simple cafe and ordered myself a plain black coffee. I tried to observe the people outside: some are sleeping, some are talking, some are playing with their phones, and some are eating. It’s mesmerizing to see how unique people's actions are. 

As I was looking at the people, I saw him again, I’m sure now-- It’s Daniel. I immediately went out of that cafe to catch him but I wasn’t able to see him. I roamed around once again but failed.

“Arab Emirates flight EA191, once again, calling all the passengers of Arab Emirates flight EA191” The attendants announced the departure.

I tried to take the last glance before pulling my luggage to the departure area. Maybe it was just my hallucinations. So, I took my way to depart on the plane.

“Singapore, here I come” I excitedly whispered to myself

3rd Person POV

After the plane departs, Venice took her earphones and took a bit of rest. It will be a 17 hours travel time from Luxembourg to Singapore. On the other hand, Daniel was on the same plane on the next seat after Venice. 

In the middle of the flight, Daniel stood up to go to the comfort area. As soon as he stood up, he saw a familiar face sitting on the seat beside her. It gave a smile on his face, seeing her hugging her white small bear with earphones on her ears and laying down slanted on the seat.

“What a vivacious lady” He silently uttered

As soon as Daniel went away, Venice slowly opened her eyes and looked at her hand watch. She shook her head and rubs her face then went back to her slumber.

After a long flight, at last, they’re on their arrival at Singapore Changi Airport. Daniel fixed himself, and also check on Venice on the back. He was amazed seeing her deeply asleep for the whole long flight.

When the passengers started to go one by one, he stood up immediately and stand on her side. He patted her shoulder which made her move a bit, but then, went back to sleep.

“What a heavy sleeper” He uttered.

Then a flight attendant went to them to inform them to go down the plane. So, he had no other choice but to forcefully wake her up.

“Hey... Wake up. Hey…~ Hey” He continuously uttered with a bold loud tuned voice.

When Venice opened her eyes, she saw Daniel who was facing her. She smiled foolishly and tapped his face.

“What a good dream” she spoke with a sweet voice

But then, unable to wake up. Daniel had no other choice but to pinch her on her cheeks. Even the flight attendant was surprised at what he did. Venice immediately stood up and rubbed her eyes.

“It was not a dream, after all,” She said, and Daniel nodded teasingly and pulled out her luggage from the trunk.

“We’re the last one here, all thanks to you, Sleeping Beauty,” He said with a joking tone.

She pouted and pulled her luggage from him. But he took a strong grip on it, so they went out of the plane guided by the attendant. On the door out of the plain, the attendants bid goodbye to them.

“Hope you’ll have a sweet honeymoon, Sir and Madam” The attendant who attended them spoke.

Venice’s eyes widened and tend to oppose it but Daniel covered her mouth with his hands and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. She was surprised by his actions and was unable to move.

“We will” He replied

On their way out of the airport, Daniel followed Venice to the money changing station. She looked at him with a skeptical look.

“Are you stalking me?” She bluntly uttered. He immediately shook his head.

“Excuse me, sleeping beauty, if I didn’t wake you up. Maybe, once you’re awake, you’ll already back in Luxembourg” He said, so she didn’t utter any more words. He has a point.

 After changing the money that her mom once gave her, they went to the information center and bought 2 STP cards. Daniel was glad when Venice had given him the other one.

“Where will you stay?” Venice politely asked 

“In a rented house by our organization” Daniel replied, then he looked at her “ How bout you?” 

“Mandarin Hotel” Venice simply said, Daniel’s eyes almost popped out “My room was quite spacious, if you’re not comfortable at your place, you can always come to mine.” She politely offered.

“Well, you’re not kidding, right?” Daniel unconvincingly asked

“I’m serious” Venice answered with a laughed. “If you don’t want to believe me, you can drop me off” She humbly offered, so he nodded

They took a taxi out of the airport going to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. As soon as they enter the lobby, Daniel can’t get enough of the shimmering cozy, and elegant interior designs. They were welcomed by the staff as they walk their way to the reservation table.

“Name please, Madam,” the lady asked

“Atarah Rodriguez” Venice simply said. The girl immediately called an assistant to carry their luggage.

“Here’s your key, Lady Rodriguez” and she gave her an electronic key card “He will send you to your room.” Pointing to the guy carrying her luggage.

Daniel wasn’t able to utter any word until they entered her reserved room. A club city suite, a large room with a cost of $25,000 per night, with a view that overlooks the city and the infamous Marina Bay. Daniel roams around while Venice was sitting on the bed removing her coat and shoes.

He went out to the veranda and was mesmerized by the amazing and stunning view of lights. Then, Venice also stood beside him and observed the view.

“Amazed?” Venice asked, Daniel quickly nodded and looked at her with amusement in his eyes “Thank you” she spoke, Daniel smiled and laid his eyes back to the view.

“For waking you up?” He teasingly asked, it made Venice irritatingly laughed. “It’s fine, I can’t bear seeing someone treated like that.” He gently replied

Venice turned her back from the view to see Daniel’s full face, she observed him for a while then smiled. She remembers Sam, his ex-boyfriend who dumped her and betrayed her. Once a smiling face, it immediately turned into a grimace.

“Are you thinking bout that incident?” Daniel asked, she simply nodded “Those memories of the past will just hunt you, it’s better if you move on from it” 

“It’s easy to say but hard to do, Daniel” Venice sincerely replied

“It takes time” Daniel, then Venice simply nodded and went inside her room.

Daniel followed her and hold her hand as he pulls her closer to him. Their eyes meet as Daniel gently caresses her smooth long black hair. She felt butterflies in her tummies, like a stroke of warm gale surrounds her body. He slowly approaches her lips with his, an inch was left and their about to kiss. However, Daniel immediately stops and smiled. He observes Venice’s face, who is now closing her eyes waiting for his lips to hers.

Then, he pulled her back on her standing position, and she immediately opened her eyes with disappointment and irritation. She lost her face with the doings of this clown. She slapped his arms and pinch his shoulders.

“Hey~ hEY... Stop it” Daniel warned her, she stopped and looked at him for a second then covers her face “ Don’t be shy, nothing happened.” He teasingly said

“FOOL!” She shouted with an upset tone

“I respect you, so, I won’t touch you. I did that just to be a warning to you. You must not let anyone, specifically, any guy enter your room, Okay?” Daniel with his soft sweet voice

Venice couldn’t control her feelings, her heart is about to explode now. She is quite skeptical of Daniel’s action, but also, she can’t stop her heart from believing in any words that he says. Then, Daniel fixed his luggage to take his leave. Few steps before he walks out of the door, Venice holds his hands and Daniel immediately stopped and faced her.

“Let’s see each other tomorrow. At the lobby 6 pm” Venice said, Daniel simply nodded which made her smile.