Ok, so here's a quick (short) update. I had some time and I was bored so I thought I'd make a quick, short update for ya'll.
I hope you enjoy it!
As is my custom, thanks to my lovely reviewers: Mrs. Nikki Slater, Mirollie Me, starrynightdreamer, JessesLatinaQuerida, and suze madison. Thanks, guys!
Chapter 7: Murder?
Paul has always been one to ruin a perfectly good mood. After he left earlier today, my mood crumbled and I could not enjoy Jesse's company as much as I would have otherwise. Paul's parting words played over in my head and though I had not thought much of it earlier, I very well believed his threat now.
"Susannah, what did Paul mean, he will tell?" Jesse had questioned as soon as Paul had been out of earshot.
"Nothing, Jesse. He was reminding me of something is all," I lied. I didn't want to, but I just couldn't tell Jesse, I'd have no idea how'd he react. It is a given he hates Paul he needs no more reason to hate him more. Though it would serve Paul right.
"Are you sure?" The concern etched his voice. I nodded, and he sighed letting it go.
It would be nice if Jesse and I could both just flee, leave everything behind. Neither of us wants to get married to our prospective partners, and leaving would solve that. Leaving would also mean leaving behind our families and I don't think I could possibly leave my mother to worry for me. It would hurt too much. This life out here in sunny Carmel is not one made for many. Add the fact that I can very well speak to deceased spirits, and well… it's no good. Not all.
For one second I allowed myself to fancy the idea of marrying Jesse-a preposterous thought, but very nice. We would live out in his ranch, him tending to his horses and crops. I would cook for him the best meals imaginable (a ridiculous idea as my mother has yet to succeed in teaching me) and we would someday have a family. With three, maybe four children. Together, Jesse and I would spend countless evenings out at the cove, watching the sunset, holding each other like there is no tomorrow. That is the life I envisioned myself having when I was but a child. Now that I know Jesse, it seems ever so nicer. Though, deep in my heart I know it can't possibly ever happen. I'm doomed to marry the ever terrible Paul Slater, son to the devil.
Honestly I don't know whether Paul really is or isn't the devil's son, but he might as well be. Son-of-the-devil, it just suits him in so many ways with all of his evil antics. Something only the Devil's son is capable of.
A lone tear trailed down my cheek, thoughts too depressing of my near future. Quickly, before Jesse even had a chance to notice I wiped at it with the back of my hand. My eyes shut tightly and whatever tears had been willing to flow out were pushed back. When I re-opened my eyes, there was no trace of tears left.
Nearing the edges of the town centre, Jesse and I finally reached the end. I must have spent quite a while lost in my thoughts because I had not noticed that we were already to the end. With our horses still trailing behind, Jesse and I both mounted and took the path through the woods that circled the inner town of Carmel.
"Susannah, may I ask what it is on your mind?" I sighed. I didn't want to tell him, trouble him with my troubles.
"I was thinking about what Paul said as he left." Jesse turned to look at me, his scarred eyebrow raised, waiting for an explanation. "He's threatening to expose my secret if I don't marry him. He's really being-"
Jesse cut my sentence off, "I won't allow for him to hurt you in anyway. Querida, your secret is not one that should be known."
Jesse suddenly made me feel reassured. I can trust him my secret. We are bound by it, and we should help one another to keep it that. A secret, I mean.
"Thank you, Jesse. I appreciate it. Really." My lips curved into the slightest smile.
"Anything for you, querida." I turned to look at Jesse; he had muttered it so incoherently that I can not be sure if he actually said anything.
That night, I went to bed, feeling more at ease with myself. My mother had been slightly angered that I had returned after dusk, Jesse still trailing behind me. But despite a few cold stares, she did not fuss on my account. She did, however speak with Andy, who in turn spoke with me.
You want to know what he told me?
I have to marry Paul, unless Paul willingly agrees to not marry me either. As if that will ever happen.
Still, despite that, I did sleep slightly better, knowing Jesse would protect me Paul's cruelty, whatever it is he plans to do.
-888-
Morning came and I went downstairs to eat my morning meal. Andy, surprisingly was still at the table eating his own meal, reading the Carmel Press. Normally, I take no interest on the going-ons of Carmel and its society, but the headline caught my attentions. Reading it upside down did not help with my comprehension of it either: Eldest Son of the De Silva Family Nearly Murdered
Eldest De Silva Son… Jesse? My eyes immediately bugged… could it be? No, but who would ever want to murder anyone as caring as Jesse?
"A-Andy?" I choked out, and his eyes averted from the newspaper with a questioning glance. "That article… what does it say? About the de Silva boy?"
He looked back down at the paper. Then clearing his throat, his eyes bore into mine, "Well, Susannah, it says that Hector de Silva, was nearly stabbed in the heart last night by a man…" his paper scanned the paper, "Oh, by Felix Diego on the orders of his fiancée Maria de Silva"
Maria? The woman he has to marry? My problems with Paul are ever so minimal in comparison to this. He may be… well, Paul. But never would Paul send for someone to kill me.
"… It does not say why Maria would send this Felix fellow to stab her fiancée, only that she gave the order." Oh dear. Poor, poor Jesse. "They are being taken into custody by the authorities for more questioning as to why they would commit these crimes…"
I've caught bits and pieces of what Andy has said, and for the most part I got the important details. But Jesse? Why him… I know he isn't exactly happy to be marrying Maria but why would she send to kill Jesse? He is about the sweetest mot caring man ever. I certainly wouldn't want to murder Jesse if he were mine.
"Is he fine?" I croaked. "Je-Hector?"
Andy scanned the paper once more, "Yes, he should be. Felix stabbed him on the shoulder, having intended the heart." Andy smiled brightly at me, and through my gloom I managed to force a mile as well.
Having heard the news of Jesse, I lost my appetite and pushed my plate away. I stood from my seat at the table and climbed the stairs to my room, burying my head in my hands, and crying silent tears so as no one to hear.
For the longest time, I cried, trying my hardest to stifle the sobs that threatened to be released from my throat. I cried for minutes on end, and then I heard the one word that caused all of it to stop, "Querida."
-888-
When I started typing this, I didn't really know what to do. I wanted to incorporate Maria into the story and then I remembered the whole Felix thing, so that's what I led my chapter too.
Now, please don't kill me for nearly (but not) murdering Jesse.
Review, now. Please and Thank You!