Chapter 4
The next morning, sitting in an armchair beside a beautiful French-style double bed, Annie was meditating in silence. She had practically spent the night comforting her friend with the curly hair and emerald green eyes who had just managed to fall asleep at dawn. Two long needles and a half-knit garment lay on her lap. She hadn't been able to concentrate on her knitting for a single minute. The events of the last hours hadn't allowed her to do that. Her mind had simply been transformed into a stormy sea. Memories came and went, the words that had been spoken, the moments that had been lived, and even the "what ifs" were fighting nonstop with the "would have beens"...All that had left her in a meditative state while she was looking at the young girl who seemed to be resting on that elegant bed.
She knew very well all this...How awful it is to suffer for love! No human being is prepared to be madly in love and then keep silent because that love is not reciprocated. How can anybody survive that? How can anybody get over it?
Love, that feeling which with its untimely arrival along with its anchoring in the heart, makes you a slave. That feeling which can make you fly and take you to the clouds, and also can strike you and throw you mercilessly to the ground. Yes, she knew that very well...She had lived it herself a long, long time ago. But fortunately, things had turned out well for her. Yes...After much suffering and hidden tears, finally life had decided to smile favorably at her.
She still remembered that evening when they had gone out for dinner to celebrate the beginning of Archie's professional life. He was so happy...He had never before imagined the leading role he could have in the Ardlay enterprises.
It had all started with a special request from Aunt Elroy to Albert; to teach Archie how business worked. Several months had passed since Archie had entered the business school of the Chicago University to study business administration. Albert, after thinking for a moment, agreed to do that as soon as Archie finished his studies. The deal was fair and educational: while he was at university, he would work starting from below and go through all sectors. So, when he got his degree, he could take his position without any problems. Archie had gone to see her, as soon as he had finished the meeting with Albert and Aunt Elroy, and tell her the great news.
She remembered it as if it were yesterday. His happy expression and the words he said when he came: "Get yourself ready. I'll come to pick you up in a couple of hours. We'll have dinner in a luxurious restaurant. This evening is going to be special, very special..."
She was greatly surprised when, at an unexpected moment, she saw on their table a small black box with a splendid engagement ring inside. Happiness came immediately into her eyes as a gentle word came out of her lips: "Yes."
She remembered it so well...That was when she discovered that sometimes fate was not so bad and that it also had the habit of playing in people's favor. Although it was not easy at the beginning since they had to fight tirelessly against Aunt Elroy's insults, fortunately Albert's unconditional support made things easier, so that after a time of intense preparations and constant confrontations, the wedding took place without any problems. Archie's heart had finally found hers, and since then they had both walked together, holding each other's hand, not to be separated anymore.
A year had already passed...A nostalgic smile appeared on her lips. It was incredible how life sometimes could be rose-colored and smile at them...
Sometimes, only sometimes...she thought with her eyes fixed on her sleeping friend.
A soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. When she opened, she saw a maid with an envelope in her hand. "It is for Miss Candice; it has just arrived. The messenger is waiting for an answer," she said, almost in a whisper.
Trying not to make any noise, she grabbed the envelope, thanking the maid, and closed the door.
"Who was it?" asked Candy, as she got up in bed, yawning.
"Candy, you're awake! How are you?" Annie asked her, while approaching to take her seat.
"Fine...I just think I'm a little hungry," she said smiling and touching her stomach when she heard it complaining and demanding some food.
"All right, that's a good sign. I'll ask for some breakfast to be brought up," said Annie as she rang a little bell that was on the bedside table.
"Did you call, madam?" asked a maid who entered the bedroom.
"Yes, Mary. Bring us breakfast, please. We'll have it here," requested Annie with a kind smile.
"As you wish, madam. With your permission," replied the maid leaving the room.
"You haven't answered me yet; who knocked on the door a little while ago?" asked Candy, stretching herself.
"Oh, of course. It was a servant. She brought you this. She said it had just arrived and that the messenger was waiting for an answer," responded Annie, giving her the envelope.
"It's from Pony's Home!" cried Candy excited.
Pony's Home...Miss Pony, Sister Lane...I pray that you bring Candy the peace she needs...thought Annie, looking at her friend as she opened the envelope impatiently.
Candy opened the letter and began to read out loud.
"Dear Candy,
How are you?
The reason for this letter is to ask you to come to Pony's Home this evening if you can.
We would also like you to let Jimmy know if you will come..."
"Jimmy! Is he here?" asked Candy surprised.
"I don't know..." answered Annie shrugging her shoulders. "Come on, Candy, go on reading...What else do they say?"
"Please, Candy, it is very important.
We're waiting for your answer...
With love,
Miss Pony and Sister Lane"
"Are they asking you to go to Pony's Home tonight?" Annie asked, even more surprised.
"That's what the letter says...Isn't that strange?" replied Candy as doubtfully as her friend. "Annie, could you see if it's Jimmy who came here? If it's him, let him come in, please. I need to ask him what this is all about."
"Of course. I'll be right back, Candy," said Annie, as she left.
Later Annie came with Jimmy right behind her.
"Hello, chief! What happened to you? Why are you in bed?" asked Jimmy when he saw Candy sitting in bed, surrounded by cushions.
Seeing him, she jumped out of bed and ran to hug him. "Jimmy! Oh, Jimmy! It's been such a long time..."
Jimmy gladly received her in his arms and spun her around. "I'm glad to see you too, chief! And especially like this, in your nightgown..." he said mischievously, winking at her.
Immediately, Candy pulled away from his arms and painfully blushing, she ran to look for her robe and cover herself with it. She had forgotten that Jimmy was no longer a child but a teenager.
"Don't worry, chief! I was only joking!" laughed Jimmy trying to reassure her.
"Jimmy! Don't be wicked. Keep in mind that I can still beat you," Candy defended herself, sticking out her tongue at him.
"You? A lady of high society? Yeah, right..." said Jimmy laughing, while imitating the women walking in long dresses.
"Of course! A lady of the high society who can climb trees," replied Candy, smiling and winking. "Do you still doubt it?"
"Well, children, that's enough," Annie interrupted them when she saw a maid enter the room with the breakfast tray. "Did you have breakfast, Jimmy?"
"Oh, yes, I had breakfast at Pony's Home before I came here. Besides, I can't stay long. I have to go back to Cartwright ranch to continue my chores. By the way, Candy, what should I tell Miss Pony?"
"Jimmy, what do you know about this?" asked Candy holding up the letter with one hand.
"Me? Nothing...The only thing Miss Pony said to me was to bring you this envelope and wait for your answer. Apart from that, I don't know anything."
"How strange...Don't you think so, Annie?"
"Absolutely, Candy..." Annie replied, while they looked at each other steadily.
"Well, what should I tell Miss Pony and Sister Lane?" Jimmy asked a little impatiently now, looking at the huge clock which was hanging on the wall. "By the way, Candy, your room is really big...And so luxurious..." he added while he was observing in amazement the beauty of that place. "Wow, a whole family could live here..."
Candy didn't answer; she was too much absorbed in her thoughts. But then she said, looking at him: "Tell them yes, Jimmy; I'm going there this afternoon. This is extremely mysterious and I'm intrigued. They're not usually like that..."
"All right, chief, I'll tell them. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to leave. With your permission, my pretty ladies," said Jimmy, making a small bow with his hat in his hand. Candy gave him a loving goodbye kiss on the cheek. She couldn't believe that her little Jimmy was becoming a man. She still remembered the time when he had said goodbye to her at the port with tears in his eyes...Without a doubt, seeing her little friends grow up filled her heart with a deep affection.
As soon as Jimmy left, Candy and Annie sat around a coffee table at the centre of the room to have their breakfast. They were completely silent. The last days had been distressing enough to silence even a regiment of parrots.
Suddenly Candy looked up and observed her friend. Annie had become an elegant and beautiful lady of high society. However, some shadows under her eyes darkened her gaze. "Annie, you should rest. Have a little sleep; don't worry about me anymore. I'm fine..." Candy prompted her, taking gently her hand.
Annie gave her a grateful look. She was really tired. "Thank you, Candy. I promise you that as soon as I wake up I'll come and see you." And saying that, she went out of the room leaving Candy alone with her thoughts.
…..
….
"William, you can't go on like this. You take too much care of that girl," said Aunt Elroy, extremely annoyed. "Don't you realize she does all this just to get attention? If things continue like this, your engagement could be jeopardized, and you know very well what that means."
"Aunt, I thought I had made it clear I didn't want you to talk like that about Candy. She is my ward. I'm the only one responsible for her, and the only one who can say or silence anything about her. With all due respect, Aunt, I'm telling you that you shouldn't interfere," responded Albert, seemingly calm, while he served himself a cup of coffee, sitting in front of his desk in the library, although inside him he resembled a volcano about to erupt. If there was something he couldn't stand, it was to hear anybody speak badly of Candy. He could bear anything, unless it touched "his Candy".
"You are more stubborn and capricious than your father..." grumbled Elroy as she sat in front of the desk. She knew very well that when it came to Candy, the battle was already lost in advance but even so, she told herself she should at least make a try. For nothing in the world would she let that girl ruin her nephew's life and the family. "Well, I'll leave that to you. I only want you to know what I think, and I recommend you to be alert. Something tells me you shouldn't trust that girl so much..."
"Aunt Elroy, please..." said Albert, looking at her steadily.
"Anyway...I inform you that we have been talking with Mrs. Peterson about the engagement party, and we decided it would be wonderful to have it in early spring, right here in Lakewood. What do you think, William? Wouldn't it be marvelous?" Elroy was speaking with a dreamy look in her eyes.
"You decided?" asked Albert, getting up and starting to walk throughout the room. "And may I know why you decide about things that do not concern you?"
"Oh, William, don't exaggerate, and please don't talk to me like that. I am still your aunt. Mrs. Peterson thought the two of us could take charge of everything. As you know, this is expected to be one of the best parties of the year. Not every day two members of powerful families get married. And as we are more experienced, we discussed it with Josephine who agreed, of course."
Albert stood in front of the window and let out a heavy sigh. This business of getting married wasn't going to be easy...
"Yes, it seems fine to me..." he finally said, still looking out of the window. "The party can be held in early spring here in Lakewood..."
"Oh, William, I knew you would understand! I'm going right now to find Mrs. Peterson so we can start the preparations," said Madam Elroy, as she got up quickly from her seat, excited.
When she left the library, Elroy heard some footsteps on the stairs. She looked up, thinking she would meet Mrs. Peterson or Josephine, her two best friends at the moment. However, she saw a young lady with clear skin, curly blond hair and emerald green eyes, descending slowly the stairs. Candice was dressed in a beautiful red dress, which was comfortable but also elegant and feminine, a hat of the same color and matching shoes. She dressed well, she couldn't deny that, but even so she would never like that girl. She would never be good enough to belong to that family.
Passing beside Aunt Elroy, Candy looked into her eyes and greeted her kindly: "Good morning, Great Aunt Elroy. How are you today?"
"Candice..." replied Elroy, grabbing her arm. "I inform you that the party for my nephew's engagement with Miss Josephine will take place in this mansion approximately in two months. I order you to behave yourself. I don't want a repetition of what happened two days ago, is that clear? If you don't agree with that, I beg you not to attend. I hope you have a little intelligence and pay attention to me. Have you understood, Candice?" Her look was serious, severe and decisive.
Candy was surprised and remained speechless for a moment. Her eyes began to blur with tears but she had to be strong. She couldn't fall apart in front of Aunt Elroy, not now..."Yes, Madam Elroy..."
"Very well. Good day, Candice." And letting go of her arm, Elroy continued to climb the stairs with her head held high, without looking back.
Candy, however, remained motionless in the same spot. Her whole body began to tremble, and tears began to flow down her cheeks...