A Diamond Heart

Episode 04

A

DIAMOND

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HEART

~Playlist for this chapter is 'Tu Dolor by Luciano Pereyra' do enjoy ?~

Fernando's POV

My meeting with my investors went successfully and well. I refused to take the advice of my friend about partying or doing anything that would make me stay out. Rather, I went home to have some rest for the next day. Twice a week, I get to work and direct the miners on what to do, tomorrow is one of those days I get to do that. Enough rest was all I needed to be energized to do so.

After I freshen up and had my dinner, I was downstairs relaxing on my sofa. With my iPad in hand, I searched through my PDF files to pick one of Les Brown's books I'd downloaded a few days ago to read. The moment I found it another thought popped up and Antonio's words were all I could hear in my head. "Is not the matter of being a softy dumbass. I just find the story similar to what happened to you. I'm dead serious! You've got to read this book, perhaps after reading you can tell me if I was wrong or right" flashing back to our conversation got me so curious about what the story is about.

My fingers were so fast to type that book for the second time today on sss k****e and in a matter of seconds, it popped on my screen. This time around I didn't log off, rather I stared at the book cover closely. It was designed with white background and then it had two broken-shaped hearts on the background with the title 'Shattered Hearts' written in red color' with its author name, Micaela Alvarado beneath it. Seeing this book again sent turbulence to my heart like in the afternoon when I'd seen it.

I clicked on the book synopsis and read it. "r**e is the worst thing that could ever happen to anyone be it female or male. Many think it is only females that become a victim of r**e but the story of Luciano shows males are also victims. Luciano was r***d as a teenager and his past made him hate women. How did the r**e happen? Who was behind it? Will he ever let go of his past? Find the answers inside this book".

I stared at the screen of my iPad and never took my eyes off it. Reading the synopsis of this book drives my mind back to that miserable night of my life. My heart jackhammered and my hands trembled. I steady my grip on my iPad and the flashback came haunting me again. Faint voices and laughter clouded my head and I could feel those filthy hands touching me. I whimpered and shuddered at the thoughts, "No!" I heard myself scream.

In a matter of seconds or minutes which I don't care to know, I heard the door slam shut.

"Sir Fernando are you okay? Is something wrong?" a familiar voice asks and when I gaze up, it was my chauffeur, Mr. Pedro. He was staring at me in panic and that got me nervous. No one knows about my past, everyone knows me as a strong-willed man, humble, honest, and noble. They've never seen that vulnerable part of me and I don't wish for them to know or see it forever.

I glance down at the iPad in my hands and I stretched out my hand to him, "Take it!" I ordered and he took it from my hand without hesitation. "Turn it off and hold on to it till when I ask for it".

"Yes boss" he bowed and turn around to leave but he halted. "Sir, are you okay?" he asks and I nodded slightly.

"I'm fine. You can leave" I replied coldly and he obeyed in silence and left for his apartment. Pedro stays in the guest apartment in my mansion, that was why he could easily hear my screams.

When I heard the door shut closed, I groaned aloud and sweep my hair with my hands. I was angry, sad, confused and I hate myself for always feeling weak when it comes to my past. What is wrong with me? It happened thirteen years ago but it feels like yesterday, every little thing drives my mind to it.

The fear, the pain, the anger, the betrayal, the overpowering could all still be felt right inside of me. That r**e killed me emotionally and physically. How do I get over my past? I've read motivational books, listened to motivational speakers, and watch videos on how to get over one's past but their advice only last in my mind the moment I'm reading it and after that, I'm back to my old self.

I think I'm drowning in my past and there's no one to drag me out of it. I sat down there thinking over everything and wondering if my life will ever get better.

Yes, I'm a billionaire, and my hotel is the best in the whole of Madrid, but that doesn't give me happiness. My mining industry gives me more than enough wealth but my past wouldn't let me have my peace and enjoy it. The damage of that night has been a nightmare that has chosen to stay with me for the rest of my life. I wish I could erase it from my head and mind.

I stood up and reached out for my bottle of whiskey and drank directly from the bottle to stop the pain I feel in my heart. I sat down on the couch and continued drinking and crying. I wish Antonio was around he would have looked for a way to make sure I'm not wallowing in my past. For how long will I keep doing this to myself? I felt more tears spilling from my eyes and I drank away my pains for that period only.

**~~**

"Sir Fernando, Sir Fernando" a faint voice rang in my ears and I sluggishly flutter my eyes open to find Mr. Pedro standing in front of me. I helped myself up and I felt my headbanging like someone was trying to get a bag of gold out of it. I held my head up and slowly gazed around. I came to my senses knowing I'd slept in my living room last night. On the table was an empty whiskey bottle I'd taken last night before I'd slept off. I now understand what is happening to my head, a hangover.

"Good morning Sir Fernando, it's past 10 am. I was waiting for you to come out so I can drive you to your office as usual but I didn't see you that's why I'm here to see if you were okay".

"Past 10 am?" I asked a little bit loud and I groaned in pain when my head felt like exploding for just that little raising of my voice.

"Yes Sir. You're not in good shape today, you drank too much last night. I've told you it's not good for you to be drinking that much" he scolded and I ignored him and tried standing up to my feet. "Let me help you to your room" he offered and I accepted as he wrapped my arm around his shoulders and helped me upstairs to my room.

"Do you still have some painkillers?" he asks after sitting me down on my king-size bed.

"Yes, check the first-aid box in my closet" I answered. He found the first-aid box and opened it. He took out the aspirin and handed two tablets to me, with a bottle of water. I collected it and swallowed the drug before gulping down the water.

"Thank you. Just give me 30minutes and I'll be ready for work".

"With all due respect Sir Fernando, you're not allowed to go to work today. You need enough rest" he said in all seriousness and I almost laughed if not for my predicament, next time I won't drink this much.

"Says who?" I asked calmly hiding my smile.

"Says me" he answered just like I saw it coming. "You're not feeling well today, please rest so you'll be strong enough to work when you resume tomorrow".

"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. I have some team to lead in today's task at the mining site, they can't commence work without my presence. Just go ahead, I'll join you later".

"Sir, the mining work is a serious one that needs workers with good health and strong hands. I'm not saying you're not strong enough but I'm not sure you are strong enough to do that today".

"Mr. Pedro, I understand your fears, I'll be fine. Just allow me to have some rest and I'll be ready for today's task" I said and he nods without another objection and exited my room.

I lay back down on the bed and shut my closed to catch a few minutes of sleep before I get ready for work.

I never knew my few minutes of sleep will become five hours of sleep, I woke up feeling so much better, and when I checked the time it was past 3 pm. "What!?" I exclaimed with wide eyes. Did I just miss today's activities? I picked up my phone and my missed calls were beyond expectations.

While still staring at my phone, there was an incoming call from my supervisor at the mining site. "Good day, Alonzo".

"Boss, I'm glad you finally picked up your calls. We've been so worried about you, are you okay, boss?" he asks and I nodded like he was seeing me.

"Yes, I'm fine, I just slept so much and forgot I have work to do with you guys".

"It's okay boss, I took care of it already. You can rest as much as you want, you can come for inspection tomorrow if you're less busy" he said and I raised a brow that he wasn't seeing.

"No, I can still come and join you guys and....."

"There's no need for that. Take a day off boss you need it. You work so hard like the world was going to end tomorrow. C'mon, live and have fun, you're still young and most of all you're single" he cuts in.

I smiled and said, "If you insist then I will accept your offer. Thank you for being there at the right time".

"Any time boss" he replied and I chuckled.

"When will you stop calling me boss?" I ask even when I already knew the answer.

"When you choose to get married then I'll switch it from Boss to Mr. Fernando" he laughs and I laughed so hard.

"You're such a crazy guy. I'll see you tomorrow, thanks once again" I replied.

"Yes boss, enjoy your day" he hanged up the call and I sigh in relief.

Mr. Pedro knew I'd slept off longer than expected and he didn't bother to wake me up. I knew quite well that it was his plan for things to turn out this way.

They're right I need to rest, not just to rest but to also meditate and think straight. But before then I had to return all the calls I missed including that of my mom and Antonio.

After the call, my mind began diverting back to that misery book, Shattered Hearts. I'm beginning to get intrigued by what the content of the book is all about. Does the story have any ties with me just as my best friend said or was he just exaggerating? Should I continue to read that book? So many thoughts ran through my mind as I stared out of my window.

To be continued...

Thanks for reading!