6. He Led Me to You

-Lucy’s POV-

I woke up staring at the ceiling not wanting to get up. What have I done? What should I do? And what will I do? My mind was looping around those questions when my mother knocked on the door. “Honey aren’t you going for walk today?” I sat up on my bed and sighed. “In a while, mom.” It has been my routine to go out and have a walk. Honestly, it wasn’t just an ordinary walk. I walk to get a chance to see Mr. Wise Man again. Everyday I look around and sometimes knock on doors to ask if they knew who Mr. Wise Man was and where he could possibly live. However, all were in vain. I stood up and went to the kitchen where my mother was. There was toasted bread and strawberry jam on the table. I grabbed a bite sluggishly that my mother noticed it. “Anything wrong, hon?” I gave out a fake smile to her and said, “No mom, just feeling a little lazy today. Thanks for the bread, I’ll go take my walk now.” I hurriedly went outside to avoid my mother’s eyes. I can’t afford her to see me like this. A month has passed, but it felt like an eternity for me in search of the man who saved my life back then. I closed my eyes and inhaled the lovely sweet scent of sea breeze when suddenly there was a tap on my shoulders. I stiffened and was afraid to open my eyes. Could it be? Could it be him? I slowly opened my eyes to see who it was. It’s not him. My heart was disappointed. I see a man right in front of me, but he is not that man who I’ve looking for over a month now. “Yes? How can I help you?” The man smiled at me and asked, “Are you that woman who have been looking for a certain man in this area?” My heart flopped and suddenly felt excited by his question. Maybe this could be my lead to find my Mr. Wise Man. “Yes, it’s me. Do you happen to know him?” He scratched the back of his head and said shyly “Well…I am not certain if he is the right one, but based on the people who told me about you and the person you have been describing to them. There is one person that I know fits your description.” My eyes widened and suddenly grabbed the hands of this man “Please! Do tell me!” I couldn’t hide the excitement anymore. The man looked at their hands clasped together and that’s when I realized that I gripped it too hard. I let go of his hand embarrassed by my action. “I-I’m sorry.” The man gave out a soft laugh. “It’s ok, miss. By the way I’m Nick, Nick Emerson. I live just five doors away from yours.” He blushed a little. “My apologies, I know where you live because I see you everyday walking by the bay.” I smiled at him “No need to apologize. I’m Lucy Summers. Nice to meet you, Nick.” I lent my hand to him into a shake. “Nice to finally know you, Lucy. Going back..” Nick started. “Why are you looking for this man?” I looked at him in the eye and said “Well, he’s my savior.” Nick was stunned for a little while, but didn’t really bother to ask why instead he said, “I’ll walk you to where he lives.” My heart started to pound while I followed him to where my Mr. Wise Man could be. We walked silently and as we got nearer to what seems like a small garage Nick said “The man I know, based on your description is my dear friend, Conner. He lived in this garage.” He turned his back to face me. “I hope you won’t feel down, but I have to tell you he isn’t here anymore.” I felt like I was struck by lightning. This couldn’t be! No! He promised me that he will come back for me! Tears started filling my eyes and asked “Where could he possibly be now?” Nick shrugged his shoulders “The last time I saw him was a month ago. It was raining hard when I saw him pass by. Conner was a good buddy of mine. I come here every morning to have a cup of coffee with him. To my surprise he wasn’t here anymore the next morning. I know you have been looking for him. I wasn’t really sure how to approach you back then, but seeing you today wearing a gloomy face, I felt the need to tell you. Well, I am also not certain if I guessed the right person so I brought you here. You can go take a look inside. I think there’s a picture at his side table or somewhere.” He started going through a bunch of keys “I come here often, he’s like a brother to me and he was kind enough to lend a spare key to me so that I can open his house when I needed to.” finally he found one to open the small garage. When I went inside it was no garage. There was a couch and a table lamp at the side. Right across it was a drawer that fit perfectly to the wall behind it. Behind the wall was the bath and there was a small sink with a wall mirror just near its bathroom door. The whole space was filled with a very masculine scent. For me, it truly felt like home. I ran my eyes to every corner of the house and just then I noticed a small picture frame on the table lamp. I took it and saw the face of the man I have been looking for a month now; Mr Wise Man. The moment I saw his face and knowing that he is no longer around tears just fell on my cheeks. How could this happen? Did I do something wrong? Why did he suddenly leave? There were so many questions in my mind until I found myself hugging the person who led me to my Mr. Wise Man. I cried my heart out and when I am finally sober I suddenly felt ashamed. “I-I’m sorry, Nick. I didn’t mean to cry on you like that. I-I wasn’t able to control myself. How shameful.” Nick cupped my face, wiped away the tears falling on my cheeks and looked me in the eyes. “Don’t you ever call yourself shameful. Crying is never a shameful act. I have seen you put so much effort on this and I truly understand how you feel. I don’t wish to put you down. I just really wanted to help. I wish I could do more, but for now this is what I can offer you.” I gradually nodded “Thank you, Nick for giving me this chance.” He patted my shoulders and pointed at the picture frame I was holding. “You can have that. Come on, I’ll take you home.”