C5 CHAPTER FIVE: SHOPPING SPREE

"Are you getting that?" Lia asked raising her head up, Jane nodded scurrying off to the next section.

Lia chuckled and looked down at her phone. She couldn't believe how much had happened and it was just 3pm.

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Jane had been all worried about Lia falling asleep at her house thinking that for sure, Fernando was going to raise hell.

Lia had been scared too, no terrified was the appropriate word. Fernando was being way too nice for someone who had promised her nothing but pain and suffering on their wedding day.

"Why didn't you wake me earlier?!"

Lia jumped off the bed and raced into the bathroom turning on the shower. Water poured from the shower head and she set her hands under it, splashing some on her face.

She couldn't believe she had slept off last night. Fernando was going to have her head for it and she didn't blame him.

He gave her the chance to spend the day doing whatever she wanted, and she misused the opportunity.

She shivered turning off the shower, bending her head in thought. Why did she have to fall asleep?!

"I fell asleep too. Oh no, we are in big trouble." Jane screamed and Amelia winced, holding her ears.

"Don't make me go deaf! I need to hear every word he has to say and see if I can apologize." Although she doubted Fernando would lend her a listening ear.

What would she even say? "Mr Fernando, I didn't mean to fall asleep. It just happened! My friend and I were seeing a movie one minute and the the next...I opened my eyes and it was daybreak. I really didn't mean it."

Would he even buy such an excuse? She didn't even expect him to, it was flimsy and horrible.

"The more time you spend daydreaming, the more trouble we're going to be in. Go!" Jane said pushing Amelia out of the bedroom and she grunted fighting back.

"My things..."

"Stop worrying about your things right now and go home. Fernando might come here soon, don't make him come here." Jane begged, pushing Amelia as she spoke. "I'll bring your things for you but you have to go now!"

"My phone."

"Oh God, you're going to get us killed!" Jane groaned and tugged at her hair. "It's on the bed. Lia, you need to go."

"He's calling!" Lia screamed and Jane sighed.

"Lia, don't pick that." She started to say but Amelia was already speaking to Fernando.

"I fell asleep yesterday, I'm sorry for not coming home." She said and Jane wished she could hear everything Fernando was saying.

Was he angry? Was he going to punish her friend now? What would happen now?

"Uhn, yeah. Jane?"

Jane looked up and frowned. Why was there a smile on Lia's face? Was it some kind of cover-up?

"Would you like to go shopping?"

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

"Spacing out again?"

Lia looked up just in time to see Fernando walking towards her. She jumped to her feet and bowed her head. Oh no, she had spaced out. But she didn't know he was...

"You're doing it again." Fernando said in a sing-song voice. "Where did you pick up this peculiar habit of yours?"

Lia didn't respond, instead she let her eyes scan the room in search of her best friend.

"Why aren't you shopping and where is your friend?"

"I was looking for her. I think she's at the other side of the store."

"Lia, oh my you have to check out these earrings, they're divine!" Jane ran into the room chatting excitedly. The excitement and joy on her face drained when she saw Fernando.

Was this how it was always going to be? Lia wondered but kept quiet waiting for Fernando to speak.

"Have you gotten all you need? I hope the staff are not giving you any trouble?"

Jane was tongue-tied.. "Uhn? Well, not everything is okay."

Lia pulled her friend close and Jane stopped shaking. "Is there something you needed?"

Fernando looked from her to Jane and then back to her again. He smiled and Lia felt her stomach knot.

He really had a beautiful smile. If he wasn't so terrifying...

"I just came to check on you, see if you needed anything." He looked at his watch and Lia relaxed, glad that his gaze wasn't fixed on her anymore. Jane was still quiet beside her and Lia felt sorry for her. "I am going to the restaurant. Stop by on your way home so we can have dinner. I want to introduce you to everyone."

Lia's only response was a nod, she wasn't sure she could speak. She was sure the shock she was feeling was reflected on her face.

"You don't have to if you don't want.."

"No, I mean of course she will come. Won't you, Lia?" Jane was suddenly speaking again and Lia resisted the urge to laugh.

"I will." Lia nodded and Fernando smiled again. Lia found herself smiling as well, his smile was contagious.

"See you then." With one final glance her way, Fernando turned and left.

"What just happened?" Jane asked staring at Lia and she sighed.

"Come on, let's finish shopping."

***

"How is married life?" Adam asked staring at his business partner.

Fernando shrugged, picking up the fork. "I don't know what to tell you. I have only been married two days so..."

Adam stared at him wordlessly and Fernando rolled his eyes. "Why are you staring? It's the truth."

"There's something else man. I don't know what it is but I can feel it."

Fernando didn't reply and instead focused all his attempt on the food. Adam was planning to introduce some new dishes to the menu and Fernando was supposed to try them out and criticize them before the customers. "This is okay, although ask Susan to add some more mint to the sauce."

Adam nodded and pushed that dish aside, bringing some more closer. "Try these. I think Susan is picking some new recipes nowadays."

Fernando nodded in agreement as he took a bite of the sandwich. It was a vegan option. He winced. The sandwich was great and all but he was a meat guy. "It's great."

"If it's so great then why is your face like that?" Adam asked chuckling and Fernando glared at him.

"There's no meat." He simply said and frowned at his phone. Why wasn't she here here yet?

"Is something wrong?"

He shook his head as he picked up his phone. He dialed Lia's number and his frown deepened when he got her voicemail.

"Fernando?"

"Sorry I'm late, we stayed long at the store and I didn't even realize it."

Fernando looked up and smiled, his bad mood settling. "Welcome. I was starting to worry."

Jane walked up to them and waved. "It's my fault we're late. I stopped at three different stores." She added a light chuckle for effect and Fernando shook his head.

"Adam, this is my wife Amelia Lawson James. Lia, this is Adam. He is my business partner."

Lia smiled at Adam aware that the man was probably wondering where her mother was. If this was Fernando's business partner then surely he had met her mother at least once. She stretched her hand out to him and watched as he hesitated. "It's nice to meet you, Adam. Everything smells so nice and I haven't even tasted it yet."

"Well wait till you try it. Our chef is amazing." Adam laughed trying to hide his nerves. Something wasn't right but he couldn't ask Fernando with his wife so close.

"Have your seat, Lia." Fernando pulled out a chair for her and Jane gasped making Lia blush.

"Thank you." She took her seat and eyed Jane to have her seat as well.

Jane did and Adam cleared his throat, calling Fernando's attention.

"Well, dinner will be ready soon. I will have a server bring you something light while you wait."

"You don't have to...ow!" Lia groaned, glaring at Jane.

Jane sent her an apologetic stare and turned to Fernando. "Thanks, I'm really starved."

"Man? A word?" Adam asked and walked off sending Lia a blank stare.

Lia looked away shivering at the intensity of his gaze. She knew Adam was going to inquire about her mother, she just didn't expect it to be so soon and while she was still around.

Better late than never, right?

"What are you thinking?" Jane asked just as Fernando walked away to find Adam and she looked up with a sigh.

"I think I need to find my mother."

Jane sighed and gave Lia's hand a light squeeze. "I'll get a private investigator tomorrow. Everything will be okay, Lia."

Lia nodded even though she didn't quite believe Jane's words.

*******

"Anna, take two glasses of orange juice and some turkey sandwiches to the women sitting on my table." Fernando pointed at a server as he walked into the kitchen.

Anna nodded and walked off leaving the two alone.

"What is going on man?"

"Not here." Fernando shook his head and Adam nodded leading the way to his office that was at the end of the hall.

"Start talking man. What the hell happened to Janet?"

"Do you want the long version or the short one?"

"Both."

Fernando took a deep breath and sat down. "You're going to want to sit down for this."

Adam took a seat reluctantly and pinned his partner a look. "Well.."

"Janet disappeared on our wedding day and I didn't have any other choice. The media was there and I didn't want that kind of publicity." Fernando explained everything that happened and Adam let out a breath.

"I guess there was a shorter explanation but, Wow." Adam exclaimed and Fernando shrugged.

"Yeah."

"What did your mother say?"

Fernando ran a hand through his hair and rose up pacing around the room. "She didn't notice or perhaps she just decided not to say anything. I didn't know what else to do man."

"Do you like her?"

Fernando gave him a death glare. "What do you think?"

"Damn man, this isn't right."

"No shit, you don't think I know that?"

Adam stood up and walked up to him, patting his back. "Well, what now?"

"I'm not going to let her go if that's what you're asking."

Adam's eyes were as wide as saucers. "You're just going to keep her against her will?"

"I don't have a choice, it's the only way to force Janet out of hiding."

"What are you going to do with Janet when you find her?"

Fernando shook his head. "I haven't thought that far just yet but I can't let her go after she humiliated me."

"Do you still love her?"

Fernando's silence was all the answer he needed.

"Damn. This is a-lot to take in."

There was a knock on the door and Fernando looked at Adam who was already looking at him.

"Sir, the food is ready." Anna announced walking into the office and Fernando nodded.

"Set the table and make sure the ladies are comfortable. We'll be there soon."

"Yes sir." Anna closed the door behind her and Adam looked up at Fernando.

"Have you started looking for her? Do you have any leads yet?"

Fernando shook his head with a sigh. "She obviously doesn't want to be found. I'm still looking. I know Lia will start searching for her too, sooner or later."

"Well, don't do anything stupid."

"You mean other than this?"

Adam laughed and walked out of the office, Fernando behind him. "This is some crazy Hollywood shit man."

"Tell me about it..”