eight

A week passed; which seems like forever on her side, when she finally finished teaching the children for the day, she head to the stables, when she would try out the horse riding.

'Ma'am' she heard someone call her.

It was Leonard.

'What are you doing here?'

She shrugged. 'Just looking, do you think I could take a horse out, Alex for example?' She told the man.

Leonard looked at her and when looked at the horse just ahead of her.

'Okay.'

She looked at him; wow! No questions! That is good.

She looked at Alex and smiled at him, although she didn't know what came over her to come to the stables to ride a horse, now what will she do. Fine! She had to be focus and concentrate, just like William taught her. But why couldn't she just pick any other horse? Why?

They went up the mountain, where she had picnic with William and the children, when she got there; she looked at the horse, then looked at the saddle.

'Okay.'

She turned to the horse. 'Allô, Alex.'

She looked rather confused on what to do; it has been so long that she practiced after William taught her.

'What do I do?' She asked herself and sighed.

She took a few minutes to get her act together and finally after many tries, she finally sat on the horse although not aware of the fact that she was not seating comfortably but she was happy, she was able to do it by herself and the good part of it was that; the horse was co-operative, in the middle of her jubilation on the horse which she was not even balanced, she shifted to wrong direction and fell backwards.

Great! She knew she was going to fall and flat on the ground.

But she didn't fall, someone was holding her up.

'You should have relaxed and brace yourself.'

She sighed and let him bring her down. 'William….'

He turned her to face him. 'What?'

'How did you find me?' She asked him confused of if he followed her or he was... shouldn't she be happy, he saved her from hitting her head?

'Leonard told me the teacher took Alex for a ride.'

'And you followed me?'

He nodded.

'So, you must have seen me trying to get on the horse, why didn't you help.'

She saw him smile. 'Just like you, I wanted you to give it a try.'

She shook her head and moved away from him. 'Thank you.'

He nodded.

She looked at him; he was wearing a navy shirt and a black jeans and this time like most times; she had seen him without his hat, he looked gorgeous.

'William, where have you been?'

He moved to the horse and looked back at her. 'Have there been any problems?'

She was stunned for a moment and realized why she had asked the question.

'No, no, it is just that since Jacob has gotten accustomed to your presence, he sulks when he does not see you.'

He smiled at her. 'I know.' He said and took the reins of the horse.

She walked with him.

'William, I want to tell you something.'

'Yes?' He asked without stopping.

She looked at him and wondered how, he would take it beside, and it is what has been going on in her head.

'Is Jacob okay with you and Elizabeth?' She stopped her tracks, was that what she intended on saying?

She was surprised at his answer, he didn't seem taken back by the question, and maybe it was no bother at all. She caught up with him.

'Fortunately, he is not.'

She looked at him. 'Fortunately?'

He nodded. 'Yes, fortunately. I am considering calling off the wedding.'

'Why is that, she looks perfect for you.' Was she supposed to be saying that?

He smiled again; wow he didn't expect that from her, oh well! 'Every woman looks perfect for a man with money dripping out of his pockets and mind you they might not even care if they drain it by asking or stealing, is it that what women who claim to be in love with rich men do?'  He stopped and looked at her.

'I'm sorry.' He said almost immediately.

She nodded. 'Is Elizabeth giving you a hard time?'

Pearl wasn't sure if what he said affected her or not but what was true was that fact that a woman can be in love with him. A woman like her; who had nothing just like the rest of those women he must have met.

He smiled again. 'I don't know if that is the right word or an assumption.'

She bit her lower lip.

'I don't know, if I should be telling you this but Elizabeth wants to buy my cows and half of my land, so that I can get the money to buy other things.' He said with a bit of disgust.

She didn't understand why. 'According to Jacob, this ranch has been passed on from generations to generations.' She told him.

He looked at her as if she was not supposed to say what she just did or even know that. He didn't rebuke her.

'When she is married to me, she will own all these things but to please her father and herself, she prefer to live like a rich old aunt with no boyfriend or husband.'

Pearl smiled. 'I can't picture Elizabeth like that in a million years, she looks independent but she loves you for sure.'

He shook his head with a sarcastic look and walk on.

'Honestly, human beings have their different ways of expressing love.'

He chuckled and moved on.

'Do you think there could other reason apart from that?'

He shook his head. 'I have known Elizabeth almost half of my life; she does not know how to lie.'

'But I believe.....' Her words trailed off as she saw William leave the reins of the horse with rage in his eyes and held her shoulders yanking her.

'What are you doing? Why are you defending her? How come you be so....'

'I just...….'

'Shut up! Do you know how it feels for someone to destroy your plans, do you think I was happy with Elizabeth, do you know how it feels not to be noticed, to be ignored, to be neglected? You are doing that to me.....'

She listened for a moment. 'William...'

'Think about yourself, are you not happy seeing me free, come on Pearl, be rational…..'

'Did you do this for me?' it was the only question she could think of.

He let go of her arms. 'Yes, I wanted to show you that I could be yours, that we could learn to know each other well without feeling guilty, isn't that what you want?'

She stopped at looked at him. He did that for her? Left Elizabeth for her, what does that make her; she didn't give him any sigh of notion towards him, where did he get that idea?

He looked at her in her confused state, took the reins of the horse and walked on leaving her standing; he had said what he wanted to her for so many days, now he felt better, slightly better but still he had to think of a way to make her look at him and accept him as someone more than her employer.

She watched him leave, she looked at him; have her sighs been too noticeable, she had always tired all her best to not give him that idea and now, he knew about it, he had been reading her. Shouldn't she be happy? The master also had feelings for her.

The hotel was big, it had an AC which ventilated everywhere, Sophie tried to smile but she couldn't, Nick thinks he can take her anywhere because of they are partners for this case, when all these is over, she will feel more better eating vegetables without any cockroaches in it.

She watched him move to the receptionist desk, she saw him hold her hand and kissed her fingers; she looked away as she remember the number of times he'd flirt with her before they became partners and he was good at it, actually, he was good at anything. She could imagine him with several girls lined up for him to take out to dinner or something and even at work, her co-workers found him attractive but just looking at him do that to the receptionist gave her jellies all over.

She watched him moved to her and handed her a key. 'Your room is on the 3rd floor, room 409; I'll give you two days off to get your wits together because it looks like you were given a shock.'

She looked at him; this man....

'What will you be doing?' She asked and almost regretted asking.

She watched him smile. 'Drafting, besides I need rest too.'

She looked at the receptionist; who was smiling at something in her hand; great! He gave her his card; he had to enjoy himself.

'Okay.' she said to him and was about to leave when he called her back.

'Won't you say thank you.'

She gave him a puzzled face. 'What for?'

'For giving you this time.'

She laughed. She had never thanked him before and he hadn't done anything for her, even if she begged him to and this? Getting a room service for her was what? Jeez! It was part of his job, oh please. She walked away without even looking back.

'Sophie…' but she didn't answer, instead of straining himself to get her to say thank you, he had important things to do.

When she got to her room, she was glad, it was just the kind she had wanted; spacious and almost empty, just the bed, the door of the bathroom and toilet, the wardrobe and a television set and CD, she didn't need much things to feel comfortable.

'Time to relax, away from work.' She smiled and sank into the bed, then she rolled over and looked at the mirror just by the bed, she looked at her image and then she remembered when Sheer and Pearl would tease her about the face; although she had not been fat or ugly; Pearl and Sheer were the ones who convinced her that; if she keeps thinking about her face; all the boys would run from her and even her own brother and Francis would add, he will never come back, she decided to keep it; whatever they say, she was beautiful either they like it or not.

She smiled; she wondered how Sheer was now and she wondered how Pearl would be after all these years; last time she remember, Sheer married a well-known scientist, her husband was popular and so she was, maybe if she find Sheer they could help, she couldn't watch her friend go down like without getting to the bottom of it.

She stood up, she needed a computer, she head out the door with her purse, just as she was about to open the door, her phone rang.

'Hello.' She answered.

'Sophie Winters.'

'Yes?' Fine, the caller knew her name.

'This is Pearl's mom, I read the news, what are you saying about my daughter?'

Sophie stopped short; Mrs Sonia? How did she know? She stopped why won't she know? Newspapers were printed now, the media was being useful spreading news and all the way down to Texas, to the ranch. How come she had only thought about the deceased's family who by now wants justice just as Nick promised them, he would get but what about Pearl's mother, her grandmother and the rest of those who cared about her at the ranch, why did they overlook that. They just focused on finding Pearl and taking her into detention.

Pearl's mother was a nice woman but she was still under shock when she lost her husband and two children and she had been treated since then, did she want the woman to have a high BP, she swallowed and turned back to the woman; who waited for her on the phone, as much as she knew Mrs Sonia; she'd say, she is thinking of what to say to cover up, that was what she was told them back then when they tried to tell a lie and poor Pearl couldn't fool her mom.

'Bonjour, Madame.' She began politely.

'Have you thought of an excuse?' She asked her.

Sophie smiled and at least, she didn't forget everything about the woman; who like her so much back then.

'Sophie, does your mom, know this?'

She shook her head. 'No, I can't tell her and I can't tell you either.' She wasn't ready to dig the woman's grave with her own two hands.

'Sophie.'

'Ma, the only thing I can say is pray for Pearl, pray that, she would be given a penalty and not sentence to life imprisonment.'

'Life imprisonment!'

Sophie's eyes bolted wide; 150 BP rising.

'Richard's parents are paying for the best lawyer, so l suggest, you also look for.' She told her and listened, she heard a sound of calmness from her, which was better.

She remembered what she was about to do.

'Ma, do you know where Sheer is living now?'

'Yes, at San Francisco.'

She nodded at least; it won't be so hard in finding her friend.

'Where exactly?'

'I can't remember, I will text you the address, but tell me…..have you found her?'

She sighed. 'Not yet, we are still looking for her, I hope she is alright?'

She heard a pause, not sure if not Ma please calm down, then she heard;

'Tell me, Sophie, what will Pearl face?'

She shook her head, she rather not, she didn't wish anything bad. So she didn't answer.

'How could she get married to Richard, wasn't there any other man?' She asked her. When she had seen her in the picture with him smiling, the man got her irritated even if she had never met him when he was alive.

'She got married because she wanted to; he is the father of her baby.'

She didn't remember that. Yes, she had seen the picture of the baby girl; she looked more like her mother than her father, she had not taken any picture, she only saw her baby pictures.

'She would always say; a man should take responsibility of his own actions.' She heard Mrs Sonia say sarcastically.

She knew that Pearl was the type who would not get back on her word.

She sighed; now she had to find Sheer. 'Ma, I will call you later; I have some work to do.'

'Okay, good luck.' She said and hung up. Sophie opened the door and walked out, she instantly burst into Nick; if he knew where she was going, he would talk and get mad.

'Anything came up, any new information?'

Sophie shook her head. 'I will like to go for a drink by myself, since I have been around you lately.'

He nodded. Thank God, he agreed with her. 'You deserve it, because I myself is surprise that you could tolerate me this long.'

She shook her head. She herself didn't have any choices. She walked pass him.

He smiled. Great he had time for himself.

By the time, Sophie got to the double glass doors of the entrance; a reporter walked to her, thankfully she was by herself holding a note and a pen.

Sophie sighed when she reached her.

'Ms Sophie. Ms Fletcher at your service from across the nation news program, can you answer some questions regarding the death of Mr Parker?'

Sophie looked at the cheerful lady with all smiles. 'Have you been waiting for me?' She said very painfully.

She nodded. I knew you would finally get here since I couldn't get you from Chicago.'

Sophie smiled. 'Is that so?'

The lady nodded.

'What do you want?'

She opened her note. 'I will like to know how the investigation concerning Mr Parker death is going, have you found the real murder, do you know why someone could kill such a lovely person like Mr Parker?'

Lovely person? If he was lovely, Pearl would never have any reason to kill him.

'Why didn't you go to Nick, he is the one in charge, I'm just his partner.'

The lady smiled. 'Mr Nick is a hard person, he won't tell me anything.'

'So, I am the soft one.' Although that was true, she hated being called soft, easy to get.

She shook her head. 'I'm sorry, I like to answer all your questions but I can't now, I have an appointment.'

'Concerning the murder?'

Sophie smiled and walked pass her. 'Maybe.'

Still she didn't get anything, what was wrong with these detectives, why are they so persistent in finding information?

She looked at the celling in her room, ever since William told her; how he felt for her; which was just two days ago, she had been hiding from him and she don't think she could run again, she was tired but wasn't she in love with him?

She didn't want hurt her daughter because...what kind of reason was that; Katie was happy here with Jacob and William or she was just using Katie to cover up for herself, she didn't want to get hurt again like she had with Richard, she was afraid of that simple reason, what if he turn out like another Richard Parker.

She heard a knock on the door, she sat up. 'Who is it?'

'Pearl, can I come in?'

Her heart skipped, it was William, she stood up, she looked at herself up to down and straightened her face, she reached the door and turned the knob, the door opened and William walked inside, she closed it.

'Yes?'

He turned to her as she stood by the door fiddling with her hands.

'Pearl, about what I said at the mountain.....' He began. She met his eyes.

'It is the truth about what I feel; I know you must feel the same thing for me…..'

'No, you are wrong, I see you as my boss.'

He nodded but that didn't stop him. 'Fine but I want you to see me as something other than your boss, a friend for instance.'

Not in a million years, can she imagine to be friends with the man that woke up the most hidden feelings in her.

When she didn't say anything, he continued.

'There is a party downtown and I will you like to come with me; as a friend.'

She looked at him; not sure of what he wanted her as.

'Believe me, I won't take advantage of the situation, I know you are scared but I promise I won't hurt you or Katie.' He said and as if to re-assure her, he moved to her and held her hand.

'For nothing in the world, I won't give you any reason to hate or despise me; I promise.'

She looked at him as he leave her and walked pass her, then he stopped.

'Be ready at 8.' He said and walked out.

Pearl hissed, how could she stop herself from standing by him, how could she stop him from touching her.  A friend? She could try and give him that, he needed her to. How could he read her without permission, why was her feelings so visible to him, she always hid them well.

She had to look for something to wear at least to impress her friend.

They left at eight after dinner and Leonard drove them to the party; Pearl felt rather shy sitting at the back seat with William's eyes all over her; she had been surprised when Molly came up to her to tell her, William told her to help her dress up for the party and she had said she should leave her to do everything and when she came down after dinner, everyone was waiting for her in the living room including maids who were still working in the kitchen. She was surprised when Katie clapped her hands in admiration and Jacob just smiled but although she had expected a complement from William; he just looked at her and walked out with Leonard behind him, she dressed up for him, didn't he see that? Katie on top of that stair told her to enjoy herself that she will sleep early but she would have to tell her everything the next day and she agreed now she almost found it impossible to breath.

They stopped in front of a lilted ranch in different colours and they came out.

'What is the occasion?' She asked him; when he walked to her and offered her his hand and she held it.

'It is a birthday plus anniversary of my friends.'

She nodded and that was when she saw the car light on and Leonard drove off.

'Where is Leonard taking the car; we aren't sleeping here, right?'

She saw him smiled and looked at her. 'If we were or not don't worry about a thing, as long as I am with you, you are safe.'

She sighed as he led her into the big house.

When they entered, Pearl had seen crowd but nothing like this, people were outside still and they were more people inside and they were dancing.

'Would you like to dance?'

She looked at the person who asked her the question; William was feeling alright, it was his territory, it wasn't hers.

She shook her head. 'I will like a drink.' She said, smiled and walked to the bar stand; she felt nervous to her feet.

'Please, one shot, please.' at least that will ease her nerves.

As soon as she gulped the hot liquor down her throat, she heard from her side.

'Is this your first time to this kind of place?'

She shook her head as she looked at the man; who asked her. She had been to parties but this felt different, especially being with William felt different, strange but nice.

'Would you like to dance, dancing shakes off the nerves.'

He didn't give her time to answer; he just pulled her to her feet and took her to the dance floor as her eyes raced round looking for whom she had come with, where was William?