A Million Miles

Mich Mercado

Description

Inspired by the works of Nicholas Sparks, it tells the story of two strangers that created a charming yet challenging love story.
Calista "Callie" Fuentes is an aspiring historian and a museum assistant in New York, working really hard to finance her family back home in the Philippines. Born and raised in Manila, she first came to the United States of America when she was 18. With the help of her older brother, Gabe, she was able to experience the "dream" that only a few of her peers will ever experience. Also coming from a conservative and traditional family, she has always tried her best to walk away from love. Not until she met the overconfident and charming Luca Moretti, who was three years her junior.

Meanwhile, the charismatic Luca was an aspiring chef working at their family restaurant. After experiencing all sorts of ups and downs with each other, they will be left with a very difficult decision that may make or break their relationship. A story of love, life, struggles, decisions, family, and the American dream. How long would you wait for a love worth risking?

Sujets

• Vie de famille
• Relations familiales
• Relationships
• Humor
• Relationship
• Love Story
• Family
• Fiction

Informations

• Publié par: AuthorHouse
• Date de parution: 10 mai 2023
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9798823007962
• Langue: English

Extrait

A MILLION MILES
MICH MERCADO


AuthorHouse™
1663 Liberty Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403
www.authorhouse.com
Phone: [phone]
 
 
 
 
 
© 2023 Mich Mercado. All rights reserved.
 
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.
 
Published by AuthorHouse 05/08/2023
 
ISBN: 979-8-8230-0797-9 (sc)
ISBN: 979-8-8230-0796-2 (e)
 
Library of Congress Control Number: 2023908495
 
 
 
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.
 
 
 
Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
CONTENTS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
 
Acknowledgements
Author’s Note

In loving memory of my father,
Atty. Jing Mercado
I would have made a terrible lawyer, dad.
1
I t was a busy afternoon in 2010, and I was preparing to leave when a boisterous crowd came rushing in asking for a tour. My colleague cannot handle the group alone, so she asked for my assistance. I felt tired and annoyed. I was just quietly assisting the guests while waiting for questions to be asked. A neatly dressed young man politely asks me about the history of a 67-year-old World War II bomb displayed in the museum.
As part of my job, I confidently recited the information script that I memorized about the bomb, as I discreetly smiled after.
“Yes, I can indeed read that on the display, miss. Tell me something I don’t know.”
He uttered and smiled with a semi-serious face, seemingly mocking me.
I froze, feeling annoyed and embarrassed at the same time. As someone who just started a job as a tour assistant for a week, I still have a lot to learn. Including minute details of a rusty old bomb corroding inside a glass.
“Uhh... um” was all I could say while nervously remembering the possible answer to his question.
I was looking through a distance for a while when he snapped me back to reality.
“Miss? Miss! “Are you okay?”
“Uhh… Yes! I’m sorry I had difficulty hearing your question. My mind is kind of preoccupied right now, and I am really sorry. I know this is my job, but I can’t even think straight. There are a lot of things on my mind right now. I was supposed to be going home, when I was dragged by my friend to help her facilitate the newcomers. It’s been a long day.”
I was talking a little too fast and sharing a little bit more information than I was supposed to. I stopped talking as I noticed him smiling at me.
“It is okay, miss; you don’t need to apologize, and I’ll just look it up on Google later.” He said this while still having a huge grin on his face.
I was embarrassed, but at the same time, relieved, thinking that I dodged a bullet with a question that I don’t have a single answer to. I sighed as I smiled back at him.
“I actually also want to know more about that sword too. It looks interesting, but I think I’ll also google that later.” He jokingly stated this while pointing at a display a meter away.
“Actually, I can tell you a million things about that sword, but the museum will be closed in 10 minutes. I’m afraid it would take me at least half an hour to discuss all the details.” I stated with a serious face.
“Maybe we’ll talk about it more for dinner then. I am so extremely interested in that sword that I don’t think I can go home peacefully today without even knowing more details about it.” He spoke in a serious tone before showing a silly smirk on his face.
I was speechless for a second. Did he just ask me out? I was asking myself with a visible look of confusion on my face while being silent for a little while.
“Uhh… I’m sorry, what? I had trouble hearing you for a second there.” I said
He smiled then said, “I am really interested in that sword, and you said that you need more time to discuss it, right? So I’m asking if maybe you would like to grab dinner. I’m giving you more time to talk about it.”
“Are you asking me for a date just to talk about a 300-year-old sword?” I said it with a disgusted tone and face.
“Well, yes and no.” He paused.
“Yes, the sword is amusing, but I’m really more interested in you.” He stated as he fixed his gaze on me.
“I’m so sorry, but I have to go.” I stormed out quickly, grabbed my things, and then tapped my colleague’s arm to say goodbye.
As I was walking, I could see him following me. Luckily, a cab stopped by, and I immediately took off while looking at his dismayed face. I was looking out the window of the cab, trying to brush away the thing that happened.
“Just pull over by that convenience store, please.” I stated this to the driver. I gave him cab money and then went out of the cab. I went inside the store and bought instant noodles for dinner.
“I can’t afford a good meal anyway, or maybe he’ll pay for it.” I whispered through my breath as I was waiting in line at the cashier.
“No, no, I would never go on a date with a random guy just for free food. I can take care of myself.” I thought while checking out all my unhealthy processed food at the counter.
“Callie? Hey! Good thing I ran into you. Are you going home? Let’s eat out; I’m starving.”
A familiar voice said something to me while tapping my shoulder. I looked back then saw my roommate Aia, while also trying to checkout.
“I already bought dinner.” I said while showing her two packs of instant noodles.
“What? Are you kidding me? Not that again! C’mon, I just got my salary today. I’ll buy you a hot dinner. It’s no big deal.” She said it with a persuasive tone.
“Alright, alright! I’ll wait for you to checkout, then we’ll go.” I stated with a huge smile on my face, feeling really thankful for her saving me from today’s battle of starvation.
“Alright, so I know a newly opened restaurant just a few blocks away from our apartment.” Aia stated.
We walked for a while, then spotted a small Italian restaurant getting filled with people.
“Gosh, I hope we still get a table. This place is packed.” I said this while looking around for available seats. Aia grabbed my arm and rushed to an empty table in the corner.
“Finally, I can have a healthful dinner after weeks of eating processed junk food.” Aia stated while grabbing her seat.
“Well good thing, Aia, I bought 2 instant noodles for tomorrow’s dinner because I feel like you would be broke after this meal. I’m starving.” I laughed.
“Hey, don’t be such a rascal. I’m trying to get us through the month too.” She jokingly stated
Aia waved her hand to catch the attention of the waitress. She handed us the menu, and we scanned through a long list of mouthwatering authentic Italian cuisine.
“Wow, I’m drooling just by looking at the photos, and it’s inexpensive too. We’re so lucky; we get to live nearby. This will be our go-to place, right, Callie?” Aia asked.
“Definitely! Such a good deal, and the ambiance is cozy too. We should really visit here often.” I stated that all of a sudden, a familiar face caught my attention. I gasped, looking so shocked and nervous at the same time. I was panicking, and my awkward self just doesn’t know what to do.
“Hey Callie! What’s wrong? Aren’t you going to order? You look like you just saw a ghost. Hey!” Aia sounded so concerned.
“I have to go. I’m not that hungry. I’ll just meet you at home.” I was panicking, and when I was about to stand up from my seat, a sarcastic sounding voice said:
“So you didn’t want to have dinner with me, but you’re actually following me. That’s a better idea; I like it.”
I looked up and saw the same egoistic maniac from the museum earlier. I sat down immediately and tried to pretend that everything was fine.
“Oh hi! I’m so sorry about earlier. I was rushing to see my friend Aia here because she had an emergency. Fortunately, she’s doing fine now. Right Aia?” I asked Aia while trying to send her a signal to play along.
“What emergency? Oh right! That emergency.” Aia awkwardly stated while forcing a laugh.
“Yeah, I’m doing fine right now. Luckily, Callie rushed down to attend to me.”
Aia continued, while still trying to process what was happening.
I was stunned when Aia said my name. I don’t want him to know, but it’s too late.
“Callie? Lovely name,” he said as Aia was ordering our dinner.
“Hey Greta! Everything they would order, just put it on my tab.” He stated to the waitress. Aia and I both looked so confused.
“Oh, my family owned this place.” He continued. Aia and I both looked at each other and didn’t seem to know what to say.
“Uhh… Thank you for the offer, but it’s totally fine. We’ll just pay.” I timidly stated.
“No, no Callie! It’s no big deal, I insist. Besides, you still have to tell me more details about the sword, remember?” He said this while grinning.
“Thank you so much; you’re so kind. Uhh… I’m sorry, but I didn’t catch your name.” Aia asked politely.
“Luca Moretti.” He charmingly said while looking directly at me, even though it was Aia who asked him.
“Oh, I’m Calista Fuentes; you can call me Callie. This right here is Aia.” I smiled back.
“By the way, Luca, how did you meet Callie?” Asked Aia.
“At the museum. I was asking her questions about some displays, but she stormed out and left me there hanging.