Page 49 of Finding Love in the Clouds

They walked through the elegant hallways, passing by rooms that were each uniquely decorated, blending classic styles with modern comforts. The view from the windows showcased the breathtaking scenery of the lake and the Borromean Islands, providing a picturesque backdrop that added to the hotel’s allure.

As the tour drew to a close, the group exchanged goodbyes, promising to stay in touch. Alicia gathered everyone for a final farewell. “It’s been a pleasure guiding you through this beautiful country. I hope you’ve made memories that will last a lifetime. Safe travels to everyone, and I hope our paths cross again.”

Fernando picked up on Sophie’s exhaustion and suggested they take a quiet night in their rooms with a dinner of room service and meet for breakfast in the morning. Grateful for his understanding, Sophie kissed him good night and headed for a nice long soak in her tub, looking forward to some quiet time to relax after so many days on the go. She also needed to make a very private phone call.

Sophie started the bath water and tossed in a scoop of luxurious rose bath salts before perching on the edge of the bed and dialing the number on her cell phone. It rang twice before connecting.

“Sophie. Is everything okay?”

“Oh, hi. I hope I’m not disturbing you. I thought this would go to voice mail. Yes, everything is fine.”

“Some people never get sent to voice mail unless it is completely unavoidable. You are one of them. What’s up?”

“Um, I was wondering, Enrique, if you had ever used your skills and access to information to search for Fernando’s mom? We were talking recently, and he is open to the idea of finding her and putting that part of his childhood to rest. I can hire PIs to do it, but I thought Iwould start with his brothers in the intelligence industry first.” Sophie squirmed a little. She wasn’t sure why this conversation was so hard for her.

“Intelligence industry, huh? It sounds like someone has been a little loose-lipped. We’ll talk about that later. In answer to your question, yes and no. I did a preliminary search when we were younger and was just getting my fingertips wet with information gathering. I came up empty. I have given it some thought over the years and have an avenue that may work. Are you sure he wants this door opened? He has been pretty adamant about not meeting her for most of his life.”

“Yes. Let’s just say that things have changed. It turned out that fear of flying wasn’t his biggest fear, and perhaps his abandonment issues are the thing that is holding him back the most.”

“It’s about time! We all knew that. I’m glad this BBC challenge was the kick in the pants he needed. I will get on this. It will take a few months. Keep it quiet for now. I don’t want to get his hopes up. If I find anything out, you and I will have a talk and see what steps we take moving forward. Finding her might be the easiest part of this whole scenario.”

“Thank you, Enrique. I appreciate your help with this. Is all well on your end?”

“Me? Yeah. Things are good. Talk soon, Sophie.”

“Talk soon.”

The call disconnected, and Sophie took a deep breath. She wasn’t sure what she had expected or why she was nervous. She was comfortable with all of Fernando’s brothers, well, except Julio, whom she had never met. Enrique had been in and out of the office over the years, working on information systems. Maybe it was just the fact that this was a delicate situation, and she had just asked Fernando’s brother todig into his past, a past that held untold secrets that might do more harm than good.

Sophie rolled her shoulders to relieve the tension and climbed into the slipper tub for a nice long soak.

When she climbed out of the tub, skin waterlogged and wrinkled, she wrapped up in a plush white robe and made her way into the bedroom to dress but was interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Room service,” a young man called out.

Surprised, she opened the door and informed him, “I’m sorry, you have the wrong room. I haven’t ordered anything.”

“The gentleman across the hall ordered it for you. Said if it doesn’t satisfy you to order something else. May I arrange the table for you?”

Sophie was touched by the gesture and stepped back to allow the young man to push the cart inside. “Oh, um. No, thank you. This is fine. I’m sorry, I don’t have any cash for a tip. I wasn’t prepared for this.”

Exiting the room, the man replied, “Not a problem. The gentleman took care of everything. Have a good night.”

As the door softly closed behind him, Sophie inspected the contents of the small brass cart, which was covered with plates of food, a single red rose, and a note.

When I called down to order dinner, they informed me you hadn’t ordered yet. I figured you forgot before you took your bath.I had something prepared, so you wouldn’t have to wait another hour for food. If this doesn’t suit your cravings, feel free to order something else.

Sweet dreams, my love.

FK

She was happy. She had no idea how things would play out over the next few months, but her love for Fernando was finally out in the open, and he was reciprocating it. The future was looking bright.

Chapter Forty-Eight

Sophie and Fernando set out to explore the charming town of Stresa as the morning sun dusted the surroundings in soft golden light. The quaint streets of Stresa were lined with charming shops and cafes, their facades adorned with colorful flowers. The air was filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked pastries, mingling with the scent of the lake.

They walked hand-in-hand, taking in the sights and sounds. Sophie admired the intricate details of the old buildings while Fernando pointed out interesting landmarks. The town was waking up, and the locals greeted them with warm smiles and friendly waves. Fernando had arranged a picnic lunch with one of the café owners, and Sophie was delighted to find it packed in an iconic wicker basket with a red and white checkered cloth. It promised to be a delightful day.

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