The Lost Heir

Chapter 6

Ferdinand was momentarily downcast, realizing that his condition was too weak to approach Andie to beat him up, it seemed that now was not the right time. Slowly Ferdinand ventured into the trunk of the car, although it felt too risky there was no other way to get away from Lauterbrunnen and return home.

"I think today is enough, then I will ask the contractor to immediately start the construction of this place which will be the most different tourist site from all that has ever existed at the foot of the Alps," Andie said while preparing to get into the car.

"Of course Sir, your name will be number one and no one will know that we have embezzled the funds," replied Doni while opening the door not realizing Ferdinand had entered first and then left the place.

"You are indeed wise Doni, a bigger prize will be waiting for you." Doni just smiled broadly in response to Andie's words.

At Margaretha's modest house, she cheerfully rushed to the kitchen to prepare food for the two of them.

"Ferdinand, it's time for lunch, are you feeling better?" she asked softly while waiting at the door with a tray.

For a few seconds there was no answer from inside Margaretha, still patiently waiting because she thought he was sleeping. Not hearing any sound from inside she suddenly felt anxious and opened the door.

"Ferdinand?!" she called, then gasped when she realized the room was empty. Margaretha ran around checking the whole room but Ferdinand was gone leaving her weak and helpless.

"Has he been able to walk? But he hasn't recovered yet but where did he go? I don't want the boy to be harmed even though he should have said goodbye." Margaretha still couldn't believe her loss and her eyes began to tear up.

Five months of caring for Ferdinand made her single life feel like she had a family again even though it was so exhausting having to take care of all his needs every day.

Time continued to spin along the way as Andie did not go directly to the city of Bern but traveled around to several places until their journey took longer to reach their destination.

"Buy me the best quality red grapes, I want to visit Uncle Levin after this!" Andie ordered.

"Yes sir," Doni replied and pulled the vehicle into a convenience store.

"Sir, aren't you coming inside?" said Doni.

"Oh yes," Andie continued before getting out of the car, they both rushed inside so this opportunity was used by Ferdinand to get out of the trunk of the car before anyone saw.

"Should I hurry home and talk to mom and dad about Andie and Doni?" he asked himself in confusion as he felt his body stiffen after three hours of hiding especially since his knees were hurting even more.

Ferdinand walked along the sidewalk where food shops lined up with delicious smells greeted him, uploading his already hungry stomach. For the first time he had no money and could only sit down when the face of Margaretha who sincerely took care of him all this time suddenly had a feeling of regret in his heart.

"Was I too mean to her? But if I had stayed in Lauterbrunnen it could have been too late, Andie and Doni had gone too far." Ferdinand felt like his mind was at a dead end, not knowing what to do and where to take refuge.

When Ferdinand had to struggle with his stomach in contrast to Andie just came out of the minimarket while carrying a cup of his favorite coffee enjoying while reading some important news on the cellphone. 

Andie didn't realize that Ferdinand, who was looking around for leftovers, suddenly jumped in surprise when the man walked towards him.

"Andie?! I can't be seen by him." Ferdinand hurriedly stepped to blend in with the other pedestrians so as not to be suspicious.

"What took Doni so long?" he said irritably but his eyes were wide.

"Sir?" called Doni approaching but the man was unconscious.

"Why do I feel strange seeing that man? Feels familiar?" muttered Andie as he continued to walk looking for where the man had disappeared to.

"Sir, who are you talking to?" called Doni again.

"Oh, where's the fruit?" Andie replied, a little surprised by Doni's appearance.

"Are you looking for something, sir?" asked Doni, sweeping his surroundings.

"No, forget it. Let's go see Uncle Levin now!" he ordered.

"Yes sir." Doni immediately prepared the car for them to continue their journey.

From quite a distance Ferdinand saw the car leaving and finally felt more at ease to continue his journey without having a direction to go. In his entire life he had never done this through Bern City on foot only relying on the remaining energy available, usually always getting in and out of luxury cars escorted by drivers and assistants now the world feels upside down.

"Maybe I should immediately meet the police to report the case that happened to me," said Ferdinand when at the end there was a police station.

Ferdinand sat down to catch his breath when he accidentally overheard a conversation between two foreign men discussing the content of the news they read from the newspaper.

"Poor Mr. Levin Johansson, I hear his illness is getting worse. Ferdinand was shocked as he covered his mouth to keep from making a sound.

"Yes, since the death of his son his health has deteriorated immediately," another replied.

"I heard that Johansson's company is also having difficulties and many employees have been laid off," said the man holding the newspaper.

"Dad and the company are not doing well? So all this time they all thought I was dead?" Ferdinand thought incredulously as he watched the two men leave the place, then grabbed the newspaper so that his hands shook to confirm the news.

Ferdinand abandoned his intention to complain to the police station and decided to head to the hospital where his father was being treated as his main destination on foot. Ferdinand straightened his legs on the side of the road in a weak condition, both of his eyeballs even began to look foggy and his face was pale because he was too exhausted.

"Isn't there usually a midfielder in this area?" said the woman while slowing down her car just outside the hospital yard. 

Ferdinand couldn't bear the dizziness in his head and ended up lying on the ground with his hands clutching his stomach, which was also hurting because he hadn't eaten.

"Oh My God?!" This woman finally decided to stop and get out of the car. 

Ferdinand faintly saw someone approaching but was unable to say much because he was too weak, hungry and thirsty.

"Oh my goodness, how did you end up lying here? Wait a minute, I have some food and drink." The woman immediately guessed what Ferdinand was experiencing at this time and immediately returned to the car to get bread and mineral water.