After departing from the Shaman's abate, Max made his way home directly. He needed to fully absorb everything that had transpired. He needed to assess the severity of his current predicament. He needed to contemplate what lies ahead.
What appeared to be an ordinary day in his life, a day where he simply had to address a minor issue, a day that was meant to mark the start of his journey to becoming the second wealthiest individual, turned out to be the most dreadful in his entire existence.
Upon arriving home, he headed for his bed. A sanctuary of safety and solace. A place where he could release the heavy burden on his shoulders, a space where he was just Max. Not a billionaire. Just himself. No designation or status. Just plain and unremarkable Max.
As he lay on his bed, having discarded his clothes down to just his underwear, he pulled the comforter over his head and exhaled deeply. It had all been too overwhelming.
"Damn it!" He expressed frustration as he shifted to lie on his left side, finding solace in the darkness that enveloped him like a comforting shroud amidst the turmoil of his existence.
"I also curse you, foolish old sorceress," he whispered. His emotions were a turbulent mix of anger and powerlessness, fueling his growing rage.
The shaman's words echoed in his mind, "If you can discover your soulmate within the next twenty-eight days, starting from two days ago, and form a deep connection with her, you will be able to break free from this curse. The mark on your wrist symbolizes your entrapment, your bond to the witch's curse. By forging a bond stronger than the curse, you can shatter its hold. And there is no bond more powerful than that of soulmates. This is why your only path to freedom is to find her – your fated partner in this lifetime."
He had inquired of the shaman how he could possibly discover his soulmate when the concept of a soulmate is but a legend, a mere figment of the imagination. An incredulity. There was no evidence that such a being existed in this mundane world.
The term soulmate was merely a means of referring to someone who resonated deeply with one's essence. Someone with whom a profound connection is felt. And often, this connection is found between romantic partners.
Max considered the term to be somewhat naive. In this society, money supremely reigns. Love is influenced and propelled by financial means. The high cases of divorce
serves as evidence that happiness cannot be solely guaranteed by love. Money holds equal importance.
This is why he has refrained from committing to any woman. Engaging only in casual flings to satisfy his primal and manly desires.
His last fling lasted about two weeks now just because he didn't feel the need to replace her as soon as possible and he needed her to accomplish one of his goals since her father has one of the most prosperous companies in the world.
So where was he to find his soulmate?
The idea filled him with an urge to burst into uproarious laughter, yet he was unable to do so. His circumstances did not permit such a sound to escape his vocal cords.
The Shaman's response to his inquiry had further weakened him; "You claim to possess all the wealth in the world to resolve any issues. Why not make use of that wealth now?"
Her tone was mocking, causing him to feel diminished in her presence. It was as though she could delve into his thoughts and comprehend the inner workings of his mind.
"Max Donovan, locate her or face death within thirty days." The shaman chuckled and departed from the sitting room, leaving Max to grapple with his own despair.
Shame fueled his hasty departure from the Shaman's abode, prompting him to issue swift commands to his staff, specifically instructing Ethan to escort him home.
"I must find my soulmate because I must not die," Max murmured to himself before succumbing to slumber.
However, his slumber did not usher him into a peaceful, uneventful state. Instead, he awoke once more in the shadowy forest, confronted by a figure brandishing a knife at his visage. Frantically, he fled, crying out for aid while yearning for the nightmare to cease. Yet, he knew so well that such a swift conclusion was unattainable. His nightmares usually don't conclude swiftly; they linger, prolonging the agonizing pursuit between himself and his pursuer.
The nightmare felt palpable as fear crept from his toes to his throat, constricting tightly around his neck and blocking his lungs' access to oxygen. He felt suffocated.
Nevertheless, the absence of air did not impede his feet from propelling him forward swiftly, nor did it dissuade him from fleeing for his very life.
The silhouette moved with incredible speed behind him like a tormented spirit. Every aspect of the nightmare was abnormal and scary.
As the vivid nightmare concluded, he awoke gasping for breath and clutching the skin above his heart. Sensing the rapid and irregular beats of the muscular organ that dwells on the left side of his chest. Upon noticing the glowing mark around his wrist, he dashed out of his bedroom into his bathroom.
He refused to succumb to a life overshadowed by haunting nightmares and searing pain encircling his wrist. No, he was determined to track down that special woman, his destined soulmate.
Who doesn't appreciate a bit of wealth? By offering her a substantial sum, he believed she would readily agree to become his wife.
And just like that! The curse would be broken.
With this driving force in mind, he hastily got dressed that morning and summoned Ethan to join him. The quest for his soulmate was about to commence.
Even if it meant combing through the entire universe, he was prepared to do so. One thing was certain – he was not going to meet his end.
Max Donovan is a tenacious individual who adamantly refuses to succumb to defeat. He has always been known for his unwavering resolve to face challenges head-on, and he has no intention of backing down now.
Upon Ethan's arrival with a team of top-notch private investigators, they immediately delved into strategizing. Ideas were brainstormed and none were dismissed without consideration.
Max is determined to utilize every available resource in his quest to find the woman fated to be his soulmate. She is the missing piece of his soul, the key to breaking a malevolent witch's curse.
He firmly believes that a resolute spirit with unwavering determination can conquer any obstacle, especially when fueled by unyielding passion. It is this mindset that has made him achieve all his life's ambitions, leading him to become a billionaire.
He stayed positive for days even if the private investigators only delivered negative feedback. He awakens each morning with a vibrant energy after emerging from a thrilling nightmare that leaves a lingering sense of fear in its wake, residing in the depths of his mind and gnawing at his sanity. He refuses to let anything dampen his spirits. He refuses to allow any of those burdens to drag him down.
Yet, even the most spirited individual encounters moments of despair in their journey. Even the mightiest of men harbors vulnerabilities, so it was only a matter of time before Max began to feel the effects of the relentless stream of negative outcomes.
The quest for his soulmate proved utterly fruitless. Emotionally and mentally draining.
"You are all so incompetent and useless! " Max spat angrily at Ethan and the search team before him in his grand living room. Grabbing an empty flower vase out of annoyance, he hurled it against the wall with great force.
"It's already the eighth day since I gathered you all to search for her. That means ten days have been wasted. I paid each of you generously, so why can't I get the result I deserve with all that money I spent?" he bellowed at them. But none dared to respond.
His anger was palpable, and they knew the wisest course was to remain silent.
"And you call yourselves the best amongst all. Best my ass." He groaned and harshly grabbed his dark curls that were perfectly styled on his head, feeling frustrated as he began to pace.
"Do you all know what is at stake? Do you?" He questioned them.
"We're sorry sir, we'll keep doing our best. It's just hard to find someone without any background details." Ethan explained calmly.
"So?" He eyed Ethan, "That's a valid reason you haven't found her yet?" He scoffed. "You've brought over a hundred girls to me and none of them has been her." He shouted. "You think it's not tedious for me too?" He questioned them.
The shaman had foretold that when he encounters his soulmate, he would sense it resonating deep within his very being. A peculiar and extraordinary feeling would unfold. Yet, all he had experienced with the women he had met so far was exasperation, particularly when some shamelessly threw themselves at him.
Their fleeting opportunity to secure a place as the billionaire's baby mama.
"We apologize, sir. We will intensify our efforts in the search. We promise to locate her," Ethan reassured. He alone knew that if Max failed to find his soulmate within thirty days, he would meet an agonizing end.
"Find her! No more excuses." He yelled and left for his bedroom. He swiftly changed into a laid-back outfit that highlighted his muscular and towering figure. His physique was sculpted in all the right places, not overly so, but just enough to leave a girl pondering about the hidden allure beneath his attire.
Clad in a black t-shirt, complemented by black jeans and white sneakers.
The sky was already cloaked in dusk, with each passing moment growing darker as the night clouds gradually claimed dominion. The notion of sleep had become a distant memory, especially with the malevolent silhouette haunting him relentlessly for hours.
Drifting off to sleep felt akin to willingly stepping into a snare, one fraught with horror and shivers, one that robbed him of his breath in a suffocating manner. Instead of surrendering to the unknown forces within his subconscious realm, he opted to forgo slumber.
Stepping out of his abode, the wind danced around him, stirring up the unpleasant memory of the encounter with the stinky old witch. He shook his head, eager to banish that haunting recollection.
Approaching one of his sleek automobiles, he slid into the driver's seat and sped off. His destination: a bar. A sanctuary where he could seek solace for the night, drowning his troubles in the amber liquid of alcohol. A temporary companion in comfort.
Upon reaching a bar he selected at random, he parked his vehicle in the vacant spot and entered the establishment. Illuminated by neon lights, the ambiance was not too dim, with a soft R and B melody serenading in the background. Max made a beeline for the bar area, taking a seat and patiently awaiting the bartender's arrival, as none were present at the moment.
Max had only been waiting for mere seconds when he caught sight of a woman, elegantly attired for the bar, strolling in his direction, albeit on the opposite side of the bar.
His jaw fell open as he sensed a peculiar sensation within his entirety, a feeling entirely new and profound.
In that instant, he comprehended it. In that moment, he recognized that the female bartender was his soulmate.