Alfonso and Siena were staring at the huge sycamore tree in front of them.
“Did you or Grandpa write the text?” she asked.
Alfonso shook his head. “As far as I know, the text was already there since the first time I came here. Grandfather didn’t know who made it either. But he said the text was to remind every human being who tended to be proud.”
“So why did you bring me here?”
“Because you said something about digging the floor. I remember, Grandfather and I used to play digging and hiding something here, in the ground under this tree,” he stated.
Siena's jaw fell open. “Why not? We must try! Maybe Grandpa hid a message down here!” she sounded excited.
Alfonso turned his head around, looking for something. He took a big tree branch from the ground. Then he started to dig the grou
“Siena, open your eyes!”Panic was all Alfonso could feel. Did Siena get hit on her head when she fell down? What should he do?He looked up and down. The hillside was too high, it was impossible to either jump to the bottom of the hill or climb up. The ground on the hillside was too slippery, unstable, without rocks or plants to hold on to. Not to mention he had to carry Siena’s body with him.He was just about to reach for his cellphone, when suddenly there was a light movement on her eyelids.“Siena…!”“A-alf…? What ---““Oh, thank God you’re awake…!” He sighed with relief. “Don’t ever scare me like that anymore! Can you move?”Siena tried to move her legs. She grimaced upon feeling a sharp pain on her left ankle. “Ouc
Siena was startled seeing the man walking into the room. “Damien?”“Hi, Siena…,” he greeted.“How can you come here?” She could not hide the astonishment in her voice.“Didn’t you ask your pilot, Captain Hans, to tell me you’re going to Palma?” With a smile curved on his lips, Damien stood next to her bed.Of course she remembered. Before they took off to Palma, she indeed told the pilot of her private jet to call Damien, just to inform him that she was going to Spain. That was because Alfonso refused to lend her his cellphone.“Yes, of course. But I mean, how can you come to Palma? And how do you know I’m here in this hospital?”“Because I’m terribly worried about you, Siena…. Alfonso told Captain Hans last night you were being treated for in
Alfonso opened the door of his apartment unit with his access card. He bought a luxurious apartment unit in Beverly Hills since returning to LA, nothing else but to gain back his grandfather’s inheritance. With his wealth and influence, for him, buying a luxurious apartment was only a small matter. Moreover, the facilities were satisfying and located in a strategic place. So now, why was he feeling reluctant to return to his own apartment?“Honey Bear? Oh, I’m so happy you’re home…,” a soft voice instantly welcomed him when he strode into the living room.Gloria appeared in a sensual red mini dress, purposely dressed to seduce Alfonso. She knew her man loved red color so much. But there was something cold and passionless in his gaze.“Hi, Gloria…,” was his only response.“How are you, Honey Bear? I miss you so much….&r
Since Siena was treated in the hospital yesterday, Alfonso hadn’t visited her yet. Why did he have to show up when Brian was here? Siena complained in her thoughts. She was worried Alfonso would discuss about their journey in front of Brian. If Brian found out she lied to him, how could she ever dare to face Brian anymore?Alfonso walked in with his eyes piercing at Brian. Who was this man, another Siena’s fan? He glanced over at the bucket of roses from Brian, and other gifts on the table.‘Huh!’ he grumbled inwardly. ‘Why on earth are they so fond of her? Why don’t they just make a fan club? The members must be the wise-ass lawyer and this man looking like a Korean boy band member.’“Alf, this is Brian Jung, my best friend. Brian, this is Alfonso Garcia.” Siena reluctantly introduced them to each other to avoid the awkward situation.
“Alf, could you give me a pencil and a piece of paper?” Siena asked.“What for?”“You asked me to break the code. I need to make some scribbles first.”Alfonso searched his pocket. There was only a sheet of receipt. “I only have this. If you want to, I can get it from the nursing station outside. And I don’t have pencil, only a pen.”Siena arched a brow. “But I need a pencil and a blank sheet of paper….”“Okay, I’ll get it for you.” He walked out of the room at once. Less than one minute, he returned with the things she requested. “Here you go.”“Thanks, Alf….”Siena bit her bottom lip to keep her from smiling. She wondered why Alfonso would listen to her request. He used to be the one giving instruction
Gloria’s beautiful face had turned pale as if her blood was being drained all at once. Her eyes lost its shines. Her heart stopped for short while. Alfonso’s words sounded like the worst nightmare she didn’t want to believe.“Ho-honey… Bear…? Y-you dare send me away…?” she cried.“It’s over, Gloria…. Now you’re free to go wherever you want. You should be happy.” Alfonso let go his grab on her chin, turning around to the door.“Where are you going, Honey Bear?!” she growled hysterically. “You can’t break up with me! You won’t dare! I know it’s all because of that damn girl Siena! She’s manipulating you!”Alfonso stopped right in front of the door. He was fuming with anger once again upon hearing Gloria insulting Siena, but he resisted his feeling. 
Beep! Beep!The cellphone in her pocket beeped, startling Siena. She almost forgot the cellphone from Alfonso since she was used to having no cellphone for the past week. It could be no other but Alfonso. He was the only one who could call her new number.“Are you at home?” Alfonso didn’t even bother to greet her.“Yes, since yesterday morning. What is it?” she replied reluctantly.“I’m coming.” Then he hung up the call.Shutting her eyes, Siena let out a deep breath. She needed extra energy to deal with Alfonso. Sometimes he might behave nice, but most of the time she felt the urge to tweak his ears. Good Lord, why was he coming again? She hated to admit it, but there were times when he made her heart warm instead.“You’ve got to be kidding me…. Don’t tell me you’re
Siena never expected that the third clue would bring them to her birthplace.“Gotemba isn’t just the birth city of my Mom, but me also,” she said in a low voice.“What’s wrong? You’re supposed to be happy. We’re going to Japan, your country of origin,” Alfonso stated.“Yes, it just… I have nobody left there. My grandfather and grandmother have passed away. My Mom and I have left the city for so long, almost fourteen years ago.”“It was your birthplace after all. There must be so many memories.”Siena fell silent. There were indeed so many memories in Gotemba city, the sweet and the bad ones.“But what are we looking for? Seeing the previous two assets we’ve visited, Grandpa must have left something like a hotel or resort.”&ldquo