The Emancipation of a Fuckboy - Chapter 65: Chapter 65

Valentine
I shut my eyes and took a deep breath. I feel like it's been ten years since I boarded the plane, and my butt's already feeling the growing discomfort. I'm not used to traveling this long, and this flight made sure that I feel what it's like to travel for over eight hours for the first time. I kept on adjusting myself against the seat, and I didn't realize I was craving a dose of nicotine until I started feeling a bit dizzy. After almost twenty-four hours, the plane finally landed, and my journey to finding my one true love continues.
"Dominic mother******* Warren here I come!" I whispered to myself as soon as I stepped out of the plane. I'm getting more and more excited that I can't express how I'm feeling. My head and my heart were both having their own moment that I didn't even notice I was already sitting in the backseat of a taxi. The driver had to call for my attention several times before I told him to bring me to any of the hotels at the heart of the capital.
The flight was the longest trip that I've ever had in my entire life. I almost thought I'm going to die out of boredom, thankfully I met this recently married couple, and they were so much entertaining. I sat quietly in the backseat of the taxi, and I just realized that I don't have any plans at all. If Ivana was here, she'd probably created a whole list of things to do, like where to look first. I should've asked her to come with me, but she has some mother duties, and she can't just abandon her child just to help me chase the person that I love.
My eyes were focused on the fresh scenery just outside the window; however, my mind was levitating somewhere else. I remembered the couple that I met on the plane who gave me a bit of advice about what to do once I find what I'm looking for, and I wished I'd asked for more. I was just so freaking jealous about how intimate and sweet they were to each other that asking for more advice never really crossed my mind. They told me about their love story, of how they met, of how they fought, and of how they made up to each other years later. Hearing their story did nothing but inspire me. I admit it was a typical love story, it's even similar to mine, but I definitely felt the breeze of true love.
The driver dropped me off in front of this fancy hotel, and as I inched my way towards the reception, I began to imagine the things that I would do once I see Dominic. I'm going to tell him how much I regret taking revenge on him and that I will do whatever it takes to make up for it. I'm going to let him know how much of a goner I will be if I don't get the chance to prove to him that he's the one I want to be with for the rest of my life.
I know traveling all the way across the pond to find the person who stole my heart will be extremely difficult, but this is the kind of risk I am willing to take. This is my one final chance of chasing my happiness, and I don't want to fuck this shit up like I did before. Dominic is just out here somewhere, and I'm going to hunt him down.
The receptionist finally handed the key to my room, and as soon as I saw the comfortable bed, my body was instantly seduced by its mattress. I didn't even get the chance to be amazed by how expensive and chic my room was until I woke up a few hours later. I only had like five hours of sleep, but the sun's already up above the Singaporean horizon. I can still feel the exhaustion caused by that long-ass flight, my muscles were aching, and I badly need a cup of coffee. Still wearing the same clothes from the flight, I smelled awful, but it didn't even matter. I propped myself out of bed, and I ordered some coffee before entering the shower. By the time I was finished, my coffee had arrived along with some toast. I ended up taking my morning breakfast, a toast, a cup of coffee, and a cigarette on the balcony.
"Now it's time for me to make some plans." I told myself after laying my eyes on the metro scenery and having my first sip of coffee. The panoramic view isn't any different from where I work; there are many protruding buildings, the streets are loud and busy, and aside from my cigarette smoke, you can see the pollution. I sat at this asymmetrical chair made out of wood and glass as I opened a new file of notes on my phone.
"Fuck!" I whispered with such crispness to myself. I don't know where to begin with, this is still a big city, and I'm just new here. Finding a person who doesn't want to be found will be a heck of a problem. I laid my phone on the table as I let out a heavy sigh. I felt utterly blank, and I know being out of an idea is totally normal for me, but why does it have to happen this time. I need to think. I need to start somewhere.
"Think, Valentine, think!" I took a puff of a cigarette and stared at the blank page for about fifteen minutes until I suddenly remembered Dominic mentioning living in his dad's penthouse.
"That's it!" I chirped. There's a sudden burst of excitement inside of me. I feel like a light bulb was finally lit up inside my head. I just need to go and check every single penthouse in the area. There's probably a lot of penthouse for such a developed city, and it's definitely going to be a long day for me, but also, there's no way I won't find Dominic.
I felt great not only because this is the best idea, but this is literally the best idea I came up with without someone lending me a hand. Ivana, as reliable as she is, was still just one call away, and I could've just face-timed her, but I'm starting to get the feeling that I'm going to cross this road on my own. It's a clear reminder that this is my mess and that I'll have to take care of it on my own.
I finished my coffee and toast before eventually going through google maps and making a list of all the penthouses in this city. There are many buildings right next to each, which isn't much of a problem. The only problem I'm going to encounter is those buildings that want to keep the identity of their residents confidential. While I was jotting down the names of each building, I suddenly thought of prioritizing the buildings within the range of Dominic's alma mater. By the time I was done listing, I rushed back inside, opened my suitcase and threw on whatever I brought with me. Choosing style didn't even cross my mind. I didn't come here to do a fashion show.
Thirty minutes later, I found myself entering the first building, and although it was just the beginning of the actual hunt, I already thought I might find Dominic here. The reality is I only have a 0.1 percent chance of finding my guy here, but my thoughts are on a different level. I was already creating this hopeful fantasy of boarding the elevator towards whichever floor Dominic might be on. I saw myself hugging him and kissing his lips right away. The scenery might not be the most romantic place, but I definitely saw myself getting down on my knees and asking him to marry me. Reality suddenly snapped its fingers on my face as the receptionist called for my attention. I wasted no time and immediately asked for Dominic Warren. By the time the receptionist was tapping on the computer, I had remembered it might actually be under his dad's name. The receptionist gave me a disappointing look as I quickly told her to look for Dominic's father instead, but still, it's a negative.
"That's okay!" I told myself as I slowly walk away. "One building down and we still have fifteen buildings to cover." I fished my phone, opened my notes, and crossed out the first building. The second building is just a ten-minute walk, and I'm starting to get even more psyched.
Entering the second building seemed like the first one; I had my hopes raised. Like the way I felt during the first one, I felt like this is the building where I'm going to find Dominic only to end up disappointed. I left the second building thinking that I might have to adjust my expectations. I may have to tone it down from ten to probably a six, and it's what I did as I approached the third building. Just like the first two, there's no Dominic here, and as I continue to embark on this hunt, I didn't notice my expectation slowly dwindled. I was already at the ninth building when my mindset began to change, and my expectation was down to a two.
"I can't give up," I hushed as I paused from walking. I felt like I've been walking endlessly. Darkness had already conquered the skies, and the city lights came to bring light. I haven't eaten anything for lunch, but I guess thinking about Dominic's whereabouts made me forget my hunger. I'm not hungry for food; I'm hungry for my one true love.
"I have to keep moving." I told myself as I resumed walking. There are still lots of buildings to check apart from the ones around the nearest vicinity. I kept walking until I passed this bar that made me feel something. I stared at the entrance for a while, and I feel like it's calling me, which was weird because I don't feel like I want to rest. I don't have to rest while Dominic is still out there. I don't need to rest when my forever is about to be lost. I might be the biggest fool for following someone all the way across the pond, but that someone is the guy I want to be with for the rest of my life. I want to be the one to witness his youthful skin grow some wrinkles and traces of time. I want to be there with him when climbing stairs become difficult because of knees growing weak. I'm not going to waste this opportunity, and if I have to check every single building here just to find Dominic, I will.
A gust of wind whipped in subtle style and I thought I heard something whisper in my ears. The next thing I know I was already trudging towards the bar. I know I've been walking since I got outside my hotel and I haven't felt the fatigue from all the steps that I've covered but now, I feel like my knees are going to give up. I brought myself straight towards the counter and I thought I was seeing things when I saw the guy from the plane.
"Hey man, you're the guy from the plane right?" The guy said, pointing right at me. For a guy like him, he has good memories of remembering a stranger he met on the plane. For me, I remember him for the inspiration that he gave me.
"Yeah. You're Ozzy right?" I said.
"Yes, it's me. This is cool, you found my workplace but have you found what you're looking for yet?" He asked, sounding excited.
"Bad news. I haven't found him yet." I sighed in frustration. I just realized how tired and exhausted I was now that someone asked about it.
"Wait, how are you finding him?" Ozzy asked in curiosity.
"Well, I know that he's living in his dad's penthouse." I began. I'm proud of this idea, but I'm not so sure if it's going to work anymore. "I actually listed every penthouse and, as foolish as it sounds, I'm checking every single one of them."
"Woah, for real?"
"Ahuh." I nodded.
"Man, that's so determined of you. I'm starting to adore you. You must really love this person eh."
"I do and if I have to catch a grenade for him, I will."
"Anyway, I have to tell you something."
"What's that?" I asked.
"You mentioned you are checking every single penthouse?"
"Uhm, yeah. I've already checked ten of them."
"Well, I hate to share this information to you but not every penthouse here will tell you about their tenants." Ozzy revealed, and I just didn't know how to feel about this information.
"Wh-what do you mean? Is this like a confidentiality thing?" I asked, blatantly confused about the situation. I tried to calm myself, but I'm already beginning to feel something inside.
"Exactly. Some, if not most, are obliged to keep the identity of their tenants in secret. I'm not sure if I'm right but most of them are A-list celebrities, multi-millionaire business tycoons, mafia leaders. You know, big people."
"Fuck!" I cursed, and then I remembered there are a lot of people here. "Sorry. I'm sorry." I said, apologizing to Ozzy.
"You might have to change your strategy man," Ozzy said, and although he doesn't have to be sorry for me, I can feel it in his tone.
"Can I have a bottle of Heineken, please?" I spat. I feel so much shattered like a window glass right now.
"Sure," Ozzy nodded and quickly grabbed a bottle. "Here, this one's on me." He spat, popping the bottle cap for me.
"Really? Thank you." I said. "But I've been up to ten buildings already and they haven't refused to tell me anything." I spat, hoping that he might be wrong.
"My wife has a friend who once worked as a receptionist and she learned for that friend that they just pretend to look for that person but in reality, they aren't allowed to disclose any information."
"So they basically told me nothing?" I almost choked out of this utter bullshit. "Fuck, so basically I'm back to square one huh," I trailed, realizing that everything I did today was for nothing. It was just a waste of effort, time, and energy. I'm out of words to describe how I'm feeling right now, but the feeling of frustration is stirring up inside me. I grabbed the bottle of beer and gulped it almost to a half.
I feel like I'm watching a movie with an unsuspecting plot twist right after an intense scene. This is not what I want. I feel so dumb thinking that there's no way I'm not going to find Dominic by checking every single penthouse. I guess this is why I felt something when I stopped in front of this bar. This is most definitely the reason why I was brought here by the whispers of the wind. I wanted to be thankful that I learned this information sooner than later, but damn I just can't. I could've known about it before I even started checking every single building. It feels like I've wasted a whole day.