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Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Chapter 16: The Compartment Pendant
“Oh, my god, Kate? What are you doing up so early?” Samantha called, alarming Kate in her seat. She had come from the kitchen to get a pitcher of water, and upon her return, she heard noises from their second floor family area.
Kate turned to Samantha with a pout on her lips. She responded, “Hi, mom.” She pointed to: the television screen and revealed, “I‘m watching Carlos‘ interview. The French open had its second press conference, and I wanted to see him.”
Briefly gazing at the television, Samantha sighed. She placed the water pitcher on one table and sat next to Kate. She embraced her from one side, saying, “You really love him.”
With one heavy gasp, Kate admitted, “Yes, mom.” She brought her knees up to her chest and wrapped them in her arms, saying, “I can‘t help it, especially since I know he is bac k.” “Well, I hope that this is it for both of you. I hope there is still a chance, but wait, did you already clarify with him about Hailey Mckenzie?” Samantha asked, her head snapping at Kate.
Kate simply shrugged and responded, “Carlos said they aren‘t in a relationship – ”
“Did you ask him about the incident in New York when you saw them kiss?” Samantha inquired. Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
Kate shook her head and replied, “Each time we talk, there seemed to be insufficient time. And no, I failed to ask him about that because that would be admitting I was even there! And that’s not going to happen.”
“But he said they are not in a relationship, and I believe him, mom.” Kate frowned and said, “ Come to think of it, before the kiss happened, Carlos seemed confused on stage with what Hailey was talking about, and a fter the kiss, I did not get to see his reaction anymore; I just… left.”
Kate told her mother about how she bumped into Hailey and how the same woman suggested she had a complicated relationship with Carlos. She defended, “If what sh e said was true, she was giving me rather too much info, don‘t you think?” “Or trying to make you believ e that was the case,” Samantha supplied. She shook her head and said, “Well, in cases of competition, you simply need to eliminate the rival. Simple!” “And how do you suppose I do that?” Kate asked, amused at her mother‘s suggestion. “By winning Carlos‘ heart all over again,” Sama ntha suggested. She winked at Kate and said, ” Don‘t worry, mommy is going to help you.”
“Mister Ronaldo, we see you often holding your pendant and kissing it before your matches. We‘ve always wondered, is that for good luck?” Before they could tackle Samantha‘s suggestion, the mother and daughter‘s heads tur ned in the television‘s direction. A news reporter asked Carlos a question.
On the screen, they saw Carlos looking down at his golden chain necklace. He gripped a visible penda nt and said, “Yes, this pendant pushes me to do my best. It is… my inspiration.” “Yeah, I noticed him often holding on to that pendant before his every match, too. Sometimes he would just hold it, and sometimes, he would kiss it. Probably for good luck,” Samantha rernarked, her eyes remaining g lued to the screen.
“Yes, I noticed it too.” Kate frowned and speculated, “But I wonder what it is?”
“Is that pendant from someone special? Perhaps a woman in your life?” Another reporter asked.
The camera focused on Carlos‘ smile. He said, “This is for a special woman.” He paused and soon add ed, “My mother.”
Looking down at the pendant, he described, “As you can see, it‘s a compartment pendant, a little bulkier than a locket, but smaller in dimension. Inside is my mot her‘s favorite ring. I always keep it with me to remember our family and my father‘s aspirations. For this ring was a gift from my father during her fortieth birthday .”
“The ruby ring?” Samantha sought, her brow raising as she tried to dig through her brain. “I remember how Carlos cherished that ring.” Leaning back, Samantha added, “Though, did you catch how he said it is for a special woman?” “Mom? It isn‘t the ruby ring, though,” Kate suggested.
“What do you mean, Kate?” Samantha asked.
Pointing to the TV, Kate explained, “That could not possibly be the ruby ring that belonged to aunt Agnes pawned it.”
Samantha‘s face turned into a full frown. She responded, “What do you mean, kate? Why would he pawn it? He loved that ring so much. It was the only valuable reminder he had of his mother?”
“He… um. He pawned it in high school, mom,” Kate repeated. “And he… he probably forgot about it because I found the receipt in his room. He placed it in one of his old bags, which he left behind.”
“Oh, my god.” Samantha could not hide her dismay. She said, “I used to remember how he cried for many days after Agnes‘ death. He kept holding on to that ring. Why would he pawn it, Kate? Why didn‘t you stop him?”
“He did not tell me right away, mom. When I found out, he already pawned it. He promised me he would ring bac