The Box

Heath's PO

I woke up early because I slept early last night. It's only six in the morning.

While the woman is still sleeping, I decided to have a round in the ranch first. Besides, even if I'm gone, she can't escape from the area. She has no way to ask for help either. I took her handbag yesterday when we were on our way. The house has no telephone service. I already cut the line. In case she found my computer, she can't open it because there are multiple passwords.

I went downstairs and went straight to the kitchen and made my coffee. After drinking and cleaning my cup, I went to the barn where my horse is. 

I took my horse from the barn a few steps away from the shelter. My horse, and I named it Shadow because of the midnight black color of it.

"Good morning, Shadow. I miss you, boy. Did you miss me?" I said to the horse, patting it in the face.

"Neigh," that's all Shadow's response.

I smiled and took the saddle and put it on Shadow's back.

"We will do some rounds today. I wasn't here yesterday, so let's work, boy," I said and climbed up to Shadow's back.

"Let's go!"

"Nay."

I rode to the shelter in the middle of the ranch, which we use for some gathering. It's big enough to hold a hundred people. On the left side of the shelter is the ranch office, with three staff members.

M & B Creek Ranch has many things to offer. With the log cabins in different sizes, it will give you a real country life ambience because of the atmosphere. It is built along the creek that you'll enjoy fishing. It has a riding school for those who want to learn riding. There are many professional instructors in the ranch.

According to Claire, her brother made sure that the ranch will lack nothing. But when he mysteriously disappeared, the ranch fell into sleep. Only these few years that it came to life and made it to the top. I invested myself in raising the ranch. All of my time, my knowledge, my sweat, and my blood, I poured into this place. I owe my freedom to Claire. And my five years of life here at the ranch are heaven compared to my ten years in jail.

I arrived at the shelter, and some of the workers are taking some rest. They are all hard workers. Most of them are the same old as Charles Madrigal as what Claire told me. Some were the sons of his father's workers.

"Good morning, Heath!" One elderly man greeted me.

"Good morning to you too, Thomas! I replied.

"I'll go some rounds first," he told me.

"Okay, I think we have more guests today. I heard from Aira that we are fully booked starting next week," Thomas informed me.

"That's good news, Thomas. I'll check with Aira later. See you!" I said, waving at him.

We did our rounds. Thomas was right; they have more guests today. I will tell Claire that the ranch is doing pretty well. Actually, she doesn't need to work. The combined ranches from both of their fathers can support them for the rest of their lives.

But Claire's work for Shiloh is not to earn money but to find her brother and niece. Shiloh is the only person connected to Damien Hansen. The person who stole my life. The friend of Charles whom Claire has trusted to help her find her brother and niece.

After I finished the rounds. I went to the office and talked to Aira.

"Good morning, Aira!" I greeted the receptionist secretary.

"Good morning to you too, Heath!" The woman replied.

"Thomas told me that we are fully booked starting next week; is that right?" I asked.

"Yes, actually starting tonight," she replied, smiling.

I smiled back and thanked her.

"Thank you!" Then I went out.

I didn't notice the time while I was in the ranch. I made too many things for the preparation tomorrow. When I looked at my watch, it was already almost five.

After I put the horse in the barn behind the house. I get inside the house. I went upstairs, and I saw that her bedroom door was open; I could see her back facing the door. She's still on her bed? I entered her room and checked if she was OK. She's been crying from what I noticed in her tear-stained face.

I went out from her room and went to my room to get my laptop. With my laptop in my hand, I went to the kitchen. I put down the laptop on the dining table and turned it on.

Claire has a message. I opened it.

She

hasn't

come

back

with

her

nanny, Theresa;

according

to

Theresa,

she

has

changed

her

mind. She

said

that

she

doesn't

want

to

see

her

father

anymore. She's

afraid

that

he

might

be

very

furious

for disobeying his rules.

So

instead

she

sent

Theresa to

get

a

box

in

her

room

in

their

mansion. Theresa

told me

that

the

box

contains

photographs

with her

mother.

But

I'm

puzzled

with

the

gift

her

mother

told

her

that

she

put

in

the

box instead of

giving

to

her. I

will

see if I can convince

Theresa

to

have a look at the photographs. I'm

sure

there

is

something

hidden

there

if

it hasn't been touched by anyone. It's

been

fifteen

years. Hope

that

I

can

find

something

useful

in

that

box.

Until then, I'll update you.

P.S. If she's with you, be wise.

I also am intrigued about the gift of her mother. I type a reply.

Yes, she's

with

me, and

don't

worry;

I

won't

do

anything

to

bring

me

back

to

those

cold

bars

again. She's

still

sleeping,

I

suppose.

I

hope

that

you

can

have

a

chance

to

see

what's

in

the

box,

especially

the

said

gift

for

her

thirteenth

birthday. I'm

sure

you

can

do

it. You

have

succeeded

in

applying

for

the

job

of

being

her

assistant,

so

you

can

try

your

charm

on her nanny

also.

Good

luck!

Claire and I have different motives for taking Shiloh. But we both wanted a result. But for now we want to know what is in the box. Until then, I am not going to take any steps yet in contacting the evil Damien Hansen. 

We will see what's in her box, why she is very eager to get it. Even her nanny has risked her life just to have it.