Chapter nine: you're not mistaken.
After paige and Nicklaus said some few words together at late Paige's grave, Paige asks Nicklaus to give her a minute with paige. She apologizes for not being there. For not having a clue she ever existed Even though she was older by like twenty minutes. She still felt the need to take responsibility for not trying harder. She promises to always go back to pay her respects.
Earlier before they paid their respect, both Nicklaus and paige had begged emily to wait so they could talk some more emily refused. She was in shock and confuse so she ran. Emily left them at the cemetery and went straight to the cream mansion. She needed some answers.
After Paige finishes, she starts walking towards her father who was looking angry sitting on the bench talking to someone on the phone as he waited for her. She moves pass him to give him space. Nicklaus stood up and started walking behind her saying "Okay we'll be there". then cuts the line. He walks a little faster to paige then told her is Evelyn. Emily was at the mansion crazy. She blames him for coming without a warning.
Evelyn wasn't really back to her old self and Nicolas wasn't talking to her since finding out the terrible lies she finally confessed to after Paige's death out of guilt. She just didn't have peace. She begged Nicklaus to go with paige to the mansion to help her fix the situation.
Nicklaus told paige he knows she didn't want to see Evelyn and he too didn't want to see her and Nicolas. but they could just try for emily then leave. go back to Washington. She agrees.
When Paige and Nicklaus reaches the cream mansion about twenty minutes later, Evelyn was standing outside waiting for them. As the car stops, both of them got out Evelyn moves closer to paige. She wanted to hug her and kiss her. Just to feel something anything. But paige didn't let her. She just moves pass evelyn without looking at her direction or saying a word. Evelyn understood. She cleans her tears that were already spilling and follows Nicklaus who was walking behind paige. He too didn't say anything.
Evelyn composes herself, cleans the tears that just wouldn't stop spilling. She had to be strong. She follows them both inside. it was going to be a long day.
As paige was entering she saw someone running towards the front door where she was now standing. It was Aria. She wanted to see the sister she never knew exist. She was sitting with emily before they came. She has been trying to console her. She too found out about this paige the same time Evelyn told Nicolas. She too has been in shock. She wanted to tell emily, but didn't know how and now emily blames them all.
Aria just stood crying looking at Paige. Paige who didn't like all kinds emotional drama looks at her father who moves his head towards Aria indicating she moves or something towards the poor girl. Paige then moves and opens her hands for Aria who ran and hugs her. She cries and cries. She misses her paige and she didn't know another one existed. She too was a reck. Evelyn who was still standing behind them kept cleaning her tears. Paige kept saying is "okay". soothing Aria. "is okay". she had a few tears too. It was an emotional moment for everyone.
Paige held Aria by the side and walks to the nearest seat at the wide sitting room. She sat down while still holding Aria who wouldn't stop crying. Nicklaus sat at the chair to the left of paige while Evelyn went straight to the window standing and staring outside. She felt all kinds of emotions in her. worse of all guilt.
The soft sounds of Aria's sobs were the only sound in the big sitting room. As Paige was still contemplating her next action, Nicolas walks into the room holding emily by his side. His face stern as hell. Evelyn who was still standing by the window looks at him then at Nicklaus then turned back. She pray to god to save them all.
As Nicolas came face to face with Nicklaus the unexpected happen. He led emily to a seat then walks straight to Nicklaus and gives him his hand in greetings.
"Afternoon Nick. longest time, how have you been?". Everyone was shocked. Even Nicklaus was shocked. Evelyn turns facing them watching in anticipation of what Nicklaus respond would be. He too disappointed her. He stood up and shakes Nicolas.
"Afternoon cousin. I have been fine thank you. I see the shoulder is much better". Nicolas smiles. He was relieved Nicklaus tried cracking a joke.
"Is alright. You are welcome to our home". He then turns to paige. Introduces himself and shakes her. He held her hand just staring at her. She felt uncomfortable so she removes her hand then sat down back on the seat without holding Aria.
Nicolas patted Aria on the shoulder in recognizing her pains. He then walks back to the seat nearest to emily and sad down. Just when Nicklaus was going to say something they heard the maid welcoming someone in. They all turn to the door there stood wayne just coming inside the sitting room.
Earlier when emily left the cemetery she called him crying telling him just want happened. She also informed him she was going to the McCullers mansion she had to talk to Evelyn and Nicolas. she just couldn't believe what was happening. He begged her to wait for him, but emily refused she had to do something. she just couldn't stay still waiting. Wayne dropped everything and rushed to the mansion. He was having mix feelings. how could the McCullers do sure a thing?. This was insane or Had his emmy gone completely crazy?. He rushes to find out which.
Now, wayne just stood looking at everyone in the room trying to find this new paige if it was really possible, then suddenly Nicklaus stood up.
"Sergeant fields?. Wayne fields?. Wayne turns to his direction.
"Nick?. Nicklaus?. They were both smiling wayne walks to Nicklaus and gives him a hug. They hug each other then spoke.
"It has been such a long time. My goodness more than thirty years". Wayne says. Nicklaus was doing the maths in his head.
"Yeah that's bout right, since Mexico". Everyone was just staring at them without having a clue of what was happening so Evelyn clears her throat. Both wayne and Nicklaus turned to her. They now notice all attention was on them. So wayne tries explaining.
"We met in Mexico years back when my unit was sent for a training course there. Nick was also there with his father for a business we stayed in the same hotel. There were few Americans there so every night we played poker and drank together". By now they were all seated and all concentration was on wayne.
"Is detective actually and am retired. I run my own firm now".
"That's good to know wayne. How is your family anyways?. You were getting married after the course right?". This made wayne uncomfortable.
"Yeah. My wife died some years back I have a daughter, emily". He turns looking for her. she wasn't seated anymore. Emily had walked out to get some air. She couldn't believe they were exchanging pleasantries with the magnitude of what was happening there. She didn't want to be rude and she didn't want to keep looking at Paige either. It was too much so she went outside quietly.
"My Goodness! Wayne?. Emily is your daughter?". Nicklaus was shocked how can this be?. His daughter was going to marry Wayne's emily?. What a small world. As Nicklaus was quite thinking about all that, wayne began to really notice this paige who was quite looking at her mother without saying anything. He stood up and walks to her.
"Wow this is actually true. Paige has a twin?. I swear when Emily called i have had enough. I was going to pick her to a physiatrist or something. It seems she had completely lost it when I thought she had made progress ". Wayne studies paige then it downed on him what the meeting was all about so he turns to look at both Evelyn and Nicolas.
"What in the world is this Nicolas?. How come we are just finding this out?. What is happening here Evelyn?". Nicolas just looks at Evelyn.
"Go ahead tell him or sorry, let me do it. I don't want you lying again".
Evelyn just turns away again looking out the window while tears starts dropping again. She couldn't look at anybody there. They all didn't pity her. And Nicolas has never spoken to her that rudely before ever. It all started after she finally found the courage to tell him and Aria the truth about paige. She knows It's her fault so she has to take whatever he was dishing her she had no choice.
"Evelyn was married to Nick here before me. I was staying with them in California when I moved there Years ago. Evelyn seduced me into having an affair with her. When I found out she was pregnant I decided to end it, but she told me the baby was MINE!". Just recalling everything made him more sad. The blood was draining from his face. he was looking totally different .Aria who always had an opinion on everything was sitting quietly just watching the scene, trying to make sense of all the horror that is her family. She could hardly recognize her father. He has never looked that angry and different.
"She lied!. She was pregnant for Nick. she wanted me to just keep warming her bed. She never told me they were two babies either. She never told me after Nick came back and found us sleeping on his bed then shot me, he had taken the other baby, the one sitting here while I was unconscious". Nicolas heart was palpable. he was so mad at Evelyn.
Nicolas never regretted loving paige even after he found out she wasn't his. if Evelyn had owned up after their marriage he would have looked for Nicklaus begged him to have both twins in their lives. He was weaker amongst the three of them, but that very weakness had made him more patient than either two. He would have tried time after time till Nicklaus agreed, but no she didn't tell him. Evelyn was evil and he knows deep down he was never going to forgive her.
Wayne felt his kneels so weak he found a seat and sat down. He couldn't believe this Evelyn was the one Nicolas was talking about. He knew she could be overbearing, but she was a descent human being at least that's what he thought of her before now.
Paige who have been sitting down quietly studying everything being done and said, stood up and went to the window then started smoking without boring if she bordered anyone. She stood with her back to the window facing them while she smoked. It was like she was watching a movie. She didn't show any sign of speaking or caring what they thought of her. She could see her mother, wayne and Aria studying her. She couldn't believe all that that had been said was true. She didn't feel anything while she watches her biological. The woman met nothing to her so, she just kept a straight face while she waits for whatever it is they were waiting for in the cream mansion.
"Wayne can you believe our daughters would have married?". There was too much tension after Nicolas outburst, Nicklaus wanted to try reduce it.
"Is a small world indeed". Wayne agrees. Nicklaus then turns to Nicolas.
"Nicolas the harm has already been done. we have all paid the price for our misdeeds more so Evelyn I believe". He turns to her. For the first time since he knew her, she was looking so small he pitied her.
"I never in a million years thought I will say this, but looking at you both looking so miserable, sad and unhappy I just want to say I forgive you. I also made a mistake by not telling paige about her sister because I didn't want her to know you Evelyn and that had almost caused me my daughter". He stood up pours himself some wine then went back sat down and sip some while he continues.
"Should paige decide to have you two no you three including you Nicolas in her life, I will respect it. We have all learnt our lessons". He looks at Aria.
"Should you choose to call me uncle I won't mind. You are welcome to our home anytime". Aria mouthed "thank you". Of course she was going to try be in Paige's life. Though She is her half sister, but at this point she didn't care. She had lost her paige this one will do.
"Wayne am so sorry this happened to emily. She must have really loved paige. She still looks sad, though better than Evelyn I must say". He again turns to Nicolas.
"Nicolas please put aside your anger, we all will like to kill evelyn, but you need to take care of your daughter and wife. Evelyn will probably need a shrink. She looks terrible Nicolas, she needs help". Nicklaus seems sarcastic but he was serious. Nicolas who seems shocked by Nicklaus attitude simply nodded his head. Nicklaus stood up kept the glass on the center table and speaks to paige.
"Well paige if you will put out that thing we should go talk to emily and be on our way".
"Excuse me her name is also paige?". Wayne asks he was confuse.
"Yes it is, both my mother and Evelyn mum's names were paige. She just had to dare me use the name". He eyes her then chuckle. What a crazy bitch she is.
"Twins with the same names and initials that's the first Nick". Wayne says as he smiles.
"You can say that again fields. Can you please try explaining everything to Emily?. It will be better if you did". Wayne nods.
"Where is she by the way wayne?, She was seated here. We need to say some few words to her then leave". Wayne asks Aria to help get emily.
"Please Aria could you look for her for us?". Aria nodded and left. Nicklaus went to Evelyn says somethings to her then walked to Nicolas and also whispers somethings then walks out the house. Paige didn't stop smoking she walks out with it in one hand and the other hand in her coat.
As they all walk out. They saw Aria and emily coming towards them. Emily went straight to her father. She refuses to look at paige it was disheartening looking at paige, but not paige. She couldn't touch her or kiss her, it hurt a lot.
"Emily, your father will explain everything to you. I wish we met on a better circumstances. Am sorry we lost paige I hear she was a great human being. Please accept my deepest sympathy". Emily barely look up, but said "thank you"to Nicklaus. He then looks at Paige who was standing alone still smoking. Is as if it was her third in a row. She knows it upsets her father when she smokes. she just didn't care it helps her nerves. She throws it on the ground then stamps it with her boots. She composes herself and walks nearer to the group. To also speak to emily while she looks at the Evelyn.
"Am sorry you lost my sister. At least you are lucky you knew her". Nicklaus clears his throat. He didn't want paige to go far. She could be cruel sometimes. She continues.
"If you ever need anything please don't hesitate to contact me or my father. we will be happy to help". Paige gave a fake smile then turned to Aria.
"We will keep in touch yeah?". Aria hurriedly nods. Paige patted her hand then turns back and walks to the car without so much as a glimpse at her mother or Nicolas. Nicklaus gave wayne his card. they said their goodbyes and left.
Wayne walked emily to the small garden In front of the house to explain things. After Nicklaus and paige left, emily refused to leave until she knew the whole story so wayne walked her to the garden. He didn't want her outburst in front of already sorry Evelyn. She was hardly holding it together everyone could see it.
As wayne explaines everything to Emily she got even more angrier. She walked pass her father to the main house. Wayne calls after her several times, but she didn't even turn.
When inside emily went to the cupboard in the sitting room she needed something strong to help her before telling Evelyn her mind. she pours her first cup and drank. she fills it again to take another then she notices the pictures by the side. A lot of different pictures of paige and Aria. She also notices about four frames turned down. Emily picks them one by one to look. It was the picture of paige all four of them. She looks closer to properly examine the frame then it clicked. All those four frames turned down were pictures of this paige not her paige.
It meant Evelyn kept the pictures of this Paige as her paige in the house while she didn't tell anyone she had them or even about her. This Paige had seen her pictures while smoking that's why she turned the frames down. Emily frantically turns to Evelyn who was sitting down by herself and Aria seated with Nicolas.
"This frame. who's picture is it?". Evelyn was confuse at first.
"What do you mean emmy? That's paige".
"You damn well know what am talking about Evelyn don't you dare play dumb with me please, not now!". Emily had never raised her voice or even addressed Evelyn by her given name. She got Nicolas and aria's attention.
"It's paige, the first twin". Evelyn softly answered.
"I know, but what I don't get is why did you keep her picture here when no one knew she existed?. You wanted to be seeing her and you didn't want paige or Aria to know they had a sister?!. Who the hell are you? What kind of an evil mother are you?!".
"Emmy ENOUGH!. We all know Evelyn had made a mistake yes, but you do not disrespect your elders. I thought you better!". Her father was mad. Emily turns away. She was restless she put her hand in her hair combs it back in frustration then turns back to them.
"I just don't get it. Why will she enjoy looking at the pictures while no one in this house knew?. Aria, didn't you ever notice?. Look at the pictures this isn't my paige. The hair is longer and the shade is different". Emily notices this Paige didn't smile much. Her features were too serious and proud. She also notices this Paige had more abs than her paige, but she didn't say those out loud. Aria examines the photos and look at her mother.
"I never noticed all this, mother did late paige ever say anything to you about this frames?". Evelyn looked uncomfortable, but she had to speak up. All eyes were on her and she had promised she was never going to lie to her family ever again.
"She once told me she couldn't remember ever taking those picture because the last time she left her hair that long was when she was still in school. I told her it was taken by paparazzi during her university years, I don't think she believed me, but she never ask me again". Aria kept quite as if she was thinking of something then she spoke again looking sad.
"Not just this ones mother, the ones in your study and office at the shop, some where of this Paige isn't it". Evelyn didn't talk she just nodded. Nicolas was shocked he stood up mad.
"Hating you might or might not change anything, what am certain will is the guilt that will eat you up alive. Evelyn, it will cripple you right in front of us. While it cripples you I will watch it kills you!". Nicolas just turned and started walking away then suddenly stops and turns back.
"I thought I could forgive you, I told Nick I would look for help for you. I thought this pain will leave me. I thought I could tolerant you for the last time, but knowing everything now and more still coming o..". Evelyn suddenly stood up and went to him.
"There isn't more I swear it. The very last thing is in the open now. There isn't anything more I have hidden I swear on Paige's grave". then paw!. Nicolas had slapped her. His hands were shaking.
"If you ever belittle my daughter's grave again I will kill you!. Don't you ever swear with either of my daughters names again". He moves closer to Evelyn.
"Understood?". Evelyn was in shock and fear. She had never seen Nicolas this angry not even the day she told them the truth about paige. She quickly answered.
"Yes I do". Nicolas straighten his posture then looks at wayne.
"Am sorry wayne I need some air I will see you later". He walks to emily give her a kiss and left them.
After emily and her father left, Aria left for Paige's apartment to be with her boyfriend. She needed some distance from her family. Everything was a mess. She had called Shana and told her everything. Shana was mad Aria didn't tell her sooner. She could have been there.
Later that night Aria calls paige. she wanted to know about their trip back just to hear her voice. Because Paige didn't talk much while at the mansion so she wanted to hear more from her. Paige informs her that they were still in New York. Their flight was delayed and Nicklaus said they should just spend the night go to the cemetery in the morning once again on their way to the airport.
Aria was please she begs paige to come over to late paige's apartment so she could learn more about her late twin. Paige agreed. It so happens the hotel they were staying wasn't far from the apartment.
Some minutes later, Paige knocks on the door and Aria hurriedly opens it. She hugs paige and pulls her in. Shana was there already. She couldn't resist. Shana introduces herself then sat down directly opposite paige just looking at her awe. Aria brought some drinks paige said she didn't drink she wanted just water. Aria looks at Shana and Shana looks back at her too. Paige noticed and asks "what?". They both told her the other paige didn't drink too. She didn't say anything she just nodded.
Aria and Shana kept asking paige
so many different question. she answered as best as she could. Then later Aria suggested if she wanted to look around Paige's room to know more about her twin. Paige agrees she was glad to have some space.
While paige was inside the room emily and hanna arrived. Hanna who was in New York and back at the house was shocked when Emily told her all that has tranpared at the mansion. When hanna early call that evening to hear more from Aria. Aria suggested she came to the apartment to see paige with her own eyes so she drags Emily without telling her paige was going to be there. Emily seems depressed after seeing the other twin. Hanna wanted to see Emily's reaction when she saw the other twin.
When they arrive paige was inside Paige's room and emily said she was press she was gonna go pee in Paige's room. As she opens the door she saw paige sitting on the bed smoking while going Paige's album and files. Emily almost scream then she remembered this was the twin and her paige didn't smoke.
"What are you doing here?" Emily asks angry. Paige looks up then look down and continue what she was doing.
"If am right this isn't your apartment, but my sister's. I don't believe I need your permission to be here". Emily hisses and walks to the bathroom. When she came out few minutes later paige was using one of Paige's favorite mug as her ash tray. Emily rushes and got it.
"What the hell is your problem emily?. Why are you trying to irritate me?". Paige says.
"What? me irritate you or you irritate me? Why would you use Paige's mug for your smoke?. Can't you get a saucer or something? What are you going through her things for?".
"She was my sister for god's sake I wanted to know more about her. Aria gave me the permission to. It's common sense for me to try to know her even if she is dead you know".
"Are you saying I don't have common sense? You don't even know me!. How dare you judge me!". Paige inhaled softly and looks at emily.
"You finished Princeton at the top of your class, you have gotten offers but you refuse all. You work at your late mother's antique shop. you lost your mother more than ten years ago, you are an only child you have a best friend hanna, you love horses and your favorite is khan, and you love to cook". Paige stands up and stood very close to emily.
"Did I miss something?. Oh yeah, You were betrothed to paige before you two felt I love. Anything else?". Emily was so shocked she swallows her saliva.
"Khal"
"excuse me?". Paige didn't get her.
"My horse's name is Khal not khan". What paige and emily didn't know was Aria, Shana and hanna were all watching the scene. Hanna moves in smiling.
"Wow you must be paige, am the best friend Hanna". Hanna shakes her hand and turns to Shana.
"This one is more outspoken and fiercer than your paige". Hanna then turns back to paige.
"I like you already". Paige excuses herself she wanted to get a saucer for her smoke. As she walks out of the room emily looks at hanna.
"She gets on my nerves. She smokes in Paige's mug and Aria you don't see anything wrong in it?. And she is so arrogant. The only thing she has of paige is the face. I wish she didn't. She just gets to me I don't know why". Emily hissed.
"Oh common em you know you like the face I like it too, we all like it". Hanna looks to Shana and Aria.
"Don't you like the face?" They both giggle says "yes". Emily just rolls her eyes and walks out. As they all walk back into the sitting room, paige was there still smoking going through some files on her laps. With her legs both on the center table. She didn't even acknowledge them coming back into the room. They all sat down except emily who sat down at the dinning area going through her phone with nothing important there.
"Paige what do you do?" Shana asks she wanted to know this Paige. She lost her paige, but this one will do. Paige didn't look up she continue want she was doing while talking.
"Am a doctor by profession and also a manager of TMH". Hanna eyes almost pops out.
"Excuse me?. What did you say?. Emily stops what she was doing and looks up. Paige also looks up.
"You heard me". She refused to repeat herself she doesn't normally do that. When she believe to be clear she doesn't repeat her words.
"The McCullers holdings? You are batman?". Hanna stood up moving around trying to understand what was happening.
"Yeah that's correct. How do you know this?".
"Caleb rivers, he is my boyfriend. Hanna answered.
"Oh My God!". She continue and turns to emily.
"Em she is Caleb's boss. The one I was telling you Caleb said was mean when it came to work, but the nicest person he knows. The one that refused Caleb to come for my birthday last year. The one you know...". She raises her brow, looking emily in the wanted emily to get it, to understand without spilling the beans. Emily didn't though.
"The GIR...Lssss LOVING BATMAN THAT FUCKED HER FIRST GIRLFRIEND WHILE HER FATHER WATCHED!". Shock. Emily now got it. Everyone turns to paige who nonchalantly says "that's me". then continues smoking and going through the papers without a care in the world. She asks hanna.
"Caleb told you all that?. So he wants to lose his job I see?". Hanna now realizes what her big mouth did and began to panic.
"Am sorry he was drunk and we were having a laugh so he told me about the most shocking moment of his life you know, you having the balls to piss your dad that way. It was shocking. I swear I told only emily. Am just shock with everything that's all". Paige nods and just waves her hand.
"He is not getting fired Only because he is the best at what he does". Hanna then realizes something else.
"Wait I have seen you before". She walks to emily again.
"Em can you remember when I told you your paige looked familiar?. Oh my god, oh my god is her!". Hanna went back to paige. It's you I saw at the airport in South Africa almost two years ago isn't it?". paige did the maths then slightly looks up.
"Well I was there with Caleb and Spencer for work at that ti.."
"I knew it!. Em I saw her when I landed Pretoria form Cape Town. No wonder your paige looked so familiar em. I knew I saw her before, live. She just seems different. Is the hair and your paige was fuller". Hanna finally sat down still in shock. Everything happening is just so surreal. Aria and hanna just watch trying to ponder everything.
"Wow how wish I knew, I wish I knew ". Hanna kept saying. Paige finally puts down the papers she was going through and stood up.
"Don't we all wish that. It was nice meeting you guys, but I better call it a night, it has been a roller coaster day. We have all been beat one way or the other". They understood so they all stood up except emily. shakes paige and told her they were going to keep in touch. Aria hugs her as she walks her to the door.
After paige left, the remaining girls decided to sleep over to reminisce and compare notes. It was shocking for the first time they all agreed on one thing, this paige is totally not there paige. Emily drank to that.
Emily had started recovering it was a welcomed development to both families. On the other hand though Evelyn was still the same. Despite Nicolas anger he had to force her to see a shrink. The guilt was eating her up she was getting worse. She hadn't been to the office in months. Thank god Aria had experience due to staying at Paiges office she took up the responsible with the help of other workers at the stores. Evelyn has began making progress after seeing the shrink. She was showing signs of being a better vision of her old self.
A months after Paige's visit, Aria had gone for a weekend to Dubai where paige was at the time. She had never been there so after work paige took her out and shows her around. Funny enough they were getting along the whole trip was fun so when Aria was leaving Paige follows her back. She stops at New York to visit the cemetery before proceeding to Washington then Nigeria, Indonesia and Germany respectably.
After leaving the cemetery Aria drove paige to the fields home. Paige had earlier told Aria about her love for cars and horses. she had them at the estate in Washington and at the estate in Africa and Europe. She always ride when she was less busy it helps her get away alone. Paige didn't see the the need to go to the fields, but she just let Aria have her way this one time.
As they got there, they knock and there weren't anyone answering. after standing there for few minutes they started hearing noises coming from the back so they use the side ways to go behind the house.
When there, they saw emily riding Khal while wayne, the Marins including Toby and hanna were cheering her up. They were happy emily was getting back to their emmy. For months she hadn't ridden any horse. She usually just stays with Khal. Aria greeted everyone and ran to emily. When emily saw her she smiles, but when she notices paige her posture changed.
She just didn't like her she doesn't know why. The marins stood up to greet paige. Ashley Marin even hugs her. She had a few tears of joy and sadness at the same time. She truly loved the other paige. Paige shakes the rest and sat down at one of the chairs alone as she watches emily proudly riding Khal with so much pride and experience. Paige couldn't help but admire them.
After sometime, emily came to a stop in front of the group. They all stood up and clap except paige. They were happy seeing her. They blew some whistle in cheering her up. it was a big deal for everybody emily was getting back to herself. She had gone through so much in her life they just wanted her happy.
When papa Marin held Khal for emily to get down paige stood up and walks to them.
"You have a beautiful horse emily. The stallion is really something". Paige tries to touch him admiring Khal, but he started misbehaving. Emily who is aware of his antics asks paige to please back away. Paige refused until Khal tried to hit her with his head she almost left, but didn't. she moves back.
"Am sorry he doesn't like stranger. No one rides him except me so please keep your distance".
"Emily?. Paige is no stranger you know that. This horse is just stubborn like you. You spoilt him".
"No dad, he isn't spoilt he is just protective that's all". Emily rolls her eyes and continues to soothe Khal. Paige who isn't a quitter removes her jacket, tuck her jeans into her boots and zip it up then folds the hands of her shirt and held her hair up into a fist at her nape and then tugs her neck scarf using it to tie her hair back. She moves closer to Khal, everyone stood up.
"Paige don't do this, Khal is very stubborn I don't want you breaking a leg or worse in my house". Wayne warned.
"Don't worry Mr fields no one is breaking anything I assure you that". The marins all show their discomfort, but paige didn't listen. Even emily warns her to stay back, she thought Paige's arrogance would be the end of her.
Paige boldly held the ropes trying to steady his head as she moves closer to his head she ran her hand along khal's sleek neck, speaking to him softly and slowly. Emily watches paige whispering something to Khal then slowly and carefully moves putting her foot at the stirrup then climbs up. Khal moves vehemently and paige felt to the ground. Everyone ran to her. Emily who wasn't sympathetic hissed.
"I warned you fool, but you wouldn't listen".
"Emily!. What is wrong with you?. That's not how to talk".
"Dad you were here, everyone saw me warn her, but no she had to be an arrogant ass". She just turns to Khal pretending to warn him while she giggling.
"Am warning you emmy for the last time". Wayne was piss at his daughter.
"Fine. Sorry paigelyyyy, please try to listen next time when those who know warn you". She was being sarcastic. She didn't know this paige rides like hell unlike her own paige. Emily starts moving Khal. she wanted to return him to the stables, but paige hurriedly puts a hand on the rope.
"Am not done". She sternly stated. Emily who was having fun at the moment raiseds her hands in surrender.
"Okay do as you wish. dad don't say I didn't warn her".
"Paige enough. You don't have to prove anything to us. Please move away from Khal. Toby please get her another horse". Wayne was getting tire of this behavior. Toby nodded and stood up. Paige turns to him put a hand up to stop Toby.
"Am not trying to prove anything to anyone. I just want to ride this horse. If I fall the second time I promise to let go".
Wayne just sigh in frustration then asks everyone to move back. He moves closer to paige and emily. He helps paige hold the horse steady just to get pass the nonsense he was witnessing.
Paige repeated the same action as earlier. Spoke to Khal then Climbs slowly avoiding any sudden movement that might make him revolts. Despite that Khal jerks wildly at Wayne and Emily who were holding him. He began turning and twisting. Emily and everyone else expected paige to fall at anytime or give up and get down.
But no, not this paige. All her attention was on the stallion beneath her.
"Easy pal, easy now". She soothed, holding him very slightly. Khal jerks his head angrily trying to fall her. She held the rope more tighter.
"Easy now, we can do this, easy now". Paiges voice began to calm Khal. his nerves began to calm. He began to be under control. Everyone watched in wide-eyed shock, astonishment as Khal starts to smoothed out emily moves to him and hit him in trying to help paige steady him once and for all. She made him worse. Khal threw himself into the air, broke fast away as if he was going crash paige at the ranch. He was out of control!.
"Em why the fuck did you do that for? Your foolishness might end up injuring her!".hanna was mad. Like everyone standing there. Emily was silent. She didn't mean to make it worse. She wanted to calm him. She does that to him sometimes and it usually helps. It didn't this time.
They all didn't know what to do, they watch in silence as Khal rides crazily tearing across the landscape of the ranch with paige on him. Wayne ran back into the house and brought out his shot gun. If need arises he was going to have to shoot Khal. Wayne was looking so piss Emily didn't say anything. She silently pray.
"Are you happy now!? I might have to kill your horse to save this paige. We can't have the other twin die too do we?". Emily wouldn't couldn't dare say a word. Her father was mad so was everyone she could see it in their faces. They weren't happy with her stupid childish action. By now Khal had disappeared into the corner at the extreme end of the ranch. Wayne asks papa Marin to bring the pickup car so they could ride the short ride to the corner to see what was happening.
Just as papa Marin arrives with the car, Toby climbs the back and wayne opens the other door to get inside with papa Marin.
There came paige atop Khal riding rapidly towards them. Easing through the ranch area. Khal's ears were forward. He look as if he was enjoying himself as paige rides him fast and steady.
They looked breathtaking. It was a sight to watch.
No one said a word. It was so quite. They didn't sit down either. They simply stood in shock. they were in awe. Emily being a fine rider herself dismissed her jealousy and guilt. She was impress with what they were witnessing. Paige expertise in handling Khal was mind blowing. She didn't want to pretend she was blowed away so as paige was riding Khal back emily had a smile on her face.
When paige came to a hurl sitting down boldly, proudly and arrogantly on Khal. No one said a word or even move for a second until mama Marin made a whistle sound then everybody started clapping whistling cheering paige. Hanna, Aria, Toby and mama Marin all ran to her. They were extremely happy. As Paige came down hanna and Aria hugs her. Paige smiles and held Aria. Wayne walks to them.
"Am impress paige, none of us had ever witness such a thing from Khal. You did good paige you did really good. Paige says "thank you". the turns to Khal. Soothing him again.
"He did good, he did all the work, he is a beautiful thing he just needed an iron hand to steady him". She smiles as she held his head playfully soothing him and kissing him. When paige looks at watch emily. Emily was walking back into the main house. What no one, but hanna notice was emily while watching paige and Khal had tears and something else in her eyes. Hanna saw the same look emily had when wayne first brought Khal to emily. Emily knew hanna saw it so she walked away.
Another thing hanna didn't see though was that emily's heart had skipped a BEAT, the same way it did when she first got Khal and the Admission letter into Princeton.
"This can't be, this can't be, I didn't feel that, No am mistaken...".
Emily said to herself as she walks back into the house crying.
Cheers!