This story was supposed to be a one-shot, but it bugged the heck out of me not knowing what happens to Jesse after the event in Chapter 1. So I decided to continue. The familiar scenes are those I repeated, but from Jesse's point of view. This is Jesse's story.

P.S. I dedicate this chapter to all loyal Arsenal fans. If you read on, you'll find out why ;-)

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters except those that are unfamiliar. The rest belongs to Meg Cabot.

"Thank you, Jesse," said Father Dominic as he took the box from me and placed it on his desk.

"Happy to help, Father," I replied.

"I'm just glad that no one saw a box floating on its own to my office, or there would have to be explanations I am not willing to give." He started opening the box of old books donated by some company or organization – I'm not really familiar with all these – then looked at me as I stood there.

"You can go now, Jesse. I will give you the books that you wanted after dinner. Thanks again for your help." He returned to rummage around his box again.

I turned and opened the door, then walked out of the office on my way to the rectory.

I know it is funny for a ghost to be walking around like a normal person when we could have just materialized to anywhere we like. And that's what I used to do. But it all changed when I met Susannah.

I strolled along the school corridor which was dark save for the light from the setting sun. The Mission was deserted because the students have gone back home and the people who lived there were preparing dinner at the rectory. Another thing that I don't need anymore. Dinner.

The truth is there were many things I didn't need to do. I have accepted that I was a ghost and that I was condemned to living alone until I figure out the reason I was still on this earth – and move on. It would have been easier if I had known the reason I hadn't move on.

Then I met her. The most infuriating, stubborn, hard-headed, kindest, beautiful young lady – although she prefers to call herself a girl – who became the first person I've ever spoken to in more than a century. At first all I wanted was companionship, and to help her whenever she needed any help although she was adamant that she does not need any. It was funny, at first I didn't realize that I was starting to care for her more than a ghost should care for a living. Then she saved me from Purgatory.

And that's when I realized I was in love with her.

As time passed by, and I accepted that I was in love Susannah, I didn't want to know the reason I was still 'hanging around' – to use her words. Because this is the place I wanted to be. On this earth, with her by my side.

Esto es muy complicado.

Because how could a ghost be with someone who is alive? Especially someone as amazing as Susannah, whose list of admirers was endless. When that bastardo Slater appeared and showed interest in her, I was resigned to the fact that she could be with someone better, who can make her happy and give her things that I could not.

However, being the unpredictable young lady that she is, she told me she didn't care about any of that. And when we kissed at the graveyard, I felt as if I was alive.

After that I had to move to the rectory, but it didn't matter. I still see her when she comes to visit me. The good Father was not happy with our – I guess you could say relationship, a complicated one; but he didn't try to talk us into ending it.

I stopped at the fountain, looking at the churning water. The wind blew softly, and the air was peaceful. I took a breath, just for the pleasure of doing something that was a necessity had I been alive. Now I don't need to, but I've been doing things the way a living person would, just to feel like I was alive. Because being with Susannah intensifies my desire to be alive even more, sometimes that it is even painful.

I continued my way to the rectory, then abruptly stopped. Suddenly I felt like meeting my querida, even though I have never been to her room since I've moved. I wondered if she would be surprised, and I smiled. I don't think she would mind a surprise. So I set off to her house.

By materializing, of course. There are advantages to being a ghost that I don't mind.

-0-0-0-

When I materialized in her room, she wasn't there. She must be having dinner. I sat down at the window seat and looked around. I haven't been here a while, but nothing has changed. Still the same room that I had haunted for a long time, changing occupants so many times that I had lost count and stopped caring, before it became Susannah's room.

Suddenly the door opened, and in walked Susannah, who was looking down as if absorbed in her thoughts. She looked as radiant as ever, her soft hair curling down her back as she closed the bedroom door, still looking down.

"Hello, Susannah," I said, barely able to contain a smile.

She looked up, startled. "Jesse? What are you doing here?" She sounded like I had never been in the room before. Then again, the last time I was there was several months ago.

I stood up, now fully smiling at her. "Can't I pay a visit to my querida?" I said, then slowly walked towards her.

She seemed to have gotten over her surprise and beamed at me, her vivid green eyes pulling me in and making me feel lost in them. I reached for her, and before I tilted her chin up and gave her a kiss, I heard her whisper, "Of course you can."

As I held her in my arms, nothing mattered. Not the fact that I was a ghost, that one day I might move on from this existence, that Susannah's family couldn't see me. All I felt was joy from being with the one I love.

We pulled apart, and I gazed into her eyes, smiling. She was smiling too, and I touched her face, soft as silk.

I realized that Father Dominic might be looking for me to give me the books that I had asked for, and I knew I had to go before he realized that I was missing and ask me where I've been. And as I could not lie to him, I knew that he would not be happy that I had gone to visit Susannah.

Reluctantly, I said, "I have to go. Father Dominic will notice that I'm missing."

She pretended to look angry. "Must you? Can't you stay a little longer?" Then she sulked, but I knew it was just pretend so I laughed. She broke into a smile and I kissed her forehead.

"Good night, Susannah."

"Good night, Jesse," she said softly, then we kissed good night before I dematerialized, the last thing I saw being her lovely eyes.

I materialized back in my room in the rectory, feeling elated. I walked to the table where I put all the books I had borrowed from Father Dominic when suddenly I felt a sharp pain in my head. I stopped and grasp my head, bending down in pain.

Oh mi Dios! The feeling was so intense that I felt like I might explode. Suddenly I felt like I was being chocked by someone, but when I grabbed at my neck I felt nothing.

The pain was unbearable, and I was vaguely aware that I was falling to the floor, but before I reached it, everything turned dark and I knew no more.

-0-0-0-

I woke up to a pressure to my neck so tight that it felt as if it was being cut with a knife. It took a moment for me to adjust my eyes to the surroundings, but when I managed to focus, I saw that it was none other than that bastard Felix Diego. He was pulling on a rope that was wrapped around my neck, his ugly face hovering over mine, grinning maliciously. I choked and struggled to breathe, trying to pull off the rope.

Just as I thought that my life was over, I heard the door burst open, and a group of men stormed in. That took Diego by surprise, and I felt the rope loosened.

"Put your hands up!" A man's voice shouted at Diego, a gun pointed at his chest. The rest of the men spread around the room and surrounded him, each pointing a gun towards Diego.

He stepped back and put his hands up, while I pulled the rope from my neck and tossed it away, coughing. I try to sit up but I felt dizzy, and I heard someone asked me to lie down and let the doctor looked at my condition. I complied, feeling blood rushing to my head, my heart beating fast and I felt out of breath. Even after a few minutes, I still felt a little difficulty in breathing, like I haven't taken a breath in a long time. But I felt better when I saw Diego being taken away by the police, shouting and swearing along the way.

A policeman came up to me. "Hector De Silva?"

I nodded, trying to swallow.

"I'm Detective Fabregas. You were lucky we arrived here in time. Had we been late a few more minutes you probably would not have survived."

I sat up on the bed slowly, being helped by the doctor. I still felt pain around my neck, but I managed to croak, "Thank you. But how did you know that he was here?"

"We received a tip from a young man who says he saw a suspicious man following you from the town to here. From the description, we knew it was Felix Diego and we didn't take any chances."

I nodded, taking it all in. Then I looked back at him. "Who was the young man?"

He flipped through his notebook. "His name is Paul Slater, and he said he was staying in town with a friend for a while. Actually, he's right outside. Do you want me to get him?"

"Sure. I need to thank him." And I stood up, waiting for the detective to bring in the man. I looked around the room of the boarding house, trying to collect my thoughts, then looked out the window towards the sea. Felix Diego had just tried to kill me. And I'm pretty sure I know the reason why. I'm just not clear on what I should do next.

"Mr. De Silva."

I turned, and saw a young man, no, a boy, standing at the door. He was clearly young, in his teen years but his manner and expression on his face seems to belie his age. He was smiling, but there's something in his smile that made me hesitate.

I shook off my thoughts and walked over to him, extending my hand. "Thank you, Mr. Slater. You saved my life. I didn't realize that Diego was following me. If you haven't care enough to make a report, I would not be standing here right now."

Up close, I could see that he had dark curly hair with gold strands in between, and icy blue eyes that seemed to pierce my very soul. He shook my hand and I felt that it was freezing.

He stared right at me and without faltering his smile, said, "I don't know about you not standing here…but it was no problem at all. I was just being a good citizen." He let go of my hand, and I felt warmth coursing down my arms again.

I didn't know why, but something tells me that this boy could not be trusted. There was something in his eyes and in his smile that unnerved me. But that was ridiculous. I had just met him, and he had saved my life. I should be thankful.

So I just smiled and said, "Well, I'm glad you were there. Thank you again. I don't know how to repay you…"

"Oh no, that is quite alright." He cut me off, smiling even more. "In fact I should be the one thanking you."

I must have looked puzzled since he added, "I'm pretty sure I will get the just rewards for my help in the capture of a dangerous criminal. And that is enough." I might be mistaken, but I felt like he was smirking at me, like he was making fun of my situation.

"Well," I said again, feeling a little confused. "I do hope they will reward you. I heard you are visiting your friend, how long are you staying here?"

He walked over to the window and looked out the view of the night sky sprinkled with stars. "Not long. In fact, I might be leaving tonight, since I have finished what I came here to do." He paused, the turned towards me, a glint in his eyes. "I have someone waiting for me back home."

I stared at him, wondering what he meant and why I even cared. But before I could dwell on it, his words hit me hard. Waiting for me…Maria. I'm was supposed to be on my way to a wedding with a woman I do not love for the sake of family, but after knowing about Maria's tryst with Diego, I intended to end our engagement. It would not surprise me if Maria had a hand in what happened today. She is a very proud woman, and rejection is not something she takes lightly.

He must have seen my discomfort, since he came over to me and said in a serious voice, "Look, I don't really know you…that well. I only know what I heard from other people and from the impressions that I get. But you seem like a nice guy, and…" He paused, as if thinking whether he should continue.

When I didn't say anything, he said, "I would think that you should be with a woman you love. I don't know if you will find her in this time…but I guess you deserve to be happy. I mean, you are stuck in this situation and I don't imagine that being nice at all. Why not find a way out?"

I just stared at him, speechless. What is he talking about? What does he mean? Nombre de Dios. This boy is crazy. Yet it disturbed me that he seemed to know things about me that he shouldn't have known.

"I…"I trailed off, not sure what to say. He smiled again, then shook his head. "It doesn't matter. I must have confused you. I should get going if I'm planning to leave soon." He headed towards the door.

"Just think about what I said." He turned to look at me one last time, and smiled that cold, knowing smile again. "Jesse."

Then he left, leaving me standing there. It was a while before I realized that he had called me by a name that only my family has called me, and no one else.

-0-0-0-

I arrived at Maria's parents' house two days later with the intention to inform her parents of the end of our engagement. When I asked Maria for the ring and my letters back, she didn't give it to me, so I have brought her letters in exchange for mine. She has yet to tell her parents about the cancelled wedding, and I dread having to face them. It was already evening when I reached the manor where Maria was staying with her parents.

But I was surprised to see that no elaborate preparations have been made for our supposed wedding. The house was devoid of tents and decorations that would indicate a wedding would take place.

I mounted off my horse and walked up to the front door. But before I reached it, the door was opened and Maria's mother, Elena, stood there. Her eyes were red as if she had been crying.

"Hector," She spoke softly. "Come in."

I walked in the huge house, feeling a little troubled. There's a peculiar sense that everything was not the way it should be, that I should be somewhere else. Perhaps Diego's attempt on my life has somehow damaged me. I fear for my sanity.

She ushered me to the living room, where her husband was sitting. He stood up when he saw me, looking furious. "Hector. Is it true you break off your engagement with Maria?"

I started to sweat and looked at both of them, thinking that this was not going to be easy. "Yes. I ended our engagement."

"Why? Was she not good enough for you?" His voice rose.

"Ricardo," Elena said as if to reprove.

"No, that was not the reason why I ended it." I sighed. "I did it because I heard she was being courted by Felix Diego, and I was not happy. I did not want to be with a woman who sees another man behind her husband. I am sorry that I didn't inform you sooner, but I did converse with Maria. I assume she told you about this?"

Ricardo sat down heavily on the sofa, suddenly looking tired. Elena spoke up. "No, she didn't tell us, Hector. She…she left a letter." She went to a small table near the corner of the room and took a piece of paper. "We only found it this morning."

I took the letter and read it. In it, Maria said that I had break off the engagement with her, and not able to face the shame of the family, she decided to run away and live in another place. She made everything sounds like it was my fault and that she was a victim. I could not believe she could be so treacherous.

I looked up. "Is this true? Is she gone?" It seemed unlikely to me that she would run away and leave all the wealth and comfort that she was used to. Unless someone had persuaded her to do it.

Elena sniffed, glancing at her husband. "Yes, she is gone. She was here last night, but this morning she wasn't in her bed. We called the police, but they couldn't find her either. And when we found the letter in her room, we decided there was no point in going ahead with the wedding. So we cancelled all the plans."

"Do you know where she is?" Ricardo asked, looking hard at me. But I noticed there was also some sadness and weariness in his eyes. He had after all, lost his only daughter, who is also his only child.

I sat down on the living room settee, shaking my head. "No, I do not know. But I am guessing that Felix Diego might have something to do with her disappearance."

What I did not mention was that Diego was taken into custody two days ago. I wonder if he escaped from prison. And to think Maria would choose to be with a slave-runner and a criminal. I do not doubt that she had ordered him to kill me, and seeing that he had failed to do so, decided to run before she also was taken into custody.

"Ese hijo inútil de a..."cursed Maria's father before being interrupted by his wife. "Ricardo! ¡Lengua!" Then she looked at me. "We're sorry. It's just that this is so unlike Maria. We are very upset, and worried. That Felix Diego is not a good man."

"Damn right, he's not!" bellowed Ricardo. "And if I should ever see him, I assure you he would get a piece of my mind, and if he ever hurt my daughter, he would wish he had never laid eyes on her when I'm done with him."

I did not doubt that he would make good of that threat, angry as he was. But I felt compelled to say something. "I do not think he would hurt Maria. I think that…as hard as it is to believe, I think that they love each other. And she believes that she can be happy with him, which is why she left this house. I do not think she left solely because I refused to marry her."

Both of them fell silent, perhaps thinking about what I just said. Then Elena said, "Well, maybe you're right Hector. But there's nothing we can do now. Maria had made her choice, and however wrong we think it is, we do want her to be happy. I just wish she could have said goodbye before leaving…" She stopped and wiped at her eyes.

"She knew if she told us we won't let her leave, Elena." Ricardo held his wife's hand, then looked at me. "I'm sorry for accusing you, Hector, I was not thinking straight. You are a good man, and do not deserve to be treated this way. You and Maria were just not meant to be, and one day you'll find the right woman for you to love."

"Would you like to stay for dinner, Hector?" Elena suddenly asked.

"It is alright, I should be leaving." I said, getting up. I felt like I had enough of this place. I feel sorry for Maria's parents, and I loathed her for causing them so much pain.

Before I left, I gave them Maria's letters and the ring. Elena looked as if she might cry again, but Ricardo just accepted it and thanked me. He said he will send my letters once they've found it. I brushed off the offer, saying it wasn't important. And it was not. That was a part in my life that I would rather forget.

As I trudged off on my horse, I recalled Ricardo's words about finding a woman whom I can love. It was resonant of what that boy Slater had said to me. It was a little unsettling. And what was even worse, I had a feeling that I would never find that woman.

-0-0-0-

Felix Diego was released on bail by an unknown man the day after he was arrested, most likely hired by Maria who used her own money to get him out. Of course, once he was released, there was no way he would wait to be charged in court and instead chose to run away, bringing Maria along with him. No one has heard of them since, but I knew they would not come back to Salinas.

As for my family, they accepted that I did not marry Maria, and decided it was best that I wait before finding another woman suitable to be my wife. I did not object, for I needed time before start thinking about marriages again. Oh no. I've had enough difficulties the first time around. I concentrated on helping my father with the ranch instead.

Time passed by and still I felt unsettled. I kept myself busy but I was missing something. There were times when I dreamt at night, and I was in another place and time, and I was happy, but when I wake up the feeling was gone and I could not understand it. There were many things I could not understand.

For instance, why I could never bring myself to say the word querida again. Why I stopped in the middle of the road when I heard a drifter singing the song "Oh Susannah", my heart thumping and my head felt light, unable to push away this unexplainable feeling of sadness in my heart. Why whenever I saw a lady with green eyes, I felt a jolt of familiarity that had gone as fast as it had come, leaving me feeling happy and confused at the same time.

Why I knew that I would never find a woman who I could love with all my heart, because she does not belong in my place, my time, my life.

A few years of working in the ranch left me feeling unsatisfied. I wanted to do more than that. I wanted to help people, even though it might not bring me wealth. My father was not happy with me, especially since I have not found a woman to be as my wife yet, and now leaving the ranch. I didn't want to hurt my family, but I also didn't want to be lying at my deathbed wishing that I had done something better with my life.

So I became a priest.

My father couldn't argue with me after that, and he accepted my decision. The ranch was to be managed by my father who was helped by my brother-in-law, Santiago, who had married my sister Josephina the past summer.

I managed an orphanage home with the help of the priest who founded the place, Father Henry and a few other workers. It was not financially rewarding, but it was something that I wanted to do, and I was finally happy. Or I thought I was.

Because sometimes I couldn't help but think back to that night when Diego tried to kill me.

Something changed in me after that. I still remember the face of Paul Slater, the young man with the cold blue eyes who had saved my life. The young man who disappeared that very same night, and left the town without any traces of who he was and where he came from.

Sometimes I wonder what would have happened had he not saved me that night. I wonder if I would have been at the place where I dreamed at night as I sleep, where I knew that I was happy.

I guess I'll never know, but I know I'll always wonder.